CHINA AND MONGOLIA YOUR TOUR DOSSIER TRIP OVERVIEW ITINERARY & DETAILS

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1 YOUR TOUR DOSSIER CHINA AND MONGOLIA TRIP OVERVIEW Set out across the steppes on an unforgettable nomadic adventure and follow in the footsteps of Genghis Khan on this incredible in-depth tour of Mongolia. Watch wild horses galloping through stunning countryside, sleep in traditional felt tents, explore the ruins of Genghis historic capital city and traverse beautiful lakes and mountains. Conclude your tour with an exploration of Chinese culture in Beijing before ascending the Great Wall of China. ITINERARY & DETAILS This document aims to give you all the information that you require for a smooth and comfortable trip to China. Please take the time to read this dossier to familiarise yourself with all the aspects of our tour. It includes important information such as airline and hotel details and visa requirements. Your included meal guide: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner Day : UK to Beijing Depart London on your scheduled overnight flight to Beijing. Day : Beijing D Upon arrival you will be met by a local guide and transferred to your hotel, before paying a visit to iconic Tiananmen Square the symbolic centre of China and the world s largest public square. Here you ll find the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong, the towering Monument to the People s Heroes and the Gate of Heavenly Peace. Afterwards you ll get the chance to explore Liulichang Cultural Street known for its series of traditional stone dwellings selling a diverse range of Chinese handicrafts, art and antiques. Day 3: Beijing B/L/D After breakfast, you ll embark on a fascinating sightseeing tour of the Forbidden City, China s largest and best-preserved collection of ancient buildings and the largest palace complex in the world. Acquiring its name for being off limits for five hundred years, this embodiment of ancient Chinese culture was the reclusive residence of two dynasties of Chinese emperors until the revolution in 949. Inside you ll discover an incredible labyrinth of temples, great halls and palaces. You ll break for lunch before heading to another of Beijing s sublime Ming Dynasty landmarks, the Temple of Heaven. A tranquil oasis of peace and methodical Confucian design, this vast 5th century temple complex features a number of temple buildings set in lush gardens and built around a colossal sacrificial altar. In the evening you will have the opportunity to watch a traditional Chinese acrobatic show. Day 4: Beijing to Ulaanbaatar B/L/D This morning, you ll fly to Mongolia s cosmopolitan capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Located on the banks of the Tuul River and surrounded by four sacred mountains, Ulaanbaatar is a city of contrasts where modern life blends with traditional Mongolian lifestyle. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel, before heading for lunch at a restaurant serving traditional Mongolian BBQ. The afternoon is at leisure to explore the fascinating museums, monasteries and monuments that the city has to offer. Day 5: Ulaanbaatar to Khustai B/L/D Leaving the city behind, you ll start your nomadic lifestyle with a short drive to Khustai National Park. Home to a vast selection of animals such as red deer, grey wolves and golden eagles, this protected area of the Mongolian steppes is most famous for its work reintroducing the Przewalski wild horses to their natural habitat. Enjoy a tour of the park to spot a variety of wildlife, before visiting the Khustai wild horse museum, a tribute to the park s efforts. You ll spend the night under felt in a traditional Mongolian ger, complete with beautifully decorated interior, comfy beds and a wood-burning stove. Day 6: Khustai to Kharkhorin B/L/D After spending a night like Genghis Khan, you ll set out this morning for Karakorum, the city the great Mongol conqueror established as his capital in 0. Here you ll discover the 08 stupas that adorn the vast exterior walls of UNESCO-listed Erdene Zuu Monastery as well as the colourful temples inside. The city has been razed several times since Genghis Khan s day, but its ruins still remain a powerful symbol of past glory. Once again you ll spend the night in a ger camp and your evening is at leisure to enjoy the quiet surroundings of the Mongolian steppes. Day 7: Kharkhorin to Tsetserleg B/L/D Following breakfast you ll journey to Tsenkher Jiguur for a relaxing dip in the hot springs, before continuing on to Tsetserleg, the delightful capital of the beautiful Arkhangai province. Nestled between rugged mountains with a charming monastery overlooking the town Tsetserleg is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the green surroundings of the Mongolian countryside. Day 8: Tsetserleg B/L/D This morning you ll visit the colourful Lamaist Buyandelgeruulekh Monastery, with magnificent views over Tsetserleg and the surrounding Khangai mountains from its hilltop location. Afterwards, you ll visit the captivating Tsetserlegaimag museum set in a charming courtyard temple complex with exhibits on traditional Mongolian lifestyle, giving fascinating insights into local costume, weaponry, musical instruments and the manufacture of gers. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to explore the city or relax in the your traditional ger camp. Day 9: Tsetserleg to Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake B/L/D Begin today with a final tour of Tsetserleg before setting off on a journey through breath-taking mountain scenery to Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, or the Great White Lake, high in the Khanghai Mountains. This immense, freshwater lake sparkles against a dramatic backdrop of extinct volcanic craters and pine-clad lava fields and the surrounding area is home to a plethora of wildlife including deer, fish eagles, wild boar and argali, a wild mountain sheep. Spending the night in a remote ger camp, right on the lake the rest of your evening is at leisure to relax and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery. Day 0: Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake B/L/D After breakfast you ll take a boat trip on the lake so you can experience this heavenly oasis from the water. The rest of your day is at leisure to explore the area, take a swim, climb the extinct Khorgo volcano or relax with a book in these peaceful surroundings. There are a number of beaches along the lakefront, making this the perfect spot to unwind. Day : Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake to Khogno Tarna National Park B/L/D Today s tour will begin with a drive to Khogno Tarna National Park. An astonishing combination of forest, desert sands, grassy steppes and mountains, the park represents a wild variety of natural zones and the fauna that goes with it, including foxes, wolves, deer and the elusive snow leopard. The area encompasses vast sand dunes, as well as some picturesque river and mountain scenery and the remains of Erdene Khamba Monastery built in the 7th Century. Your evening is at leisure to take in the mountain air at your traditional ger camp.

2 CHINA AND MONGOLIA Day : Khogno Tarna National Park to Ulaanbaatar B/L/D This morning you ll drive back to Ulaanbaatar, where you ll be taken on an in depth tour of the city. Join monks at the tranquil city oasis of Gandantegchinlen Monastery and explore the colourful temples of Bogd Khan s Winter Palace, residence of the first monarch of the independent Mongolian state. Then learn about Mongolia s fascinating Jurassic history at the Central Museum of Mongolian Dinosaurs, before strolling around the vast monuments and statues built in honour of Genghis Khan and Kublai Khan that surround the Parliament Building in Sukhbaatar Square. In the evening you ll enjoy a special Mongolian Bull hotpot dinner as your last taste of this fascinating country. Day 3: Ulaanbaatar to Beijing B/D After breakfast you ll be transferred to the airport for your flight back to Beijing, where you will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. In the afternoon you ll be taken on an enchanting rickshaw tour of the city s historic hutongs, these networks of ornate houses and courtyards have been an important part of Beijing life for centuries. This evening you ll watch a dramatic Kung Fu show at an additional fee. Day 4: Beijing B/L/D You ll last full day starts with a morning excursion to the iconic Great Wall of China. Built to protect against Mongolian invasion, the wall snakes over five thousand miles across the Chinese countryside and seeing it stretching to the horizon in its full glory is a once in a lifetime experience. When you ve returned to central Beijing the rest of your afternoon is at leisure to explore its wealth of parks and museums or do some shopping. Your last meal consists of a sumptuous Peking duck feast. Day 5: Beijing to London or extension B After breakfast you ll be transferred to the airport for your return flight to London, or continue on to your chosen extension. ACCOMMODATION DETAILS & MAP Hotel information Beijing (4 nights): 4H The Landmark Hotel 8 North Dongsanhuan Road, Beijing, China, Contact number: Ulaanbaatar ( nights): 4H Bayangol Hotel or Khusvgul Lake Hotel Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Contact number: H Khusvgul Lake Hotel Baga Toirog, Ulaanbaatar 400, Mongolia Contact number: Khustai ( night): Khustai tourist resort Gachuurt Reserve Park, Hustai National Park, Mongolia Kharkhorin ( night): Urguu tourist resort Tsetserleg ( nights): Maidar san tourist resort Terkhiin Tsagaan ( nights): Maikhan tolgoi tourist resort Khogno Tarna ( night): Khoyor zagal tourist resort Number of nights Terkhiin Tsagaan Coach Air < Tsetserleg Erdene Zuu Kharkhorin Mongolia Khogno Tarna < Asia Khustai Ulaanbaatar China 4 Beijing Accommodation All hotel accommodation is 4H and features an en suite bathroom, air-conditioning and TV. Your accommodation at the tourist resorts will be in a Mongolian Ger with shared facilities. Sunspot has