CHINA: 12 Day Panda and Great Wall Tour Including Flights for Two (DEP MEL/SYD)

Spend a day caring for Giant Pandas, make your mark on the Great Wall, and tap into China’s rich and expansive history on this spellbinding trip through the wonders of the Middle Kingdom. Return International Flights for Two 11 Nights of Accommodation with an Optional Extra 4 Nights on a Yangtze River Luxury Cruise Work as a Giant Panda Carer, See the View from the Great Wall and Explore the Famous Hutong of Vibrant Beijing CHOOSE YOUR PACKAGE 12 Day Tour of China with Flights for Two People Or 12 Day Tour of China with Flights for Two People + 4 Night Yangtze River Luxury Cruise The 4 Night Yangtze River Cruise is the perfect way to wind down after your unforgettable tour of China. Sit back and relax on your luxury cruiser while admiring the stunning scenery that passes you by. Disembark for on shore excursions to explore the river’s most famous attractions including the Three Gorges Dam, Shennong Stream and Shibaozhai. This is a must for those looking to discover the best of China’s natural splendour. INCLUSIONS Return International Flights for Two Return Airport Transfers One Day Giant Panda Carer Experience Great Wall Restoration Project Experience More Tours of China’s Most Exciting Attractions with English Speaking Guides 11 Nights of Accommodation from Chengdu to Xi’an with Daily Breakfast Lots of Other Meals as Per the Itinerary All On Ground Transport in China Tour Tipping Hotels: 3 Nights in Chengdu – Holiday Inn Express Chengdu Wuhou or similar 4 Nights in Beijing – China National Convention Center Grand Hotel or similar 4 Nights in Xi’an – Golden Flower Hotel Xi’an by Shangri La or similar TRAVEL DATES Available for one of the following departure dates: 12 Day Tour: 2016: December* 9, 16 2017 January* 6, 20 February 3, 17 March 3, 17, 31 April* 14, 28 May* 12, 26 June 9, 23 12 Day Tour + 4 Night River Cruise 2017: March 17, 31 April* 14, 28 May* 12 26 June 9, 23 *A high season surcharge of $200 per person applies to departures during these months Book early to secure your preferred dates! HOW TO BOOK Once you have selected your favourite option, click on Add to Cart and follow the payment prompts Once you complete your purchase, you will be emailed a confirmation and unique booking code Please follow the instructions on your email to redeem your voucher For any other assistance or enquiries please contact support@kogantravel.com or call us on 1300 517 210. HIGHLIGHTS See China’s most iconic national treasure at the Giant Panda Breeding Centre! You will live the life of a Giant Panda carer for the day, learning how to feed, clean and look after these majestic creatures. Experience the best of Chengdu. This ancient city is home to the iconic Jinli Street strip and the stunning Wuhou Temple. Be awestruck by the size and might of the Great Wall – China’s most iconic structure. You will be given the opportunity to participate in the rebuilding project, and play your own special part in the Wall’s rich history. Discover the Forbidden City, China’s largest and best-preserved collection of ancient building ringed by a 52m-wide moat. Once the exclusive domain of the Ming Dynasty, the palace complex is shrouded in ancient mystery. Layered with tales of emperors, uprisings, grandeur and hubris, Beijing is an extraordinary place to visit. Brimming with UNESCO Heritage Sites and and history at every turn, you’ll have 4 nights here to immerse yourself in the ‘real’ China. You’ll have the opportunity to come face to face with Xi’an’s eerie Terracotta Warriors, the life-size army of thousands silently guarding ancient spirits. ITINERARY – 12 DAY TOUR Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu Upon arrival at the airport in Chengdu, you will be met by your friendly tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy a good rest and prepare for your fun day of touring tomorrow. Day 2: Chengdu Free Day or Huanglongxi Day Tour (B) Today is a free day for you to explore Chengdu on your own pace. Get acclimatised to your surroundings and take a walk around the local area to get your bearings. Optional Activity: Huanglongxi day tour Those wishing to join the Huanglongxi day tour will drive to Huanglongxi for a stroll around its well-preserved stone streets, built during the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). Pass three ancient temples as well as historical residences along the central lane. Stop by a local fruit and vegetable market and witness the Chinese way of life as townspeople do their daily shopping. After lunch, move on to People’s Park to