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Trek |
DAYS |
Voir les photos
Holiday Overview
Holiday Overview
Highlights
- Reveal the real Silk Road with the visit to all highlights in Shaanxi, Gansu, South of Xinjiang
- Qin Terra-cotta Army: known as "The Eighth Wonder of the World"
- Mogao Grottos: Treasure House of Buddhist Art
- Kashgar Bazaar: festooned with traditions and ancient history and has become famous throughout Asia
- Mt. Muztagh: the Father of Ice
Brief Itinerary
- DAY 01 ARRIVAL BEIJING
- DAY 02 BEIJING CITY TOUR
- DAY 03 JIANKOU - MUTIANYU
- DAY 04 BEIJING CITY TOUR - XI'AN
- DAY 05 XI'AN CITY TOUR
- DAY 06 XI'AN - LANZHOU
- DAY 07 LANZHOU
- DAY 08 LANZHOU / WUWEI / ZHANGYE DANXIA NATIONAL GEOPARK
- DAY 09 DANXIA / ZHANGYE
- DAY 10 ZHANGYE / MATI TEMPLE / STAY IN YUGU
- DAY 11 YUGU / JIAYUGUAN
- DAY 12 JIAYU GUAN / DUNHUANG
- DAY 13 DUNHUANG
- DAY 14 DUNHUANG / TAKE THE TRAIN TO TURPAN
- DAY 15 TURPAN
- DAY 16 TURPAN / URUMQI / FLY TO KASHGAR
- DAY 17 KASHGAR / TASHKURGAN
- DAY 18 TASHKURGAN / KARAKURI LAKE / KASHGAR
- DAY 19 KASHGAR / URUMQI
- DAY 20 URUMQI
- DAY 21 URUMQI / HOME
Map & Itinerary
Map & Itinerary
The cities and beautiful landscapes of China’s western expanse are often forgotten by many travelers. Our CAT Silk Road Tours give travelers like you the chance to see China in an off-the-beaten path way. Before we start the silk road trip, we will first stop at Beijing for its history with a lot of famous must-see, but we at the same time added hiking on the Wild Great Wall. Then move to Xi’an the gateway to the West and the starting point of the Silk Road and home to the Terra-cotta Warriors. From there we head to Lanzhou, the ancient city of Wuwei, and Jiayuguan. Upon reaching the Silk Road’s Dunhuang we’ll for two days to explore its Buddhist caves and touring the desert by Camel. We’ll then head over to the citieis of Turpan and Urumqi until we fly over the Taklamakan desert to Kashgar. This is where the largest bazaar of Central Asia is held every Sunday. We’ll also get to visit Lake Karakuri at the base of Mt. Muztagh (7,545m). Whether you’re looking to uncover the trading routs of the silk road, ride camels through the desert, or explore the less tourist-filled areas of China, this one of the best Silk Road Tours we offer for anyone looking for some adventure and a truly unique experience. If this sounds like you, check out our Day-by-Day Silk Road Travel Itinerary below.
Holiday Itinerary
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ARRIVAL BEIJING
You will be met at Beijing International Airport by our CAT guide and transferred to a hotel in central Beijing. Today you will have an opportunity to rest and recover from the long flight.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Beijing
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BEIJING CITY TOUR
After breakfast, we will follow in the footsteps of emperors, court ministers and eunuchs and head south to the magnificent and colorfulForbidden City. Forbidden City Beijing, also called Imperial Palace Museum, is located in the very heart of Beijing. It remained the residence of the emperors for nearly five hundred years, from the 15th century to the early 20th century, and was the actual and symbolic seat of imperial power. Popularly known as the Forbidden City, it was built in the Ming Dynasty between the 4th and the 18th years of the Yongle period (1406 - 1420 AD). Many of the buildings of the Palace have been repaired and rebuilt, but their basic form and layout remain in their original state.
This afternoon, we will transfer to visitSummer Palace. Summer Palace located in a northwestern suburb of Beijing, it is an immense park containing some Chinese traditional architecture and arts. It was built and served as a royal garden during the Qing Dynasty. It exhibits the quintessence of the Chinese classical landscape gardening. The halls, the pavilions, the corridors, the pagodas, the bridges and the water were elaborately arranged. The long Corridor is one of the most exquisite structures in the garden. It is over 700 meters long and decorated with thousands of Chinese traditional paintings.
