I'm considering the Yangste and sw tour. What's the main difference between traveller style tours and adventure style tour? Is it the class of overnight train travel. I'm comparing this with the Great China adventure which is adventure style but noticed this doesn't travel on local buses etc either? What is the difference in accomodation grading? I'm torn between a better value tour with Nanjing and Longsheng rice terrace trek... and Yangste river cruise, Kunming and less train journeys. Can anyone recommend the Yangste SW tour?
Yangste & SW
Re: Yangste & SW
Hello Jackie,
Thanks for the posting.
Firstly regarding the difference between the styles of tours that we operate please may I draw your attention to the following [url=http://www.imaginative-traveller.com/styles/]web page[/url]
Further to the link above accommodation is generally selected on merits such as quality of service, cleanliness and character as there is not a straightforward comparison between British standards and those experienced aboard. For this reason we do not give it a rating as found in the UK.
In short the adventure accommodation has less comforts and inclusions that you would find on the traveller tours.
The difference in transport does vary though not always as again we use the most appropriate to the situation at hand and the style of tour. On the adventure tours you would expect to find public transport used more frequently than private hire and on traveller sleeping arrangements are generally more comfortable.
Hopefully a client will be able to add that personal experience.
Re: Yangste & SW
Thanks for the reply. We are now booked for the Yangste & SW tour and are both so excited about trip!!
The only worry I had is that one of us can only just about ride a bike and there is a cycling day in Yangshou. Would this be mainly flat ground ie no steep hillsides, and would you need to be able to weave around the occasional car? It would be a shame to miss out! I guess tandems aren't the norm in china!
Re: Yangste & SW
Hello Jackie.
I have just spoken to a colleague who has previously gone on this tour and they said the cycling was on flat ground in quiet areas of outstanding natural beauty.
Have a great trip.
Re: Yangste & SW
You have a short ride through the town (5 minutes) where you may have to dodge a car or two.
After that you are on country roads with some really beautiful scenery. Just go at a nice easy pace and try one of the raft rides at the end.
Re: Yangste & SW
Thanks for the info!
Have to admitt it me who is embarrassingly inexperienced at cycling but I don't want to let that stop me! How long were you cycling for? Raft rides.. Sounds fun! I guess we need to check we are insured for this? Were there any other activities we may need to check we are insured for?
Re: Yangste & SW
Good question. I don't think we were riding more than a few hours.
The rafting is pretty tame stuff but fun. It was really hot so we just hopped over the side and swam along for a bit.
Re: Yangste & SW
The bike ride takes about an hour and a half to a hill that you then climb for lunch and then an hour and a half back. But don't worry you stop loads for pictures and drink stops. The whole of the ride is flat so wouldn't worry about that and there is hardly any traffic when you cycle through the town for a few minutes at the start.
You are able to hire tandem bikes if one of you is unsure and they are great fun. Your are also able to cycle round the walls of Xian on Yang SW tour which is well recommended and definately worth hiring a tandem bike.
Re: Yangste & SW
Thanks! That sounds excellent!
I'm so excited now (even more than before)! We are both (especially me) going to try our hardest to pack as light as possible to leave room for souveniers. I'm always the first to overpack on a trip and bring my whole cupboard but I'll try and be minimal for the first time ever!
However I noticed on the trip notes that a cotton sleep sheet is recommended for the overnight trains. I'm wondering how necessary this is as I don't want to be carrying extra weight for nothing, but then I don't want to leave out something that might be seen as an essential item on this trip.
Another question (so many questions!) I guess a waterproof jacket is a good idea for the Great Wall? And lots of warm layers perhaps?
Re: Yangste & SW
No you don't need a cotton sheet; i took one and didn't use it they give you a duvet and pillow on all the trains. It rained a bit when we walked the wall but is actually nice to get wet. It was really hot when we were there so we didn't need layers. If it rains in china and you have a waterproof you will still end up wet. The best idea is to just take the umbrellas from the hotels on day trips and for the great wall take a change of clothes and leave them on the bus.
Re: Yangste & SW
Thank you! That's very helpful.
When did you go on this trip?
Re: Yangste & SW
I went this July so the weather was extremely hot.