Itinerary
Days 1 - 4 ~ Beijing
Great Wall
Arrive in Beijing and explore her fascinating backstreets by rickshaw, where you will get to meet a local family for lunch in their home and see an age-old ritual at the Drum Tower. A picnic at the Great Wall at Mutianyu, a wander through the Forbidden City and Summer Palace, and a visit to the 2008 Olympic Games sites are sure to fascinate, as is a walk through the Wanfujing Night Market.
Days 5 - 6 ~ Xian
Terracotta Warrior
The Terracotta Warriors are Xian’s crowning glory, but you will also make memories in the colourful Muslim Quarter and pagodas, and enjoy delicious regional cuisine. Take some time atop the ancient city walls and see the Big Goose Pagoda, as well as Calligraphy Street.
Days 7 - 8 ~ Guilin & Longsheng
Li River cruise
In Guilin you will take in the beautiful limestone mountains set on the banks of the Li River, an inspiration to poets and painters for centuries. This is only the beginning; a relaxing foot massage at the Traditional Chinese Medicine Institute is a great warm-up for an evening walking tour through Central Square and to the Night Market.
Days 9 - 10 ~ Yangshuo
Qitang Gorge
Cruise the picturesque Li River. You can cycle through Yangshuo’s verdant rice paddies and absorb this quaint town’s atmosphere and culture as well. You will have plenty of free time to soak up your surrounds. Perhaps, chose to attend a Tai Chi lesson with a local master to get an understanding of this centuries-old tradition.
Days 11 - 14 ~ Yangtze River
French Concession Area
Cruise away from busy Chongqing and take in the view of passing boats and stunning gorges. Along the way you will come across Fengdu, Fengjie, Qutang Gorge, Wu Gorge, Shennong Stream, and Xiling Gorge. The Three Gorges Dam is an incredible undertaking that will leave you in awe. If time allows, visit the Sturgeon Farm near Yichang before you fly to Shanghai.
Days 15 - 18 ~ Shanghai & Zhujiajiao
In Shanghai experience the regal Bund on a walking tour, as well as ultra-modern Pudong. The Old Quarter has thankfully been preserved and offers you a glimpse into the China of old. Prepare to be amazed by an acrobatics performance, and relax into a day-trip to the canal town of Zhujiajiao. Depart on day 18.
Checklist & How we Travel
Inclusions:
13 nights hotel accommodation, 1 overnight train (soft sleeper four-berth shared cabin)
3 nights cruise ship accommodation (including 1 night pre-sailing),
Domestic flights as specified,
All road transport by air-conditioned vehicles,
All sightseeing as specified (excluding entrance fees),
Western tour leader based on a minimum of seven travellers,
Local English-speaking guides throughout,
Arrival and departure transfers,
Breakfast daily, four lunches and two dinners.
GETTING AROUND: The Yangtze and Beyond tour is designed for those wanting to visit the most famous historic and scenic places that China has to offer as well as explore the magnificent Yangtze River.
On this journey we have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of different forms of transport that China has to offer. For practical reasons major journeys across this large country are covered by short flights.
The main travel highlights of this trip are the cruises that the tour incorporates. Guilin is home of the beautiful limestone peaks that have inspired centuries of Chinese artwork and poetry. To best take in the scenery that this area has to offer we take a relaxing boat trip down the Li River from Guilin to the little town of Yangshuo. On this cruise, which takes most of the day, we travel on tourist boats complete with large glass windows and outdoor observation decks. In the little town of Yangshuo you will also have the chance to take advantage of some of the more local forms of transport that are available by cycling out in to the surrounding countryside.
For a completely different scenic and cruising experience our journey also takes us to the Yangtze River where we spend three days and three nights aboard our cruise ship. On the first night we pre-board the cruise ship before it departs Chongqing. The Yangtze River experience is not limited to time spent aboard the boat. We also take part in a number of shore excursions and also a short cruise in smaller passenger boats up Shennong Stream to see some of the smaller gorges.
In the water town of Zhujiajiao we will again take to the water on a short boat ride through the canal ways that wind their way through this charming town.
In your own free time in China you might also like to explore the public transport systems that are available by hopping in taxis or taking advantage of the subway systems in both Beijing and Shanghai.
Make sure that you pack good walking shoes, as the best way to explore the streets is often by foot.