At the end of travel, back to the city to enjoy a deliciousPeking Duckdinner - the capital's most famous dish. Once imperial cuisine, now the legendary duck dish is served at restaurants around the world.
This evening we will go toBeijing Temple Theatre to watch a Chinese opera performance. Highlight: before the start of the show, We can go to the backstage to look actor makeup process.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Beijing
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Meals BLD
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JIANKOU - MUTIANYU
Your last day in Beijing is again great for photography! The Jiankou section of the Wall is known to be one of most beautiful part of the Wild Wall near Beijing, loved by photographers. After a half-hour climb upwards, through a gentle wooded area, we will clamber out onto a portion of the Wall not visited by tourists.
After breakfast, our guide will pick you up from the hotel, then take a 2hrs drive to Jiankou section of the Great Wall. Upon arrival, hike eastwards to Mutianyu Great Wall. The hike itself is quiet and beautiful - in about four hours of passing deserted sections of the Wall in its original state, we will get to the well-known restored section of the Wall - Mutianyu. What a difference between the tourist section and the original Wild Wall we have just seen! Picnic lunch will be arranged during the hike. At trek, drive back to Beijing.
Free in the evening.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Beijing
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Distance 80km driving; 10km hiking;
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Meals BL
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Time 1.5hrs driving; 4-5hrs hiking
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BEIJING CITY TOUR - XI'AN
In the morning, after breakfast, we will go to see the local people doing their morning exercises. Then we will visit theTemple of Heaven. Temple of Heaven was the venue for the Ming and Qing emperors to offer sacrifices to the Heaven and pray for harvest. This temple was built in the 18th year during the reign of the Ming Emperor Yongle in 1420.
Then enjoy aHutong rickshaw tour. As the Forbidden City is the symbol of China's royal family, the Hutongs in Beijing show the real life of the common people. When you visit Hutong by rickshaw, you could really taste the life of common people in Beijing.
After lunch, we will visit798 Art District."798” modern Art Zone was originally the site of a factory that produced electronics. Its massive ducts and bright windows are seldom seen elsewhere. The halls were built using Soviet aid in the 1950s, with East Germany providing architectural and industrial design. Beginning from 2002, it gradually became an area of international character, bringing together contemporary art, architecture and culture with a historically interesting location and an urban lifestyle which attracting attention from all around. Now “798” has evolved into a cultural concept of interest to experts and normal folk alike, influential on our concepts of both urban culture and living space. After visit, drive to Beijing West Railway Station, take a high-speed train to Xi’an.
Our local guide in Xi’an will pick you up from Xi’an Train station, then transfer to the hotel, check in and have a rest.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Xi'an
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Meals BL
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XI'AN CITY TOUR
Our guide will pick you up from the hotel, and then we will drive to visit the magnificentQin Terra-cotta Army. It was built in about 2500 years ago and contains more than 6000 warriors, soldiers and horses. UNESCO listed it in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages. In the afternoon, drive back to Xian city; visit Gao's Grand Courtyard,and the old street, where you can enjoy the ancientShadow Puppy show.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Xi’an
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Meals BL
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XI’AN - LANZHOU
In the morning, visitShanxi History Museumand theOld City Wall. The Shanxi History Museum's permanent exhibition primarily displays Shaanxi's ancient history. Representative pieces from all periods have been selected to show the development of civilization in this region. Enjoy a late lunch, then transfer to the airport, we’ll take the evening flight from Xi’an to Lanzhou where we’ll stay at a lovely 3 star hotel.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Lanzhou
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Meals BL
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LANZHOU
Today's highlights areGansu Provincial Museumand an excursion to Bingling Temple Grottoes, 75km southwest of Lanzhou. Listed as part of the ancient Silk Road for the World Heritage candidate, Bingling Temple Grottoes, filled with stupas, murals and Buddhist sculpture carved into natural caves, were a work in progress between the 4th and 10th centuries. Taste traditional and local foods at the local market.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Lanzhou
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Meals BL
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LANZHOU / WUWEI / ZHANGYE DANXIA NATIONAL GEOPARK
Today, we will cross the great Yellow River and head up the Hexi Corridor towards the ancient city of Wuwei. Then drive to 3-3.5hrs toZhangye Danxia Geopark, the Rainbow Mountains. It enjoys the honors of "The world's top ten magical geographical wonders". Upon arrival, have a picnic lunch at Danxia. Start Hiking along the north part of Danxia Landform, enjoying the great view of Qilian Shan and memorable sunset. China Rainbow Mountains are magnificent with gorgeous colors, which developed at about 200 million years ago. You will see lots of precipitous red cliffs, most of which are several hundred meters high, and multicolored ridges of weathered strata, sometimes stretching to the horizon. It is the best place for photography.