experience the most authentic view into Chengdu local life. Have a cup of tea in a traditional tea house, watch the local older couples dancing, and enjoy the typical leisure lifestyle of Chengdu. Day 3: Giant Panda Breeding Centre (B, L) Today you will visit the incredible Research Base of the Giant Panda Breeding Centre, where China’s national treasures – the giant pandas – live. The facility is a state-of-the-art artificial breeding and non-profit research centre. The carer program starts at 8:30am and finishes at 3:30pm. You will work as a panda carer and learn how to take care of these wonderful creatures, including preparing their food and learning how to maintain their living space. In addition to the adorable pandas, the centre is home to other breeds of panda, black-necked cranes and white storks. Later this afternoon, visit Jinli Promenade, a rebuilt trading and folk art street imitating the ancient-style buildings in Sichuan. Optional Activity: Bian Lian Choose to enjoy a traditional Sichuan performance, to learn more about the history and culture of the region with the Bian Lian Show. Day 4: Beijing (B) This morning you will travel to Beijing. You will be picked up by your tour guide upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. You can relax and explore the hotel and its surrounding area at your own pace. Day 5: Beijing (B, L, D) Layered with tales of emperors, uprisings, grandeur and hubris, Beijing is an extraordinary place to visit. Today you will visit the national iconic site Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Later in the day, you will visit a local pearl factory and discover the secret of pearl cultivation. Day 6: Great Wall (B, L) Start the day by checking out the exteriors of the 2008 Olympic Games Sites including the famous Bird’s Nest and Water Cube. Then head to the largest Jade Factory in Beijing, and learn about the history and manufacturing process of this China’s most precious and celebrated stone. After lunch, travel to the north of Beijing city to visit China’s most iconic attraction – the Great Wall. On arrival, your tour operator will guide you to the old wall and offer you the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to restore the Great Wall on your own (tools will be provided). After working up an appetite, the optional Peking Duck Banquet will help to complete this wonderful day. Optional Activity: Peking Duck Banquet Finish this amazing day of touring on the tastiest of notes, with an authentic Peking Duck Banquet served with all the traditional accompaniments. Day 7: Beijing Free Day or Temple of Heaven Tour (B) Today is a leisure day, you can explore Beijing on your own pace. Take in some more of the local history, or purchase some local handicrafts as a momento of your time here. Optional Activities: Temple of Heaven Tour / Beijing Kung Fu Alternatively, you can join a local experience tour. Begin the day like many locals in Beijing with gentle exercise, as you partake in a local Tai Chi class during a visit to the Temple of Heaven; considered the most holy of Beijing’s imperial temples. Later in the day you’ll jump on a rickshaw and enjoy a Hutong tour. These rapidly disappearing neighbourhoods offer a glimpse into the Beijing of the past. In the evening, you may choose to watch an exciting Beijing Kung Fu show (at an extra charge) and be wowed by this colourful traditional Chinese performance. Day 8: Xi’an (B) Today you will travel to Xi’an. You will be picked up by your tour guide upon arrival and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing and exploring Xi’an at your own pace. Day 9: Xi’an (B, L, D) Today you will visit the incredible Wild Goose Pagoda. The temple was originally used to store Buddhist scripts which were carried by the great monk Yi Jing from India. Over time it has become a holy place for pilgrims. Next, discover Xi’an history by visiting the Xi’an Museum. Afterwards you will discover the Ancient City Wall, built in 194 BC. It’s one of the oldest and best preserved city walls in all of China. Day 10: Xi’an Free Day or Terracotta Warriors Tour (B) Today is a leisure day, you can explore Xi’an on your own pace. Optional Activities: Terracotta Warriors / Tang Dynasty Cultural Performance / Dumpling Banquet Alternatively, you can join the Terracotta Warriors day tour. View the enigmatic ranks of the Terracotta Warriors in the company of our experienced local guide. You may have the opportunity of meeting the man who discovered the Warriors. Learn about the moment they were uncovered by accident in 1974. Visit the famous Moslem Street, where many delicious