General Information
This is a brochure for a trip offered by ROM Travel.
ROM Travel is organized by the Royal Ontario Museum’s Department of Museum Volunteers to provide support for the museum.
These trips are available exclusively to members of the Royal Ontario Museum.
The trip described in this brochure is to the country of China.
This trip will take place from October 10 through 28, 2020.
This trip is operated by Tour East Holidays (Canada) Inc. This travel agency operates on behalf of ROM Travel.
Background Information about this Destination
Feel the aura of mystery and adventure as we follow in the footsteps of Marco Polo along China’s Silk Road.
Camels once loaded with exotic goods travelled over the snow-capped mountains and across inhospitable deserts on these vital arteries of trade, culture and religious exchanges between East and West.
Our exciting journey starts in Beijing.
Visit four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Summer Palace and the Temple of Heaven.
Enjoy a rickshaw ride along old Hutong alleyways.
Fly to the ancient capital of Xian, the end of the Silk Road for Western merchants.
From here, visit the tomb complex of China’s first Emperor, guarded by its terracotta warriors. Other highlights include the Muslim Quarters, the Wild Goose Pagoda and Han and Tang dynasty tombs.
Visit the spectacular Maijishan Buddhist caves filled with over 7,000 statues.
Fly to Kashgar, in the region once known as Chinese Turkestan.
The Id Kah Mosque and Abakh Hoja Mausoleum are exquisite examples of Islamic culture and architecture.
In the Sunday market discover luscious produce and colourful ethnic handicrafts.
Near Turpan, an ancient oasis on the Silk Road, view the Flaming Mountains and the amazing Karez underground irrigation system.
Walk in a Tuyoq village.
Explore the ancient ruins of Jiaohe and sample local wines. In Dunhuang, visit the Mogao Grottoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The caves are decorated with delicate frescoes and lifelike, painted clay sculptures.
Visit Crescent Moon Spring, the Echoing Sand Dunes and experience a sunset camel ride.
At Jiayuguan, the last frontier in China’s west, climb up the “Suspended Wall”. Visit the Wei and Jin underground tombs with their exquisite murals.
Take the train to Zhangye to view the Rainbow Park, a geological marvel with sandstone mountains striped with the colours of the rainbow.
Our grand finale is in Shanghai, where East meets West.
Contrast the fast disappearing alleys and markets in Old Shanghai to the grand colonial buildings on the Bund and the spectacular futuristic architecture of the skyscrapers in Pudong.
Some Highlights of Each Day
On Day 1 arrive in the city of Beijing
Individual arrivals at Beijing Airport.
Group transfer to the hotel.
On Days 2 and 3 in Beijing
Tours of the Forbidden City Palace Museum, the National Museum, the Mutianyu Great Wall and the Summer Palace.
Welcome Dinner featuring Peking duck.
On Day 4 travel from Beijing to the city of Xian
In Beijing, visit the Temple of Heaven, and tour the Hutong and Yandai Byway.
Flight to Xian.
On Days 5 and 6 in Xian
Special access to visit the terracotta warriors site including lunch with the archaeologists at the site.
Visit Han and Tang dynasty royal tombs.
On Day 7 travel from Xian to the Tianshui area and back to Xian
Take a train to see the impressive Buddhist rock carvings in the Maijishan Grottoes.
On Day 8 travel from Xian to the city of Kashgar
Flight to Kashgar.
Visit the Abakh Hoja Mausoleum.
On Day 9 in Kashgar
Visit the Sunday Bazaar.
Take a walking tour of Old New Town and the Id Kah Mosque. Enjoy dinner at a Uyghur home with entertainment.
On Day 10 travel from Kashgar to the city of Turpan
Flight to Turpan.
Visit the Karez Well water supply, the irrigation system and the Emin Minaret.
On Day 11 in Turpan
View the Flaming Mountains, Tuyoq village and the ruins of Jiaohe.
On Day 12 travel from Turpan to the city of Dunhuang
Take a train to the city of Liuyuan; then take a bus to Dunhuang.
Visit the Shazhou Night Market.
On Day 13 in Dunhuang
Visit the Mogao Grottoes, the Echoing Sand Dune and Crescent Moon Spring.
Enjoy dinner overlooking the dunes.
On Day 14 travel from Dunhuang to the city of Jiayuguan
Visit Dunhuang Museum.
Take a bus to Jiayuguan.
On Day 15 in Jiayuguan
Tour the Jiayuguan Fortress and the Overhanging Great Wall.
On Day 16 in the Jiayuguan area
Take a train to the Zhangye area to see the Danxia Geopark, also known as Rainbow Park.
On Day 17 travel from Jiayuguan to the city of Shanghai
In Jiayuguan, visit the Wei and Jin Dynasty Underground Tombs.
Flight to Shanghai.
On Day 18 in Shanghai
Take a tour of the city.
Visit the Jewish Refugee Museum and the Shanghai Museum.
Take a sunset cruise along the Huangpu River.
Farewell Dinner.
