HIGHLIGHTS: This cruise down the mighty Yangtze River offers a memorable journey along China’s mythical waterway, including riverside villages, beautiful scenery and the enormous Three Gorges Dam Project.

DAY 1: ARRIVE CHONGQING
Welcome to Chongqing. On arrival, you will be met and transferred by private car to your hotel.
Overnight: InterContinental Chongqing for 1 night.

DAY 2: CHONGQING CITY TOUR
Enjoy a full day sightseeing including the historic town of Ciqikou, and the Three Gorges Museum which showcases thousands of cultural relics and the natural history of the region. Continue to Eling Park for panoramic views of the city. This evening, transfer to your cruise for a 9:00pm departure.
Overnight: Yangtze River, choice of cabin, for 3 nights. (B,L)

DAY 3: YANGTZE – FENGDU OR WANXI’AN EXCURSION
Cruise by small towns whose existence is tied to the waters of the Yangtze. First stop is the town of Fengdu. On this shore excursion, you’ll climb the many stairs to the Temple of the Emperor of Hell. This area is filled with temples and garish statues of demons and devils. In classic Chinese superstitious style, many myths and stories are connected to the ghosts. An interesting part of this shore excursion is comparing the rubble of the old town of Fengdu with the new housing across the water, where the Fengdu inhabitants were re-housed. Join your captain in the evening for welcome drinks and dinner. (B,L,D)

DAY 4: YANGTZE – SHENNONG STREAM OR DANING RIVER EXCURSION
Rise early this morning and be on deck as you sail through the towering cliffs and mountains of the Qutang and Wu Gorges. In the afternoon, transfer to smaller boats for a trip up a tributary of the river, where the scenery changes into a narrow gorge, passing hanging coffins and local hillside villages. Transfer into smaller boats pulled by teams of “trackers” who wade thigh-deep through the water. After tracking upstream, cruise back down with the current to the ship. Later, enter Xiling Gorge as the ship prepares to pass through the amazing 5-level ship lock of the mighty Three Gorges Dam. (B,L,D)

DAY 5: THREE GORGES DAM PROJECT
Visit the site of the enormous Three Gorges Dam Project, China’s biggest hydraulic engineering project, located in the middle section of Xiling Gorge. Its completion in 2009 will flood 20 towns and involve the relocation of 1.3 million people. Visiting the project site gives you the chance to see the dam from different perspectives. Return to the boat after the excursion and journey to Yichang. Disembark here and transfer to Yichang airport for your onward flight (flight not included). (B)

From $569
Departs Daily Except Saturday

Prices are “from” and seasonal surcharges may apply. Cruise itinerary subject to change according to river conditions. Flights not included. Cruise operates March- November. Cruise vessel varies, depending on day of departure.

Cruise also available in reverse.
5 days / 4 nights Yichang–Chongqing (Upstream)