10-Day China Signature: China's Great Wall, Xi'an and the Gobi Desert

Additional Notes

• Is there a disclaimer I should read before booking this trip? The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary. VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you print a final copy of your Trip Details to review a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.
• Is there an itinerary Disclaimer? While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission. Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.
• Important Notes - Combo Trip Please note that this tour combines with other tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with us, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another tour, after your trip concludes.
• Important Notes - Internet Access Please note while traveling through mainland China you will not be able to access some popular internet websites, certain websites such as Google, Dropbox, Gmail, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, WordPress, etc. It may be possible to access some of these websites using a VPN. If you wish to use above blocked sites, we suggest you get a suitable VPN on your device prior to travel.
• Important Notes - Peak Season Notice (Golden Week) Golden Week falls between October 1st and 7th. This is a very busy time of the year for domestic tourists, so expect some crowding at major attractions. We recommend booking these dates well in advance as accommodations and transportation availability is extremely limited.
• Important Notes - Accommodation Note Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.
• What is the group leader like? All National Geographic Signature group trips are accompanied by one of our National Geographic Expedition Leaders throughout. The aim of the Expedition Leaders is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting.
• How large will the group be? Max 22
• What meals are included in this trip? 9 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
• What are the meals like on this trip? Eating is a big part of traveling. Travelling with G Adventures you experience the vast array of wonderful food that is available out in the world. Generally meals are not included in the trip price when there is a choice of eating options, to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat. It also gives you more budgeting flexibility, though generally food is cheap. Our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. There is no obligation to do this though. Your Expedition Leader will be able to suggest favourite restaurants during your trip. While trekking in remote regions, food is included, plentiful and made of fresh local ingredients. For all trips, please refer to the meals included and budget information.
• What are the modes of transportation on my trip? Private vehicle, Walking, Plane, Bullet Train.
• Are local flights included in the cost of the trip? All local flights are included in the cost of your tour unless otherwise noted. It is important that we have your passport information at the time of booking in order to process these tickets. Internal flight tickets are issued locally and will be given to you prior to the flight departure.
• Is there an extra cost for travelling solo? Yes, for those travelling solo there is a single supplement.
• Where will we stay during the trip? Hotels (9 nights)
• Will I get my own room? Please note that if you have booked the 'My Own Room' option for this tour, you will receive your own single room for all night stops.
• What kind of accommodation can I expect on this trip? Train travel is often used throughout our China trips. Please note the following restrictions: Prohibited items on China's trains and metro: 1. Any knives or scissors 2. Items or food that have an unpleasant odour (ex. Durian) 3. Open liquor bottles (new bottles with the seal intact are okay) 4. Pressurized/flammable containers over 120ml in size (ex. sunscreen spray, mosquito repellent spray, hairspray, etc.) Prohibited items on trains to/from Guangxi Province - Guilin/Yangshuo: 1. Floria Water - a mosquito repellent water common in China 2. Self-heating food items (self-heating hot pot, rice, etc.) 3. As well as everything on the previous list above.
• What are the joining instructions? For details of your joining hotel please refer to your tour voucher, G Account, the G Adventures App or contact your travel agent. An arrival transfer is included when you arrive on Day 1, or if you arrive up to three days prior provided that you have booked your pre-accommodation through National Geographic Signature Journeys in our joining hotel. Due to customer experience and quality considerations, all services related to the tour must be continuous. Please note that day 1 is an arrival day and no activities have been planned on this day. Upon arrival to your Joining Hotel (note that check-in time will be in the afternoon), look for a note or bulletin board in the reception with a note from your Expedition Leader. This note will give the details of your Welcome Meeting on day 1 (usually between 5pm and 7pm), where you will get a chance to meet your Expedition Leader and other travellers, as well as learn more about how the tour will run. If you don't see a note, please ask reception for details! If you are arriving later and will miss the Welcome Meeting, your Expedition Leader will leave a note at reception for you with any information you may need, and with morning instructions for the next day.
• Who should I contact in case of an emergency? Should you need to contact us during a situation of dire need, it is best to first call either the G Adventures Local Representative or our G Adventures Local Office. Emergency Contact Numbers: G Adventures Local Tour Operator (China): Head Office: +86 18122213686; Beijing Office: +86 010-65128789 or +86 13379009576. If you are unable for any reason to contact our local office, please call: Toll-free, North America only: 1 800 394 5416; Calls from UK: 0800 041 8146; Calls from Germany: 0800 181 9454; Calls from Australia: 1 800 204 905; Calls from New Zealand: 0800 424 389; Outside North America, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the UK: +1 416 260 0999.
• Which hotel is the finishing point for this trip? You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.
• What instructions should I follow at the finishing point? You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.
• What should be on my packing list? Documents: Passport, visas, flight info, insurance info, vouchers. Essentials: Toiletries, cash/credit cards, day pack, first-aid kit, flashlight, fleece, footwear, hat, headphones, locks, long pants, moneybelt, outlet adapter, reusable water bottle, shirts, sleepwear, small travel towel, sunglasses, swimwear, watch, waterproof backpack cover, windproof rain jacket, face masks, hand sanitizer, pen. Also consider binoculars, camera, ear plugs, personal entertainment.