On Day 19 depart from the city of Shanghai
Group transfer to Shanghai Airport for individual departures.
Hotels Included with this Trip
In Beijing at the Hilton Wangfujing hotel for 3 nights
In Xian at the Sheraton North City hotel for 4 nights
In Kashgar at the Radisson Blu hotel for 2 nights
In Turpan at the Houzhou hotel for 2 nights
In Dunhuang at the DH International hotel for 2 nights
In Jiayuguan at the Nuo Jin International hotel for 3 nights
In Shanghai at the Fairmont Peace hotel for 2 nights
An Expert Resource Person will Join this Trip
Sara Irwin has accompanied fourteen ROMTravel trips to East Asia, including the last ROMTravel trip to Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet. She was the manager of the Asian collections at the ROM, and is now a departmental associate and working on a research project related to the history of the Asian collections in the ROM.
Sara's extensive knowledge and passion for the arts and culture of the area will enhance your enjoyment of this trip.
A ROM Travel Coordinator will Join this Trip
Marion Ho is a long-time ROM volunteer, a past Co- Chair of ROMTravel, a past Chair of Hospitality, ROM Docents, DMV Programs and Events, and has led previous trips to China; Southeast Asia; Maya sites in Mexico and Guatemala; and Bhutan, Nepal and Tibet.
Trip Cost Per Person
All quoted costs are in $ CAD.
Double Occupancy Accommodation is $10,930 per person. Single Supplement is $2,630.
Be Aware That
This trip begins at Beijing Airport. Its international airport code is P E K.
This trip ends at Shanghai Airport. Its international airport code is P V G.
International flight costs are not included.
Terms and Conditions
The trip cost does NOT include international flight costs between your home and China.
Tour East Holidays can assist with booking flights.
The trip cost includes
Group coach transfer from Beijing Airport to the hotel on Day 1 for those arriving at the arrival time of the ROM Travel Coordinator. Group coach transfer from the hotel to Shanghai Airport on Day 19 for those departing at the departure time of the ROM Travel Coordinator.
Porterage of one standard sized suitcase per person at the hotels.
Regional flights as follows
Flight from Beijing to Xian
Flight from Xian to Kashgar
Flight from Kashgar to Turpan
Flight from Jiayuguan to Shanghai
Ground transport in private air-conditioned coach for transfers and excursions as per itinerary.
Trains and boats as per itinerary.
Shared accommodation in double occupancy room with private facilities and free WiFi access.
Note that in China, there is no access to Google, YouTube or Yahoo.
Meals included are buffet breakfast daily, 15 lunches and 9 dinners, including choice of water, coffee, tea, soft drinks or local beer.
Bottled water is provided daily on the bus.
Welcome and Farewell dinners include wine.
All visits, entrance fees, speakers’ fees and events as per itinerary.
All taxes and tips for all goods and services, drivers, hotel, restaurant and guiding staff related to the basic trip.
All hotel and local taxes.
Services of a Resource Person, a ROM Travel Coordinator, a National Travel Agency Escort, English-speaking local guides and Tour East Holidays.
Pre-trip orientation meetings. A post-trip reunion.
A travel handbook.
The trip cost does not include
International flight costs.
Fuel surcharges.
Internet access outside the hotels.
Items of a personal nature, such as laundry and telephone calls.
Airline baggage or video camera fees, if any.
China visa fees, if any.
Meals, snacks, beverages, and other services unless specified.
Additional meals and accommodations due to delays.
Emergency evacuation costs.
Trip cancellation and out-of-province health insurance.
With respect to the costs
All costs quoted herein are based on rates, fees and taxes as of May 23, 2019.
Costs are subject to change without notice.
Should trip costs increase, Tour East Holidays, as per TICO regulations, reserves the right to increase the cost accordingly up to a maximum of 7%.
Tour East Holidays reserves the right to substitute itineraries, hotels, airlines or vessels due to conditions beyond their control.
Any change to itinerary will not result in eligibility for a refund.
Participants must be members of the Royal Ontario Museum
For a full list of membership levels and benefits, visit rom.on.ca/membership.
Only one person per room must be a member.
Deposits and a Final Payment are required
An initial non-refundable deposit of $1,550 per person is required at the time of booking.
A second non-refundable deposit of $3,000 is due on April 10, 2020.
The balance of payment, $6,380, and single supplement of $2,630, if applicable, are due on July 20, 2020.
Reservations are required
As the number of participants is limited, reservations should be made as soon as possible.
In the event of over-subscription, a waiting list will be maintained.
If you have any physical limitations or disabilities
Any physical limitation or disability requiring special attention or treatment must be reported when reservation is made or when it occurs, if later.
ROM Travel, Tour East Holidays and/or its agents reserve the right to decline to accept or to retain anyone who may in their sole judgment require care and attention beyond that which can be provided.
After making a reservation, if you must cancel
All cancellations must be made in writing to Tour East Holidays.
All payments are non-refundable. No refunds will be given for payments made or unused services.
Documents are required
A passport valid for six months after the return date is required.
