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| Explore — Worldwide 2008/09 |
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NORTH & CENTRAL ASIA, CHINA & TIBET
CHINA " THAILAND " LAOS
Mountains & Mekong
Ref
YU
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
19 DAYS HOTELS/GUESTHOUSE FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE MIGHTY MEKONG
Mountains & Mekong Ref YU
Sumtseling Monastery
ZHONGDIAN
Tibetan villages Jade Dragon Mountain
Tiger Leaping Gorge
LIJIANG
Black Dragon Pool Puyi monastery Xizhou Bai houses 3 Pagodas Cloud Road
DALI
Lake Erhai boat trip
KUNMING
City of Eternal Spring
JAPAN
Japans Bullet train & Mount Fuji
Me
ko
CHINA
Guangnanba market & Botanical Gardens
Shogun Trail
14 DAYS HOTELS/RYOKANS/GUESTHOUSES TREASURES OF THE ORIENT
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JS
MYANMAR
JINHONG
JFMAMJJASOND JFMA
VIETNAM Visit Hilltribe villages
Golden Triangle
BAN HOUESAI
Pak Ou Caves
CHIANG SEAN PAK BENG
TOKYO
LUANG PRABANG
Temples tour
Shogun Trail Ref JS
Sea of Japan
Hirado & Ikitski Islands tour
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
JA PA N
HAKONE KYOTO
Lake Ashi/Mt Fuji Fuji
Downtown tour
THAILAND
km 0 300
Kuang Si Falls
L AOS
Victory gate That Lang Stupa
Hiroshima Peace Park
H O N S H U Imperial Capital
Bullet train Nara (optional)
Odawara
HIRADO FUKUOKA
99 Islands boat trip Sasebo
Shikoku
km
A rewarding journey of extremes, we travel the length of Chinas Yunnan province, discovering its rich scenic and ethnic diversity. Making use of Indochinas finest natural highway, the Mekong, we link these wonders with the delights of little-known Laos.
Tibetan Plateau & the Tiger Leaping Gorge High on a plateau near the frontier with Tibet, the town of Zhongdian (3200m) with its rambling lamasery, myriad fluttering prayer flags and nearby scattered villages, provides a striking starting point to this unique adventure. The road south winds its way through a landscape of towering mountains and steep-terraced valleys. We see the entrance to the Tiger Leaping Gorge where the Yangtse surges into a granite canyon, nearly 400m deep. Yunnans Minorities Dominated by the towering Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5500m) Lijiang is capital to the Naxi tribe and has a fascinating old quarter. We wander amongst the Bai people at Dali; an ancient trading centre on the old caravan route to Burma and India, nestling by the shores of Lake Erhai. Approaching the Laos border, the climate becomes tropical and the locals choose to live in comfortable stilt homes of bamboo, clustered together in villages surrounded by emerald paddies. Along the Mekong Our adventures afloat Indochinas great artery, the Mekong, begin with a thrilling speedboat ride downstream from China to
VIENTIANE
KYUSHU PACIFIC OCEAN
0
NAGASAKI
250
Nowhere do ancient traditions and rituals contrast so vividly with modern day living as in Japan. Modern Japan, where neon lights shine over busy cities, is contrasted with the peace and tranquillity of little visited rural regions. This tour affords the opportunity to visit the major highlights, but then goes beyond the tourist trail to uncover the unexpected charm and beauty of one of these rural areas, Hirado, offering a real insight into this fascinating country.
