The Great Wall Roller-skate Rink

Kathmandu Pokhara Tour is an engaging 7-day tour which unravels the cultural and natural mysteries in and around the City of Temples-Kathmandu and the City of Lakes-Pokhara.
Kathmandu Pokhara Tour at ‘About Nepal’ initiates by paying homage to the UNESCO enlisted Cultural sites in Kathmandu which incorporates Kathmandu Durbar Square also referred to as Basantapur Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple Complex which holds the idol of one of the world’s most revered Lord Shiva along with the crematorium at the bank of Bagmati River which speaks of the vanity of human life. The Tour proceeds by the colossal Stupa of Bouddhanath to the World’s oldest Stupa -Monkey Temple which is locally more known as Swayambhunath Temple that dates more than 2000 years back.
Kathmandu Pokhara Tour later continues through the tour into the medieval cities of Bhaktapur and Patan to Pokhara where we will visit the exotic Fewa Lake where we will engage in boating and pay homage to Barahi Temple which lies in the bosom of the Lake.
Kathmandu Pokhara Tour has been devised in a way to offer you the most of Nepal in a time bound period. Your journey transcends through wide experiences that vary from visiting UNESCO listed World Heritage sites to the astounding monuments to bird watching to mountain viewing to best sunrise and sunset viewing to boating and many more- all in one package.

Itinerary Outline:
Day01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day02: Visit World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu
Day03: Sightseeing Tour of Bhaktapur and Patan
Day04: Drive to Pokara and Visit to Davis Fall and Shiva Cave
Day05: Full Day Pokhara Sightseeing
Day 06: Drive to Kathmandu
Day07: Departure -

DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN BEIJING
Your personal guide will meet you right in the arrivals hall, ready and on time. A comfortable private car and experienced driver will be ready and waiting to take you to the hotel.

Good to Know:

Stay Connected – Our free mobile phone package (includes 30 free minutes) or Pocket (3G) Wi-Fi. You'll always be in touch with us, your guide, and people at home.
Evening Ideas: Your guided from about 9 to 5 and evenings are free time. Your guide can give you some ideas to discover more.
DAY 2 BEIJING
The Forbidden City
After the buffet breakfast your personal car, driver and guide arrive prepared with drinks, snacks, and map, ready to maximize your time in Beijing.

First, visit Tiananmen Square before entering the Forbidden City (Also called the Palace Museum & Imperial Palace). Hear the echo of another world, symbolism is everywhere. Your guide will bring things to life, in a way guidebooks just can’t.

Photograph the old lanes and courtyard houses, but first order some dishes with your guide at the best Traditional Restaurant, Courtyard 7. Enjoy a rickshaw ride or cycle while you explore the Hutongs. There’s still time to visit a family who’ve lived in the Hutongs for generations, offering a wide perspective of Beijing.

Good to Know:

Courtyard 7 Restaurant – 'Traveler's Choice of 2012' Rated 4/5 on Trip Advisor
Hutong Family Visit – Highly recommended in feedback as 'making Hutongs special'.
Free-time Ideas:
1. The Best Acrobatics Show in Beijing. Chaoyang Theatre has breathtaking performances making this Beijing's #1 attraction after the Great Wall. If you wish to go, you guide can help you buy tickets.
2. Lao She Teahouse's performances include story-telling, shadow-plays and more. Packed with tourists but interesting, although a little expensive.

DAY 3 BEIJING
The Great Wall of China
Stroll with locals among the ancient trees that surround the Temple of Heaven. Try Tai Chi (or just watch) under the guidance of your teacher. You'll discover the Temple of Heaven, which was a place the emperor sacrifice to 'the most-high God in heaven' for a good harvest. The Round Altar, Echo Wall and Imperial Vault of Heaven are the rated as must see; we will cover these and more. It's on every top 10 Beijing list for good reason.

Next we'll drive up into the mountains to a farmhouse garden restaurant, famous for its rainbow trout & salmon which you can catch yourself. A short drive along the mountain backbones and you'll arrive fresh & ready to climb the Great Wall of China (Mutianyu section), in a less crowded area with the most spectacular views.