It is the individual participant’s responsibility to ensure proper visas or affidavits.
Neither Tour East Holidays nor ROM Travel is responsible for missing or incorrect travel documents.
Entry to another country may be refused even if the required information and travel documents are complete.
ROM Travel values your privacy
Your contact information will be published in the trip handbook unless you advise not to do so.
It is for the sole use of trip participants, ROM Travel and the travel agency, and will not be shared with anyone else.
Travel insurance is important
It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that they have adequate out-of-province health and trip cancellation insurance to cover changes in health or other circumstances prior to, or during, the trip.
All losses suffered or additional costs incurred associated with failure to have insurance, or to have sufficient insurance, are the sole responsibility of the participant.
Insurance purchased through Tour East Holidays is underwritten by The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company and First North American Insurance Company.
The insurance premium is non-refundable, and exclusive for residents of Ontario.
Insurance may be purchased up to the time the initial deposit is processed, or at a later time but, if purchased later, would be subject to any changes to the premiums and/or to the participant's health or other circumstances at the time of purchase.
A waiver will be required if the participant does not purchase insurance from Tour East Holidays.
Ontario taxes are included in the quoted costs.
The costs quoted are subject to change until the insurance policy is issued.
The costs quoted are based on accommodation in a double occupancy room.
Note that Deluxe coverage is all-inclusive health and cancellation insurance.
The price of Deluxe coverage depends on your age.
Up to the age of 59, Deluxe coverage price is $830.00.
From age 60 to 64, Deluxe coverage price is $1,007.00.
From age 65 to 69, Deluxe coverage price is $1,158.00.
From age 70 to 74, Deluxe coverage price is $1,527.00.
From age 75 to 79, Deluxe coverage price is $1,829.00.
From age 80 to 84, Deluxe coverage price is $2,405.00.
The price of Cancellation Only coverage depends on your age.
Up to the age of 59, Cancellation Only coverage price is $723.00.
From age 60 to 64, Cancellation Only coverage price is $786.00.
From age 65 to 69, Cancellation Only coverage price is $895.00.
From age 70 to 74, Cancellation Only coverage price is $1,065.00.
From age 75 to 79, Cancellation Only coverage price is $1,331.00.
From age 80 to 84, Cancellation Only coverage price is $1,587.00.
For single accommodation, for more coverage options and for complete coverage details, limitations and exclusions, please contact Tour East Holidays.
What is the Royal Ontario Museum Responsibility?
Neither the Royal Ontario Museum nor the Department of Museum Volunteers of the Royal Ontario Museum, or any member thereof, assumes any responsibility for the financing, arranging or the conducting of the trip, nor shall be liable for damages or loss to person or property that might occur in connection with this trip however arising, whether by negligence or otherwise, and whether or not a member of the Royal Ontario Museum staff or the Department of Museum Volunteers accompanies the trip.
The applicant by applying to join the trip hereby agrees to this limitation of liability on the part of the Royal Ontario Museum, the Department of Museum Volunteers or any member thereof.
What is the Responsibility and Jurisdiction of the Travel Agency, its Local Agents, and the Royal Ontario Museum?
Tour East Holidays and their agents act only as agents for the passengers with respect to services supplied to passengers by others, including but not limited to transportation, hotel and restaurant services, on the express condition that they are not liable for any failure in such services, or injury, loss or damage, delay or inconvenience arising out of or in connection with any defect in any vehicle or any act, omission, accident or error in providing such transportation, hotel, restaurant or other services.
There is no refund for unused portions of the trip.
In case of an accident occurring during the land portion of any trip, the passenger must submit any claim therefore only to the competent judicial authorities of the jurisdiction where such accident occurred, to be determined exclusively in accordance with the laws of such jurisdiction.
By accepting the coupons and tickets and utilizing the services, the passenger agrees that neither the Royal Ontario Museum nor Tour East Holidays nor any affiliated or subsidiary companies or representatives shall be liable for any loss, injury or damage to the passenger or belongings or otherwise in connection with any accommodations, transportation or other services or resulting directly from any occurrences beyond its control including breakdown in equipment, strikes, theft, delay or cancellation or changes in itinerary or schedules, etc.
Tour East Holidays and its agents reserve the right to refuse to accept or to retain any person as a member of this trip for any reason.
The right is reserved to withdraw any or all of the trip or portions thereof.
All trip services including, but not limited to hotel accommodations, restaurants, guide services and transportation are furnished by independent contractors.
Living standards and practices at the destination and the standards and conditions there with respect to the provision of utilities, services and accommodation may differ from those found in Canada.
Tour East Holidays (Canada) Inc. is an Ontario- registered company. Its TICO Registration number is 67531472.
For further information, contact
Marion Ho, the ROM Travel Coordinator Phone: 416.586.8034 E-mail: [email protected]
Or contact:
Steve Hope at Tour East Holidays Phone: 416.929.0888 ext. 2236 or 1.877.578.8888 FAX: 416.929.8295 E-mail: [email protected]