visited and inspected the accommodation to ensure that they meet the high standards of service which we require for our clients. If the hotels detailed are not available alternatives will be used of a similar standard. FLIGHT INFORMATION ON YOUR ARRIVAL On your arrival into China you will be met by a representative from our local agent, holding a sign displaying: Sunspot. The Sunspot/China Travel Service representative will show you to your transfer vehicle. If you need to contact your representative during you stay the details are: China Travel Service Head Office (Beijing) co. Ltd Floor 5, CTS Grand Metropark International Hotel Beijing, 338 Guang An Men Nei Street,Xicheng District,Beijing,China Contact number: Linda Liu: Judith Zhu: Please note: the accommodation listed is provided for guidance only and final confirmation of your accommodation will be sent in a document, along with your final flight information, approximately 0 days before you travel. Meals Breakfast is always western style and served in the hotel each morning. Lunch and dinner where applicable will be taken in local Chinese and Mongolian restaurants. A variety of restaurants are visited giving you the chance to experience a range of dishes and flavours. Your initial flight is to Beijing Capital International Airport with British Airways (BA), departing from London Heathrow Terminal 5. IMPORTANT: Please note that final flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 0 days before departure. Airport Extras If you wish to arrange Airport car parking, lounges or accommodation at preferential rates, we recommend you book this in advance with Holiday Extra Tel , quoting HX33. Baggage Allowance Each passenger is entitled to two 3KG of hold luggage plus item of hand luggage not exceeding in size and personal item such as a handbag, briefcase or laptop case. Weight restrictions will be finalized on E-ticket receipt. Should you wish to take additional luggage you will need to pay extra at check in. Check-In should be at least 3 hours before departure. Internal flights: each passenger is entitled to one 0KG of hold luggage plus item of hand luggage. Emergency contact information Please find below the emergency contact details for China Travel Service Linda Liu:

3 CHINA AND MONGOLIA WHAT YOU NEED FOR YOUR TOUR Visas A visa is required for entry into China and Mongolia. We work closely with The Travel Visa Company who will be able to arrange your visa for you on your behalf. Please call them on and quote Sunspot. The cost of the visa for China is approximately and the cost of the visa for Mongolia is approximately 90.00, when calling the Travel Visa Company they will advise you of the most up to date fees. The visas for both China and Mongolia take around 0 working days to issue. We therefore recommend that you apply for your visa 8 weeks before travel, however please be aware that your passport will be required for the application so make sure that you will not need it during this time. Visa requirements are subject to change and obtaining a visa is the responsibility of the traveller and not Sunspot. We recommend you check with your destinations Tourist Board or Embassy prior to departure for the most up to date guidelines regarding these. Tour Guides This is an escorted tour, meaning the you will have the services of an English speaking guide during each excursion ensuring that you have first-hand knowledge at all times. Tipping Tipping is required in all China escorted tours. It is at your discretion, however we would recommend approximately (CNY30-50) per person per day. Tips are accepted only in the local currency, however it is asked that if you do not tip in the local currency that you only pay with notes, as coins cannot be exchanged. Currency Exchange The currency in China is the Chinese Yuan/Renminbi (CNY or RMB). We recommend that you exchange your currency before you leave the UK. The currency in Mongolia is the Mongolian tögrög (MNT). Currency will need to exchange in Mongolia. US Dollars and Pound Sterling are recommended for exchange. Group Size The minimum number of passengers on your tour will be 0 and the maximum number of passengers will be 35. If in the unlikely event your tour does not reach the minimum passenger numbers, then you may be asked to change to a different date. A full refund will be made available to you should this alternative not be suitable. Itinerary Changes The order of events and sightseeing may vary according to local conditions or for operational purposes. For this reason, we have indicated approximate times only. Your local guide will inform you of any schedule changes as they are informed of them. Some road construction and/or weather conditions may lengthen the driving times or sailing conditions. Our intention is to adhere to the day-to-day itinerary as printed; however, order of events and sightseeing may vary according to the local conditions. Health and Vaccinations It is your responsibility to check any health and vaccination requirements applicable to your