WHERE WE STAY: The deluxe option of the Yangtze & Beyond stays in some of the country's best hotels. At Travel Indochina we believe it is important to get out and explore the country you are visiting, however we also understand that this is your holiday and that you may want to add to the experience by staying in comfort and style.
In Beijing we stay in the centrally located luxury of the
Raffles Beijing. A beautiful hotel located near Wangfujing Street close to shops and Tiananmen Square. Xian’s sleek, new
Sofitel Renmin Square has a prime location within the old city walls. In Guilin you can enjoy the fantastic cascading ‘waterfall display’ over your bedroom windows every evening in the
Lijiang Waterfall Hotel. In small town Yangshuo we stay in the deluxe rooms of the best hotel that Yangshuo has to offer, confident that its simple style will not detract from your holiday when considering the greater value of spending a little longer in this beautiful, relaxed and fascinating country town. In Shanghai you are back you luxury and
The Westin will have you struggling to get out of their luxurious beds and showers.
Whilst China's cruise boats are not always comparable to the international standards you may be used to, we are still confident that you will be comfortable aboard the Yangtze River 5 star cruise boat. Accommodation aboard the boat is in the form of comfortable private twin share cabins (doubles are not available) complete with ensuite facilities and large windows to enjoy the passing scenery even from the comfort of your room. Services on the boat (which has a capacity of about 200 passengers) are of the highest standard available on the river and include inside bar areas with great views, observation decks, dining rooms, entertainment with nightly shows and daily lectures, beauty salon, laundry service & international phone & fax facilities.
Whilst these hotels are all of outstanding quality, it is still worth noting it is common for hotels in China to allow smoking in some or all hotel rooms and also communal hotel areas. Some hotels in China also have only a limited number of double rooms available. For this reason it is possible that only twin share rooms will be available even for those who have booked double rooms.
As a company we occasionally face challenges in confirming bookings in some of our usual hotels in China. For this reason occasionally we are forced to use hotels other than those on our normal group tour itineraries. In the event of such a change you will receive information regarding your revised itinerary as soon as possible.
WHAT WE EAT: The culinary opportunities that are available are an important part of your experience in China. At Travel Indochina we are keen to provide as rich an array of culinary opportunities as possible. We like eating local food in local restaurants. We also don't mind lashing out occasionally at some very special eating establishments.
Great food can be had in local restaurants in China for US$6-12 (including drinks) - sometimes less. There are also some special culinary opportunities available that may be more expensive, but well worth the experience.
On this tour there are a variety of culinary experiences available to test your taste buds. You may want to dine on a feast of Peking duck prepared in the traditional way in Beijing, enjoy a dumplings banquet in Xian and you may also have the opportunity to sample authentic spicy Sichuan flavours (perhaps the most famous cooking style within China) in a true Sichuan hotpot meal. Apart from breakfasts,, four lunches, and meals aboard the cruise, we don’t include meals in the price of your tour to allow you optimum flexibility when choosing what you would like to eat. (Special note: please note that availability of both red and white wine tends to be limited mostly to locally produced products in most restaurants in China, if indeed it is available at all).
When it comes to making sense of the choices available to you your Tour Leader will be able to provide you with a number of options, no matter what your inclination. Tour Leaders will also frequently join you for meals taking you through some of their favourite dishes.
Tour Q&A
I’ve never travelled on a group tour before. Is group travel for me?
Our Small Group Journeys are not conventional group tours. You will be travelling with a maximum of 15 travellers (16 on Family Journeys), but most of our journeys have less than 12! They are designed to provide you with a good balance of personal discovery and group activity with like-minded travellers – and an enjoyable holiday. We shun mass tourism and all of its trappings – and we believe our style of travel will give you the best experience of your chosen destination.
Who will I be travelling with?
Travel Indochina travellers are of all ages and from all parts of the world. They share a passion for travel in Asia – a desire to savour the cuisine, meet the people and connect with the lives and cultures of these extraordinary places. Most travel to Asia from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
How fit do I have to be to join a Travel Indochina Small Group Journey?
