Please help us pick a destination
May 5th, 2005, 12:38 PM
#1
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Please help us pick a destination
Hi
My girlfriend and I are looking for an adventure holiday to any of the following countries: China, India, Vietnam, Nepal or Tibet. We have only 2 weeks holiday anywhere in October or November and will be travelling from the UK. We have previously done Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail and the Amazon in Peru. We are looking for a similar adventure holiday and would really appreciate any suggestions on destinations you might think would interest us. High level feedback only, for now, just to help us pick a destination before plunging into the research.
Tibet
We would really love to spend a few days in Tibet, but are not sure if this is safe/possible.
China
Anywhere in China that you can recommend? I've heard about some valley (can't recall the name, any ideas?) that will be flooded in 2007 to build a dam (part of it has already been flooded, apparently) which I heard is worth visiting. Any other areas?
Nepal
Is this worth while? Is it possible to hike from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp in less than 2 weeks and still have a couple of days to relax afterwards?
India
Obviously lots to see, but a different holiday. Probably a second choice to China unless someone that's been across Asia tells me it should be number one on my list.
Vietnam
Only mention it coz I've heard it referred to recently as an exotic holiday which sounded like fun. Is this suitable for a 2 week holiday...again , allowing for a couple of luxury chilling days at the end of the 2 weeks?
Any other destinations you would recommend over and above these?
Any feedback much appreciated...keep smiling!
Kind regards,
Scatterling
My girlfriend and I are looking for an adventure holiday to any of the following countries: China, India, Vietnam, Nepal or Tibet. We have only 2 weeks holiday anywhere in October or November and will be travelling from the UK. We have previously done Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Machu Picchu, the Inca Trail and the Amazon in Peru. We are looking for a similar adventure holiday and would really appreciate any suggestions on destinations you might think would interest us. High level feedback only, for now, just to help us pick a destination before plunging into the research.
Tibet
We would really love to spend a few days in Tibet, but are not sure if this is safe/possible.
China
Anywhere in China that you can recommend? I've heard about some valley (can't recall the name, any ideas?) that will be flooded in 2007 to build a dam (part of it has already been flooded, apparently) which I heard is worth visiting. Any other areas?
Nepal
Is this worth while? Is it possible to hike from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp in less than 2 weeks and still have a couple of days to relax afterwards?
India
Obviously lots to see, but a different holiday. Probably a second choice to China unless someone that's been across Asia tells me it should be number one on my list.
Vietnam
Only mention it coz I've heard it referred to recently as an exotic holiday which sounded like fun. Is this suitable for a 2 week holiday...again , allowing for a couple of luxury chilling days at the end of the 2 weeks?
Any other destinations you would recommend over and above these?
Any feedback much appreciated...keep smiling!
Kind regards,
Scatterling
May 5th, 2005, 01:16 PM
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Tibet is very safe and easy to add to your China trip (if that's what you decide on). The most frequent (daily) nonstop flights to Lhasa are from Chengdu in Sichuan Province. There are non-daily flights to/from other cities in China. You may also be able to travel overland from Nepal but I'm unsure of the details.
In China, I think you mean the Yangtze river gorge, of which there are many vessels operating 3/4 night cruises. I haven't done one of these myself so can't comment. Opinions seem to vary - some think it's great, some think it's overrated. Do a search here for 'yangtze river' and read the various opinions. The cruise can be easily combined with Tibet as they embark/disembark in Chongqing where there are flights to/from Lhasa 3x weekly (you can also fly to Chengdu and take a 5 hour bus to Chongqing). As for other areas in China, what are your interests? Cultural, scenic, cities, rural areas? China is a vast country and it's difficult to advise without more specfics.
With 2 weeks time, if you plan to include Tibet, I would advise traveling to 3 other areas/cities at most to avoid moving around too much. If wanting to see the 'highlights', then perhaps Beijing, Xian, Yangtze cruise, Tibet - that's doable in 2 weeks with easy connections. Or if skipping the cruise, consider substituting Yunnan (Lijiang/Dali) or Guilin. That's just a start, there are infinite possibilities.
