2009 China Total Solar Eclipse Tour & Cruise

14 Days 13 Nights

July 11. Arriving at Beijing airport in the morning, meet the local guide and transfer to the hotel. Tian'anmen Square, Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven (L/D) Overnight in Beijing

July 12. Great Wall. After lunch you will travel some 50 km northwest of Beijing to the Sacred Way, Ming Tombs. (B/L/D) Overnight in Beijing

July 13. Summer Palace, Yonghegong Lamasery, other sites. (B/L/D) Beijing.

July 14. This morning we will take an internal flight to the ancient former capital city of Xi'an, and visit the ancient Xi'an City Wall. (B/L/D) Overnight in Xi'an

July 15. Terracotta Warriors Museum. Provincial History Museum , Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Deluxe Tang Dynasty Dinner Show where fine food and spectacular entertainment bring another outstanding day to a close. (B/L/D) Overnight in Xi'an

July 16. Tai Chi Chuan, Forest of Stone Steles Museum, the Great Mosque. In the afternoon take flight from Xi'an to Chongqing. Dinner tonight will be Sichuan style at one of the best local restaurants, then afterwards we join the cruise ship and spend the night on-board before starting our river cruise. (B/L/D

July 17. Yangtze River at the start of the river voyage During the relaxing morning, you can enjoy all the sights of the river. After lunch we will make a stop for a visit to the Ghost City of Fengdu. (B/L/D) Overnight on board

July 18. As you progress along the mighty river, you arrive at Badong, here you will transfer to a small junk and explore the Shennong Stream. Afterwards we go back on board and have dinner. (B/L/D) Overnight on board

July 19 Today we will arrive at Sandouping and see the Three Gorges Dam Project. Meet the local guide and transfer to the airport to take flight to Shanghai. (B/L/D) Overnight in Shanghai

July 20 Shanghai Museum on People's Square with its fine collection of cultural relics. Then we will visit the Yuyuan Garden. Next comes The Bund, and the TV Tower of the Oriental Pearl and the 88-story Jin Mao building. (B/L/D) Overnight in Shanghai (tentative, we may change to be in Suzhou the night before the eclipse.)

July 21. In the morning take soft seat train from Shanghai to Suzhou. Free afternoon Suzhou. (B/L/D) Overnight in Suzhou.

July 22 In the afternoon enjoy observations of Sun Phenomenon of Total Solar Eclipse (B/L/D) Overnight in Suzhou.

July 23. Visit the Humble Administrator's Garden (Zhouzheng Yuan) Visit the Garden of the Master of the Net, cruise on the ancient canal. (B/L/D) Overnight in Suzhou

July 24. After breakfast go back Shanghai by car. In the afternoon take flights east.

Fares : 2898 USD p/p Single room supplement: 692 USD

Included in the tour price:

* 3 flights in the economic class with tax ( Beijing/Xi'an/Chongqing, Yichang/Shanghai )

* Soft seat train ( Shanghai/Suzhou )

* 4 Star hotels with buffet breakfasts, twin-bedded rooms with private shower and WC.

* English speaking local guide.

* Daily meals (as detailed in the tour description )
* Admission charges where applicable as shown in the tour description
* Transportation in the program
* Service charges for baggage handling between airport and railway station
* Domestic travel insurance

* 5 star Yangtze Cruise

* 16 passenger minimum or a surcharge will apply.

Not included in the tour price:

Tips for guide, driver and porter
Trip Accident, Cancellation insurance.
International transportation and tax
Personal consumption of ethanol.
Visa fee
$400 per person deposit. 50% due by 1 March 2009, 50 % 1 May 2009.
Deposit refundable less $25 until February 1, 2009.
Use of credit cards for balances incurs a 2% service charge.