• What are the visas and entry requirements for my trip? All countries require a valid passport (with a minimum 6 months validity). Contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements. It is your own responsibility to have the correct travel documentation. If you require a visa to enter China, you may need an official Letter of Invitation (LOI) before applying. You can obtain the LOI through our visa support agent; the link will be sent to you or your travel agent upon booking. Please ensure you list the same details as on your LOI when filling out the Chinese Visa Application form. Chinese visas are dated specifically for entry and exit; please enter the correct dates. You must print all pages of the application forms and sign where required. Travellers must have at least two blank passport pages available for each country visited.
• Where can I read detailed notes about this trip? China has emerged as a great tourist destination. Travel is becoming easier for foreigners but please be aware that English is still not widely spoken outside large cities and that accommodation, toilet facilities and some transportation is not yet at the same level as in developed countries. If you are able to bring patience, a great sense of humour and a willingness to interact with local people, your travel experience will be enhanced. Due to Internet restrictions, some popular websites and applications may not work in China.
• How much spending money do I need for my trip? Every traveller is different and spending money requirements will vary. Consider your own spending habits for drinks, shopping and tipping.
• How much emergency money should I bring on this trip? Please make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control require a change to our planned route.
• Should I be tipping on my trip? On our National Geographic Signature tours, tipping is included for all included activities and meals, and porterage. Tipping is not included for the Expedition Leader. Should you want some basic guidelines, at the end of the trip if you felt your Expedition Leader did an outstanding job, tipping is appreciated. The amount is entirely a personal preference, however as a guideline it would be $10-$15 per person per day. For meals and activities not included in your itinerary, traditionally in China, tipping is not expected and thus there is no need to tip in restaurants and your general interaction with locals. Tipping is not required or expected for the Expedition Expert.
• What activities are optional on this trip? Dunhuang: Optional Night Market Visit.
• Are there any health considerations I should know before travelling? Please note inoculations may be required for the country visited. It is your responsibility to consult with your travel doctor for up to date medical travel information well before departure. We recommend that you carry a First Aid kit and hand sanitizers/antibacterial wipes as well as any personal medical requirements. Please be aware that sometimes we are in remote areas and away from medical facilities, and for legal reasons our leaders are prohibited from administering any type of drug. When selecting your trip please carefully read the brochure and itinerary and assess your ability to cope with our style of travel. G Adventures reserves the right to exclude any traveller from all or part of a trip without refund if in the reasonable opinion of our Expedition Leader they are unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group.
• What do I need to know about safety and security on my trip? Many national governments provide a regularly updated advice service on safety issues. We recommend that you check your government's advice for the latest travel information before departure. We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling. Leave your valuable jewellery at home. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes, which is the most secure way of storing your valuables. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage. When travelling on a group trip, your group leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. During free time, please note that any optional activities you undertake are not part of your itinerary, and we offer no representations about the safety of the activity or the standard of the operators. Please use your own good judgement. Although the cities visited are generally safe during the day, there can be risks to wandering throughout any major city at night. It is our recommendation to stay in small groups and to take taxis to and from restaurants or during night time excursions. Water based activities have an element of danger; we recommend only participating when accompanied by a guide(s). Swimming is always at your own risk.
• What are the trip specific safety considerations? We strongly recommend the use of a neck wallet or money belt while travelling. Leave your valuable jewellery at home. Many of the hotels we use have safety deposit boxes. A lock is recommended for securing your luggage.
• What rules should I know before joining this trip? Illegal drugs will not be tolerated on any trips. Possessing or using drugs not only contravenes the laws of the land but also puts the rest of the group at risk. Smoking marijuana and opium is a part of local culture in some parts of the world but is not acceptable for our travellers. Our philosophy of travel is one of respect towards everyone we encounter. The exploitation of prostitutes is completely contrary to this philosophy. Our Expedition Leaders have the right to expel any member of the group if drugs are found in their possession or if they use prostitutes.
• Is travel insurance required for my trip? Travel insurance is compulsory in order to participate on any of our trips. When travelling on a group trip, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance has been sighted by your Expedition Leader, who will take note of your insurance details. When selecting a travel insurance policy please bear in mind that all clients must have medical coverage and that we require a minimum coverage of USD 200,000 for repatriation and emergency rescue. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. If you have credit card insurance we require proof of purchase of the trip with a credit card in your name.
• How should I dress to respect local customs during the tour? In Asia the dress standard is more conservative than it is back home. When packing try to pick loose, lightweight, long clothing that will keep you cool in the usually hot and humid climate of Asian summers. In predominately Buddhist countries we ask that you dress respectfully and avoid very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tanktops when visiting temples or mosques or other holy sites.
• Are international flights included in this trip? No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour. However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your National Geographic Signature Specialist or booking agent for further details. In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport.