Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Thu.) Board your transpacific flight.

Day 2:
Arrive in Beijing, China. (Fri.) Welcome to China’s capital city. Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in.

Day 3:
Beijing. (Sat.) 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 TIAN’ANMEN SQUARE, the largest public square in the world spanning 100 acres. 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 and situated on Kunming Lake. This evening’s special Chinese WELCOME DINNER features delectable Peking Duck. (B,L,D)

Day 4:
Beijing. (Sun.) 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 make-up being applied to the performers. (B,L)

Day 5:
Beijing–Xi’an. (Mon.) This morning, enjoy a rickshaw ride through one of Beijing’s HUTONGS, the city’s ancient alleys. During this visit you’re welcomed into the courtyard of a family’s home and a daycare center to experience life in this historic neighborhood. A short flight brings you to the city of Xi’an in central China. Look forward to this evening’s highlight, “The Tang Dynasty” DINNER SHOW, featuring a colorful assemblage of classical performances.

Day 6:
Xi’an. (Tue.) 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 a visit to the DAYAN PAGODA, built in 652 A.D. During lunch, enjoy a NOODLE-MAKING DEMONSTRATION by a master chef and learn how Chinese noodles are made by hand. In 1974 the TOMB of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi was accidentally discovered by local farmers. Marvel at the legion of terracotta warriors that has been guarding the burial site for 2,000 years. (B,L)

Day 7:
Xi’an–Hangzhou. (Wed.) Fly to Hangzhou with its beautiful gardens and picturesque surroundings. Sightseeing includes visits to the PAGODA OF SIX HARMONIES and LINGYIN TEMPLE. (B,L,D)

Day 8:
Hangzhou–Wuzhen–Suzhou. (Thu.) Enjoy a leisurely morning CRUISE on the West Lake; sights include a collection of ancient bridges, causeways, temples, and palaces with well-manicured gardens and rock sculptures. View Three Moon Reflection Island prior to traveling by motorcoach to Wuzhen, a 1,000-year-old water town with ancient homes, workshops, and stores still standing on the banks of the rivers. Continue on to Suzhou, renowned for its silk factories. Here you’ll visit the INSTITUTE OF EMBROIDERY to witness local artists making vibrant and elegant Chinese silk embroidery and marvel at the display of stunning Ming Dynasty Imperial Robes. (B,L,D)

Day 9:
Suzhou–Shanghai. (Fri.) This morning’s sightseeing includes a visit to the tranquil GARDEN OF THE MASTER’S FISHING NET, designed during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 A.D.). The garden is an architectural achievement for its illusionary use of space, making it seem much larger than its actual size. Then, enjoy a boat ride on the OLD CANAL and visit a SILK REELING FACTORY. Continue by motorcoach to Shanghai, China’s most populous city and center of trade and industry. Tonight there will be plenty of time to enjoy the city, shop some of the 400 stores on Nanjing Road and the famous Friendship Store on the Bund, or be amazed at the fabulous acrobatic show optional tour. (B,L)

Day 10:
Shanghai. (Sat.) 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 and visit the CHILDREN’S PALACE, one of China’s famous kindergartens. This evening, your Tour Director hosts a special FAREWELL DINNER. (B,L,D)

Day 11:
(Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (B)
 

Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Day 1:
(Mon. & Tue.) Board your transatlantic flight and skip a day en route to India.

Day 2:
(Mon. & Tue.) Board your transatlantic flight and skip a day en route to India.

Day 3:
Arrive in Delhi, India. (Wed.) Welcome to India’s capital city of Delhi! After an early morning arrival you will have time to rest before meeting your traveling companions and Tour Director for sightseeing in the afternoon. Your Local Guide will show you the sights of “Old Delhi.” Start with a visit to the JAMA MOSQUE followed by a RICKSHAW RIDE through Chandni Chowk, a colorful local bazaar. You’ll also visit the GANDHI MEMORIAL MUSEUM and Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Tonight your Tour Director hosts a lavish welcome dinner including a COOKING DEMONSTRATION followed by a talk on Indian cuisine. (B,D)

