| July
13-26, 2009
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Join
us for a celebration of one of the many long-duration total
solar eclipses of Saros 136.
This
2-week journey includes a 7-day cruise, a visit to Beijing,
the Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Xian for the noble warriors.
On July 22, 2009 totality crosses China along the Yangtze
River for over 5 minutes. Distinguished astronomical enrichment
program will offer the finest in lectures and activities.
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Courtesy
of MWT Associates |
Tour
includes:
- Roundtrip
airfare from major USA gateways
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All inter-China air: Beijing/Xian/Chongqing
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Airport/hotel/ship transfers
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7 - day Yangtze River Cruise with All-balcony cabins aboard the
Victoria Prince
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Port and Fuel charges
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3 – nights Beijing – Beijing Sheraton Great Wall
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2-nights Xian – Xian Sheraton
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1-night Chongqing – Harbor Plaza Hotel
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Fully escorted by English speaking guides
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Motor coach excursions with English speaking guides
- Astronomical
enrichment program by distinguished, guest lecturers
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Port lectures aboard the vessel on Chinese art, culture, and history
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Eclipse protective glasses
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Meals as listed in itinerary with some at selected local Chinese
restaurants
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Captain’s Welcome Reception & Farewell Banquet
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Complimentary wines and non-alcoholic beverages with dinner on
vessel
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Shipboard gratuities included
Special
Cultural Highlights Include:
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Great Wall & Sacred Way of the Ming Tombs
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Tiananmen Square & Forbidden City and Summer Palace
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Peking Duck dinner and Peking Opera
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Terra Cotta Army in Xian
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Tang Dynasty dinner show
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Small Gorges
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Three Gorges Dam lock transit and tour
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Three Gorges Excursion
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Hubei Provincial Museum
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Full day excursion to Huangshan "Yellow Mountain"
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Dr. Sun Yat Sen Mausoleum
ITINERARY
July
13/14, 2009 U.S.A. – Beijing, China
Board the flight to the People’s Republic of China and the
Saros 136 Total Eclipse cruise tour. Arrive
Beijing, China’s former imperial capital whose rich history
dates back more than 1,000 years before Christ.
July
15, 2009 Beijing
This morning visit Tiananmen Square, built to accommodate over 1,000,000
people. Later tour Beijing’s mysterious Forbidden City. Once
the home to the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was completed in 1520
and was off limits to visitors for 500 years. Explore the elegant
palaces, pavilions, courtyards and gardens within its walls.
After lunch, tour the 700 acre complex, Summer Palace. Walk among
its elegant buildings and landscaped grounds, considered among the
finest Chinese gardens. Tonight features China’s Peking Duck
dinner followed by a performance of the world renowned Peking Opera.
B/L/D
July
16, 2009 Beijing
After breakfast, travel to the Badaling Hills to see one of the
most impressive and best-preserved sections of the Great Wall of
China, recently voted one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. After
lunch in a local restaurant, visit the Sacred Way, a tree-lined
avenue guarded by massive sculptures of elephants, lions, and camels.
B/L/D
July
17, 2009 Beijing – Xian
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and fly to Xian, the key
city of the Tang Dynasty where we will tour the mausoleum of Emperor
Qin Shi Huang, who was laid to rest over 2,000 years ago. B/L/D
July
18, 2009 Xian
Today our tour takes us to the Xian City Wall and the Terra cotta
Warriors, where there are more than 6,000 life-sized warriors, archers,
and infantrymen that were buried with China’s first Emperor
in 209 B.C. Each man and horse is molded with their own distinct
features. Tonight we are treated to the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show.
B/L/D
July
19, 2009 Xian - Chongqing
After Breakfast, transfer to the airport for our flight to Chongqing
and overnight before Yangtze River Cruise. Astronomical enrichment
activities tonight. B/L/D
July
20, 2009 Chongqing – Board Vessel
Morning transfer to the Victoria Prince and sail from Chongqing.
This afternoon explore Fengdu, the City of Ghosts. Tonight gather
for a welcome cocktail reception. B/L/D
July
21, 2009 Dining River and Lesser Three Gorges
Board smaller boats for the Daning River, which winds through the
beautiful Lesser Gorges. Birds and monkeys can be seen on both banks.
A variety of terraced fields grow year round. This evening we will
sail through the Three Gorges Dam locks. Tonight the astronomical
enrichment activities will prepare everyone for tomorrow’s
eclipse. B/L/D
July
22, 2009 Eclipse Total & Three Gorges Dam
The excitement mounts as the Saros 136 eclipse approaches. After
the eclipse excitement, an excursion to the $25 billion Three Gorges
Dam is planned. With an installed generating capacity of 18,200
MW, the dam spans more than two kilometers across, and tower 185
meters above, the world’s third longest river. B/L/D
July
23, 2009 Wuhan
Our astronomical enrichment program continues this morning before
an afternoon excursion in Wuhan. Tour the Hubei Museum with its
many historic artifacts including a collection of ancient bells.
B/L/D
July
24, 2009 Huangshan
Today’s excursion takes us to the beautiful Yellow Mountains,
which were formed over a hundred million years ago of thirty-two
peaks of red crags and rock columns which change color with the
light. The pinnacles are magnificent and imposing beauties of mystery
which have inspired artists, photographers and poets for centuries.
B/L/D
July
25, 2009 Nanjing
The walled city of Nanjing was built between 25 – 220 AD and
eight dynasties established their capitals in the city. In 1842
the British forced the Qing government to sign the Treaty of Nanking
to end the opium war. China was forced to cede the territory of
Hong Kong to Britain and open four Chinese ports to foreign trade.
Following the 1911 revolution, Nanjing was declared the capital
of the Republic of China. Nanjing’s most famous landmark is
the Mausoleum of Dr. Sun Yat Sen. Tonight enjoy our Captain’s
Farewell Banquet. B/L/D
July
26, 2009 Shanghai
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your homeward journey
or extend your stay in Shanghai or to Cambodia & Thailand or
Hong Kong & Guilin. B
For
more information, please contact MWT Associates at 877-707-7827
or visit their website at www.melitatrips.com
Please
note, individuals who sign up for a trip with reference to
the ASP will be added to our mailing list unless you email
us with a request to be removed. You can also view our
privacy policy for additional
information.
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