China - DESTINATIONS & HOTELS

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Victoria Cruises - Yangtze River

There are a host of different companies running cruises along the Yangtze River but in our opinion the Victoria Group operates the best quality and value cruises. The American owned company runs a number of different cruise ships along the Yangtze. All are excellently furnished and since 2002 undergone annual renovation and restoration. All Victoria Cruise premier ships have private balconies allowing passengers to enjoy the natural beauty of the Three Gorges comfortably from their own cabin. 

There are a number of different styles of ship in the Victoria Group, but the majority are of an elegant dark wood and polished brass, traditional atmosphere. Most ships have an outdoor observation deck as well as an indoor viewing area, ideal when cruising in the winter months. 

With around 100 cabins on the smaller vessels and 130 cabins on the newer Katarina and Anna ships, life on-board is relaxed and unhurried and all guests able to dine in one sitting in the ship's restaurant. You will usually be allocated a specific table, typically with 8 – 10 people per table, which you will share with other guests for the duration of the cruise.

The standard cabins are all complete with en-suite facilities with a bath or shower. All are equipped with twin beds, desks, TV and reasonable storage space and following the recent refurbishments the majority now have a small balcony. Other facilities on-board include a bar, small gym, library/reading room and same day laundry service.

All on-board meals are included and comprise of a buffet style breakfast and lunch with a set menu for dinner. For an additional supplement you may use the dedicated a la carte dining room now available on each of the ships. This may be booked in advance or can be arranged while on board.

Victoria Cruises boat information

Victoria Jenna          Premier – inaugurated 2009    189 cabins

Victoria Anna           Premier -  inaugurated 2006    129 cabins    

Victoria Katarina      Premier -  inaugurated 2004    126 cabins

Victoria Prince         1994 (rebuilt 2001)        104 cabins

Victoria Star            1994 (rebuilt 2003)        103 cabins

Victoria Empress     1996 (rebuilt 2002)        99 cabins

Victoria Rose           1992 (rebuilt 2001)        65 cabins

Victoria Queen        1995 (rebuilt 2003)        103 cabins

Please contact 1300 720 443 for departure dates and prices

Standard departures are as per the below itineraries. Occasionally  extra departures are offered with slightly different itineraries and departure/arrive ports.

7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS DOWNSTREAM ITINERARY

Chongqing to Shanghai

Day 1 - (L, D)

10:00am depart Chongqing. Afternoon shore excursion to Fengdu, visiting either the "Ghost City" on Mingshan Hill, or the new relocation village for families who have moved as a result of the Yangtze's rising waters brought about by the Three Gorges Dam.  

Day 2 - (B, L, D)    

Morning excursion to Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream. Evening sail through the Three Gorges Dam Ship locks. 

Day 3 - (B, L, D)

Morning visit to Three Gorges Dam site. Reboard ship at Yichang dock. 

Day 4 - (B, L, D)

Afternoon shore excursion to Wuhan, visiting the Hubei Provincial Museum. 

Day 5 - (B, L, D)

Full-day shore excursion to Huangshan ("Yellow Mountain"). 

(Jiuhuanshan or "Mountain of the Nine Lotuses" may be substituted if weather or road conditions do not permit a visit to Huangshan). 

Day 6 - (B, L, D)

Full day tour to Nanjing including Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum and a Qing Dynasty style Bazaar surrounding a Confucian Temple; 9:00 pm Leave Nanjing for Shanghai. 

Day 7 - (B)

8:00 am arrive in Shanghai. 

9 DAYS/8 NIGHTS UPSTREAM ITINERARY

Shanghai to Chongqing

Day 1 - (D)

5:00 pm depart Shanghai. 

Day 2-(B, L, D)

Full day tour of Nanjing including Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum, a Qing Dynasty style bazaar and a Confucian Temple. 

Day 3 - (B, L, D)

Full-day shore excursion to Huangshan ("Yellow Mountain"). (Jiuhuashan or "Mountain of the Nine Lotuses" may be substituted if weather or road conditions do not permit a visit to Huangshan). 

Day 4 - (B, L, D)

Evening shore excursion to Wuhan. Depending on arrival time, either visit Hubei Provincial Museum or the Rare Stone Museum. 

Day 5 - (B, L, D)

Spend the day sailing along the Yangtze River. 

Day 6 - (B, L, D)

Arrive in Yichang sail and through Gezhou Dam, early afternoon visit Three Gorges Dam site and then sail through Three Gorges Dam ship locks. 

Day 7 - (B, L, D)

Sail through Wu Gorge and an excursion to Daning River Small Gorges. 

Day 8 - (B, L, D)

Morning shore excursion to Fengdu visiting either the "Ghost City" on Mingshan Hill or the new relocation village for families who have moved as result of the Yangtze's rising waters brought about by the Three Gorges Dam 

Day 9

8:00 am disembark in Chongqing 

4 DAYS/3 NIGHTS DOWNSTREAM ITINERARY

Chongqing to Yichang

Day 1

9:00 pm depart Chongqing 

Day 2 - (B, L, D)

Shore excursion to Fengdu or Shibaozhai or Wanzhou 

Day 3 - (B, L, D) 

Sail through Qutang Gorge and Wu Gorge. Excursion to Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream

Optional Excursion to White Emperor City (river conditions permitting). Sail through Three Gorges dam shiplocks.

Day 4 - (B, L) 

Morning visit Three Gorges Dam site

1:30 pm disembark Yichang 

5 DAYS/4 NIGHTS UPSTREAM ITINERARY

Yichang to Chongqing

Day 1 

9:00 pm depart Yichang 

Day 2 - (B, L, D)

Morning visit Three Gorges Dam site. Sail through the Three Gorges dam shiplocks and Xiling Gorge.

Day 3 - (B, L, D) 

Excursion to Daning River Small Gorges or Shennong Stream, pass through Wu Gorge and Qutang Gorge with an optional excursion to White Emperor City (river conditions permitting).

Day 4 

Shore excursion to Fengdu, Shibaozhai or Wanzhou (B, L, D) 

Day 5 

9:00 am disembark at Chongqing (B)

Itineraries and times are subject to change according to river conditions.

Included meals as noted in above itinerary:

(B)=Breakfast (L)=Lunch (D)=Dinner