Good to Know:

Ranked No. 1 – Mutianyu ranks No.1 of 900+ Beijing attractions on TA.
"A Guide is Essential" – Beijing's Expat Travel Writer Sara Naumann recommends using a guide, even for an independent traveller. She also picks Mutianyu "the views are awesome…"
Free-time Ideas: A Peking Duck Banquet or some fine dining would be a beautiful ending to this amazing.
1. DaDong the most famous place for roast duck, best to reserve. Ranked #8 of 3695. Rated 4.5/5.
2. A former 1920's US Embassy (Litigation Quarter of Beijing) is just a thing for a special occasion. They offer world class dinning at China prices, if you prefer an alternative to Chinese food.

DAY 4 BEIJING TO XI'AN BY FLIGHT
The Summer Palace
Beijing's Summer Palace is a large park with pavilions and beautifully painted corridors, temples, among lakes and surrounded by hills. Historically the emperor's summer retreat, it's a charming place to explore before taking a large dragon boat tour across the lake. After a fair well lunch with your guide at this charming traditional restaurant, famous for its Sichuan food, in just a few hours you'll be in Xi'an, meeting your local Xi'an expert guide.

Good to Know:

Boat Tour – Most tour companies don't include these things as standard, we do.
The Best Guides – Some use Beijing guides in Xi'an, our guides are local experts focused on their city.
Free-time Ideas: On arrival in Xi'an we typically recommend hotels in view of the Bell Tower. A great location for many reasons but also perfect for a self-guided stroll. Your find many guide books recommend just visiting the outside, so we leave this for your own time. Preserving guided time for Xi'an's very best.

DAY 5 XI'AN
The Terracotta Warriors
You have the included option to start your morning with a Tai Chi session on Xi'an's City Wall, following a local master's introduction. The highlight comes next, the Terracotta Warriors.

Enjoy lunch a place known nationwide for its Hunan & Sichuan dishes. After lunch, visit one the best museums in China – Shaanxi History Museum, where our Xian tour guide would narrate the core of Chinese history.

Good to Know:

No Tricks (Big vs. Little Goose Pagoda) – Look closely at other companies and large group tour operators and you'll see they take you to the free Little Goose Pagoda, -experience.
Variety of Flavors – We not only choose the best authentic (non-tourist) local restaurants but we select different styles of cooking throughout the trip. Experience the wide flavors of China.
Free-time Ideas: A Peking Duck Banquet or some fine dining would be a beautiful ending to this amazing.
1. Xi'an's Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show features on many 'Top 10 's' and your guide can help you buy a ticket.
2. A cost free alternative is a relaxing evening stroll in the parks and grounds of the Big and Little Goose Pagoda. They look beautiful at night.

DAY 6 XI'AN TO CHONGQING BY FLIGHT, YANGTZE CRUISE
The Ciqikou Old Town
After breakfast, you'll head to Chongqing by air. On arrival we will make a trip to Ciqikou Old Town.

After lunchat Caixiangyuan Restaurant we'll go to the Three Gorges Museum. Afterwards take in the charm of this mountain city, before the cruise sails in the evening.

Good to Know:

Ship & Cabin – This tour includes a cabin with a balcony. Watch our video guide to choosing a cruise ship or read top four ships preferred by western customers.
Top for 2013 – Five Highly Recommended Cruises for 2013 & Top Three Luxury Yangtze Cruises.
DAY 7YANGTZE CRUISE
The Fengdu Ghost City
After breakfast climb up through the cloud into the surreal atmosphere of the Fengdu Ghost City, hanging in the mist. The atmosphere has a spooky draw for China tours, also offering an interesting place to take some pictures. Today the ship's crew will offer you a formal welcome banquet and an optional party with great food and drink.

Good to Know:

Caring Extras – Our customers receive a welcome fruit basket and complimentary bottle of water each day. We ensure you receive the best care on the ship. Our recommended ships are inspected by our staff and have great food, cabins, internet, laundry services, doctors, and great customer feedback.
Free-time Ideas: Relax with 'River Town – Two years on the Yangtze', an enjoyable award winning book written by an American teacher. Amazon Paperback (not on Kindle), while enjoying the ships Happy Hour.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch is on the ship.

DAY 8 YANGTZE CRUISE
The Yangzte River Cruise
Take the small boats deep into the gorges, see beyond the main river. Doubtlessly, the perfect natural beauty makes the best setting for your China holiday. Enjoy it!

By taking these smaller boats you can get deeper into nature. The shallow water and tradition means they are hand pulled boats, and the strength and muscles of your boat men are a spectacle to admire as much as the narrow beautiful gorges.

