Rail and River Cruise in China and Thailand Date  2009 available shortly.New Cruiser boat on Mekong River.                          Kunming - Shangri-la - Lijiang - Dali - Jinghong - Chiang Sean - Chiang Rai - Chiang Mai - Bangkok

Day 1: 
Arrive in Kunming by air from Beijing or Bangkok, meet the guide and tour representative at the airport and transfer to hotel.  Overnight in Kunming.

If arriving via Beijing day before we can arrange overnight at a central hotel before onward travel the next day to Kunming.Alternatively we can arrange for a guide to meet you at the Airport and accompany you to Kunming.First option extra £100.Second option extra £160.

Day 2: 
Take flight from Kunming to Shangri-la (the mythical place where people never grow old).  This is a place of endless wild flowers and grass plains in summer and, in winter, a snow-covered wonderland, just like floating colourful clouds - no wonder the name has been used the world over to epitomise paradise!  We visit the Songzanlin Tibetan Buddhism Monastery (otherwise known as 'Ganden Sumtseiling Gompa' to Tibetans).  It is said that the Fifth Dalai Lama chose the site of the monastery through a divine dream and named it then "Gedan Songzanlin Monastery".  In 1724, during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng in the Quing Dynasty, the monastery was renamed the "Guihua Monastery".  During its time of great prosperity, there were more than 3,000 monks in the temple; now there are still 700 living there.  In the afternoon we visit Shuduhu Lake (an area of natural beauty) and Zhongdian old town, with its Tibetan old streets and houses.  Overnight in Shangri-la.

Day 3: 
We first visit Dabao Temple, before visiting the Shangri-la Hot Springs at Xiaga.  According to local folklore, bathing in these springs gives eternal youth!  The Chinese must think so, as they now have a spa there with swimming pools, spa pools and treatment rooms.  Just in case there is any truth in the legend, we will all have the opportunity to bathe here in the warm waters.  In the evening we visit the traditional houses of Tibetan people and try the Tibetan roast lamb while enjoying the folk singing and dancing they will perform for us.  Overnight in Shangri-la.

Day 4: 
Bus to Lijiang, visiting on the way the Leaping Tiger Gorge, which is believed to be the deepest in China.  From the top of the Gorge we look down the steeply angled mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands (Jingsha) River, with its 18 foaming rapids more than 700 ft below.  Overnight in Lijiang.

Day 5: 
Visit Lijiang old town, which is one of the best preserved ancient towns of China and has been listed by UNESCO.  We visit the local Dongba Museum before touring the ancient city of Lijiang, where you can admire the beautiful wooden houses and water systems.  Black Dragon Pool is located at the north of Lijiang town at the foot of Elephant Mountain.  Mirrored in the clear spring water of the pool are the peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Elephant Mountain, presenting a picturesque scene.  The pool is embraced on all sides by verdant willow trees, carpet-like meadows and flourishing ancient trees.  Amidst the greenery and blossoms, are dotted luxuriously painted Chinese pavilions.  Ten kilometres north-west of Lijiang is Baisha Village, where ancient murals are stored and displayed.  The old houses in the village were built between 1385 and 1619.  The murals were painted in this period, when the Ban, Bai, Tibetan and Naxi peoples freely mixed with each other with their different art forms and cultures.  Sadly, some of these murals were deliberately destroyed in the Cultural Revolution, but those that remain are fascinating.  In the evening we will enjoy Mr Xuanke's Naxi ancient music.  Overnight in Lijiang.

Day 6: 
Bus to Dali, which is regarded as "the oriental Switzerland" or "Chinese Geneva".  This is an area of outstanding beauty.  We first visit the Xizhou Bai national village, before taking a boat trip on the Erhai Lake, which is 280 sq kms in size and dotted with fishing boats.  We finish with a tour of the 1100-year-old Three Pagodas.  In the evening, you are free to take a pleasant stroll in Dali Old Town, which was the capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom 1000 years ago.  Overnight in Dali.

