Yangtze River Small Group Tours & Trip Packages

Yangtze River Small Group Tours & Trips

15 Yangtze River trips. Tours from 18 tour companies. 66 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

6 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Small Group Tour
China Experience
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam, Yangshuo, Yangtze River, Yichang

Highlights

  • This is one of our most comprehensive trips in China, covering huge distances and taking in key destinations from north to south with plenty of variety in experiences and sights along the way
  • Zip through the country from north to south on its efficient high-speed rail network.
  • Take through the iconic scenery of the Yangzi River as you meander through the dramatic Three Gorges on a three-day cruise
  • No matter how many guide books you have read, nothing truly prepares you for the grandeur and immensity of historic sights like the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Leshan Big Buddha and the Terracotta Army. However, the country's modern man-made sights refuse to beoutdone, and you can see the modern equivalence of those ancient feats in the skyline of Hong Kong and the Yangzi River's Three Gorges Hydroelectric dam
  • Get up close to giant pandas in Chengdu and learn about the preservation work required for this ancient species.
Show more

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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China, the Yangtze River & Hong Kong 2023
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Beijing, Guilin, Hong Kong, Shanghai

Highlights

  • Ancient relics
  • modern marvels
  • incredible moments...Every exquisite temple
  • every precious icon
  • every delicate pagoda in China rewards with the richness of a cultural legacy stretching across thousands of years and a vast
Show more

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
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China, the Yangtze River & Hong Kong 2021
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Beijing, Guilin, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Xian

Highlights

  • Ancient relics
  • modern marvels
  • incredible moments...Every exquisite temple
  • every precious icon
  • every delicate pagoda in China rewards with the richness of a cultural legacy stretching across thousands of years and a vast
Show more

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
China, the Yangtze River & Hong Kong 2024
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Beijing, Guilin, Hong Kong, Shanghai

Highlights

  • Ancient relics
  • modern marvels
  • incredible moments...Every exquisite temple
  • every precious icon
  • every delicate pagoda in China rewards with the richness of a cultural legacy stretching across thousands of years and a vast
Show more

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
China, the Yangtze River & Hong Kong 2022
4.2/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Moderate

Visits

Beijing, Guilin, Hong Kong, Shanghai

Highlights

  • Ancient relics
  • modern marvels
  • incredible moments...Every exquisite temple
  • every precious icon
  • every delicate pagoda in China rewards with the richness of a cultural legacy stretching across thousands of years and a vast
Show more

Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"Sad to see a once good tour company stumble and fall into mediocrity. That’s Tauck post-Covid. My May 2023 tour of Normandy, Brittany and the Loire Valley was done on the cheap by Tauck, yet cost me thousands of dollars extra as a solo traveler on a special small-group tour. 

5-star hotels switched to 3 and 4 (without any compensation or explanation)… many more meals “on your own”… lots of “self-guided” tours of museums and chateaux and castles we knew nothing about… airline quality “rubber chicken” dinners, not in hotel restaurants, but in sad and isolated business convention spaces… poorly-trained newer Tour Directors (like the one on this tour) with limited experience traveling outside her tiny Canadian village or dealing with people from diverse backgrounds. She even confessed that this was a second gig job that took her away from her own business back home! You get what Tauck pays for, but unfortunately, not what YOU pay for. 

Speaking to a “Guest Relations” agent was comically pointless. She tried to make everything my fault, which I now understand is par for the course with the “new” post-Covid Tauck. Please reconsider spending huge amounts of your hard-earned money on a tour company that has lost its way and no longer delivers."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
17 Day Amazing China with Tibet
3.7/5 Great
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Lhasa, Shanghai, Three Gorges, Tibet, Xian, Yangtze River

Highlights

  • Small groups of maximum 22 travelers guaranteed Flights Los Angeles-Beijing, Shanghai-Los Angeles Other departure cities available. Click on date of departure for selection and prices Airline taxes & fuel surcharges All intra-flights: Beijing-Xian, Chengdu-Lhasa, Lhasa-Chongqing & Yichang-Shanghai 15 nights First Class accommodations