Most of our holidays are suited to anyone of normal fitness and mobility with a desire to get out and experience Asia. Walking and optional leisurely cycling are common on all of our itineraries. Trekking and more adventurous activities are reserved for our journeys with an ‘adventurous’ grading, and this will be clearly marked on the tour page in this site. Some of our trips feature long drives or more basic accommodation. This will be clearly marked as well. Our accommodation is always chosen with your best interests in mind – location, cleanliness, quality and atmosphere are all important to us. The most important thing is that you pack a positive attitude and a desire to experience Asia and her people first hand. Download one of our trip dossiers or peruse this award-winning website for comprehensive information on your preferred journey. Click here for full description of journey grading.
What happens if I’m a single traveller?
Our groups are a mix of single travellers, couples, families and friends. Single travellers can choose between paying a supplement for a single room, or paying the twin price and sharing with another single traveller of the same sex. If we can’t match you with another traveller and you’re willing to share, you will travel in a single room without paying a supplement. You will not be pushed into a cumbersome triple share arrangement!
Can I bring the kids?
In short – yes! We offer a range of exciting Family Journeys in several countries. Asia is an ideal destination for family travel, with amazing historical sites and a range of unique, exciting activities like elephant trekking, river-rafting and kite-flying to name a few. There’s never been a better time to introduce your children to a region that will assume ever-increasing importance in their lifetimes.
What kinds of hotels will I be staying in?
We’d like to think that if you had the time to find the accommodation offering the best of location, cleanliness, atmosphere and value, you would make the same choices as us. Our hotels are both comfortable spaces to relax and unwind at the end of a busy day and great bases for exploration of the places you are visiting. A typical hotel will feature clean, comfortable rooms, private facilities and air-conditioning as well as great extras like a swimming pool and restaurants. Experiencing Asia isn’t about large gaudy international hotels devoid of local character. Nor is it about finding the cheapest hotel available. We’ve struck a balance. On our more adventurous tours basic accommodation is used in remote areas and this will be clearly marked.
What about your Deluxe Journeys?
Asia is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and historic hotels. With this in mind, we designed our range of Deluxe journeys. The emphasis by day is unchanged – small groups and an authentic experience of Asia. At night, however, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the ambience of these specially selected hotels. These are not luxury holidays. While staying in some of the finest hotels in the world, your focus will be on meeting the people, eating the food and getting into the history and culture of your chosen destination. That’s the way we do things on all of our trips. Please note that in some places Deluxe accommodation is not available. In these cases we use the best available hotels. This will be clearly marked in your itinerary. Single supplements apply to Deluxe options.
Why are your groups accompanied by both Western tour leaders and local guides?
We believe our combination of local and western tour leaders provides for the best travel experience. The feedback from our travellers over the years confirms the same. Our local guides are uniquely placed to share personal insights that simply can’t be provided by outsiders or guidebooks. Our western leaders call Asia home and have a network of friends and experiences to share. They are also able to fully appreciate your interests and needs and ensure these are being met. You will be inspired by their enthusiasm and passion.
How will I be getting around?
The journey itself is very much a part of the experience of travelling with Travel Indochina. Local transport provides for great experiences in cities and towns, and you will find that we include everything – sampans in the Mekong Delta, elephants in Thailand, cyclos in rural Vietnam and camels on the Silk Road. On longer journeys we use modern, comfortable buses. Some travel companies bring together a collection of local bus tickets and a rigid local bus timetable as a means of minimising the cost of their tours. We believe this minimises the experience as well. There is nothing more rewarding than a spontaneous stop in a village to mix with the locals or to snap that magical photo in the fields.
What happens at meal times?
Eating is one of the highlights of travelling with Travel Indochina, and we like to make sure you get to experience as much local flavour as you like. Apart from the great variety of culinary experiences on offer, food in Asia is usually very inexpensive. For this reason we do not include many meals in your tour cost. Our group leaders have a wealth of knowledge of restaurants from the mainstream to the obscure. On most nights, your leader will join you at a favourite restaurant while also making suggestions to those wanting to try something different.
What's the difference between Travel Indochina and the other companies offering small group travel?
We don’t know of any company that offers the combination of well thought out itineraries, tasteful accommodation, insightful western and local leaders, value for money and a base in the region ensuring an ear to the ground. If you’re shopping around, ask about your accommodation, transport and the tour leaders and guides who will take care of you during your journey. It may also be worth looking at the number of nights spent on trains and in hilltribe villages when checking out the value of your holiday. We don’t cut any corners!
