AVALON 2009: CULTURAL CHINA & TIBET W/ YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (WXY)

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Tour Operator

Globus

Offer

Offer valid through 4/1/2009

Duration

15 Days

Escorted

Escorted - Yes

Itinerary

Day	Destination	Description
Day 1	Board your flight	Board your transpacific flight.
Day 2	Beijing	Welcome to China's capital city. Hotel rooms are available for mid-afternoon check-in.
Day 3	Beijing	Your full-day sightseeing starts with a visit to the FORBIDDEN CITY and its IMPERIAL PALACE, once the home of China's great emperors. Nearby is 100-acre TIAN'ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and continue to the former SUMMER PALACE, a complex of pavilions, temples, and galleries set among beautifully landscaped grounds. This evening, meet your traveling companions at a special PEKING DUCK WELCOME DINNER in a local restaurant. (B,L,D)
Day 4	Beijing	The GREAT WALL OF CHINA once stretched 4,000 miles across China's barren northern terrain from the Bohai Sea to the Gobi Desert. Head north to a village where the Great Wall is well preserved and walk along the wall to enjoy sweeping vistas of this mammoth fortress. Then, visit a CLOISONNE WORKSHOP, where you will see local artisans use the techniques of this ancient art form to turn pieces of copper into colorful decorative items. After lunch in a local restaurant, take a leisurely walk down the SACRED WAY of the Ming Tombs and marvel at the impressive hand-carved stone statues. Tonight, experience local culture at the PEKING OPERA, including a behind-the-scenes look at the colorful makeup being applied to the performers. (B,L,D)
Day 5	Beijing-Xi'An	This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing's HUTONGS, the city's ancient alleys. Experience life in this historic neighborhood as you are invited into a daycare center and into the courtyard of a family's home for a tea ceremony. Fly to Xi'an, where you spend the next two nights. This evening, enjoy "The Tang Dynasty" DINNER SHOW, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances. (B,D)
Day 6	Xi'an	One of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world when China dominated the silk trade, Xi'an today is an archaeological treasure-trove. Sightseeing begins with the nearby DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 AD, followed by a LACQUER WORKSHOP. Next, visit the enormous tomb of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, accidentally discovered by local farmers in 1974. Marvel at the legion of TERRACOTA WARRIORS that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. Then, visit the Xi'an City Wall South Gate and learn to write like a local during a traditional Chinese CALLIGRAPHY CLASS. (B,L,D)
Day 7	Xi'an-Lhasa	Today, fly to the holy city of Lhasa, the capital of the mystical Buddhist kingdom of Tibet. The balance of the day is free to rest and adjust to the 14,000-foot altitude. (B,L,D)
Day 8	Lhasa	This morning, after a city tour, visit the imposing POTALA PALACE, once the center of the Tibetan government and the former winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Also visit one of Tibet's oldest shrines, JOKHANG TEMPLE, then spend time in the local BAZAAR. This afternoon, visit the SUMMER PALACE and a typical Tibetan monastery. (B,L,D)
Day 9	Lhasa	Today, take a special trip to a TIBETAN'S HOME that includes lunch, a visit to the DREPUNG MONASTERY (the largest in Tibet), and a TIBETAN HOSPITAL to learn of traditional medicine and therapy. (B,L,D)
Day 10	Lhasa-Chongqing, China (Embarkation)-Yangtze River Cruise	Fly to Chongqing, China's capital during World War II. The city is high on a hill overlooking the Jialing and Yangtze Rivers. Visit a local ZOO to see pandas before boarding the Victoria Anna or Victoria Jenna for a 3-night CRUISE through the breathtaking Three Gorges of the Yangtze. (B,D)
Day 11	Cruising: Wanxian or Shibaozhai or Fengdu	Depending on river conditions, one of the following shore excursions will be offered: Wanxian, "Gateway to Eastern Szechuan Province," where you will see an acrobatic show, market, and possibly a school; Shibaozhai with its 400-year-old, 12-story red wooden pagoda perched high on a cliff; or Fengdu, where you'll visit Snow Jade Cave. (B,L,D)
Day 12	Cruising: Shennong Stream or Daning River	Head downstream through the first and second of the three gorges-Qutang Gorge, the shortest but most dramatic gorge, and Wu, known for its quiet beauty and forest-covered mountains. You can almost touch the perpendicular walls rising from the riverbanks as your captain negotiates this narrow gap. After lunch, disembark for a BOAT EXCURSION down either the Daning River or Shennong Stream, depending on conditions. Continue sailing through Xiling Gorge and the Three Gorges ship locks. (B,L,D)
Day 13	Cruising: Three Gorges Dam Site-Yichang (Disembarkation)-Shanghai	View tiny villages clinging to hillsides as you proceed toward Yang Jia Wang. This morning, visit the THREE GORGES DAM SITE, where the Chinese progress toward building the largest dam of its kind in the world. After lunch, say farewell to your ship's crew in Yichang and transfer to the airport for your flight to Shanghai, China's most populous city and center of trade and industry. (B,L)
Day 14	Shanghai	Full day of sightseeing. Stroll along the Bund, the city's riverfront boulevard lined with historic buildings, housing, banks, and trade houses. You'll visit the SHANGHAI MUSEUM and experience the YU YUAN GARDENS. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant, then visit a SILK FACTORY and the CHILDREN'S PALACE, one of China's famous kindergartens. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special farewell dinner followed by a spectacular ACROBATIC SHOW. (B,L,D)
Day 15	Return Home	Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)

