March 10, 2004 -- Though Asia is becoming more familiar to seasoned American travelers, big hunks of it remain nearly unknown. Most of the time, that translates to "expensive," but we have recently begun to see more moderately priced excursions into areas previously off-limits by virtue of high costs, such as Tibet, about which we wrote recently. Now come two more "hidden" parts of the continent with reasonably priced package trips -- Bhutan and Yunnan.
Yunnan, in the southwestern part of China abutting Tibet and Burma, is the subject of a 14-day adventure program offered by Ritz Tours, specialists for many years in China. You visit Guangzhou (formerly Canton), Southern China's largest city first, then head for Yunnan. The trip's first base there is Kunming, well-known in China for its cool summers and mild winters, and for being the end of the famous Burma Road during World War II, by means of which the USA assisted China in the fight against Japanese invaders.
Dali is the next place visited, where you check out Butterfly Mountain, cruise Erhai Lake and see the "three Elegant Pagodas." But Lijiang is the highlight. In this UN World Cultural Heritage Site, you can get the feel of the past on its cobblestone streets. Here, the Chinese tourism industry is trying to bring back the lure of Shangri-La, though its connection to either the book or movie about that spot (Lost Horizon) is at best tenuous. Nonetheless, there are Tibetans around (an official minority group here), and there are plenty of sites to be seen, from the Tiger Leaping Gorge to beautiful Suodu Lake.
The package concludes with three nights in Hong Kong, with a half-day tour taking you to Victoria Peak and Repulse Bay. Cost of this 14-day Yunnan Adventure program is from $1,799 plus taxes per person, based on double occupancy, and departing from Los Angeles or San Francisco. Departures are from now through October, 2004. Add-on airfares range from $150 to $300 per person, depending on gateway (most major cities available). Contact Ritz Tours at www.ritztours.com, e-mail china@ritztours.com, or phone 800/900-2446.
Nomadic Expeditions has added Bhutan to its list of conquests. This spring, they are operating a 14-day tour to that marvelous Himalayan kingdom, promising that there will be no more than 15 guests. The dates are April 25 through May 8, 2004, and the cost is from $3290 per person, land-only. You spend three days in the capital city (Thimphu), then trek through the Phobjikha Valley and over the Shobjula Pass for three days. In the holy Bumthan Valley you witness the Ura Yak-choe Festival, with splendid masks and sword dances. You stay five nights in hotels, four in lodges and four in tents.
In late October, there is another departure for Bhutan, this one to see the Jambay Lakhang Festival, among other things. Overland drives, no treks. Stays include five nights in hotels, six in lodges. Dates are October 24 through November 4, 2004, costing $2,975 per person, land-only. For more information, contact them at www.nomadicexpeditions.com or at 800/998-6634.
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