In the Shadow of Mount Fuji In the exciting city of Tokyo, we contrast 21st century technology with the ancient palaces and temples that lie side by side. The charming town of Hakone is our base for exploring the picturesque National Park. We take a ride by funicular railway and cable car for views of the magnificent Mount Fuji, before descending to serene Lake Ashi, where a boat ride across the lake takes us to the Tokaido Trail. We have the opportunity to walk this ancient route, in the footsteps of the Shogun warriors. We spend 3 nights in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan, where time is spent A geisha girl/Tanya Durkin
marvelling at some of the 2000 temples in this wonderful city. One day is left free to travel further afield; perhaps to ancient Nara, Osaka or Himeji Castle. Hiroshima & Nagasaki The Shinkansen or Bullet train takes us to one of the most inspirational places in Japan, Hiroshima. Completely devastated when it became the target for the first atomic bomb, it has literally risen from the ashes to become once more a vibrant city with a moving memorial park and incredible museum. Continuing by train we head for Nagasaki, a trading port which for over 200 years remained Japans only contact with the outside world. Much of the Dutch and Portuguese influence can still be seen today in the Meiji Period Residences that overlook what is perhaps the most scenic harbour in Japan. Ninety Nine Islands Leaving Nagasaki we travel by boat to the charming harbour at Hirado. We spend time in this beautiful and peaceful area, discovering an unspoilt natural environment with towering cliffs and basalt columns and cruising through the fabled Ninety Nine Islands. There is a museum dedicated to the traditional whaling community and local lifestyle, whilst in the evening we have an opportunity to take part in one of the great Japanese traditions, the hot spring bath!
Northern Thailand. We then glide by ferryboat across the border into Laos where we take to our slow boat, relaxing as we follow the rivers winding course downstream, meandering through remote villages and a wilderness of rugged beauty. Disembarking in the picturesque highland town of Luang Prabang we explore the beautiful architecture of its many Wats. Finally our odyssey ends in the laid-back capital of Vientiane.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Kunming. 2 Arrive Kunming. 3 Fly Zhongdian; explore Old Town. 4 Visit Sumtseling Monastery and Tibetan villages. 5 Drive Lijiang via Tiger Leaping Gorge. 6 Visit Old Town, Puyi monastery and Black Dragon pool. 7 Visit Yuhu village. 8 Drive Dali, boat trip on Erhai Lake. 9 Visit Xizhou market, Three Pagodas and chair lift to Zhonghe temple. 10 Visit Guangyin Tang village; fly Jinhong. 11 Trip to Guangnanba Dai village and Menglun Botanical gardens. 12 Speedboat to Chiang Sean (Thailand). 13 Boat across Mekong to Laos, visit villages. 14 Slow boat to Pak Beng. 15 Slow boat to Luang Prabang via caves at Pak Ou. 16 Walking tour in Luang Prabang. 17 Trip to Kuang Si waterfalls, fly Vientiane. 18 City tour. 19 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 16nts hotel, 1nt guesthouse; 17 breakfasts included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Bus/Speedboat/Slow boat/Flights/ On Foot. Comment: A thrilling tour focusing on some of Asias most stunning scenery and its rich diversity of minority tribes. The back-route linking China and Indochina along the Mekong has been little-travelled by Westerners. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader plus driver(s), boatmen and some local guides. Group Size: Approx. 13 to 18.
FACTFILE
Itinerary Day 1 Fly London/Tokyo. 2 Arrive Tokyo. 3 In Tokyo; walking/boat tour. 4 Optional excursion to Kamakura. 5 Drive to Hakone; visit Lake Ashi. 6 Bullet train to Kyoto; PM sightseeing tour. 7 In Kyoto; visit temples. 8 Free day with chance to visit Nara, Osaka or Himeji. 9 Train to Nagasaki, via Hiroshima and the Peace Park. 10 In Nagasaki. 11 Train to Sasebo; ferry to Hirado. 12 In Hirado; sightseeing tour of Hirado and Ikitski Islands. 13 In Hirado; walking tour; bus & train to Fukuoka. 14 Fly London. Accommodation & Meals: 9nts hotel, 2nts Ryokan, 1nt guesthouse; 12 breakfasts & 4 dinners included. See insert p2. Mode of Travel: Train/Bus/Tram-car/On foot/Boat. Comment: A comprehensive itinerary utilising a variety of transport, especially Japans efficient rail system, uncovering the delights of this fascinating country. Tour Staff & Support: Explore Tour Leader/ interpreter. Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
Laotian market/John Carr
Essential information, departure dates & prices see Pricing & Information Supplement
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