WILD CHINA

Discover a China you never knew existed when you take the WILD CHINA tour to Yunnan and Xinjiang Provinces. From the south, close to the borders with Burma and Vietnam, you will travel north to borders with Russia and Kazakhstan. Mountains, valleys, forests, amazing geological formations- you'll see plenty. Plus the Minority peoples of China with their interesting cultures and lifestyles. Whilst "Wild", this tour will also offer 4-star comfort.

Day One: Saturday,11/09/2010 Melbourne Airport

Meet at Singapore Airlines check in at 21:30.

Day Two: Sunday, 12/09/2110 Melbourne/ Singapore/ Kunming

Depart at 00:05 by SQ218, arrive Singapore at 06:00. Transit by MI912 for Kunming at 08:20, arrive at 12:20. After arrival, transfer to hotel and rest. Kunming is the capital of Yunnan Province. At 1890 metres above sea level, the weather is quite temperate. (D)

Day Three: 13/09/2010 Kunming/Dali

Fly to Dali. By MU5987, leave at 08:30, arrive at 09:15 . Visit the famous three pagodas (San Ta Si), built over 1,000 years ago and set between Lake Erhai and snow-capped Cangshan Mountain. Lovely.The talest pagoda is around 70 metres high, with 2 smaller ten-tiered pagodas on each side of the main one. Continue on to the nearby village of Xihou where you will have the chance to wander cobblestoned streets and admire the houses built in the original Bai architectural style. We are really here for the market - you may pick up a bargain. Enjoy the "three courses" tea ceremony and traditional dance performance. In Dali, the Bai people are most prevalent. After lunch, visit the Old Town of Dali, an exquisite town protected by the United Nations. Note the Foreigners Street! The present day Dali was built in 1382, to the west of the Old Town. (B,L,D)

Day Four: 14/09/2010 Dali/Lijiang

Travel to Lijiang by coach through the hills. Lijiang is also called Dayan Town. This old city is a living museum with its maze of cobbled streets criss-crossed with canals. There are ornately carved wooden buildings and teahouses. Visit the local market on Sifang Street. This is crowded with Naxi women in their traditional dress. ( B,L,D)

Day Five: 15/09/2010 Lijiang

In the morning, see the 500 year old camelia tree at Yufeng temple, and then take the chairlift to the Yak Meadow Mountain, discovering alpine plants among the high altitude mountains. For the rest of the day you can go back to Lijiang for some last minute shopping or to take photographs. ( B,L,D)

Day Six: 16/09/2010 Tiger Leaping Gorge/Zhongdian (Shangri-la)

A scenic drive to the world's deepest gorge. The racing river will become the Mekong further along. Continue on to Zhondian, also known as Shangri-La. There are many Tibetan people living here and on the way you can see yaks grazing and also Tibetan people riding horses. Enjoy an evening show of traditional Tibetan song and dance, which includes sampling Tibetan food (such as buttered tea). (B,L,D)

Day Seven: 17/09/2010 Zhongdian (Shangri-la)

Beautiful mountains - you can compare with Xinjiang Province - which is more lovely? Hard to say. Here there are snow capped mountains, highland lakes, grasslands, deep valleys, and virgin forests. Plus the magic of the Tibetan culture. Visit the biggest Tibetan Monastery, Songzhalin Monastery, and then take a drive and walk along the Napa Lake to enjoy the natural scenery and look for flowers and plants along the lake edge and surrounding countryside. ( B,L,D)

Day Eight: 18/09/2010 Zhongdian/Kunming

Fly to Kunming, leave at 08:55, arrive at 09:55. Visit Stone Forest Scenic Area. Visit Yunnan Minority Village in the afternoon. You will experience the culture of the many ethnic minorities, many of whom live in Yunnan Province. Colourful costumes and beautiful music and dance. Examples of architecture and culture. (B,L,D)

Day Nine: 19/09/2010 Kunming/Urumqi

Fly to Urumqi by MU5727 at 10:30, arrive at 16:40. Met by tour guide and transferred to hotel. After check in and short rest, transfer to dinner. ( B,D)

Day Ten: 20/09/2010 Urumqi/Tianshan/Urumqi

Visit Tianshan (Heavenly) Mountain. Also Tian Chi- lake of heaven. Scenery is breathtaking and you will also see your first yurts. ( B,L,D)

Day Eleven: Urumqi/Buerjin

After breakfast visit Urumqi city. Da Ba Za- the bazaar or market in the centre of the city is a treasure trove of lovely things. Fly by CZ6841 at 16:25, arrive at 17:40. Met by tour guide and transferred to Buerjin. Visit a night food market - maybe taste the different kinds of fish and also dried fruits and nuts. ( B,L,D).

Day Twelve: 22/09/2010 Buerjin/Kanas Lake

After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Kanas Lake, 2ks wide and 22 ks long, one of the highlights of the trip. Kanas Lake is around 180 kms from Buerjin, and a very interesting drive. You will drive to the deep mountain area, cross the birch forest and follow the Kanas River. When you get to the lake, you can climb to the top of the mountain, have a bird's eye view of the lake . Pristine and beautiful. Stay in hotel at Kanas Lake. We specially chose Autumn for this trip - the colours of the trees are sensational. (B,L,D)

Day Thirteen: 23/09/2010 Kanas Lake/Karamay

Continue to enjoy the mountain view of the Kanas area. Hopefully there will be time to meet a Kazakh family and learn about their lives. Visit Five Coloured Hills - a photographer's delight. We will also visit the Ghost City, an area which has eroded over time to resemble an ancient ruined city. I suggest that you discover the Ghost City on the back of a camel (may be extra cost here). After lunch, drive to Karamay, the oil city. Hundreds, maybe thousands of oil wells pumping away. Visit the brand new city (well, it was started in 1950s, so...) in the middle of nowhere, a little like Las Vegas, without the gambling. (B,L,D)

Day Fourteen: 24/09/2010 Karamay/Urumqi

Drive back to Urumqi. Have some free time and enjoy a minority dance for your evening entertainment. (B,L,D)

Day Fifteen: 25/09/2010 Urumqi/Beijing/Melbourne

Fly to Beijing by CZ6901 at 10:05 arrive at 13;25. Transit by SQ805 at 16:00, arrive Singapore at 22:15. Transit by SQ237 at 23:35. (B)

Day Sixteen: 26/09/2010 Melbourne

Arrive at 09:55.

Cost :$4,776.00 p.p. twin share. Single supplement : $698.00 p.p.

Includes: Return international air ticket flying Singapore Airlines. Internal flights, Kunming/Urumqi/Urumqi/Beijing, Accommodation in China, 4-star, meals and sightseeing as per itinerary, English-speaking guide, visa fee, all domestice transportation in China, coach between cities and sightseeing.

Not including: Tax and related airlines and airport surcharges ( around $500.00, this may change), travel insurance, tipping for guides, drivers and porters: $150.00.

NOTES:

The Northern Xinjiang part of Wild China will be offered as a pre-Silk Road tour.
Wild China will be fully escorted from Melbourne to Urumqi, and then those returning will be met and assisted at Beijing airport, and also Melbourne airport if needed.
Tour based on 10 passengers, cost may increase if less.
Tour will be finalised by June 2010, and will be cancelled or posponed at that stage if inadequate numbers.
Deposit of $500.00 can be paid to Premier Towns Travel, via China Birds, Po Box 210, Port Fairy, 3284. Contact China Birds for method of payment.

(B,L,D) = (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Tour arranged with Premier Towns Travel, Melbourne. Licensed 31514

Medina- whose company organises the Northern Xijiang part of our trip.

She is based in the city of Urumqi.