Day 4:
Delhi. (Thu.) This morning’s sightseeing will focus on “New Delhi.” Visit HUMAYUN’S TOMB and Qutab Minar. Then, see the grand government buildings, the President’s House, and Parliament House. The afternoon is at leisure. Consider an optional visit to three famous temples for an introduction to India’s most popular religions: Hindu, Buddhism, and Sikh. Your Tour Director has suggestions for other activities. (B)

Day 5:
Delhi–Varanasi. (Fri.) Fly to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities, on the banks of the sacred Ganges River. Sightseeing today visits SARNATH, the cradle of Buddhism, where Buddha first spoke of his philosophy. For a truly memorable experience, join tonight’s optional tour: a rickshaw ride through the bustling streets of this unique city followed by a sunset cruise on the Ganges. Here you will witness striking religious rituals being performed—a truly unique experience. (B)

Day 6:
Varanasi–Khajuraho. (Sat.) Around dawn, board a BOAT to watch a striking religious ritual—the Hindu’s devotional bathing in the Ganges. You’ll observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge, some practicing yoga, others meditating, and still others bathing fully clothed. A late-morning flight takes you to Khajuraho, where sightseeing focuses on the mysterious TEMPLES, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, that have been isolated for centuries. Art historians have long puzzled over myths and legends in an attempt to understand the bizarre combination of prolific religious and erotic temples. (B,D)

Day 7:
Khajuraho-Orchha–Jhansi–Agra. (Sun.) Today enjoy the scenery as you pass through rural areas en route to Orchha. Upon arrival visit the impressive MEDIEVAL PALACE COMPLEX, once the capital of a locally powerful Rajput kingdom. Later, arrive in Jhansi to board your train to Agra, where much of the city’s impressive past is still evident today in the majesty of her buildings. (B)

Day 8:
Agra. (Mon.) Start your day with a sunrise visit to the incomparable TAJ MAHAL, an extravagant marble monument to love. The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his beloved wife, who died during childbirth. To add to this memorable experience, you’ll also travel by tongas (horse carriage) during your visit. Later, visit AGRA FORT, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Moghul Emperor Akbar, this impressive fortress of red sandstone conceals the imperial city of the Moghul rulers and its many palaces. (B,D)

Day 9:
Agra–Jaipur. (Tue.) Today, visit FATEHPUR SIKRI (the City of Victory) en route to Jaipur, known as the “Pink City.” This evening, enjoy a SARI and TURBAN TYING LESSON followed by a HOME-HOSTED DINNER with an Indian noble family. (B,D)

Day 10:
Jaipur. (Wed.) The highlight of today’s sights includes the amazing AMBER FORT. Later on, visit the CITY PALACE and the adjoining MUSEUM, which houses a collection of rare manuscripts. You will also stop at the famous HAWA MAHALl (Palace of the Winds). In the late afternoon, enjoy a WALKING TOUR through a local market, known for its arts and crafts including jewelry, enamel work, hand-painted fabrics, and stone sculptures. (B,D)

Day 11:
Jaipur–Udaipur. (Thu.) A short early morning flight brings you to Udaipur, the “City of Lakes,” where you will see some of India’s most beautiful palaces. Your sightseeing includes a visit to EKLINGI TEMPLE, dedicated to Shiva, the guardian deity of Mewar, followed by the JAIN TEMPLES OF NAGDA that date back to the 11th century. Today’s highlight is a CRUISE on Lake Pichola with a short visit to the island palace of JAG MANDIR. (B)

Day 12:
Udaipur. (Fri.) This morning, discover the massive granite and marble CITY PALACE with its courtyards, pavilions, terraces, and narrow corridors. Then, a visit of the adjacent CRYSTAL GALLERY and MINIATURE PAINTING COMPANY. Your sightseeing finishes at SAHELION KI BARI. The afternoon is at leisure. Tonight your Tour Director will host a festive farewell dinner to celebrate an unforgettable journey through India. (B,D)

Day 13:
Udaipur–Delhi. (Sat.) Morning at leisure before flying to Delhi. We have reserved hotel rooms for your use before transferring to the airport later this evening to board your homebound flight. (B)

Day 14:
(Sun.) Your homebound flight arrives the same day.
 

Dates & Prices