Our last day in Beijing begins with a walk around Tiananmen Square with seemingly endless lines of Chinese visitors waiting to see the National Museum of China and Memorial Hall, the final resting spot of former Chairman Mao Zedong. Outside China, this location undoubtedly brings to mind the 1989 pro-democracy…
Leaving the Four Seasons at 8:30AM, we’re on the way to the Great Wall today, about 2 hours north. Our destination is a bit further than other tour companies use, but should also provide a quieter, less crowded access point. Arriving early (which is unheard of with Beijing traffic), we’re…
After touching down at Beijing Capital International Airport, we’re greeted by airport VIP staff to assist with our immigration and customs clearance. This tiny, delicate looking woman keeps us nearly running behind her as she sprints down the hallways. At luggage claim, she insists on helping us load all three heavy…
After about 13 hours onboard our Japan Airlines Dreamliner we touch down at KIX – Kansai International Airport, 24 miles southwest of central Osaka and built on a man-made island in Osaka Bay. After clearing immigration and customs, we are met and shuttled to an awaiting mini-van for the 70…
We’re headed to China with Imperial Tours! This travel professionals “FAM” trip will include typical aspects of consumer tours plus hotel meetings and site inspections. Before joining the tour in Beijing on Saturday, we’ll spend 4 nights in Kyoto, Japan. After a quick flight to LAX from DEN, we’ve enjoyed…
On Friday, we depart from the Abercrombie & Kent tour for a private flight-seeing tour of the famous Nazca Lines. Most flights are from Pisco Airport which is about 4 hours south of Lima by car. Along the way, we enjoy some time relaxing at beautiful sea-side resort of La…
After arriving back in Cusco late yesterday, we’ll spend the morning on a city tour and at Sacsayhuaman (pronounced sexy-woman), the walled Inca complex on a steep hill overlooking Cusco. Before returning to the hotel, we walk through the huge San Pedro market. The afternoon is “on our own”, which is…
Entering the main Machu Picchu complex across the agricultural terraces, it’s easy to be completely overwhelmed by the size of it all. Not only can you see most of the main ruins stretching out above and below, you are surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Andes. Our expert A&K…
With an early “luggage out” call, and departure from the hotel, we’re on the way to the Ollantaytambo train station for our 90 minute ride to Machu Picchu. We’ll disembark in the village of Machu Picchu Pueblo, more commonly know as Aquas Calientes to separate it from the famous historical site. Our…
With a 9AM departure and no “luggage out”, this is the first morning that has felt like vacation! After a buffet breakfast at the hotel we’re headed to Ollantaytambo, a small village next to the massive Inca fortress of the same name. Ollantaytambo is possibly one of the best preserved Inca…