Oct/Nov is a great time to visit by the way. It may be cold in Tibet but it won't be stifling hot elsewhere. The first week of October is the national holiday so you may run into some difficulty booking trains, etc. but anytime after that is good.
Cannot help with the other 3 countries.
In China, I think you mean the Yangtze river gorge, of which there are many vessels operating 3/4 night cruises. I haven't done one of these myself so can't comment. Opinions seem to vary - some think it's great, some think it's overrated. Do a search here for 'yangtze river' and read the various opinions. The cruise can be easily combined with Tibet as they embark/disembark in Chongqing where there are flights to/from Lhasa 3x weekly (you can also fly to Chengdu and take a 5 hour bus to Chongqing). As for other areas in China, what are your interests? Cultural, scenic, cities, rural areas? China is a vast country and it's difficult to advise without more specfics.
With 2 weeks time, if you plan to include Tibet, I would advise traveling to 3 other areas/cities at most to avoid moving around too much. If wanting to see the 'highlights', then perhaps Beijing, Xian, Yangtze cruise, Tibet - that's doable in 2 weeks with easy connections. Or if skipping the cruise, consider substituting Yunnan (Lijiang/Dali) or Guilin. That's just a start, there are infinite possibilities.
Oct/Nov is a great time to visit by the way. It may be cold in Tibet but it won't be stifling hot elsewhere. The first week of October is the national holiday so you may run into some difficulty booking trains, etc. but anytime after that is good.
Cannot help with the other 3 countries.
May 5th, 2005, 02:07 PM
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Things are not very stable in Nepal these days. Keep careful tabs on the news. As you probably know, Maoists have been killing people in Nepal for years, but recently, travelers have been impacted, with Maoists holding tourists for several days, others have been held for money on treks. Things seem better right now, but I'd watch carefully. As you probably know, the trek to the base camp at Everest doesn't depart from Kathmandu. Nor is it considered the "best" of the many treks you can do in Nepal.
VN is an interesting destination. It doesn't strike me as being as "adventure" oriented as the places you listed that you've been. You can certainly do treks into hill tribe areas. Likewise, Laos and Cambodia are intersting destinations. Perhaps you'd be interested in visiting the temples at Angkor (Siem Reap, Cambodia) as you have visited Machu Picchu. You could do a two week trip to Cambodia and Laos that would be wonderful. There are some interesting eco-tourism destinations in Laos.
Sorry, I can't help with India.
VN is an interesting destination. It doesn't strike me as being as "adventure" oriented as the places you listed that you've been. You can certainly do treks into hill tribe areas. Likewise, Laos and Cambodia are intersting destinations. Perhaps you'd be interested in visiting the temples at Angkor (Siem Reap, Cambodia) as you have visited Machu Picchu. You could do a two week trip to Cambodia and Laos that would be wonderful. There are some interesting eco-tourism destinations in Laos.
Sorry, I can't help with India.
May 5th, 2005, 02:15 PM
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I'll help with India - read my trip report for an idea of what two weeks might be like. Note that you may want to include more destinations than we did if you do not want to spend as much time shopping:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34578710
For photos, see: http://craigandjeane.photosite.com/
There is a slide show option for convenient viewing
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34578710
For photos, see: http://craigandjeane.photosite.com/
There is a slide show option for convenient viewing
May 5th, 2005, 02:29 PM
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GO TO INDIA!!
Probalby no matter what else I do in my life it will be the greatest trip EVER.
www.waynehazle.com/india/
In 2 weeks you can do a few of the Northern Cities like Delhi, Agra & Jaipur.
But Siem Reap Cambodia is a great second choice:
www.waynehazle.com/seasia/
Probalby no matter what else I do in my life it will be the greatest trip EVER.
www.waynehazle.com/india/
In 2 weeks you can do a few of the Northern Cities like Delhi, Agra & Jaipur.
But Siem Reap Cambodia is a great second choice:
www.waynehazle.com/seasia/
May 5th, 2005, 03:42 PM
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If you want to experience adventure in China, consider trekking the Tiger Leaping Gorge area of the Yangtze. It is in the area of Lijiang. My sister said the Yangtse cruise was a dull way to spend 3 days, as the water is already so high that the scenery isn't so good. Walking up sacred mountains (i.e. Huangshan or Yellow Mountain) is challenging but rewarding. Lots of hiking & biking in the Yangshuo area as well, and we had a great time walking in the Longsheng area (Longji or Dragon's Backbone rice terraces).