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Accommodation local guesthouse in Danxia
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Ascent 112m
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Descent 126m
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Distance 270km driving; 20km hiking
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Meals BLD
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Time 3.5hrs driving; 4-5hrs hiking
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DANXIA / ZHANGYE
Try to get up early, drive into Danxia for the magnificent and stimulating sunrise at 5:00-6:00 am in the morning. After breakfast, trend to south part of Danxia and start hiking around Binggou Danxia Parkviewing the red terrestrial classic rock landform. Binggou Rock has totally different landscape and absolutely worth a visit. The formations are quite interesting that really do look like ice sculptures melting, which rings true to its name Bing which means ice in Chinese. It is about an hour to out next stop Zhangye. After lunch in Danxia, we’ll drive to Zhangye, visit the 910-year-oldGiant Buddha Temple, where the biggest indoor sleeping Buddha in China is well-preserved.
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Accommodation hotel in Zhangye
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Ascent 331m
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Descent 322m
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Distance 40-50km driving; 20km hiking
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Meals BLD
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Time 1hr driving; 4-5hrs hiking
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ZHANGYE / MATI TEMPLE / STAY IN YUGU
After breakfast in Zhangye, drive to theGrottoes of the Mati Temple Complex, which consist of various Temples and the Caves with their Deities and Murals. Set within the beautiful Green Foothills of the Qilian Mountains and along a cool and refreshing river, the Caves and surrounding Park are unique giving plenty of opportunity to hike around and exploring the surrounding trail and paths. First visit south part of Mati Si and hike (6km/1-1.5hrs) alongThousand-Buddha Cave(the Qianfo Grottos). After lunch, sightseeing and hiking (20km/3-4hrs) in north part of Mati Si, one attraction you must see isThirty-three Heavens Grottos. Carved in origin Puguang Temple, it has 7 floors and 21 grottos with exits to each other. With a shape of pagoda, this construction is rather infrequent and characteristic. All Buddhists believe that anyone who can reach to the thirty-third heave comes to a successful life. Then go for fascinating Yugu Folklore, a unique nomadic minority of Gansu. Enjoy a nice local dinner with folk song and dancing in the evening.
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Accommodation Yugu local tent (with no private washing-room, only open & natural toilet)
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Ascent 707m
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Descent 657m
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Distance 65km driving; 26km hiking
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Meals BLD
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Time 1.5hrs driving; 4-5.5hrs hiking
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YUGU / JIAYUGUAN
After breakfast in Yugu Minority Village, go for a hike onGaoshancaodianzi, south part of Qilian Mountains, breathing in the fascinating nature. After that, with the splendid view of Qilian Mountains along the road. Then drive 2.5hrs to Jiayuguan.
As we continue on our silk road journey, the snow-capped Qilian Mountain ranges wind its way westward and accompany us all the way (about 250km). We’ll visit “The Strategic Pass under Heaven” - the most west point of the present Great Wall. And visitWei & Jin Ancient Tombto explore the ground floor of its murals and brick Graves known as "the world's largest underground gallery".
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Jiayuguan
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Ascent 734m
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Descent 730m
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Distance 230km driving; 20km hiking
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Meals BL
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Time 2.5-3hrs driving; 3-4hrs hiking
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JIAYU GUAN / DUNHUANG
Today we’ll drive about 385 km there theGreat Gobi Desert. Along the way we’ll also ride camels to visit theSinging Sand Mountains.The Crescent Spring, which forms a lake between two huge sand dunes. It is like seeing a mirage - but it’s real!
