Yangzi & Beyond Independent Journey

14 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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China stretches for more than 9 million sq km, is home to 1.3 billion people, has 800 McDonald’s restaurants and spans five time zones. It may sounds like an impossibly colossal country, but the small historic and cultural gems dotted all over this cultural melting pot make China one of the most exciting, accessible and diverse places for travellers to take o...

Overview

Trip type
Operator does not provide
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy

Highlights

    • Cruise the canals of Zhouzhuang
    • Sample spicy Sichuan delights in Chengdu
    • Visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base
    • Voyage down the Yangzi River
    • See the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an
    • Scale the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall of China
    • Experience the culinary delights of Beijing

What's this trip about?

    China stretches for more than 9 million sq km, is home to 1.3 billion people, has 800 McDonald’s restaurants and spans five time zones. It may sounds like an impossibly colossal country, but the small historic and cultural gems dotted all over this cultural melting pot make China one of the most exciting, accessible and diverse places for travellers to take on. Be wowed by big cosmopolitan cities, humbled by the ever-grinning folk of smaller communities and taken aback by the historic glory of past emperors and dynasties.

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Details

Itinerary focusOperator does not provide
Group sizeIntimate group - max of 3 people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityShanghai
End CityBeijing

Destinations

Activities

  • Independent

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 3

Trip includes

    • Included activities are listed in the day-to-day itinerary
    • all other activities are optional and at your own expense
    • If you choose not to participate in the included activities on this itinerary
    • the cost will not be refunded

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1-3 Shanghai

Sleek, cosmopolitan, occasionally even space-age, Shanghai stands at the vanguard of new China. Come to terms with the city walking beneath its shimmering sky-rises, wandering the historical Bund area or getting a sense of the country's vast past at the various museum...

Day 4 Chengdu

Fly to Chengdu, the home of spicy Sichuan cuisine. Indulge in hot pots, dragon prawns or bang bang chicken, visit a traditional teahouse or perhaps attend a Sichuan Opera performance – your time here is whatever you want it to be.

Day 5-7 Yangzi River

Begin the day visiting the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base and hearing about the humbling work conservationists are doing to protect the symbol of China. Then it's a few days away from the big cities, cruising down the Yangzi en route to Yichang.

Day 8-10 Yangzi River

It’s thought that 700,000 labourers and slaves worked on the construction of the Terracotta Warriors in the third century BC; today it’s one of the most famous sights in China. The 8,000 life-sized statues pay homage to the dynasties and emperors of ancient China. Be ...

Day 11-14 Beijing

The hot spot of China, both modern and ancient, Beijing is forever reinventing itself. Visit the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven Park and Summer Palace. Then make tracks to the number one sight in China, the iconic Great Wall. Stretching for more than 3,400 km, this ...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $7,310
Price per day$522
Last Updated: 6/9/2018

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Peregrine Adventures.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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It’s been more than 36 years since our first small group set out to discover Nepal. It’s this heritage and our reputation that keeps travellers coming back time and time again.

We appeal to the well-travelled, discerning traveller. The one who chooses value over price, and wants to immerse themselves in a place instead of just ticking landmarks off a bucket list. The type of person who would rather stay in a family run B&B built in a 16th century Venetian convent than a forgettable hotel. We’re for travellers who want inclusions along the way instead of fiddling around for loose change.

Almost 20 years ago, Peregrine led an industry revolution by solely employing locally born leaders. This innovative approach gives our travellers a deeper insight into the countries they visit. Doorways are opened and a true understanding of the place is fostered.

At Peregrine, we travel in intimate groups and take the time to get under the skin of a destination. Of course we all want to see the Taj Mahal in India. But imagine then heading to a remote Rajasthani village and learning about rural life while in the company of locals. Seeing the famous sites is a must, but it’s often the memory of wandering through a small village or sharing dinner with a local family that will leave a lasting impact.

We promise to share our knowledge and expertise with you, and ensure you will come home with stories you will tell for years to come.

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Immersive experiences that prioritize value, authenticity and adventure over luxury touches for older travelers.