May 5th, 2005, 03:46 PM
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Here is a link to our pictures at Webshots http://community.webshots.com/user/lenlachance The China 2 folder starts out with Longji rice terrace pictures and ends with Huangshan hike pictures (the scary path taken by my son and husband, I took the cable car up and hiked the summits).
May 6th, 2005, 04:04 AM
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Do not know exactly the adventure you want on this specific trip. There is a company that offers motorcycling trips in off the beaten path parts of Vietnam including renting you the bikes. Google and you should find them. Seems pretty interesting. You could hike in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India - look up www.indiamike.com for some suggestions. The Silk Route in China ending in Tibet is fairly adventurous. You can do part of it on horseback and part by road.
May 6th, 2005, 04:36 AM
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this may not be the best forum for adventure travel for most here taking a regular taxi as a opposed too a mercadeez benz tranfer too thier lux hotel is as crazy as they get..
supposedly the place too go in asia for some adventure travel is BHUTAN..
supposedly the place too go in asia for some adventure travel is BHUTAN..
May 6th, 2005, 01:48 PM
#11
I'm a fairly regular contributor on this board and I have to say, when I read orgy7's comment, I laughed out loud! You must admit, many of us DO like our luxury, but that's not to say we don't like adventure too. Several months ago, I spent several nights in a jungle lodge in Bolivia without electricity or hot water, but when it comes to Asia, I want my 5 Star hotels!
May 6th, 2005, 07:19 PM
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Scatterling, Not on your list but I might suggest wilderness Indonesia -- like Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo), Sulawesi, or Irian Jaya/West Papua (the Indonesian half of New Guina).
You'll find mountains, coral reefs, rain forests, exquisite flora and fauna plus fascinating and vibrant cultures. For a start take a look at Tanah Toraja in Sulawesi. Then try the Baliem Valley in Irian Jaya.
I can't think of any place on earth that offers so much culturally within profoundly beautiful natural surroundings.
I don't have any connection or knowledge of this organization but just to give you an idea I've pulled out a couple of websites:
Toraja
http://www.adventureindonesia.com/toraja-welcome.htm
Irian Jaya
http://www.adventureindonesia.com/ir...em-welcome.htm
You'll find mountains, coral reefs, rain forests, exquisite flora and fauna plus fascinating and vibrant cultures. For a start take a look at Tanah Toraja in Sulawesi. Then try the Baliem Valley in Irian Jaya.
I can't think of any place on earth that offers so much culturally within profoundly beautiful natural surroundings.
I don't have any connection or knowledge of this organization but just to give you an idea I've pulled out a couple of websites:
Toraja
http://www.adventureindonesia.com/toraja-welcome.htm
Irian Jaya
http://www.adventureindonesia.com/ir...em-welcome.htm
May 12th, 2005, 10:35 AM
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Thanks so much for all your posts - highly valuable information and I'll spend all of the next few weeks researching. Might come back to you individually with a few more questions if you don't mind.
Thanks again,
Scatterling
Thanks again,
Scatterling
May 12th, 2005, 12:01 PM
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Actually Orgy was right- for us that would be the extent of our "adventure"
We like our accomodations 5 star with people falling all over us, hotel cars to and from the airport, great restaurants, etc - we love it!
We like our accomodations 5 star with people falling all over us, hotel cars to and from the airport, great restaurants, etc - we love it!
Jun 5th, 2005, 02:46 PM
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Hi
Well, thanks again to all those who posted. We decided on China and Tibet, but are already thinking about next year's holiday for Nepal, India, Vietnam, and all the other destinations listed.
I have two points on which I would appreciate your help very much.
The first is feedback on the agency I hvae chosen to use for this China/Tibet holiday. We have chosen Tibet-Kham Tour Operator, which looks like the operator for Chengdu Tianfu International Travel Service. Has anyone had any experiences with them in the past? Their website is www.tibetmap.net, and they say much about themselves at http://www.tibetmap.net/news-and-ima...mpanyintro.htm
(The link doesn't always work first time around.)