Day 7: 
Today we board the China Rail train to Kunming, relaxing as we enjoy the scenery and farming scenes on the way.  Dinner on the train.(Chinese food only)  Arrive in Kunming and transfer to hotel for overnight.

Day 8: 
Our first visit is to the  to the Stone Forest. These strange looking limestone formations cover an area of over 300 sq kms and tower into the sky as far as the eye can see - hence the name "stone forest".  Returning, we visit the Dragon Gate in the Western Hills.It consists of the Sanqing Temple Complex and the Dragon Gate Grotto Complex.The Sanqing complex is arranged in nine tiers,each one a Pavilion,Hall or Temple.The Grotto Complex includes two interesting cave grotto's and the Datian Pavilion.  In the evening we take the short flight to Jinghong, which is a beautiful, subtropical, small city in China, and transfer to our hotel.  Overnight in Jinghong.

Day 9 
This morning we explore Wild Elephant Valley, which is a huge nature reserve for elephants, but which also contains some villages of the local Dai inhabitants.  In the afternoon we board our river cruiser at Jinghong Port to begin our trip down the mighty Mekong River.  Today we travel 81 kms before arriving at Guanlei, the border port between China and Burma.  Here we overnight at a small basic but clean hotel.  

 
 

Day 10: 
Early morning we resume our cruise for a further 263 kms down the Mekong River.  We can enjoy the primitive rain forest scenery and fishing boats on the river as we travel, with Laos on one bank and Burma on the other.  Food and drinks available on our cruiser.  After 8 hours cruising we arrive at Chiang Sean Port, Thailand.  This area, which is the border between Laos, Thailand and Burma, is known as the "Golden Triangle", infamous for its opium trade.  There is, of course, an Opium Museum to visit here, and nearby is a Buddhist Temple.  In the evening the bustling streets of Chiang Rai and its night market will be a temptation to browse around.  Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Day 11: 
We take a bus to Chiang Mai and visit the Elephant Camp, where a one-hour ride is taken into the bush.  Nearby we can also visit an orchid garden, butterfly house, snake farm or monkey school.  The several colourful night markets along the streets in the downtown of Chiang Mai will be a good hunting ground for unusual souvenirs, or just for taking in the heady atmosphere.  Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 12: 
In the morning our train will await us to take us to Bangkok  Here we have our own private saloon car attached to the train for the long journey south.  We will be fascinated by the local stations we stop at and the contrast in the scenery between the mountainous north of the country and the plains of the south.  We arrive in Bangkok at approximately 20:30 hrs, where we transfer to an hotel for overnight stay.

Day 13: 
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to airport for onward flights for those returning.  Extra nights at the hotel can be booked at an additional charge for anyone wishing to stay on for a few days in Bangkok.

PACKAGE PRICE:  £2100 per person  excluding external flights.

Included in the price:

-  Two domestic flights in economy class (Kunming - Shangri-la, Kunming - Jinghong.
-  Domestic airport fees and taxes,and transfers.
-  Train tickets and seats (Dali - Kunming, Chiang Mai - Bangkok).
-  4-star hotels, twin-bedded rooms with private shower and WC (except simple hotel in Guanlei Port.
-  English, German or French-speaking local and national guides.
-  Breakfasts and most evening meals (usually at restaurant outside of hotel).Also snacks and meals on trains and riverboat.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  --Visas for UK residents.Other nationalities-visa fee deducted from tour price.
-  Admission charges, where applicable, as shown in tour description.
-  Road Transportation in the programme (luxury tourism bus).
-  Domestic travel insurance.
-  Services of tour leader.

Not included in the price:

-  International flights and taxes.

-  Personal consumption of alcohol.


-  Tips,laundry,phone calls,internet connections,personal expenditure.

Contact:    e-mail-  enquiries@eerailtours.eu

                 Telephone:  0044(0)1299861529.        Fax:  0044(0)1299861058