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Logistics

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nts), Overnight boat (3 nts)
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances. Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination. If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.SOFT-SLEEPER TRAINS: We use soft-sleeper class trains for most of our overnight train journeys on this trip. Compartments are clean, with padded berths (four to a room), sheets, pillow, blanket and boiling water available. Most trains have a dining carriage where meals are available three times a day, and there are snacks available on the train along the way. While we always try to have our groups staying together there may be times where due to ticket availability the group will be staying in different compartments and carriages. While railway services are rapidly being modernised in China, some train journeys in particular between less visited destinations may use older rolling stock and the carriages of a more basic standard.YANGZI RIVER BOAT: This trip spends time on the Yangzi. The boats and cabin arrangements on the Yangzi are controlled by the Chinese Authorities which means on occasion you may be required to share a cabin with passengers from outside your Intrepid group or with your group leader. All cabins are twin share. For those who have booked a single supplement, it's not available on the Yangzi river boat and you'll be required to share for this section of the trip.BEDS AND ROOMS: Some travellers have reported that hotels/accommodation in this region tend to have harder bed mattresses than those they are used to at home. Passengers that require a soft bed should consider bringing an inflatable camping mattress or sleeping mat. Smoking is prevalent in China and hotels generally do not offer specific non smoking rooms. Larger hotels with central air conditioning will sometimes transport the smell of smoke between rooms. While we ask our hotels to ensure our rooms are ventilated well before occupation in some cases this is not possible. WIFI, in room, or in public areas of accommodation is not as common as travellers may be used to in other regions.

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Plane, Boat, Overnight sleeper train,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Plane, Boat, Overnight sleeper train
Requirements
Some easy physical activities included in your trip. No physical preparation is required to make the most of the journey. ,
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. When travelling on a trip, you won't be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company's 24 hour emergency contact number has been seen by your leader. If you have credit card insurance your group leader will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number and emergency contact number rather than the bank's name and credit card details. Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country. Please go to our website for links to various travel insurance providers:
Visa requirements
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. The visa requirements for your trip vary depending on where you are from and where you are going. As a general rule most countries expect that you will have at least 6 months' validity on your passport. On arrival visitors may be asked to present return tickets and evidence of means to cover your intended stay. We keep the following information up to date as much as possible, but rules do change - it's important that you check for yourself. Residents from other countries must consult the relevant embassies or your travel agent.
Health & Safety
Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues involved with international travel. We recommend that you check your government's advice for their latest travel information before departure and ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all areas your itinerary covers. Please refer to our website's safety page for links to major travel advisories and updates on safety issues affecting our trip. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. Leave your valuable jewellery at home - you won't need it while travelling. Many of our hotels have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. Your leader will accompany you on all included activities, however during your trip you'll have some free time to pursue your own interests, relax and take it easy or explore at your leisure. While your leader will assist you with the available options in a given location, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your Intrepid itinerary, and Intrepid makes no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators running them. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Please also note that your Leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if it's deemed necessary due to safety concerns. For more details on the type of conditions and safety standards you can expect on your trip, please refer to Intrepid's operational safety policy on our website. We recommend that you take a moment to read through this information before travelling, and would appreciate any feedback on how well it's being implemented in the field: FIRE PRECAUTIONS: Please be aware that local laws governing tourism facilities in this region differ from those in your home country and not all the accommodation which we use has a fire exit, fire extinguishers or smoke alarms. BALCONIES: Some hotel balconies don't meet UK standards in terms of the width of the balcony fence being narrower than 10cm. PETTY THEFT AND PERSONAL SAFETY: While travelling there is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft, particularly in the more touristy cities. We recommend that you exercise caution when walking alone at night and encourage you to walk together and only on main, well-lit thoroughfares. Be particularly vigilant on public transport. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front, not hanging your bag over the back of your chair or on the floor and wearing a money belt will reduce any chance that your valuables should go missing. TRAFFIC AND DRIVING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD: Depending on where you come from please note that drivers in this part of the world may drive on the opposite side of the road from what you are used to. Look both ways before crossing any road. Traffic can be a little more chaotic than you might be used to at home. Be aware! Pay attention on all roads, even small streets and alleyways. Vehicles find their ways into impossibly small passages leaving no room for both you and the traffic. Traffic can be very noisy and horns are used to signal turning, overtaking and to announce going through intersections. SEAT BELTS: Please be aware that local laws governing transportation safety may differ from those in your home country and not all the transport which we use is able to provide seat belts. LIFE JACKETS: While life jackets are generally available on water craft, there may be occasions where they are not provided and child size life jackets are not always readily available. If travelling with children and this safety issue concerns you we will be able to advise alternative methods of transport (where available) for you to travel to the next destination. You can choose to travel independently for this leg of the journey. This would be at your own expense. www.intrepidtravel.com/safety
Meals Included

Meals introduction

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. On our camping trips we often cook the region's specialities so you don't miss out. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There's no obligation to do this though.

Meals

12 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information

Style descriptions

Comfort is your style of travel if you want the whole grassroots experience with more inclusions, meals and creature comforts. While accommodation is predominantly tourist class (3-4 star), on some itineraries there is the opportunity to stay with a local family, spend the night on a train or camp out in exotic places (without putting up your own tent of course). Along the way, you'll really experience the destination up close. You'll mingle with locals, enjoy a taste of their way of life and gain special insights from your leader. This is not luxury travel, but real world experiences - just with a softer landing!

Trip ID
peregrine-CBKRJ

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