Any feedback much appreciated.
Then secondly, below follows our detailed itinerary. If anyone has the time on their hands to glance through it very quickly, any feedback on where we might alter / enhance the program will be very much appreciated too.
Thanks again for all the help. Happy travels to all!
Kind regards,
Scatterling
Itinerary:
(We have 15 days max, so this fits in a lot into that time already)
15 Days China Tour
Beijing + Xi'an + Lhasa + Chengdu + Guilin + 3 Gorges + Yichang + Shanghai
Day01: Arrive in Beijing
Meals service: No meals Accommodation: 4* Qianmen hotel or Yuyang hotel
Fly to Beijing today. Guide will meet you at airport and transfer you to the booked hotel.
Day02: Beijing sightseeing
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Qianmen hotel or Yuyang hotel
Go and visit the famous Great Wall; on your return to City, visit Ming Tombs.
Day03: Beijing to Xi'an by air
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Oriental hotel or Jianguo hotel
Visit Forbidden City in the morning; ascend Tian'anmen, visit Tian'anmen square; in the afternoon, visit Summer Palace. Take flight to Xi'an in the late afternoon. Local guide will meet you and transfer you to hotel.
Day04: Xi'an sightseeing
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Oriental hotel or Jianguo hotel
Visit Terra Cotta Warriors, Huaqingchi, Historical museum and Big Goose Pagoda.
Day05: Xi'an to Lhasa by air (There are 3 flights to Lhasa from Xi'an weekly, which departs on Monday, Thursday and Saturday)
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Tibet hotel or Shengtaiyuan hotel
Visit Drums & Bells Tower and The Old City Wall in the morning. After lunch, fly to Lhasa city. In the rest of the day, you are free to get adjusted to the high elevation.
Day06: Lhasa sightseeing
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Tibet hotel or Shengtaiyuan hotel
In the morning, sightseeing to Potala palace; in the afternoon, visit Jokhang temple and local bazaar - parkhor street.
Day07: Lhasa to Namtso Lake
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: tents by lake (there is no toilet here)
In the morning, visit Drepun monastery, which is said to be the biggest monastery in Tibet; in the afternoon, drive you 240 kilometers north to Namtso Lake, which is the most beautiful and the second sacred lake in Tibet.
Day08: Namtso Lake to Lhasa city, then fly to Chengdu by air
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Amara hotel or Huayang City Garden hotel
After viewing the great view of sunrise over the lake, drive back to Lhasa; then send you to airport, fly to Chengdu. Arrive in Chengdu airport around 0530PM.
Day09: Chengdu to Guilin by air
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Guihu hotel
Fly to Guilin in the morning. Visit Fubo Hill and Reed Flute Cave in the afternoon.
Day10: Guilin to Yangshuo, Yangshuo to Guilin airport, then fly to Chongqing
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* cruiser ship
Today you will travel on the Lijiang River to enjoy the beauty of the mountains and waters in Lijiang area. Arrive in Yangshuo around 1300PM, visit the market there. In the afternoon, you may visit Yangshuo by bicycle. Send to airport in the late afternoon, take flight to Chongqing. When arrive in Chongqing, board the ship. Stay over night on it.
Day11: On the Yangtze River
Meals service: B/L/D Accommodation: 4* cruiser ship
Departs Chongqing at 08:00AM or 09:00AM. Shore excursion to Fengdu.
Day12: On the Yangtze River
Meals service: B/L/D Accommodation: 4* cruiser ship
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream.
Day13: Arrive in Yichang, then fly to Shanghai
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Xinyuan hotel
Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam site. Arrives in Yichang at 12:30PM or 13:00PM. Local guide will send you to airport, take flight to Shanghai.
Day14: Shanghai sightseeing
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Xinyuan hotel
Visit Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yu Yuan Garden and Jade Buddha temple.
In the evening, you can stroll in the local famous Shanghai Waitan and visit the famous shopping street - Nanjing Road.
Day15: Shanghai to your planned destination
Meals service: B Accommodation: not arranged
Send you to airport, take flight back home.
