Yangzi Easter Upstream Cruise 2012

Duration: 4 nights

Celebrate Easter 2012 with an upstream cruise and explore the magnificent scenery of the Three Gorges area onboard the Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer.

Day 01 - YICHANG – ON BOARD THE SANCTUARY M.S. YANGZI EXPLORER

5:00pm – 10:00pm:
Embark Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer for your cruise to Chongqing. The ship will set sail on its upstream course the following morning through the spectacular Three Gorges region. The total length of this cruise is 660 kilometres (402 miles) and is considered by the people of China as the single most scenic area in all of the country.

9:00pm:
Easter Themed Movie – Tang Theatre
Three Gorges Documentary Film - showing in cabin

Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer

Day 02 - XILING GORGES & THREE GORGES DAM PROJECT

7:00am: Tai Chi Exerciser – start off your morning with a traditional Chinese exercise and work up an appetite for the buffet breakfast. Learn from our certified Tai Chi master and experience the soothing art form in the outdoor Observation Deck area or inside at the Tang Theatre.

7:30am – 8:45am: Easter Monday Buffet Breakfast – served at the Dynasty Palace

8:30am: Building Gorge Viewing – (the Three Gorges Dam sits in the first part of the Building Gorge) is the longest of the Gorges, measuring some 76 kilometres (47 miles) in length.  Enjoy the view of the river where the river widens and sweeps through groves of orange and pomelo trees (a variety of citrus related to the grapefruit).

9:30am: Safety Briefing and Ship’s Orientation

10:15am: Three Gorges Project Dam Site and Exhibition Centre – arrive at the Three Gorges Dam Project site and embark on a tour of the area (this tour will serve as a general introduction to the project site, which, currently, is the world’s largest hydro electric project).

The Three Gorges Dam Project was started in 1992.  The main construction completed and operation by 2008, and the ship elevator project will be finished by 2012.   The dam is the largest dam on earth, generating 22,400 megawatts of hydroelectricity (almost 50% more than the world’s current largest dam, the Itaipu Dam in Brazil and Paraguay).   The dam will be 1.2 miles in length and measure 600 feet (185 meters) in height.   The dam has 32 generators that can generate enough clean energy to reduce China ’s reliance of highly polluting coal by up to 50 million tons annually.

12:30pm: International Lunch Buffet – served at the Dynasty Palace

2:45pm: An orientation to China presentation

3:00pm: Entry of the Five Stage Ship Lock – Commentary on Observation Deck

4:30pm – 5:30pm:Complimentary Afternoon Tea with Pastry – served at the Explorer Bar

4:30pm: Easter egg Hunt – search around the ship and find as many Easter Eggs as possible

5:00pm:Chinese Medicine Demonstration

6:30pm: Captain’s Welcome Reception – meet with the Captain and other Department heads of the ship.

7:00pm: A la Carte Welcome Dinner – enjoy our wide selection of items from our specially designed a la carte menu by our International Award Winning Chef.

Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer

Day 03 - SHENNONG STREAM, QUTANG GORGE & WU GORGE

7:00am: Tai Chi Exerciser – Observation Deck area or inside at the Tang Theatre.

7:30am: International Buffet Breakfast – served at the Dynasty Palace

9:00am – 12:30pm: Cruising Shennong Stream – disembark from the ship (at Badong) get on board a ferryboat and then be transferred to a local sampan poled by Tujia boatmen.  On the return ferryboat ride, a local Tujia boat tracker will join and provide an insight into what daily life entails for them, and guests will also get the chance to try on and feel their unique clothing, rain hat, and rain coat.  A demonstration of how the Tujia make their special sandals will also take place on board.  This interaction with a Tujia tracker is currently exclusive to the Yangzi Explorer.

12:30pm: International Lunch Buffet – served at the Dynasty Palace

1:45pm: Wu Gorge Viewing – the Wu Gorge is known for the 12 famous peaks including the Goddess Peak.

3:00pm: Lecture & Discussion

4:30pm – 5:30pm:Complimentary Afternoon Tea with Pastry – served at the Explorer Bar

4:30pm: Qutang Gorge Viewing – during the late afternoon your ship will enter the Qutang Gorge through the majestic two imposing cliffs at the Kui Men gate, which marks the western extremity of the gorge.

5:00pm: Easter Eggs Paining – Create your own Easter Eggs!

5:30pm: Arts & Craft Demonstration

7:00pm: A la Carte Dinner – served at the Dynasty Palace

8:45pm: Children Pajama Part and Game                                                 

9:00pm: Movie of the Day

Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer

Day 04 - FENGDU

7:00am: Tai Chi Exerciser – to be at Oberservation Deck or Tang Theatre

07:30hrs: International Buffet Breakfast – served at the Dynasty Palace

9:00am: Fengdu Shore Excursion – choice of venture into the ghost temple where the Chinese believe the souls would gather after they past away, or alternatively explore the real life of the Yangzi River.  

12:00pm: International Lunch Buffet – served at the Dynasty Palace

1:30pm: Arts & Craft Demonstration

3:00pm: Chinese Tea Appreciation

4:00pm: Mahjong Lesson -Join us to learn the Chinese game so many people around the world have come to love.

4:30pm – 5:30pm:Complimentary Afternoon tea with Pastry – served at the Explorer Bar

5:30pm: Easter Chocolate Class – learn from our chef and make your very own Easter Chocolate

6:00pm: Family Bingo – win some prize at the Explorer Bar

7:00pm: Bunny & Emperor Farewell Dinner – Enjoy a proper Chinese banquet feast and participate by dressing up along with the crew.  Attend dinner with any items from the Orients (clothing, jewellery, accessories, etc.).  Enjoy and have fun!

9:00pm: Farewell Crew Show

Overnight: Sanctuary M.S. Yangzi Explorer

Day 05 - CHONGQING

7:30am: International Buffet Breakfast – served at the Dynasty Palace

9:00am: Disembarkation

* Schedule is subject to change *

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