Treasures of China: Options

Hotels

Viking has grown rapidly, mostly from great reviews from past clients. They utilize the best hotels throughout the world. It hasn’t been determined which hotels we will be using during this tour. In 2006, we stayed at the Beijing Hilton, the Shangri La in Xian, and the Pudong Shangri La in Shanghai, all very nice hotels in convenient locations. These hotels will be the same or similar in quality to those chosen by the cruise line for our tour. The hotels are announced about three months prior to our departing the US.

Our Guides

Viking employs excellent guides in China who meet you upon arrival and stay with you the entire trip. Brenda, who had a great command of English and an wonderful sense of humor, was our guide on the first tour. I overheard other tours aboard the ship commenting on the exceptional quality of the guides assigned to their groups.

Visas to tour China

The price to obtain a tourist visa for China increased in January of this year. The consulate offices in San Francisco charge a fee of $130. Many of the independent visa companies then tack on and additional $70 for processing and mailing. I will obtain visas for the group two months in advance at the rate of $175 per person, which will include the cost of shipping your passport and visa back to you.

Air schedules

United and Air Canada offer the best schedules at this time, with a mid-afternoon arrival in Beijing, and an early afternoon departure time form Shanghai to Seattle on the return. Northwest also operates a schedule, though they arrive late in the evening in Beijing and returns a little early in the morning on the Shanghai/Seattle portion. It may be that schedules change or new service comes out. I will be communicating air schedules, rates, and other details to the group.

Extensions

Viking River has an extension that takes you through Guilin and Hong Kong for an additional 4 nights. This program is priced at $1,399 per person for the 2009 season. I expect an increase for 2009 in the 5%-9% range, though these prices will not be confirmed until later this summer. This option may be added at a later time.

I am also investigating an extension to visit Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Tokyo and expect to have much more detail on this itinerary and cost before summer. We looked into Vietnam as a destination, but have all but shelved this idea given the monsoon season there in May. I feel that Vietnam and Cambodia may be a stand-alone destination for a future trip.

Promotional material

I have a supply of DVDs that I would be happy to send out to anyone who would like additional details about the tour and the services and accommodations provided by Viking River. Let me know if you would like one sent your way. I have also posted my pictures from the 2006 tour.

Updated: Tuesday, April 29, 2008