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Dunhuang
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Meals BL
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DUNHUANG
Today we get to sleep in a bit later and have a nice rest. Afterwards, we’ll drive towards the northwest of the city for theYumen Pass. Situated in the Gobi Desert 80 kilometers northwest of Dunhuang City, it was once one of the two critical defensive passes protecting Dunhuang from invasion about two thousand years ago. Drive onwards to visitYadan National Geologic Park. Yadan landforms rise above the flat Gobi Desert and cover a vast area. Due to its eccentric landforms, the hard-to-spot roads, low-lying terrain, strong magnetism and howling sounds made by the wind, the area is also called "Ghost City" by local people. Yadan Landforms is the largest in scale, fully developed in geology and most valuable for ornament in the world. The scenery sites have an infinite variety of fantastic phenomena and the superlative craftsmanship of nature.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Dunhuang
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Meals BL
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DUNHUANG / TAKE THE TRAIN TO TURPAN
After a relaxing morning we’ll then visit the world famous Mogao Grottoes which is called “the World Famous Treasure House of Arts”, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddha. After dinner, we’ll take evening soft sleeper train from Dunhuang to Turpan, Overnight on the train.
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Accommodation on the Train
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Meals BL
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TURPAN
After early arrival in Turpan we’ll be taken to our hotel and later picked up to see some of the ancient sights: Gaochang Ancient Cityshining like a resplendent precious stone inlaid in the boundless desolate Gobi desert and the Silk Road, and theAstana Graveswhich are a group of underground tombs. Following a lunch in an authentic Uygur restaurant we get to see the vineyards for ourself. The Bizaklik Thousand Buddha Cavesis another rock-cut building with the most caves and frescos contents at most in Turpan area. It is located on the west cliffs of the Wood Valley of the Flame Mountain, 45 kilometers away from Turpan city. The history of the Caves is more early than Dunhuang but unfortunately that most murals were damaged by nature or by man-made. Then visit the Flaming Mountains, overshadow the cradle of the Turpan ancient civilization and oasis agriculture. They provide a spectacular backdrop to the oases and scenery of the Turpan area.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Turpan
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Meals BL
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TURPAN / URUMQI / FLY TO KASHGAR
In the morning, we will drive to the west part of Turpan for theSuleiman Minaret, the only ancient Islamic minaret left in China, and the Karez Wells, one of the three great ancient projects’ in China. The Karez Wells Folk Garden and Museum explains how the well system makes it possible for the famous orchards and vineyards to exist in these hot, dry desert communities. After that, we will drive all the way to Urumqi. It’s about 300km highway. Take night flight to Kashgar.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Kashigar
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Meals BL
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KASHGAR / TASHKURGAN
Today we will drive about 4-5 hours to Tashkurgan County which is located at the south of Kashgar for the ancient stone city. We could take an easy hiking visit to the ruins of the stone city which is in the back of Tashkurgan County.
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Accommodation Tashkurgan Crown Inn
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Meals BL
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TASHKURGAN / KARAKURI LAKE / KASHGAR
Today we start our tour from theTashkurgan Museum. We’ll drive about 2 hours to the famousKarakuri LakeandMuztagh Mountain, enjoying breathtaking scenery of high mountain pastures and snow-capped peaks. Karakuri Lake, known as "the father of glaciers", is located at the foot of Mount Muztaga-Ata, sitting at 3,600m above sea level. We will have enough time for deep exploration of the famous lake and the holy Mountain. Take a leisure walking around the majestic blue lake. Then back to Kashgar.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Kashigar
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Meals BL
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KASHGAR / URUMQI
Spend the day experiencing its Islamic culture in Kashgar. A must visit place isId Kah Mosque, built in the 15th century, where 10,000 people gather at midday on Fridays to pray, and a restaurant nearby which provides authentic Muslim food.Kashgar Bazaaris festooned with traditions and ancient history and has become famous throughout Asia, attracting merchants from as far as Pakistan and Kirghizstan; some tourists come especially to see it.Zhiren Streetis an old street where craftsmen still produce their fare. It’s easy to lose our sense of time and direction as we wonder this bazaar, but don’t worry our guide will lead us through the maze. We’ll take a night flight back to Urumqi, and stay in Xinjiang Grand hotel or similar.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Urumqi
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Meals BL
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URUMQI
After breakfast we will head forHeavenly LakeHeavenly Lake(Tian Chi), which lies on the north side of Bogda Peak of Tian Shan (Heavenly Mountains), about 110 km east of Urumqi. We will be amazed by the snowy peaks of the Heavenly Mountains reflecting on the dazzlingly blue lake surface. Then drive back to Urumqi, we will also pay a visit to theNational Museum. The display of ancient mummies is fantastic, for it was in this region that a great number of ancient and well preserved remains were discovered.