End of the tour
The tour price is:
A. USD2520.00 per person for 2 tourists taking this tour
B. USD2256.00 per person for 4 tourists taking this tour
C. USD2112.00 per person for 6 tourists taking this tour
Price includes:
1. Hotel accommodation services in Beijing, Xi'an, Tibet, Chengdu, Guilin and Shanghai listed as the itinerary, one night tent in Namtso Lake while in Tibet
2. Meals service stated in the tour. (All breakfasts will be served in hotel; all lunches are to be served outside hotel in tourist restaurant in the trip, dinners are not arranged)
3. Traffic service specified in the tour (from the time of meeting at Beijing airport on Day01 till the end of Day15)
4. English speaking guide service in the tour
5. Scenic visit charges through this tour
6. Land surface insurance
7. All air tickets and taxes (6 flights in total: Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Lhasa, Lhasa to Chengdu, Chengdu to Guilin, Guilin to Chongqing, Yichang to Shanghai)
8. 4* cruiser ship: Chongqing to Yichang
9. Travel permit to Tibet
Price excludes:
1. Air insurance
2. Tips to your guide at each part of the tour (giving tips to your guide can encourage his/her work)
3. First-aid if happened.
4. Personal expenses such as taking beverage, hotel laundry, IDD Call
5. Pay for join to enjoy the local show and local dishes.
6. Any unexpected expenses beyond control of travel agency caused by flight delay, flight cancellation, road blockage by slides, personal problems, hospitalization..
7. Extra RMB20.00 charges while inside Potala palace and RMB25.00 at Big Goose Pagoda while in Xi'an.
Phew...that's it...and I even cut it down a bit...! 8-)
Well, thanks again to all those who posted. We decided on China and Tibet, but are already thinking about next year's holiday for Nepal, India, Vietnam, and all the other destinations listed.
I have two points on which I would appreciate your help very much.
The first is feedback on the agency I hvae chosen to use for this China/Tibet holiday. We have chosen Tibet-Kham Tour Operator, which looks like the operator for Chengdu Tianfu International Travel Service. Has anyone had any experiences with them in the past? Their website is www.tibetmap.net, and they say much about themselves at http://www.tibetmap.net/news-and-ima...mpanyintro.htm
(The link doesn't always work first time around.)
Any feedback much appreciated.
Then secondly, below follows our detailed itinerary. If anyone has the time on their hands to glance through it very quickly, any feedback on where we might alter / enhance the program will be very much appreciated too.
Thanks again for all the help. Happy travels to all!
Kind regards,
Scatterling
Itinerary:
(We have 15 days max, so this fits in a lot into that time already)
15 Days China Tour
Beijing + Xi'an + Lhasa + Chengdu + Guilin + 3 Gorges + Yichang + Shanghai
Day01: Arrive in Beijing
Meals service: No meals Accommodation: 4* Qianmen hotel or Yuyang hotel
Fly to Beijing today. Guide will meet you at airport and transfer you to the booked hotel.
Day02: Beijing sightseeing
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Qianmen hotel or Yuyang hotel
Go and visit the famous Great Wall; on your return to City, visit Ming Tombs.
Day03: Beijing to Xi'an by air
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Oriental hotel or Jianguo hotel
Visit Forbidden City in the morning; ascend Tian'anmen, visit Tian'anmen square; in the afternoon, visit Summer Palace. Take flight to Xi'an in the late afternoon. Local guide will meet you and transfer you to hotel.
Day04: Xi'an sightseeing
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Oriental hotel or Jianguo hotel
Visit Terra Cotta Warriors, Huaqingchi, Historical museum and Big Goose Pagoda.
Day05: Xi'an to Lhasa by air (There are 3 flights to Lhasa from Xi'an weekly, which departs on Monday, Thursday and Saturday)
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Tibet hotel or Shengtaiyuan hotel
Visit Drums & Bells Tower and The Old City Wall in the morning. After lunch, fly to Lhasa city. In the rest of the day, you are free to get adjusted to the high elevation.
Day06: Lhasa sightseeing
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Tibet hotel or Shengtaiyuan hotel
In the morning, sightseeing to Potala palace; in the afternoon, visit Jokhang temple and local bazaar - parkhor street.