Good to Know:

Boat Pulling – is a top experience. All excursions are included, but you're not obligated to go.
Scenery & Excursions – is announced in English, see our full feature – How to plan a Yangtze River Cruise.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch is on the ship.

DAY 9 YICHANG, YICHANG TO SHANGHAI BY FLIGHT
The Three Gorges Dam
In Yichang, you'll have the chance to visit the Three Gorges Dam, the largest water containment project ever undertaken. In the afternoon, a flight will take you to Shanghai. Just in time to catch the neon lights lighting up. Capture the city's glamour through your lens and feel the city's pulse.

Good to Know:

The Three Gorges Dam – It generates as much power as 10 nuclear power stations, and is 10 times longer than the Hoover dam. Even non-engineers find this amazing, and worth the visit.
Free-time Ideas: The Bund is the perfect evening walk and a chance to test your photography skills with an amazing night-cityscape. When the lights turn off at 10pm walk over to Glamour for a classy evening drink.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch is not included.

Hotels: – Choose your Shanghai hotel, here are our three pick for the 2 nights

DAY 10 SHANGHAI
The Bund
Today worlds collide, starting at the history exhibition (under the TV tower) watch Shanghai literally rise, at nearly 500m it's a breathtaking panoramic view from the Oriental Peal TV Tower. Lunch is arranged at Old Shanghai. After lunch, take a relaxing walk to ancient Yuyuan Garden, followed by the Bund, a must-see colonial waterfront area.

Good to Know:

Old Shanghai has been serving traditional Shanghai food for 130 years.
Changes – Customize this trip to suit you. E.g. A history and art fan might like to visit Shanghai Museum; it's rated by many as the best Museum in China.
Free-time Ideas:
1. Chinese Massage – Recommended for integrity and quality, Shanghai Massage & Spa Guide.
2. Authentic Shanghai Jazz – Ignore the guide books Peace Hotel tip, JZ club is a local's choice, the music is as good as the peace hotel but wins with its charming ambience.

DAY 11 DEPART SHANGHAI
Your car, driver and our guide will be ready and waiting at your hotel to get you to the airport on time. Sit back and relax, they will help you check-in and escort you to the correct security gate. We take the stress out of travel, so you can just take the tour.

Description
Encounter the essence of China in all its wonderful diversity—climb the Great Wall and stare down the Terracotta Warriors before heading down south on this 3-week tour of China's cultural and natural highlights. Rest your gaze on the giant Buddha of Leshan, ancient mountainside monasteries at Emei Shan then float down the world-famous Three Gorges of the Yangtze River before stepping out to experience the vibrant rural life and stunning scenery of Yangshuo. With your accommodation and transport arranged by our expert CEOs, this adventure offers up a great combination of must-see highlights and free time to explore on your own.
Highlights
Bargaining in bustling markets.
Hiking the Great Wall and exploring the Forbidden City.
Standing face-to-face with a Terracotta Warrior.
Visiting a panda sanctuary.
Seeing the giant Buddha of Leshan.
Exploring the holy Buddhist peak of Emei Shan.
Cruising the Yangtze and biking through Yangshuo's karst landscape.
Itinerary
Day 1 Beijing
Arrive at any time.
Day 2-4 Beijing
Included visit to the Great Wall and tour of the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square.
Day 5-7 Shanghai
Visit to the world-famous Shanghai Museum. Option to take in a breathtaking Chinese acrobat performance.
Day 8-9 Xi'an
Orientation walk through Xi'an's Muslim Quarter then visit one of China’s greatest archaeological treasures—the Terracotta Warriors. Option to cycle the ancient city walls.
Day 10 Chengdu
Fly to Chengdu. Explore the teahouses and the streets of Chengdu, get a massage and perhaps sample some of the local culinary classics.
Day 11-12 Panda Breeding Center and Emei Shan
See the famous giant pandas up close at the Panda Breeding Center and explore Emei Shan, one of the four sacred Buddhist mountains of China. Overnight in a monastery with breathtaking views.
Day 13 Leshan/Chongqing (1D)
Stop en route at Leshan, home of the largest stone carved Buddha in the world before arriving to Chongqing, birthplace of the delicious Sichuan hot pot. Sample this regional speciality at a local restaurant with your CEO.