booked arrangements. We can only provide general information about this. Health and hygiene facilities and disease risks vary from country to country. You should take health advice about your own needs as early as possible and in good time before your departure. Sources of information include; your General Practitioner or a specialist clinic. Physical Accessibility This tour is accessible to most people with an average level of fitness and normal mobility. It involves moderate days of walking on uneven paths and small hills, and getting on and off coaches and boats. This tour is not suitable for anyone with walking difficulties. Personal Expenses You will need to take some extra money with you to cover any meals or optional tours or programs where these are not mentioned on your itinerary and personal purchases, such as souvenirs, drinks and snacks. Approximately (CNY5000) per person should be sufficient for the duration of your tour. Please also bear in mind that there will be several shopping opportunities throughout your tour. Credit Card Information As normal practice you may be asked for your credit card details on check-in at the hotel in order to cover any extras incurred during your stay. If you do not have a credit card, you may be asked for a cash deposit. American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted in hotels. Travel Insurance We strongly recommend that you and all members of your party are suitably insured as soon as you book your holiday. It is a condition of booking that you must have suitable travel insurance. It is important that you purchase travel insurance that suitably covers your participation in whatever activities you may undertake at the time that you make your booking. To assist you with this, we have arranged travel insurance in partnership with Holiday Extras. To arrange your travel insurance with Holiday Extras, please call and quote WK830 for preferential rates. Please ensure you provide us with the name of your insurer, policy number and their 4 hour emergency contact number as soon as possible. Sunspot will not be liable for any costs incurred by you due to your failure to take out suitable travel insurance from the date of booking. WHAT TO PACK Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat in summer Comfortable walking shoes Warm clothing and thermals in winter Camera and charger/spare batteries An electric plug converter - the electricity supply is (0V). You will need a special ( pin plug adapter) in China and Mongolia Loo paper for public WCs Binoculars Mosquito repellent Personal first aid kit containing travel pills, rehydration powder, plasters, stomach settlers, antiseptic creams, aspirin etc Anti-bacterial hand gel Long sleeve shirt and long trousers Swimwear 3

4 CHINA AND MONGOLIA WEATHER AND CLIMATE Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below. 4

5 YOUR TOUR DOSSIER PANDAS OF CHENGDU EXTENSION If you have not yet booked this fabulous extension, there is still time to do so, please contact your travel agent TRIP OVERVIEW Extend your tour with a visit to Chengdu and you ll have the once in a lifetime opportunity to see China s national treasure the Giant Panda! This 4 night/5 day tour takes you to the Chengdu Panda Breeding Centre which is home to one of China s largest habitat of pandas, living in their natural environment. ITINERARY & DETAILS This document aims to give you all the information which you will require during your extension to Chengdu. Your included meal guide: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner Day 5: Beijing to Chengdu B Depart Beijing in the morning and fly to Chengdu via Shanghai. You will be met by your local guide on arrival and transferred to the 4H Yinhe Dynasty Hotel, where you will stay for the duration of your tour. Day 6: Chengdu B/L/D Today is the highlight of this extension tour, the once in a lifetime chance to see one of the world s most endangered species the Giant Pandas. You will visit the Chengdu Panda Breeding and Research Centre which is China s largest panda breeding centre, founded in 987 to encourage the healthy growth and nurturing of these beautiful creatures. Stroll around the many panda enclosures, watch an educational film in their cinema, visit the museum and discover the lesser known red pandas with their racoon-like features. If you are a true panda fanatic then you may like to pay an additional fee to have your picture taken with a young panda a truly unbelievable experience! The 0 fee will act as a donation to the centre. In the afternoon you can stroll through the stalls that line the Wide and Narrow Alleys, a smart area of the city where old-style pagoda buildings have been renovated and rebuilt to incorporate a network of three pedestrian alleys. Continue on to the People s Park, where hundreds of locals go to practice traditional forms of martial arts exercise. Dinner is a delicious traditional Sichuan Hot Pot meal, where guests are invited to create their own dipping sauce then cook a variety of meats at their table