Sichuan Explorer
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Sichuan Explorer Sichuan Explorer 13 Days Your Tour Dossier Fully Inclusive from the UK This document is designed to be read in conjunction with the other pre- Sichuan Province is the natural habitat of one of the world’s departure information provided by Wendy Wu Tours including the tour endangered species – the panda. We observe these magnificent itinerary as described in our brochure and/or website. It aims to creatures at the famous Panda Reserve in Chengdu as well as provide a straightforward description of the physical activities involved admire the Grand Buddha in Leshan. We also visit Mt Emei, in sightseeing or travelling during the tour. Buddhist Dazu and beautiful Nine Villages Valley. If there are any particular challenges, from the length of time spent on This tour reaches a maximum altitude of 3,500m at Huanglong your feet, the length of drives and flights, to the standard of remote Temple. accommodation; they will be explained here. Fully Inclusive price includes: All passengers must read this document to ensure the itinerary is • International flights and current taxes suitable for their interests and physical capabilities. This is not your final • Domestic transportation itinerary and therefore does not mention all the sites visited. • Accommodation • All meals (excluding drinks) • T ouring with guides and entrance fees • Visa fees for UK passport holders Book now on 0844 499 3899 visit www.wendywutours.co.uk or see your preferred travel agent. Welcome to Wendy Wu Tours China continues to amaze, fascinate and thrill our passengers, many of whom have travelled to one country in Asia with us, then another, year after year. We urge you to keep in mind all the rewards, as well as challenges of travelling in a country with a history, culture and attitude so unlike your own. A typical day’s sightseeing may include the bustle and noise of a city street, sights and smells of a local market and interacting with the locals. Travelling in China requires patience and potential delays are to be expected due to standards of service. There is a low level of English spoken throughout China, so your local guides or National Escort will be indispensable during your trip. Almost everything will be different to what you may be used to. We have found that our passengers who embark with a sense of humour and adventure, who accept that things do not always go to plan, are those who find their experience most rewarding. It is essential that all passengers recognize the demands of factors such as basic facilities and cultural differences they may encounter in some areas. Sichuan Explorer - Medium Paced Tour These tours are not strenuous but do require higher levels of fitness. A typical tour may include longer periods of sightseeing on foot, climbing of stairs and involve longer periods of driving; sometimes on poorly maintained roads; as well as some easy walking. Anyone with a good level of fitness should be able to complete this itinerary. Of course our local guides always endeavour to provide the highest level of service and assistance, but they cannot be expected to cater for customers who are unfit to complete the itinerary. If you do have mobility difficulties, please contact us for our range of private tours which are more flexible and can better cater for individual needs. NB Please note that times and distances listed in the tour dossier are approximate. Days 1-2: UK - Chengdu Day 6: Mt. Emei You will be met at Chengdu airport in the Arrivals Hall by The group will need to change to a public bus to access the your Local Guide and/or National Escort from Wendy Wu Mt. Emei reserve this morning and will be travelling with Tours. Together with all other group members who may be other tourists. Drive 2 hrs up a winding, mountainous road to arriving at a similar time, you will transfer (1 hour drive) to the chairlift, and then catch the chairlift for 10 mins up to the your hotel. There is no sightseeing today. This evening a tour Golden Summit (altitude 3,077m). Sightseeing here involves introduction will be held in the hotel. Food and drinks will up to 2 hrs on foot over uneven ground and climbing some not be served at this meeting. It is simply an opportunity for steps. Return to the hotel in the evening. your group to meet and learn more about travelling in China. NB: the weather here is very changeable and often wet so you will need a rain jacket. Day 3: Chengdu to Dazu Drive 3-4 hrs (300km) to Beishan (North Hill) outside Dazu. Day 7: Mt. Emei to Chengdu Sightseeing here involves climbing some steps. Spend up to Drive back to Chengdu today which will take approx 2.5 hrs 40 mins here then continue a short distance to Dazu for an (160km). There is no sightseeing today. overnight stay. Day 8: Chengdu to Mianyang Day 4: Dazu to Zigong The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding is Visit the Baoding stone carvings (Treasured Summit Hill) a located only 18km from the city centre. It is not guaranteed short distance (15km) from Dazu. Sightseeing here involves that you will be able to see the feeding of the younger steps and up to 2 hrs on foot. This afternoon drive 3.5hrs to pandas, as this only happens at the very start and end of Zigong. each day. Sightseeing here involves at least 1.5 hours on foot. There are electric carts offered by private vendors and Day 5: Zigong – Leshan to Mt. Emei can be organised at your cost. Drive 3 hrs to Leshan. From the bus park, we walk to board Afterwards, drive 1 hour (55km) to the Sanxingdui Museum the small cruise boat to view the Grand Buddha from the in Guanghan, where you will spend 1.5 hours. Continue to river. Spend at least 1 hour at Leshan before driving (1 hour Mianyang, which is a further driving distance of 45 minutes approx) to Mt. Emei, arriving in the late afternoon and check (65km). into your hotel. Book now on 0844 499 3899 visit www.wendywutours.co.uk or see your preferred travel agent. Day 9: Mianyang to Nine Villages Valley sightseeing at the top of the waterfall. The cost of the cable Drive 8 hours (357km) to the Nine Villages Valley and check car is at your own expense. We usually spend over 2 hrs into hotel at the entrance of the national park for a two night sightseeing here. There are some steps and this area is at an stay. altitude of 3,500m. Afterwards drive a further 4.5 hrs (197km) to the rural area of Mao County for an overnight Day 10: Nine Villages Valley stay. The national park authorities have introduced ‘environmental vehicles’ which is aimed at reducing the Day 12: Mao County to Chengdu pollution by vehicles in the area. Your group will receive an We drive 3.5 hours (122km) to Dujiangyan Irrigation Project, entrance pass and a voucher for this transport. The vehicles spend 2 hours to visit the project. Afterwards continue run between the different sites at regular times, and this will driving 1.5 hours (59km) back to Chengdu. mean you will be sharing these vehicles with people from other tourist groups. Your Wendy Wu Tours guides will remain with you. Today’s sightseeing involves at least 4 hrs Day 13: Chengdu - UK on foot – with an altitude at Changhai (Long or King) Lake at Any time before your flight is at leisure. You will be 3,100m. transferred from your hotel to the airport, according to the NB: there is only one restaurant within the national park, departure time of your international flight. which will cater to all the tourist groups in the park on any given day. It can therefore get very crowded and noisy. Land Only If you are travelling on a land only basis, then you will need Day 11: Nine Villages Valley to Mao County to make your own way to the starting hotel in Chengdu on Drive along the steep, mountainous ridge of the national Day 2. On Day 13, you will checkout from your Chengdu hotel, and continue as per your own arrangements. park to Huanglong Scenic Area. The driving time is approx 4.5 hrs (130km) and the speed limit is 30km/h. Most of the drive Please refer to the Wendy Wu Tours brochure and/or is on sealed and winding mountain roads. website for details on departure dates, prices, itineraries, inclusions and tour extensions available as well as full There is now a cable car here and it is possible to take the 10 booking conditions. minute ride both up and down, allowing more time for ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Before You Leave Itinerary Changes - The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. The schedules of the domestic airlines in China are subject to frequent changes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your Local Guide or National Escort will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Roads in China have generally been improved over recent years, but some road construction and/or weather conditions may still lengthen the driving times. Our intention is to adhere to the day to day itinerary as printed; however order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions. Visas - A visa is required for entry into China. A standard visa processing service is included in your tour cost.