China, Mexico & Cuba Essence

 1st Day: Arrival in Beijing

Temple of Heaven, Beijing

Upon your arrival at Beijing airport, our guide will be waiting for you outside the customs of Beijing Airport, and then transfer you to the hotel. Relax during the remainder of the day.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel   - the best Holiday Inn Hotel in Beijing    

 2nd Day: Beijing  (B+L)

Visit the world famous Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City this morning. To avoid the cheap tourist restaurant as the most are doing now, we specially serve you an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a famous and elegant restaurant to taste the authentic Chinese food. In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Heaven. The evening will be highlighted by a lively Chinese Kung Fu Show at the Red Theatre.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel   

 3rd Day: Beijing  (B)  

Badaling Great Wall, Beijing

Visit the Badaling Great Wall and a jade factory in the morning. The restaurants nearby the site are in low quality, so we do not arrange the lunch today. It may be the best that you have a big breakfast at the hotel and have some fast food for lunch by yourself. Our guide will show you some restaurants. Then visit the Sacred Way. The whole day's sightseeing will come to an end after seeing the appearance of Bird's Nest (Olympic National Stadium) on the way to the urban area.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn Central Plaza Hotel    

 4th Day: Beijing - Xian  (B+L)

Visit the Summer Palace and a pearl store. We will serve you an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY150.00 per person and included in our price) at a fancy restaurant with delicious food and great atmosphere. In the afternoon, following our guide, you will trace the old Beijing culture by walking through the original Hutong alleys, appreciate the oldest gray brick courtyard residence and capture the lifestyles of local families. Take a flight to Xian and check in at the hotel.

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel Xian

Terracotta warriors

 5th Day: Xian  (B+L+D) 

Visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum and a pottery-making factory. After a special and authentic homely cooked a la carte lunch (valued at CNY100.00 per person and included in our price) at a local family, you will visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. A splendid evening is in store when you will be entertained by the Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show when partaking of the famous Dumpling Dinner.

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel Xian

 6th Day: Xian (B+L)

TYou will visit the City Wall and the Provincial History Museum in the morning. After an a la carte lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) at a well-known restaurant, continue to visit the Great Mosque. We will leave you some free time at the nearby market.

Accommodation: Sheraton Hotel Xian

 7th Day: Xian - Guilin (B)

Take a flight to Guilin and visit the Reed Flute Cave and a sea water pearl store. Our tour guide in Guilin will help you check in at the hotel.

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian

Li River Cruise

 8th Day: Guilin - Yangshuo - Guilin (B+L) 

Appreciate the Li River scenery by cruising down from Guilin to Yangshuo. Disembark at Yangshuo for the rural scenery sightseeing. You also have a chance to visit a local villager's home on the way. Transfer you back to Guilin and visit the Elephant Trunk Hill.

Tips: The lunch served on the cruise today is simple Chinese lunch box. It cannot be up to your taste and also fails to meet the serving standard of our company, so we kindly suggest you have a hearty breakfast at the hotel this morning.

Accommodation: Sheraton Xian

 9th Day: Guilin - Chongqing (B)

Take a morning flight to Chongqing. Visit the Liberation Monuments, the Panda House in Chongqing Zoo and Ci Qi Kou ancient town. Check in at the luxurious President Cruise Ship. As the cruise departs from Chongqing at about 22:00, your relaxing Yangtze River cruise begins.

Accommodation: President No. 8 with balcony

An excursion to Yangtze Shennong Stream

10th Day: Shibaozhai (B+L+D) 

At about 14:00, have a shore excursion to Shibaozhai. The Captain's Welcome Party will be held this evening.

 11th Day: Badong - Xiling Gorge - Sandouping (B+L+D)

Begin the passage with Qutang Gorge, the shortest and the grandest of the Three Gorges. Later we will pass the Wu Gorge with its famous lofty and misty peaks. Disembark at Badong for an excursion to the Shennong Stream. The trip features natural beauty and an exciting boat ride drifting along the crystal stream. The pea boat allows you to experience a speedy adventure and have a close look at mossy rocks, verdant plants, plank roads, ancient coffins and precious animals. The unique songs of the local Tujia people are very impressive. Then continue sailing into the western section of Xiling Gorge. Dock overnight at Sandouping,close to the Three Gorges Dam.

