21-night Pearls of Japan & China Cruise/Land Package

HALF DAY EXPLORING OLD KOCHI

Leave from pier for a panoramic drive along Mahatma Gandhi Road ending with a stop at the local market, known as the Broadway. A walk through, this local market in the new town of Ernakulum, is an enriching experience. A surprise lurks at every corner and whether you like it or not, you are propelled forward in a sea of people, brightly coloured baubles and warm, comforting smells.
 
Photo stop at Shiva Temple.
 
St. George's Forane Church, locally known as Edapally Church is a Catholic pilgrimage church in Edapally Kochi, India. Asia's largest shrine to Saint George, about five million people visit it every year.
The church is thought to have been founded in 593 AD. It is regarded as one of the oldest churches in Kerala, after the seven churches founded by Thomas the Apostle in the first century AD. The church was originally dedicated to the Virgin Mary (Marth Mariam). In 1080, a new church was built adjacent to the old church. A nine-day festival is celebrated annually as part of the Feast of Saint George. The church, also a destination for non-Christians, attracts offerings of gold, chicken, and eggs.
Gaze at the ancient Chinese fishing nets that line the shores of Fort Cochin.
 
You’ll be fascinated by the Dhobi Khana, your next stop. Each morning washing from all over Kochi is brought here to be soaped, soaked, boiled, beaten, and thrashed. Stop here for photos that you’ll never be able to duplicate anywhere else.
 
 

HALF DAY HERITAGE TRAIL - A WALK THROUGH KOCHI

The best way to discover a new place is on foot; explore the streets of historic Fort Cochin and learn more about this town that is brimming with tales of maritime traders, who made Cochin the first European township in India.
 
A brief stop will be made at the Chinese fishing nets & St. Francis Church one of the area’s famous landmarks. These nets are set up on bamboo poles and held horizontally by huge mechanisms, which lower them into the sea. This is a unique symbol of the centuries-old influence on this coastline.
 
Princess Street is one of the oldest streets in Fort Kochi. The bungalows built in the European style and the other buildings of colonial architecture lining both sides of the street make it pretty as a picture.
    
The buildings here, with bronze stucco walls and peeling plaster, house antique stores, cigar shops, provisional stores, curio shops, kiosks, cafes, restaurants, art galleries and so on.  Some are being used as homestays for tourists.

For the best view of the street, head for the Loafer’s Corner, a popular meeting place at the confluence of Princess Street, Peter Celli Street and Bastion Street.
 
The plain, squat walls that surround the two-storey Mattancherry or “Dutch Palace”, do not offer a particularly appealing invitation, but you will be delighted once inside. Its wooden interior is decorated with a remarkable series of murals. In the royal bedroom alone are 45 paintings illustrating the Ramayana every inch of space covered with rich colour, and painstaking detail. There is also an interesting collection of Dutch maps of old Kochi, coronation robes belonging to the maharajas, royal palanquins, weapons and furniture.
 
Next. The Jew Town surrounding area called Jew Town is a fascinating mix of antique shops, warehouses, and spice auction rooms. Signs for N.X. Jacob’s tailor shop, and the offices of J.E. Cohen serve as reminders of a once thriving community now consisting of about seven families. You’ll have a chance to stroll here before returning to your ship.
 
Return back to pier
 

Kochi, Shore Excursion - 4 hours

You will be met at the pier. (Excursion timings will be subject to the ship's arrival and departure)
Once you disembark from your cruise-liner, you will meet your guide in the arrival hall. He will escort you to your waiting vehicle and together you will head to the historic town of Mattancherry. The Mattancherry Palace was built by the Portuguese in 1557 and presented to the Raja of Kochi in exchange for trading rights. The palace is two stories high and is built in the traditional Kerala style of “nalukattu” (four buildings around a central courtyard). Made of richly-carved wood, there are beautiful murals on display here depicting scenes from the Hindu epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata and some of the Hindu legends. The Palace also houses Dutch maps of old Kochi, royal Palanquins, coronation robes of former Maharajas of Kochi as well as period furniture.

You will next visit the Jewish Synagogue. One of the oldest in India, it is set in the Jewish Quarter, commonly known as “Jew Town”.  The area is famous for its aromatic spice market and its antique shops.  The interior of the Synagogue is decorated with 18^th century blue ceramic Cantonese tiles, hand painted and each one different!
 