Dates/Pricing

Disclaimer

US$ Price Details

Land-only price includes intra-tour flights, and must be purchased with this vacation.

Single Room Supplement:
$1510

Triples not available.

Extra nights per person in Beijing:
Mon.-Thu. in single room $270; in twin room $150.
Fri.-Sun. in single room $220; in twin room $120.

Extra nights per person in Shanghai:
Mon.-Thu. in single room $280; in twin room $150.
Fri.-Sun. in single room $225; in twin room $125.

Extra nights per person in Hong Kong:
May-Jun. in single room $255; in twin room $140.
Sep.-Oct. in single room $465; in twin room $245.

Suites are available on board the Victoria Anna and Victoria Jenna upon request. Please call for prices.

Our Volume Buying Power Saves You Money!
-We may be able to provide you with flight arrangements from your gateway city.
-Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available at our low prices.

Additional Information:
-Departure/arrival taxes and fares from other cities will be advised at the time of booking.
-2008, 2009 & 2010 vacation itineraries and prices are subject to change.

Guaranteed Air-Inclusive Price:
Air-inclusive prices do not include a September 11th fee up to $10, passenger facility charges of up to $18, Federal domestic flight segment fees of up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure and other government imposed fees of up to $300 depending on your itinerary. Please see the Applicable Airfare Taxes and Fee link above for more information.

Air booked in conjunction with a land vacation is considered an air-inclusive vacation. Air can only be booked by Globus in conjunction with a land package and is only available for passengers traveling from the United States. For vacation departures in 2008, your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your air schedule had been confirmed and your entire vacation package has been paid in full. For vacation departures in 2009, an additional $250 non-refundable deposit (total $500 non-refundable) is required for air booked in conjunction with any land vacation and your final air-inclusive vacation price is guaranteed when your flight information is confirmed and Globus has received your full land and air deposit.

Not Included in the Vacation Price:
Federal inspection fees for the Federal U.S. Customs and Immigrations; International Air Transportation tax; agricultural tax; other per person taxes imposed by government entities; airport taxes and fees including the September 11th Security fee up to $10 per person, Passenger facility charges up to $18 per person, Federal domestic flight segment fees up to $3.50 per segment and U.S. and International arrival and departure, and other government imposed fees up to $300 per person; port taxes; passports; visas and vaccinations; tips to your Tour or Cruise Director, Local Host, driver, Local Guides, and/or ships' crew; gratuities on ferries, trains, and cruise ships; laundry; telephone; minibar; alcohol, beverages, and food outside of the contracted Globus menu as presented at a hotel or restaurant (these extra items will be billed to you before leaving the hotel, ship, or restaurant); optional excursions; airport transfers on non-qualifying flights; porterage at airports and train stations; Travel Protection premiums; all airline imposed baggage fees (including internal flights); and all other items of a personal nature.