local snacks and souvenirs are available for purchase. In the evening, be fascinated by the Tang Dynasty cultural performance (for an additional cost) and feast on a yummy Dumpling Banquet (for an additional cost). Day 11: Xi’an (B) For those on the 12 day package, today is last day of your tour in China. You can enjoy a relaxing morning and prepare yourself for your flight back home. Later, transfer to the airport to board your flight home. For those that selected the Yangtze River cruise extension, your journey continues! See ITINERARY – 16 DAY TOUR (EXTENSION) below for details. Day 12: Arrive Home Arrive back home in Australia after an unforgettable trip. ITINERARY – 16 DAY TOUR (EXTENSION) Day 11: Yangtze River Cruise (B, D) In the morning you will travel from Xi’an to Wuhan. Upon your arrival in Wuhan, you will be met by your tour guide and then transferred to the pier to check-in to your luxury cruise ship. Day 12: Three Gorges Project (B, L, D) Your first day on the Yangtze River will begin with a beautiful buffet breakfast before setting out on your first shore excursion to the Three Gorges Project. The Three Gorges Dam Site is one of the largest construction projects undertaken by mankind and is the biggest hydropower project in the world. This evening you will return to the ship to attend the Captain’s Welcome Banquet and enjoy the evening of fun and dancing. Day 13: Shennong Stream (B, L, D) Today you’ll take a shore excursion to the mesmerising Shennong Stream. The stream flows through three beautiful gorges including the Mianzhu Gorge, Parrot Gorge and Long Guangdong Gorge. Each gorge is renowned for its unique and stunning scenery. The Shennong Stream is also home to the Hanging Coffins, which are ancient coffins containing the remains of descendants of the Tujia people. In the afternoon, you will return to the ship in time for lunch to enjoy the crew’s performance in the evening. Day 14: Shibaozhai (B, L, D) Today is a scheduled shore excursion to the legendary Shibaozhai. This site has a history of over 400 years that dates back to when it was built into the side of a 200m tall hill. The striking nine story red pagoda was built in 1819 to make it easier for people to reach the Buddhist temple at the very top of the hill. In the evening you will enjoy the Farewell Dinner before packing your bags in preparation to disembark the cruise tomorrow. Day 15: Disembark in Chongqing (B) Today you will disembark the cruise at Chongqing, known as the ‘Mountain City’ in China. Later you will be transferred to airport to board your flight home. Day 16: Arrive Australia (B) Arrive home in Australia. B= Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner FINE PRINT Buying and Booking: Buy now – limited time offer! Top Tip: Book early to secure your preferred dates! 14 day booking guarantee – if you can’t book your preferred dates within 14 days we will refund you in full. See T&Cs here Bookings are non refundable once your travel dates are confirmed Flight Information Flights depart from Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide or Darwin. Select your preferred departure city from the dropdown at the top of the page. Flights will be with China Eastern, China Southern or Sichuan Airlines, subject to availability. Surcharges for the 12 Day Tour: High season surcharge of $200 per person applies for departures in December 2016, January 2017, April 2017 and May 2017 A single supplement surcharge of $560 applies to those wishing to travel alone – contact Kogan Travel on 1300 517 210 for more information Surcharges for the 12 Day Tour + 4 Night Cruise Surcharges: High season surcharge of $200 per person applies for departures in April 2017 and May 2017 A single supplement surcharge of $880 applies to those wishing to travel alone – contact Kogan Travel on 1300 517 210 for more information Package Excludes: China visa Travel insurance Applicable surcharges e.g. High Season Surcharge and Single Supplement Surcharge Upgrades and optional activities Personal expenses including meals not listed in the itinerary Travel Advice: For the latest travel advice for your holiday please visit www.smartraveller.gov.au Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your trip overseas A visa may be required for your destination or any countries you are transiting. It is your responsibility to ensure you obtain a valid visa. Please visit http://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ to assist you with any requirements. For information about how we calculate the savings and values of our deals, click here Click here for Kogan Travel FAQs