New Tours and Deals From Ritz, Orient-Express and More

Jul 16, 2010

A number of tour operators that specialize in travel to Asia have recently released new tour itineraries as well as package deals on some of their most popular offerings, just in time for clients planning their next international vacation for the end of this year and into 2011.

Ritz Tours Offers Indochina Excursion
Alhambra, Calif.-based Asia tour operator specialist Ritz Tours is offering a luxury 14-day Indochina Excursion tour package for $3,006 per person, based on double occupancy. The escorted tour package includes roundtrip airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco; inter-city airfare; hotel accommodations; sightseeing in air-conditioned motorcoaches; meals per itinerary; and fuel surcharges. Departure dates are currently available through February 2011 and single supplements are available and range in price from $800 to $850. The tour begins in Hanoi, Vietnam, and features visits to Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay and the Cu Chi Tunnels in Ho Chi Minch City, as well as the ancient ruins of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat. Following a visit to the temples of Angkor, clients travel to Bangkok. Ritz is also offering complimentary travel insurance protection on all 2010 brochure tour series programs that are paid in full at least 60 days prior to departure.

Orient-Express Debuts Chronicles of Southeast Asia
Orient-Express’ newest itineraries aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express (E&O) train — Chronicles of Southeast Asia — encompass four different journeys that E&O passengers may experience beginning this November. The tours — Epic Thailand; Fables of the Hills; Legends of the Peninsula; and Tales of Laos — highlight off-the-beaten-path destinations and are limited to 60 guests per tour aboard the train’s presidential and state carriages.

The six-night Epic Thailand trip visits Bangkok, Isan, Chiang Mai and Lampang and includes a traditional village walking tour in Isan; a sunset candlelit reception in a restored 12th-century Khmer Temple; an opportunity to participate in a Bai Sii (sacred thread) ceremony; and a tour of Lampang via traditional pony trap.

The six-night Fables of the Hills tour visits Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, the Cameron Highlands, Penang, Surat Thani, the River Kwai and Bangkok. Highlights include a Kuala Lumpur city tour, strawberry and tea tastings in the Cameron Highlands and a visit to the Surat Thani Monkey Training College.

The six-night Legends of the Peninsula trip includes Bangkok, the River Kwai, Trang, Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, with a visit to the River Kwai Bridge, watersports activities in Trang, dugong trekking and Thai cooking classes.

The three-night Tales of Laos trip features Bangkok, Pimai, Khao Yai and Vientiane and includes stops at Phimai to explore Angkor-style Khmer temples and at the scenic Khao Yai vineyards.

Prices for the new train itineraries are priced from $3,900.

Pan Pacific Journeys Showcases Incredible India
Through Sept. 30, and from January to April 2011, Pan Pacific Journeys is offering value rates on a number of its India travel packages. For $1,400 per person, based on double occupancy, clients can book an eight-day Deluxe Golden Triangle Journey featuring Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, for example. A nine-day Deluxe Classical India Journey visiting Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Kharjuraho and Varanasi is priced from $1,698 per person, based on double occupancy. Pan Pacific Journeys’ 11-day Deluxe Rajasthan Journey tour package featuring Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur and Udaipur is priced from $2,850 per person, based on double occupancy. And the 11-day Deluxe Kerala Delight Journey, with visits to Delhi, Cochin, Kumarakon, Aleppy and Kovalam, is priced from $1,680 per person, based on double occupancy. International airfare is not included in the package prices, although Pan Pacific Journeys is offering value-priced airfare deals for an additional cost.

Pacific Delight Explores China’s Imperial Cities
Pacific Delight Tours is offering a 12-day, 10-night Beijing, Xian, Guilin and Shanghai tour package for $2,399 per person for dates departing this September and November. The escorted tour package includes roundtrip trans-Pacific airfare from Los Angeles or San Francisco; five-star and deluxe hotel accommodations; a choice of Western or Chinese cuisine at select meals; and all baggage handling, hotel taxes and service fees. Highlights of the tour include the Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the Terra-Cotta Warriors of Xian, a Li River cruise and the Shanghai Museum.