 12th Day: Yichang - Shanghai (B+L)

Disembark for an excursion to the under constructed Three Gorges Dam. Then pack your luggage and complete check-out procedures. Drive to Yichang, have lunch and then see you off by the flight to your last travel destination Shanghai. Check in at the hotel and have a good rest.

Accommodation: Grand Mercure Shanghai Zhongya

 

Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai

13th Day: Shanghai (B+L)

Visit Shanghai Museum, the Yuyuan Garden and a silk shop. An a la carte farewell lunch (valued at CNY120.00 per person and included in our price) will be served at a popular local restaurant. After lunch, visit the Bund, Nanjing Road and an ancient cultural street, Tianzifang, which developped from local residence area to a new art zone combing artistic centers, exotic restaurants and bars. Upon returning to the hotel our tour guide will see you into the lobby to say bon voyage.

Accommodation: Grand Mercure Shanghai Zhongya

 14th Day: Departure from Shanghai (B)

Today you will travel to the airport for your departing flight to Mexico by yourself. Due to different flight schedules, the hotel-airport transfer service is not included. We wish you a nice journey!


15th Day: Arrival in Mexico City (B)

Today, you are scheduled to arrive at Mexico city. On arrival, our local guide will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. During the rest of the day, have a good rest to recover from the long flight and get over the jet lag. 

Accommodation: a local hotel

16th Day: Mexico City/ Puebla (B)

This best Mexico tour will officially start today, during which the guide will escort you to explore this amazing land to the full extent, including its natural treasure, culture, art and historical legacy. 

At first, you will visit the Central Square, the National Palace, the cathedral, the opera and the Latin Mansion. After taking a sight of Guadalupe cathedral lying on the TEPEYAC Mountain, you can climb the solar and lunar pyramid which lies in Teotihuacan (meaning god in India) and the Quetzalcoatl temple, an important divine spirit worshipped by ancient Aztecs and Toltec. The relics will be observed after lunch as well as the colonial city Puebla after driving through Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl volcano.

Accommodation: a local hotel

17th Day: Puebla/ Veracruz (B)

Today, you will go to colony Puebla and then sight-see the Pyramid of Cholula, the largest pyramid in the world. You will also find the Diba Nappa pyramid in the mountain. After driving through Sierra Madre you will arrive at Veracruz which reminds people of the beautiful Mexico harbor, forest and palatable fresh sea food. You may take a evening-city tour if you like.

Accommodation: a local hotel

18th Day: Veracruz/ Tabasco (B)

Following the pleasure trip to the San Juan Prison which is situated in a little island in Veracruz, you will visit the inviting natural landscape and harbor scenery of the Veracruz Harbor. Then, head to the Carter mark Lake who has got the title the Lady of the Lake. After crossing the lake, the most famous island, Isla de Changos (Monkey Island), will come into your view. After the boating tour on the lake, you will continue to have fun in Villahermosa, a city locating in Tabasco where is rich in oil resources, a lot of oil drilling pads could be seen there.

Accommodation: a local hotel

19th Day: Tabasco (B)

Today’s tour will begin with the visit of the open-air museum and La Venta Park. You will see quite a few statuses of Olmecs in the ancient culture such as Aztec culture, Mayan culture and other kinds of culture. Besides, you will also get the opportunity to meet various local animals. Following the pleasant tour, you will go on another trip to the Bay of Campeche, and then the lunch will be arranged on the coast near Sabancuy or Champoton.

