India and the Far East

You’ll discover the many faces of China, from her imperial treasures in Beijing and Xian, to bustling Shanghai and the unique beauty of the Yangtze’s gorges.

On this voyage, you’ll also experience the “Roof of the World,” Lhasa, Tibet, nestled at the foot of Mt. Everest. You’ll visit Jokhang Temple, considered the holiest temple of Buddhism; Potala Palace, former home of the Dalai Lamas, and much more. Truly, this is an adventurer’s journey of a lifetime.

Day 1 Beijing

Begin your journey in exotic Beijing, China’s former imperial capital with many noted monuments and historic sites. You will be met at the airport and transfered to your hotel. * See note

After check-in, you have free time to relax.

Day 2 Beijing

Stand where emperors did years ago. After breakfast, visit Tiananmen Square, which spans 100 acres, and the Forbidden City, with its elegant palaces, pavilions and landscaped gardens. Stroll through its expansive courtyard, once open only to nobility. After lunch in a local restaurant, tour the 700-acre Summer Palace. Be awed by its landscaped grounds and take a dragon boat ride across the lake. Tonight’s treat is a Peking Duck dinner; then enjoy the artistry of the famed Peking Opera.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 3 Beijing

Take a walk along the historic Great Wall. After breakfast, take a motorcoach to the Great Wall of China and walk along its famous ramparts. A local lunch is followed by a visit to the Sacred Way, where you walk among the huge animal sculptures that flank the tree-lined avenue to the Ming Tombs. Dinner is in a local restaurant.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 4 Beijing, Xian

Enjoy a savory taste from the Tang Dynasty.See traditional Chinese life during your rickshaw tour along Beijing’s hutongs, narrow alleyways. Then visit a silk carpet workshop and see this time-honored art in person. After lunch, fly to Xian, China’s legendary home of the Tang Dynasty from 618-907 A.D. Tonight, experience the glory of this cultural period at a banquet with traditional song and dance.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 5 Xian

Meet 6,000 terra cotta warriors, face to face. Today you tour Xian’s archaeological wonder of 6,000 life-sized terra cotta warriors buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Get a bird’s-eye view of the army, each soldier and horse molded in incredible detail. Then, tour the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, a majestic 7-story square tower and a holy place for Buddhists. After a local dinner, visit the marketplace for a nighttime tour.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 6 Xian, Lhasa

Make a pilgrimage to a sacred city. Morning free time in Xian. After lunch, fly to Lhasa, economic, spiritual and cultural center of Tibet. Experience Tibetan culture with a family-hosted tea followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 7 Lhasa

Visit Buddhism’s holiest temple. Today visit the 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple, with its Buddhist worshippers. After a local lunch, explore the maze-like Barkhor Market in old Lhasa and tour the Tibetan Museum to learn about local history and culture. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 8 Lhasa

Visit the former palace of the Dalai Lama. This morning, you tour the extraordinary 13-story Potala Palace, winter home of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century. Later, visit the Sera Monastery, an active temple with three colleges for monks in training. Lunch and dinner are in a local restaurant.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 9 Lhasa, Chongqing

Continue your eye-opening Tibetan journey. After breakfast, fly to the mountain city of Chongqing to embark Viking Century Sky.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 10 Shibaozhai

Amazing architecture on the hillside.This morning cruise the Yangtze, and after lunch visit Shibaozhai Temple. Built into the cliffside, this red pavilion is a gem of Chinese architecture from the Qing Dynasty. Climb up high to see amazing river views below. Dinner is served aboard; cruise through the night.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 11 Three Gorges, Lesser Three Gorges.

Glide past the Yangtze’s breathtaking cliffs. During breakfast, sail through the spectacular scenery of Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest of the three large gorges. See an ancient plank road carved into the mountains and the mysterious hanging coffins of the Ba people. You then board a smaller boat for an excursion through the picturesque canyons and mountains of the Lesser Three Gorges. Stop for a barbecue lunch and take in the natural beauty.

Return to your ship and cruise through the most scenic area of the Yangtze—the Three Gorges. This afternoon, sail through Wu (Witches) Gorge, renowned for its 12 cloud-covered towering peaks. Dinner is served aboard as you sail through the 5-stage locks of this engineering marvel.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 12 Three Gorges Dam, Three Gorges

Tour the engineering marvel that will forever change China
After breakfast, disembark and tour the monumental Three Gorges Dam, scheduled for completion in 2009. The afternoon is highlighted by the Xiling Gorge, the longest of the gorges with the best scenery. Cruise through the night.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 13 Jingzhou

Meet local children at our sponsored school. After breakfast, travel to this rural village’s elementary school, sponsored by Viking River Cruises. The children will warmly welcome you and love to share stories and photos. Return to your ship for meals and scenic cruising.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 14 Wuhan, Shanghai

Discover China’s historic treasures. Disembark and tour the Wuhan Museum before your flight to Shanghai, China’s largest city and a modern metropolis. After checking in to your hotel, the rest of your day is at leisure.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 15 Shanghai

A thoroughly modern city alive with culture. Explore Shanghai today from Old Shanghai to the more modern riverfront Bund district. A local lunch is followed by a visit to the Shanghai Museum; see its ancient ceramics, bronzes and other artifacts. Dine in a local restaurant, then be awed by the dexterity of Chinese acrobats at tonight’s performance.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 16 Shanghai

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and we’ll take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, add to your China experience with one of our fully escorted land packages. Explore bustling Hong Kong and quaint Guilin. Or, encounter the scenery and people of Vietnam from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
Breakfast included.

*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased.

If this example is not exactly what you are looking for please Request a Personal Quotation or contact us and we can discuss ways of tailor-making the perfect holiday for you.