in their individually flavoured hot pot broths. Day 7: Chengdu B After breakfast you have the remainder of the day at your own leisure. Alternatively the following full day tour can be taken at a supplement of 99 per person: Travel through China s scenic countryside to Leshan, where you will visit the mesmerising Giant Buddha. It was built over,000 years ago during the Tang Dynasty and is an impressive 7 metres tall. See a different perspective of the Buddha by taking a boat ride along the adjacent river, allowing you to see the numerous carvings hidden from view when on the ground. During the afternoon you will stop by the,730 year old riverside Huanglong Xi Old Village, an ancient Chinese town with cobbled streets and an array of arts and crafts. In the evening you have the option to attend a Sichuan Opera Changing Faces Show, or relax at your own leisure. The show will also be at a supplement. Day 8: Chengdu to Beijing B Depart Chengdu for your flight to Beijing where you will spend the evening. Day 9: Beijing to the UK B Depart Beijing for your return flight back to London Heathrow. Hotel Information Your stay in Chengdu for 3 nights will take place at the 4H Yinhe Dynasty Hotel: This 4H hotel features air-conditioning/heating, an en suite bathroom, satellite TV, safety deposit box and tea & coffee making facilities. Mercury Holidays has visited and inspected this hotel to ensure that it meets the high FLIGHT INFORMATION standards of service which we require for our clients. Depending on group size, you may be upgraded to the 5H Tibet Hotel. Hotel information: 88 Shuncheng St Qingyang, Chengdu, Telephone: If the hotel listed is unavailable an alternative will be used of a similar standard. Your stay in Beijing for night will take place at the 4H The Landmark Hotel: Located within easy reach of Chinggis Khan Statue and Sukhbaatar Square this hotel offers guests comfortable accommodation with many of the rooms offering views of the mountain or the city. Hotel information: 8 North Dongsanhuan Road, Beijing, China, Telephone: Meals Breakfast is western style and served in the hotel. Lunch and dinner will be taken in local Chinese restaurants on day 6 and will be served with either one beer or soft drink. Day 7 is at leisure so neither lunch nor dinner will be included unless you decide to take the full day tour at a supplement. Group size The minimum number of travellers in your group will be, and the maximum will be 0. Tour guides This extension tour to Chengdu is semi-escorted. Your guide will meet you on arrival at Chengdu airport and take to your hotel. Day 6 will be fully accompanied, whilst day 7 is at your leisure so you will not be met by your guide at all (unless taking the full day tour). You will be met by your guide on day 8 to take you to the airport for your return flight. Tipping The same tipping practice is commonplace in Chengdu whereby 30 CNY (approximately 3) per person per day is required for your guide and driver. WEATHER AND CLIMATE Please note: Final hotel and flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 0 days before departure.

6 YOUR TOUR DOSSIER SHANGHAI CITY STAY EXTENSION If you have not yet booked this fabulous extension, there is still time to do so, please contact your travel agent TRIP OVERVIEW Known as the Paris of the East, Shanghai is China s largest city with futuristic skyscrapers and a fascinating heritage. Take a stroll along the waterfront Bund, the dazzling jewel in East Asia s pre-war crown, with views across the river to the towering skyscrapers of Pudong and a new Shanghai. HOTEL DETAILS AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW This document aims to give you all the information which you will require during your extension to Shanghai. Shanghai (3 nights) Your stay in Shanghai will take place at the 4H Ocean Hotel on Bed and Breakfast. The 4-star Ocean Hotel is conveniently located at the bustling North Bund shopping zone. Guests can enjoy a range of facilities including a fitness centre, indoor swimming pool and Spa at the Ocean Hotel. Hotel information: 7 Dongdaming Rd, Hongkou, Shanghai, China, Telephone: If the hotel listed is unavailable an alternative will be used of a similar standard. WEATHER AND CLIMATE Meals Breakfast is included every day and is western style and served in the hotel each morning. No other meals are included for your add-on. Tour guides Your stay in Shanghai is not escorted by a tour guide and your time will be free to explore the area at your own pace. Personal Expenses You will need to take money with you to cover any lunches, dinners and drinks, as well as personal purchases, such as souvenirs, laundry and drinks. Please note This extension takes place after your main tour. Weather can vary quite considerably throughout the year, so please familiarise yourself with the climate charts below. FLIGHT INFORMATION Please note: Final hotel and flight details will be confirmed on your e-ticket and final documentation which will be sent to you approximately 0 days before departure.