Day07: Lhasa to Namtso Lake
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: tents by lake (there is no toilet here)
In the morning, visit Drepun monastery, which is said to be the biggest monastery in Tibet; in the afternoon, drive you 240 kilometers north to Namtso Lake, which is the most beautiful and the second sacred lake in Tibet.
Day08: Namtso Lake to Lhasa city, then fly to Chengdu by air
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Amara hotel or Huayang City Garden hotel
After viewing the great view of sunrise over the lake, drive back to Lhasa; then send you to airport, fly to Chengdu. Arrive in Chengdu airport around 0530PM.
Day09: Chengdu to Guilin by air
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Guihu hotel
Fly to Guilin in the morning. Visit Fubo Hill and Reed Flute Cave in the afternoon.
Day10: Guilin to Yangshuo, Yangshuo to Guilin airport, then fly to Chongqing
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* cruiser ship
Today you will travel on the Lijiang River to enjoy the beauty of the mountains and waters in Lijiang area. Arrive in Yangshuo around 1300PM, visit the market there. In the afternoon, you may visit Yangshuo by bicycle. Send to airport in the late afternoon, take flight to Chongqing. When arrive in Chongqing, board the ship. Stay over night on it.
Day11: On the Yangtze River
Meals service: B/L/D Accommodation: 4* cruiser ship
Departs Chongqing at 08:00AM or 09:00AM. Shore excursion to Fengdu.
Day12: On the Yangtze River
Meals service: B/L/D Accommodation: 4* cruiser ship
Shore excursion to Shennong Stream.
Day13: Arrive in Yichang, then fly to Shanghai
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Xinyuan hotel
Shore excursion to Three Gorges Dam site. Arrives in Yichang at 12:30PM or 13:00PM. Local guide will send you to airport, take flight to Shanghai.
Day14: Shanghai sightseeing
Meals service: B/L Accommodation: 4* Xinyuan hotel
Visit Oriental Pearl TV Tower, Yu Yuan Garden and Jade Buddha temple.
In the evening, you can stroll in the local famous Shanghai Waitan and visit the famous shopping street - Nanjing Road.
Day15: Shanghai to your planned destination
Meals service: B Accommodation: not arranged
Send you to airport, take flight back home.
End of the tour
The tour price is:
A. USD2520.00 per person for 2 tourists taking this tour
B. USD2256.00 per person for 4 tourists taking this tour
C. USD2112.00 per person for 6 tourists taking this tour
Price includes:
1. Hotel accommodation services in Beijing, Xi'an, Tibet, Chengdu, Guilin and Shanghai listed as the itinerary, one night tent in Namtso Lake while in Tibet
2. Meals service stated in the tour. (All breakfasts will be served in hotel; all lunches are to be served outside hotel in tourist restaurant in the trip, dinners are not arranged)
3. Traffic service specified in the tour (from the time of meeting at Beijing airport on Day01 till the end of Day15)
4. English speaking guide service in the tour
5. Scenic visit charges through this tour
6. Land surface insurance
7. All air tickets and taxes (6 flights in total: Beijing to Xi'an, Xi'an to Lhasa, Lhasa to Chengdu, Chengdu to Guilin, Guilin to Chongqing, Yichang to Shanghai)
8. 4* cruiser ship: Chongqing to Yichang
9. Travel permit to Tibet
Price excludes:
1. Air insurance
2. Tips to your guide at each part of the tour (giving tips to your guide can encourage his/her work)
3. First-aid if happened.
4. Personal expenses such as taking beverage, hotel laundry, IDD Call
5. Pay for join to enjoy the local show and local dishes.
6. Any unexpected expenses beyond control of travel agency caused by flight delay, flight cancellation, road blockage by slides, personal problems, hospitalization..
7. Extra RMB20.00 charges while inside Potala palace and RMB25.00 at Big Goose Pagoda while in Xi'an.
Phew...that's it...and I even cut it down a bit...! 8-)
Jun 5th, 2005, 05:37 PM
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That's a lot of ground to cover in 2 weeks! Of course, I don't know your travel style and you may prefer something that's this fast paced. I personally would want more than a day and a half in Beijing and maybe 1 more night in the Guilin/Yangshou area, but I don't know how you would accomplish this and include all of your destinations without stretching your trip into more than 15 days. Do you have any flexibility with this?