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Accommodation 3* hotel in Urumqi
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Meals BL
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URUMQI / HOME
Transfer to the airport and fly back home. It has been great and our CAT look forward to seeing you on another adventure trip!
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Meals B
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Price Policy
Tour Price Policy
Additional details
1. Before you pay deposit to book the tour, we haven’t made any reservation yet. The train, flight tickets and the hotel may different from the itinerary listed.
2. The visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary may change according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
3. Tourist insurance is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
The price includes
1. Entrance Fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
2. All the activities fee mentioned in the itinerary: Hutong rickshaw in Beijing; Sichuan Opera show in Chengdu;
3. Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver.
4. Meals: All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), include Peking duck dinner in Beijing; Hot pot dinner in Chengdu.
5. Guide: As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available
6. Hotel: hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with king-size bed. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast
7. Internal flights
** Day 11/ Flight from Yichang to Shanghai (based on economy class);
8. Trains
** Day 04/ High speed train from Beijing to Xi’an (based on 2nd class);
** Day 06/ High speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu (based on 2nd class)
** Day 06/ High speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing (based on 2nd class)
9. Arrangements: the tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges
10. Travel Agency Liability insurance
The price does not include
1. International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China
2. China entry visa fees
3. Excess baggage charges
4. The medicine for the sickness or accident while on the way
5. Personal expenses: expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary
6. Meals: any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary
7. Single room supplement
8. Please notice that the price will be much higher during the festival of Labors’ Day, National Day, spring festival
9. Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended USD10-15/guest/day).
10. Tourist accident insurance. NB - you are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country.
Payment conditions
To confirm your reservation, you must pay a deposit of 30% of the total amount due via the payment link that your local agent will share. The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. The quoted exchange rate is valid for the next 7 days – if the deposit is not paid within this time, the quote will be re-calculated.
Terms and conditions for cancelation
i. Cancellation of the Tour by CAT (local agent):
CAT reserve the right to cancel the postpone tour at any time up to the date final payment is due under the following condition: in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. And in this case, all money paid by the participants will be refunded. If the tour is postponed, CAT will offer all those who have signed up the opportunity to have the same tour for a later time, but the price may be changed according to the season. We will notify you of any change, and give you a reasonable period
of time to make your decision. Consumers may, but are under no obligation to, take the tour under these new terms. After final payment has been made, we may cancel the tour only if, in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. Since cancellation in this case involves factors which may arise suddenly and are entirely outside our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, civil unrest and epidemic disease, we cannot guarantee a full refund in this case. This is because payment will already have been made to finalize the arrangements and reservation.
ii. Cancellation of the Tour by Consumer:
Any cancellation must be made by sending an email to the local agent. The cancellation fee varies according to how many days prior to departure the cancellation is made:
· More than 30 days prior to departure: 5% of the total holiday cost
· Between 30 and 22 days prior to departure : 25% of the total holiday cost
· Between 21 and 8 days prior to departure : 50% of the total holiday cost
· Between 7 and 3 days prior to departure : 75% of the total holiday cost
· Less than 3 days prior to departure and after the departure date: 100% of the total holiday cost
All cancellations must be in writing and will be effective upon receipt by CAT. No refund will be made to those participants who break the journey regardless of the portions of the package unused. If, owing to serious illness or injury, the participant withdraws from the tour, a refund will be subject to the consent of the local travel agent.
No refund will be made to those participants who have failed to secure valid travel documents such as passport or visas.
