TIBET ADVENTURE & YANGTZE CRUISE
A cultural tour of China & Tibet

Day 01: Depart Vancouver / Beijing
The adventure starts off with a flight from Vancouver for Beijing.

Day 02: Arrive Beijing
Huan Ying! We are warmly welcomed in Beijing, the imperial capital of China, and transferred to our hotel. As we drive to our hotel we get the first introduction to this majestic city and capital to the world’s most populous country.
Overnight: Best Western Premier Hotel, Beijing (3 nights)

Day 03: Beijing
After breakfast, visit Tian’anmen Square, the largest public square in the world - the square and its periphery are home to some of China's most important monuments and government edifices. Then, tour the adjacent Forbidden City, the largest existing ancient architectural complex in China. After lunch, visit the Summer Palace - an enchanting panorama of lake, landscape, pagodas and pavilions. In the evening, we enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner. A Beijing Night Tour will be arranged. (B, L, D)

Day 04: Beijing
Today’s visit includes a walk on the Great Wall, which winds dragon-like across northern China. After lunch visit Changling, the tomb of Emperor Yongle (Zhu Di) - one of the Ming Tombs at the burial site of thirteen Ming Dynasty Emperors. This evening we enjoy a Beijing Acrobatic Show. (B, L, D)

Day 05: Beijing / Xian (Flight)
This morning we will be visiting the Temple of Heaven. Then embark on a bicycle rickshaw tour around the ancient alleyways of a Beijing Hutong - one of Beijing's rapidly vanishing 700 year-old traditional cottage neighbourhoods. Visit a family in one of the “Quadrangles". You'll be treated to a Dumpling Lunch at the home of one of the local families! Take the afternoon flight to Xian - one of China's ancient capitals. Upon arrival, visit the Ming Dynasty City Wall. This evening, you will enjoy a Xian Special Dumpling Banquet while being entertained by a colourful Tang Dynasty Show.
Overnight: Gloria Plaza Hotel, Xian (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 06: Xian
After breakfast, we head out to visit the Museum that housed the most exciting archaeological finds of the 20th Century – the excavation of more than 6000 Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses. In the afternoon we visit the Shaanxi Provincial Museum. This evening a Western Dinner will be served and a Xian Night Tour to the market in the Muslim Quarter will be arranged. (B, L, D)

Day 07: Xian / Yichang – Yangtze River Cruise (Flight / Cruise)
Before catching a flight to Yichang, a stop will be made to visit the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. After dinner, you will board the deluxe European Style cruise ship (5 Star category - outside cabin with balcony).
Overnight: M/V Century Star (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 08: Yangtze Cruise
This morning a shore excursion at Sandouping will take you to view the “Three Gorges Dam”, the biggest dam in the world. After re-boarding your ship, you will pass through the dam's 5-Stage Ship Locks and enter the first Gorge, Xiling Gorge, the longest and previously the most hazardous one. Today enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party, followed by a singing and dancing extravaganza. (B, L, D)

Day 09: Yangtze Cruise
After breakfast, enjoy a tracker boat ride along the deep, peaceful gorges of the Shennong Stream, with its waterfalls and magnificent peaks. You will return to the ship and set sail again entering the second gorge - Wu Gorge, known for its odd, misty rock formations and its backdrop of soaring mountains. Later in the afternoon, the ship will pass the third gorge - Qutang Gorge, the shortest but the most dramatic of the Yangtze’s Three Gorges with ancient relics scattered along its steep cliffs. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Yangtze Cruise
This morning we will be arriving at the “ghost city” of Fengdu. A shore excursion will take us to visit the temples on Mingshan Hill by the riverbank, which is decorated with moldings of ghosts and devils. Tonight, we enjoy the Captain’s Farewell Banquet, followed by a singing and dancing performance. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Arriving Chongqing
Your cruise will terminate at Chongqing in the morning. Afternoon tour of the city includes the Chongqing Zoo to see the lovely Pandas, Eling Park, People’s Square and Ciqikou Old Town. Tonight we will be treated to a Chongqing Hot Pot Dinner.
Overnight: Holiday Inn North Hotel, Chongqing (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 12: Chongqing / Lhasa (Flight)
Today, we will be departing Chongqing to Lhasa by air. If the weather permits, we will be treated to spectacular views of the 22,000 foot Himalayan peaks along the way. After arriving in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, you will have a relaxing evening to let our bodies adjust to being at 12,000 feet above sea-level.
Overnight: Lhasa Brahmaputra Grand Hotel, Lhasa (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 13: Lhasa
Spend a full day exploring the mysteries of this sacred land at the “roof of the world”. Tibet's unique branch of Buddhism has always permeated its everyday life - you'll visit the Potala Palace, a towering 1,000 room structure and former living quarters of the Dalai Lama; Drepung Monastery, largest and richest of Tibet’s active Lamaseries and a repository of superb Buddhist art and ceremonial writing; Sera Monastery with its breathtaking views of Potala Palace and the Lhasa valley. (B, L, D)