3 nights in Tibet is a minimum. I wouldn't reduce time here. Otherwise you'd hardly get acclimatized before you have to leave already. Is this a standard itinerary that the tour operator gave you or is this a custom trip? You could try altering it by flying from Lhasa to Chongqing, do the Yangtze cruise, fly to Guilin after the cruise, and then fly from Guilin to Shanghai. This would avoid having to overnight in Chengdu altogether and free up an extra night for elsewhere. You'd have to check into the flight and cruise schedules to see whether this would work. There are nonstop flights from Lhasa to Chongqing 3x weekly or see if you can connect Lhasa-Chengdu-Chongqing same day. There should be plenty of flights between Chendgu and Chongqing each day. I don't know if there are flights from Yichang to Guilin. If not, try flying from Wuhan to Guilin. If you're unable to coordinate all of this and can't extend your trip beyond 15 days, then I would think about eliminating one of your destinations. But again this is just my point of view and if this is how you normally like to travel then go for it.
I don't know anything about your tour operator, sorry. I have very little info/knowledge about tour operators as with the exception of one 3 night package, we have always traveled independently in China.
Happy planning!
3 nights in Tibet is a minimum. I wouldn't reduce time here. Otherwise you'd hardly get acclimatized before you have to leave already. Is this a standard itinerary that the tour operator gave you or is this a custom trip? You could try altering it by flying from Lhasa to Chongqing, do the Yangtze cruise, fly to Guilin after the cruise, and then fly from Guilin to Shanghai. This would avoid having to overnight in Chengdu altogether and free up an extra night for elsewhere. You'd have to check into the flight and cruise schedules to see whether this would work. There are nonstop flights from Lhasa to Chongqing 3x weekly or see if you can connect Lhasa-Chengdu-Chongqing same day. There should be plenty of flights between Chendgu and Chongqing each day. I don't know if there are flights from Yichang to Guilin. If not, try flying from Wuhan to Guilin. If you're unable to coordinate all of this and can't extend your trip beyond 15 days, then I would think about eliminating one of your destinations. But again this is just my point of view and if this is how you normally like to travel then go for it.
I don't know anything about your tour operator, sorry. I have very little info/knowledge about tour operators as with the exception of one 3 night package, we have always traveled independently in China.
Happy planning!
Jun 5th, 2005, 06:07 PM
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You are trying to do a lot in very little time. I'm sure you could glimpse all of those places on your itinerary, but I think you wouldn't really get a chance to experience them.
You wanted adventure travel, but the only part of this that appears to be to be adventure travel is your (very short) time in Tibet. If this is what you want, fine, but be aware that you are doing a typical "tourist trail" China tour with very little time at each location. The cruise often gets panned on this board, and a great many peple have advised to avoid it. It will not be a luxury cruise by any stretch of your imagination.
In China especially, you can travel independently for half the price of a tour. Do you want a guide with you all the time or are you comfortable traveling on your own? I understand that you may want a guide for treking in Tibet, but otherwise you aren't doing anything you couldn't do cheaper and better on your own. Also be aware that in China you'll be guided to all kinds of shops and factories to buy at inflated prices.
Those are my cautions on your tour plan.
You wanted adventure travel, but the only part of this that appears to be to be adventure travel is your (very short) time in Tibet. If this is what you want, fine, but be aware that you are doing a typical "tourist trail" China tour with very little time at each location. The cruise often gets panned on this board, and a great many peple have advised to avoid it. It will not be a luxury cruise by any stretch of your imagination.
In China especially, you can travel independently for half the price of a tour. Do you want a guide with you all the time or are you comfortable traveling on your own? I understand that you may want a guide for treking in Tibet, but otherwise you aren't doing anything you couldn't do cheaper and better on your own. Also be aware that in China you'll be guided to all kinds of shops and factories to buy at inflated prices.
Those are my cautions on your tour plan.
