North Asian Odyssey

Welcome to China. Begin your discovery with a welcome dinner of the famous Peking duck. Your home for the next three nights is Beijing, your hotel is located close to the Forbidden City and many shopping malls. (D)

Start your journey with a visit to China’s most iconic attraction, the Great Wall at Mutianyu. Freechoice: Look forward to an unforgettable evening at either the famed Peking Opera or the spectacular Kung Fu Show. (B/L)

Wander through Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and enter the mysterious Forbidden City, completed in 1420 and home to 24 emperors until the last Qing emperor, Puyi, left in 1924. Enrich: Visit a private section of the Forbidden City. Once used as the living quarters of Emperor Qianlong, this section is not usually open to the general public. Afterwards, enjoy lunch with a local family in a traditional home to experience what it would have been like to live in the Hutongs, before relaxing on a rickshaw ride through the ancient alleyways. Freechoice Dining: Choose between mixed Asian at Lost Heaven or Western cuisine at the Exchange. (B/L/D)

Explore the landscaped beauty of the Summer Palace, the last but largest of the summer palaces of the Chinese emperors. Cruise Kunming Lake before flying to Yichang to join your cruise, the Yangzi Explorer. On board, enjoy included wine and beer with lunch and dinner. (B/L/D)

Visit the Three Gorges Dam project site. Later, sail through Xiling Gorge while sampling afternoon tea. Tonight, enjoy the Captain’s reception. (B/L/D)

Glide through the dramatic gorges of Shennong Stream by longboat (sampan). Later, traverse Wu Gorge, known for its sheer rock walls, and Qutang Gorge, the most dramatic of the three gorges. (B/L/D)

Enjoy an insightful excursion to Fuling and 816 Underground Project. Tonight, mingle at the Taste of China Gala Dinner. Be sure to dress in your finest Chinese outfit. (B/L/D)

Disembark and visit Chongqing Zoo to see the rare and treasured Giant panda before travelling by high speed train to Xi’an. Later, check into your historically located in Xi’an for a three night stay. (B/L)

Enrich: Gaze at Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s amazing Terracotta Warriors in the company of a museum curator, an amazing opportunity to learn first-hand about the restoration process. Enjoy a stroll around the Big Wild Goose Pagoda and Thanksgiving Temple. Enrich: Be treated to a special private after hours viewing of ancient artefacts at the Xi’an Qujiang Museum of Fine Arts. Savour refreshing drinks and learn about the history of Shaanxi Province from the museum’s curator. Sundowners Enjoy refreshments overlooking the Big Wild Goose Pagoda at sunset. (B/L)

Visit a local painter’s home in nearby Hu Xi’an County, famous for its rural peasant paintings, and learn about his art before you enjoy lunch with his family. Later explore Xi’an’s ancient city wall on foot, by push bike or electric buggy. Tonight enjoy the wonderful Tang Dynasty Cultural Show with dinner. (B/L/D)

This morning explore the Muslim Quarter, an integral part of daily life in Xi’an at the eastern end of the Silk Road. Later fly to Shanghai and experience the speed of the Maglev train from the airport before settling into your luxurious hotel for a three night Special Stay. (B/L)

Discover Shanghai’s stark historical contrasts. Stroll along the famous Bund before comparing its heritage buildings to those in Yu Gardens. Across the Huangpu River, explore the Pudong area and discover modern China. Admire the view from Shanghai Tower, the tallest building in Pudong. Tonight, enjoy the agility and skill of the Shanghai Acrobats. (B/L)

Freechoice: Wander through the Shanghai Museum and People’s Square. Explore the French Concession and Xintiandi pedestrian dining and entertainment area and its unique 1920’s ‘shikumen’ buildings. Alternatively, visit Zhujiajiao, a town with a rich canal life and a wealth of traditional buildings and bridges, or cruise along Huangpu River. Later, spend your free time exploring shopping opportunities on Nanjing Road before enjoying your Chinese farewell dinner. (B/D)

It’s time to bid farewell to China and transfer to Shanghai airport for your flight to Japan. This evening, enjoy your Japanese welcome reception and dinner at your hotel in Tokyo, your home for the next three nights. (B/D)

Begin the day in the beautiful Imperial Palace’s East Gardens then dress up in your chefs clothes to make your own sushi lunch with the help of a local chef. Afterwards wander through Harajuku, the epicentre of Tokyo’s teenage youth. Enrich: Given by Taiko Masters, partake in an interactive, private group demonstration and lesson in playing the Taiko drums. Freechoice Dining: Choose from dining at a ninja themed restaurant or culturally immerse yourself in the traditional Japanese evening Izakaya bar scene serving Yaki-tori and Kushiyaki. (B/L/D)

