Roof of the World 2010

• Fully escorted with 18 guided tours
• Intra-China flights
• Cultural Highlights: Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe revue, Tang Dynasty dinner show, recital by Peking Opera performers, Peking duck dinner, Tibetan family tea
• Culture Curriculum: Chinese Dynasties, History of Chinese Culture, the Three Gorges Dam

 

The price of this fully escorted Viking River Cruises vacation includes:

• All meals
• Shore excursions
• 18 guided tours with tour headphones
• Entertainment and activities
• 10 nights in 5-star or best-in-city hotels
• Intra-China flights.

Day 1 Beijing
Welcome to Beijing, China’s former imperial capital. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.* After check-in, you have free time to relax.

Day 2 Beijing
After breakfast, visit massive Tiananmen Square, then see the Forbidden City with its elegant palaces, pavilions and landscaped gardens, once open only to nobility. This afternoon, tour the 700-acre Summer Palace and ride a dragon boat across its manmade lake. Tonight’s treat is a Peking duck dinner; then enjoy the artistry of performers from the famed Peking Opera.
MEALS: (B, L, D)

Day 3 Beijing
Today, ride to the legendary Great Wall of China and stand on its famous ramparts. A local lunch is followed by a visit to the Sacred Way, where you walk among the huge animal sculptures flanking the tree-lined avenue to the Ming Tombs.
MEALS:(B, L, D)

Day 4 Beijing & Xian
See traditional Chinese life during your rickshaw tour along Beijing’s hutongs (narrow alleyways), then tour a silk carpet workshop.† After lunch, fly to Xian, China’s legendary home of the Tang Dynasty from 618 to 907 A.D. Tonight, experience the glory of this era at a banquet with traditional song and dance.
MEALS:(B, L, D)

Day 5 Xian
Today, tour Xian’s archaeological wonder: 8,000 life-sized Terra Cotta Warriors buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang, each soldier and horse molded in incredible detail. This afternoon, tour the majestic 7-story Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Tonight’s activity is a nighttime marketplace tour.
MEALS: (B, L, D)

Day 6 Xian & Lhasa
Morning free time in Xian—as always, your Program Director can help you plan your activities. After lunch, fly to Lhasa, the economic, spiritual and cultural center of Tibet. Experience Tibetan culture with a family-hosted tea followed by dinner at a local restaurant.
MEALS: (B, L, D)

Day 7 Lhasa
Today visit 1,300-year-old Jokhang Temple. After a local lunch, explore the maze-like Barkhor Market in old Lhasa and tour the Tibetan Museum to learn about the area’s history and culture. Tonight, enjoy a traditional Tibetan dinner.
MEALS:(B, L, D)

Day 8 Lhasa
This morning, tour the 13-story Potala Palace, winter home of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century. Later, visit Sera Monastery, an active temple with monks in training. Lunch and dinner in local restaurants.
MEALS:(B, L, D)

Day 9 Lhasa & Chongqing
After breakfast, fly to the mountain city of Chongqing, gateway to the Yangtze, to embark Viking Century Sky.
MEALS: (B, L, D)

Day 10 Shibaozhai
This morning cruise the Yangtze; after lunch, visit Shibaozhai Temple. Built into the cliffs, this red pavilion is a gem of Qing Dynasty architecture. Cruise through the night.
MEALS: (B, L, D)

Day 11 Three Gorges & Lesser Three Gorges
During breakfast, sail through the spectacular scenery of Qutang Gorge, the shortest and narrowest gorge. Board smaller boats for an excursion through the Lesser Three Gorges. Stop for a barbecue lunch at a private Viking picnic spot, then return to your ship and continue through Wu Gorge. This evening, sail through the Three Gorges Dam’s five-stage lock system.
MEALS: (B, L, D)

Day 12 Three Gorges Dam
This morning, tour the monumental Three Gorges Dam, scheduled for completion in 2009. In the afternoon, sail through Xiling Gorge, the longest of the gorges. Cruise through the night.
MEALS: (B, L, D)

Day 13 Jingzhou
After breakfast, travel to this town's elementary school, sponsored by Viking River Cruises. The children warmly welcome you and share stories and photos. Return to your ship for meals and scenic cruising.
MEALS: (B, L, D)

Day 14 Wuhan & Shanghai
Disembark and tour the Hubei Provincial Museum before your flight to Shanghai, China’s largest city and a modern metropolis. After checking in, the rest of your day is free.
MEALS: (B, L, D)

Day 15 Shanghai
Today, tour Old Shanghai and the riverfront Bund district lined with banks and customs houses. After lunch, visit the Shanghai Museum; see its ancient ceramics, bronzes and other artifacts. Dine in a local restaurant, then admire the dexterity of Chinese acrobats at tonight’s performance.
MEALS:(B, L, D)

Day 16 Shanghai
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and we take you to the airport for your return flight.* Or, add to your China experience with a fully escorted land package to bustling Hong Kong and scenic Guilin.
MEALS: (B)

Touring Date	Land Only	Land + Air	Single (Land Only)	Single (Land + Air)
8/11/2010 - 8/26/2010	$4,400
9/9/2010 - 9/24/2010	$5,250
9/19/2010 - 10/4/2010	$5,250
9/20/2010 - 10/5/2010	$5,250
9/30/2010 - 10/15/2010	$5,250
10/9/2010 - 10/24/2010	$4,800
Airfare Disclaimer A NOTE ABOUT AIRFARE: We encourage you to buy your airfare from the tour operator, because if your tour cancels then your airlines tickets will be covered. Purchasing flights separately at a lesser rate and incorporating it with a Non-Guaranteed Departure Date can result in loss of total cost of your flight investment. Depending on the fare rules, flights may be Non-Refundable and/or Non-Transferable. Neither the tour operator and/or Atlas Cruises & Tours will be held responsible for loss if a tour is cancelled for Lack of Participation. If you would like to check for discounted fares on Guaranteed Departures or for competitive pricing on air and hotel packages, we invite you to follow this link. Documents TRAVEL DOCUMENTS: Necessary Travel Documents such as Passports and Visas is the responsibility of the traveler. Passports must be valid six months from your return travel date.

Fares are per person, based on CAT E double occupancy and include port charges. Limited single pricing is available; call for details. Offers listed above are valid on new bookings only as of August 1, 2009 and expire September 30, 2009; must request offer code EBD at time of reservation and pay in full by offer deadline. Complimentary wine (two glasses with dinner on board) is included with cruise purchase; international air does not have to be purchased to receive cruise offer. The 2-for-1 pricing applies to cruise portion only; 2-for-1 pricing, air discount and complimentary wine are considered a single offer and are not combinable with any other offer except Past Guest and Referral Rewards travel credit. Offers and fares are subject to availability and additional restrictions may apply. Additional fuel surcharges may be applied. Viking River Cruises reserves the right to correct or revise pricing or dates throughout the season.

Travel Protection You are looking forward to your trip, and we are looking forward to welcoming you aboard. But sometimes illness or an emergency at home may create the need to postpone or cancel your vacation. If that happens, make sure you are protected. Our new, updated travel protection plan provides 100% protection if you must cancel or interrupt your trip for any reason, including a pre-existing medical condition

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