Accommodation: a local hotel

20th Day: Bay of Campeche/ Card Bach/ Uxmal/ Merida (B)

You will have a brief tour of the history center of this city. Bay of Campeche is well protected by bastions and the city walls which were used to defend against the pirates` attack. After that, you will go to Card Bach by bus to see The Mayan Arch, CHAAC, and The Rain God of Maya. In the afternoon, you will go to Uxmal to visit the Magic Pyramid which is located in the entrance of the ancient ruins. You will arrive Merida at night.

Accommodation: a local hotel

21st Day: Merida/ Chitzhenza/ Cancun (B)

Pay a visit to Mérida which is named as “white city”. The beautiful Mérida is the capital of Yucatan State, built by Spanish Francisco de Montejo on the relic of Maya in 1542. The cathedral San Ildefonso was built with stones of pyramid. Mérida is the most tranquil and peaceful city in Mexico. After that, you will drive to Chitzhenza to visit the ancient Kukan pyramid which is also called El Castillo. After climbing this building, you will see the observatory and monument, and the guide will explain the thousands of Cylindrical Gods. After having lunch in Chitzhenza, you will leave for Cancun to end this cultural journey.

Accommodation: a local hotel

22nd Day: Candelaria - Ceibal – Flores (B)

On the way to Flores, you will see Candelaria Caves, which is one of the most spectacular underground grottos groups on the earth. Then you will continue to visit Ceibal Archaeological site, the fertile soil here nourishes the prosperous tropical plants.

Accommodation: a local hotel

23rd Day: Mexico City - Havana (B)

Drive to the airport and take an international flight leaving from Mexico to Havana. On arrival, our guide based locally will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel in downtown to settle down. The best Cuba tours will begin tomorrow, guiding you to know what have happened and is happening in this exotic country. 

Accommodation: a local hotel

24th Day: A Free Day in Havana (B)

It’s a free day for you to explore the Havana city on your own. If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact us any time. 

Accommodation: a local hotel

25th Day: Guided Havana City Tour (B)

After breakfast, our guide will come to pick you up and lead you to visit Great Historical and Military Park Morro - Cabaña lookout point (outdoor areas), the Partagás Cigar Factory and the Rum Museum (or enjoy a Marriage Rum and Cigar at the Craft Market). Next will be panoramic tour of the Havana Historical Center, declared by UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Walk around its classical squares including San Francisco de Asis, Cathedral, De Armas and Old Square. Visit the room in the Ambos Mundos Hotel where the famous American writer Ernest Hemingway lived as well as the emblematic Bar - Restaurants “La Bodeguita del Medio” and “Floridita” (Mojito and Daiquirí beverages included). Continue the tour by bus through Capitolio Building exterior area and Prado Promenade.

At last, enjoy a 1 hour sightseeing by Old American Car passing through Modern Havana landmarks such as the Malecón Avenue, “Alma Mater” University and Revolution Square among others and return to hotel. 

Accommodation: a local hotel

26th Day: Havana - Viñales - Havana (B + L)

In the morning, drive to Viñales Valley. En route, make a brief stop at Rancho Las Barrigonas, surrounded by typical country houses and tobacco plantations. 

Viñales is a really quiet town once a refugee for a large amount of fugitive slaves (maroons). It’s a place to discover nature beyond limits. From colonization to an important place for manufacturing tobacco and also one of the most touristic places, Viñales Valley, declared “National Monument” and “World Heritage” by UNESCO, shines especially on the beauty of its mogotes arising over a fertile greeny land, tall palm trees and the bushiest endemic wildlife. 

There, we will not miss visiting Prehistory Mural, a piece of artwork drawn on a mogotes named Pita where you can see the evolution process of men and animals at Sierra de los Organos. After, head to Los Jazmines viewpoint to taste a cocktail and appreciate the valley views. 

Around noon, we will serve you a Creole lunch at a local restaurant with peasant music. Later, transfer to Indians Cave and enjoy a boat ride through the underground river. At the end of the day, return to hotel in Havana.

Accommodation: a local hotel

27th Day: Departure from Havana (B)

Today, according to the flight schedule, we will send you to the airport and see you off. Wish you a pleasant journey home!