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"We have loved Gate 1 and always sing their praises. We've been on 7 tours with another one booked for fall. We were supposed to leave for Ecuador this week, however the country is in a 60 day state of emergency with the escape of 2 infamous gang members. Tourists are advised to stay indoors and there is a daily curfew from 11pm-5am. (our flight was to land at 11:15pm). Our trip included stays in 2 of the main cities of unrest. There have been shootings, car bombings, hostage taking, closing of embassies, and other countries issuing do not travel warnings. Other tour companies have cancelled tours or offered refunds or rescheduling. Travel insurance does not cover wars or civil unrest, but we are clearly afraid to go there. Both we and our travel agent have reached out multiple times with our concerns and asked if we could reschedule or get some sort of credit. We continue to get the same reply either in person or via email...Gate 1 has your safety as our highest priority and we feel you are safe ("they are not targeting tourists") and your itinerary should not be impacted. What? Their highest priority is $ and not our safety. There is no way that's the tour we anticipated. We cancelled the trip and took a 90% penalty, loss of deposit, and $276 airline penalty. It's a LOT of money, but we would have been terrified, and it's not worth getting hurt or worse. Sorry, but it's not the company I want to do business with in the future."

Trip dates & details
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Other trips you may like [sponsored]
China Experience
5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Three Gorges, Three Gorges Dam, Yangshuo, Yangtze River, Yichang

Highlights

  • This is one of our most comprehensive trips in China, covering huge distances and taking in key destinations from north to south with plenty of variety in experiences and sights along the way
  • Zip through the country from north to south on its efficient high-speed rail network.
  • Take through the iconic scenery of the Yangzi River as you meander through the dramatic Three Gorges on a three-day cruise
  • No matter how many guide books you have read, nothing truly prepares you for the grandeur and immensity of historic sights like the Great Wall, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Leshan Big Buddha and the Terracotta Army. However, the country's modern man-made sights refuse to beoutdone, and you can see the modern equivalence of those ancient feats in the skyline of Hong Kong and the Yangzi River's Three Gorges Hydroelectric dam
  • Get up close to giant pandas in Chengdu and learn about the preservation work required for this ancient species.
Show more

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
More
6 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Small Group Tour

Yangtze River Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
66  Reviews
See all Yangtze River tour reviews
Excellent
44
Great
17
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
0
A

Andrew

Oct 2015

Written on

Overall, the trip was excellent. This was

Overall, the trip was excellent. This was my first time with Intrepid but I have taken several similar trips (Tucan). The tour leader (Kris) was excellent and the ac...

A

Anne

Sep 2015

Written on

Emma was an excellent group leader- very

Emma was an excellent group leader- very friendly, helpful and polite. We really liked her suggested restaurant and activity recommendations and felt that they were ...

S

Steve

Sep 2015

Written on

Excellent Guide. Good Itinerary.

Excellent Guide. Good Itinerary.

B

Benita

Sep 2015

Written on

A well put together itinerary from Intrepid

A well put together itinerary from Intrepid and my tour guide Emma Guo was fantastic. She made herself available to the group 24 hours with added information on loca...

C

Cornelia

Sep 2015

Written on

I had a amazing time during this

I had a amazing time during this trip. China Experience is a very good to see a lot of spots in China. That only negative point was that we couldn't see the Forbidde...

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Yangtze River Tour Selection Trips

  • More than 60 vessels currently ply the Yangtze, so you'll have a choice of a number of different lines, of varying degrees of comfort and price. 
  • Westerners may want to choose one of the cruise lines that cater to Western preferences in food (including Chinese food done to Western tastes) and use English as their primary language, such as Uniworld, Viking, Avalon, or Victoria Cruises. 
  • Allow plenty of time to get your China visa before your trip. 
  • Despite improvements in visitors being able to arrange their own transportation, a tour of China is still the safest way to go if you don't speak the language, and taking tours largely free you from bureaucratic hassles.
  • Yangtze cruises are often included in longer tours of China, which may also visit Shanghai, Beijing, the Great Wall, Guilin, and Xian. 
  • Mid-summer gets very hot and humid on the Yangtze, so it's best to avoid July. Late August to October and May into June are generally the most pleasant months for a cruise.  

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