Visit the Asakusa district, paying your respects at Sensoji temple. Freechoice: Visit the Imperial Shinto Meiji Shrine, before walking across the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world in Shibuya. Alternatively, wander through picturesque Shinjuku-Gyoen Gardens before witnessing the Shinjuku entertainment district come alive at dusk. (B/L)

Venture deep into the stunning scenery of Kawaguchiko Area. Discover the incredible workmanship involved in creating kimonos at the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. Near Hakone, cruise on Lake Ashinoko then take a cable car ride up the hot springs of the Owakudani geothermal area. Enjoy a Special Stay at your hotel overlooking Lake Ashinoko. (B/L/D)

Relax in your Green (Business) Class seats on the Shinkansen train to the culturally rich city of Kyoto. Enrich: Partake in a Japanese tea ceremony while dressed in a traditional Japanese kimono, a great photo opportunity. Settle into your four night stay at Kyoto. (B/L/D)

Explore the World Heritage listed Tenryu-ji Temple before gliding through the surreal Arashiyama Bamboo Grove by traditional rickshaw. Move to the famous Kinkaku-ji or Golden Pavilion before having free time this afternoon. Enrich: After a short stroll through the Gion area, be entertained at dinner with a Samurai Kembu show. After the show you can choose to learn the way of the Samurai yourself in a lesson in swordsmanship. (B/L/D)

Freechoice: Revel in the atmosphere of the ancient preservation districts or visit the Silver Pavilion before strolling along the famous Philosopher’s Walk. This afternoon enjoy some free time for shopping or relaxation. Enrich: Tonight’s dinner will allow you to interact with a Maiko who’ll host your meal presentation. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn about what is involved in becoming a Geisha and the art of Japanese hospitality. (B/D)

Begin your day with an early visit to Fushimi Inari Shrine then continue to Nara, where you’ll visit Todaiji Temple and see deer in Nara Park. Later, stop for a sake tasting at a sake museum. Ryokan Upgrade - For a unique insight into Japanese culture, choose to stay tonight in a Ryokan (at additional cost, must be pre-booked before departure). This traditional Japanese Inn has tatami mat flooring with futon beds, sliding shoji paper doors, onsen hot spring baths and private facilities, and includes dinner and breakfast. (B/L)

Relax on the Shinkansen to Hiroshima and check into hotel for two nights enjoying the views from your Deluxe Corner View rooms. Enrich: Experience an emotional visit to the Peace Park and Museum before visiting Orizuru Tower to create your own special origami crane offering. Tonight, sample Okonomiyaki, a delicious Japanese-style pancake, a specialty of the region. (B/L/D)

Sail by ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Daisho-in Temple and the floating Torii Gate at the Itsukushima Shrine. This afternoon see industrial robots perform around the Mazda car factory on your guided visit. (B/L)

En-route to Osaka on the Shinkansen train, stop at Himeji Castle and marvel at Japan’s most spectacular and one of the few remaining original feudal castles. This evening, admire the view of Osaka at night from the Floating Garden Observatory. Then settle in for three memorable Special Stay nights in an Executive Room. (B/L/D)

Drive to the cradle of Japanese culture in Asuka. Wander through the Inabuchi terraced rice paddy fields, the ancient Tobiishi stone bridge and visit Ishibutai tumulus, the largest known megalithic structure in Japan.

Enrich: Learn about the history, life and training routine of a sumo wrestler during a private visit to a Sumo Museum in Kehayaza, where Sumo originated. After the welcome ceremony, see a demonstration of Jinku and the wrestlers in action in the dohyo. Later stop at the timeless village of Tondabayashi. Visit a traditional Edo period house and wander around this splendid historical time capsule. This evening catch the Osaka Metro to wander around the lively entertainment area of Dotonbori and Hozenji Yokocho food alley. (B/L)

Freechoice: Wander through Shinsaibashi-suji shopping avenue, followed by Kuromon Ichiba Market, known as Osaka’s kitchen or visit the Museum of History and the rebuilt Osaka Castle. This afternoon is free for some final shopping before tonight’s farewell dinner. (B/D)

Depart today with treasured memories of your wonderful time in Japan. Please note: pre-release itinerary subject to change (B)