Day 14: Lhasa / Gyantse / Xigaze (Drive)
A spectacular drive along an old caravan trade route takes us through a stunning glacial landscape and high mountain passes to Gyantse via Yamdroktso Lake. In Gyantse we visit the Phalkor Monastery and then continue onto Xigaze, Tibet’s second largest city.
Overnight: Shandong Hotel, Xigaze (1 night) (B, L, D)

Day 15: Xigaze / Lhasa (Drive)
The highlight of your full day exploration of Xigaze will be a tour of Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most exquisite in Tibet and the former seat of the Panchen Lama. Fabulous murals grace the inner walls of this elaborate temple complex - but the focal point is an enormous bronze Buddha, the largest in Tibet, which stands 86 feet high and contains over 600 pounds of pure gold. Return to Lhasa in the afternoon.
Overnight: Lhasa Brahmaputra Hotel, Lhasa (2 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 16: Lhasa
This morning tour includes Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s oldest and most holy spiritual centre located in the city core. Ending with a stroll around the ethereal pavilions and gardens of the Summer Palace, which was built in the 1950’s by the Dalai Lama shortly before his escape to India. We will also have time to explore the Bakor Street and enjoy a Tibetan Style Dinner and Show. (B, L, D)

Day 17: Lhasa / Shanghai (Flight)
Take a morning flight via Chongqing to Shanghai, China’s largest city and seaport. This evening a Huangpu River Night Cruise will be arranged.
Overrnight: Best Western Longmen Hotel, Shanghai (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 18: Shanghai / Suzhou / Tongli (Water Village / Shanghai (Drive)
Day excursion to Suzhou to visit the Master-of-Nets Garden; enjoy a cruise on the Grand Canal. Then visit a silk factory. Afterwards take a coach ride to the Water Village of Tongli, which has a history of over 1000 years. Afternoon return to Shanghai. (B, L, D)

Day 19: Shanghai
Tour the ultra-modern Pudong Development Zone and get a closer look at the Oriental Pearl TV Tower. Then, visit Yu Yuan Garden, and Shanghai's famous People’s Square. Afterwards, take a walk on the “Bund”. Tonight you will enjoy a Shanghai Farewell Dinner. (B, L, D)

Day 20: Shanghai
Today is a free day for your own exploration. (B)

Day 21: Depart Shanghai / Vancouver
After breakfast, bid farewell to China and depart for Canada and arrive home on the same day. (B)

Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures May 23, Sep 26 & Oct 14

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include International Airfare from Vancouver Accommodation as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner) All sightseeing and transfers Services of local English speaking guide Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary Domestic air/cruise tickets Canada airport taxes CAD 300.00 – to be invoiced if taking the international air out of Vancouver or CAD 340.00 out of other Canadian’s gateways. China AIF (USD/CAD 120.00) – to be invoiced regardless. Insurance Visas (approx $ 65) Beverage Tips (approx $ 180)

Tour Price

We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement From Vancouver US $ 5280 • CA $ 5280 US $ 1090 • CA $ 1090 Land only US $ 4250 • CA $ 4250 US $ 1090 • CA $ 1090

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is included in this tour

Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast N/A Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast N/A

Participants

This tour operates with a minimum of 02 participants.

Notes

Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.