You will end your tour at the Chinese Fishing Nets, which were first erected between 1350 and 1450 AD indicating trading ties with China.
 
You will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before heading back to the port to board your ship.

Inclusions:
Private chauffeur driven air conditioned vehicle, Private guide, Complimentary Soft beverages and Bottled water in the car, Monument entrance and still camera fee, Meet and Assist at all airports and hotels, Porterage at airports, All currently applicable taxes

Exclusions:
Expenses of any personal nature (laundry,telephone calls etc, unless specified) Tipping at hotels and to guides/escorts (unless specified), Meals (unless specified), Any insurance or Visa, Any hike in monument entrances fee or revision in government taxes, Air fare is quoted separately.

* Terms and conditions apply

Kochi, Shore Excursion - 8 hours

Shanghai: Yu Garden & Old Town Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Yu Garden and Old Town in Shanghai

Highlights

• Yu Garden (closed on Mondays)
• Old Town in Shanghai

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Buick Van) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water and entrance fee during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 
Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa
• Over mileage supplement at USD 55.00 net in total will be applied if the ship docks at Wusong Pier

Shanghai: French Concession & The Bund (4 hours)

Half day tour to French Concession and The Bund in Shanghai

Added Value

• French Concession
• The Bund
• Observatory Deck on the 100th Floor of Shanghai World Financial Center

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Buick Van) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water and entrance fee during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa
• Over mileage supplement at USD 55.00 net in total will be applied if the ship docks at Wusong Pier

Shanghai: Jewish Quarter Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Jewish Quarter in Shanghai

Background

Shanghai was the only city in the world that provided a safe home for World War II refugees without papers. As a result, approximately 32,000 Jews, known among themselves as "Shanghailanders," settled in this fascinating Chinese city. Like the names Schindler, Wallenberg and Sugihara, Shanghai has become synonymous with rescue and refuge during the fascist-dictated times when 6 million Jews perished and at least 35 million Chinese were killed and wounded. At one point, there were at least seven synagogues in Shanghai, but today very little evidence of this once vital community remains.
 

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Buick Van) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water and entrance fee during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 
Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa
• Over mileage supplement at USD 55.00 net in total will be applied if the ship docks at Wusong Pier

Shanghai: Museum Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Shanghai Museums in Shanghai

Highlights

• Shanghai Museum
• Shanghai History Museum (closed on Mondays)

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Buick Van) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water and entrance fee during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 
Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa
• Over mileage supplement at USD 55.00 net in total will be applied if the ship docks at Wusong Pier

Shanghai: Zhujiajiao Water Town Tour (4 hours)

Half day tour to Zhujiajiao Water Town in Shanghai

Highlights

• Visit Zhujiajiao Water Town
• Private Boat Ride on Canal

For your reference - Transfer from downtown pier to Zhujiajiao Water Town takes approximately 45-minute drive per way

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Buick Van) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water and entrance fee during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 
Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa
• Over mileage supplement at USD 55.00 net in total will be applied if the ship docks at Wusong Pier

Shanghai: Disposal Tour (4 hours)

Commence a vehicle / driver / guide at disposal for 4 consecutive hours in Shanghai

 

Tour Duration: 4 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Buick Van) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 
Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals and entrance fee
• Travel insurance
• Any visa
• Over mileage supplement at USD 55.00 net in total will be applied if the ship docks at Wusong Pier

Shanghai City Tour (8 hours)

Full day city tour in Shanghai

Highlights

• Yu Garden (close on Mondays)
• Old Town
• French Concession
• The Bund
• Observatory Deck on the 100th Floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center
• Lunch reservation at Lu Bo Lang Restaurant (on client's own account)

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Physical Activity Level: Moderate
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Buick Van) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water and entrance fee during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

 
Not Included:

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals
• Travel insurance
• Any visa
• Over mileage supplement at USD 55.00 net in total will be applied if the ship docks at Wusong Pier

Shanghai: Disposal Tour (8 hours)

Commence a vehicle / driver / guide at disposal for 8 consecutive hours within city proper in Shanghai
 

Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Physical Activity Level: Light
 
Inclusions:

• Transportation is by private vehicle (Buick Van) with services of a driver and an English-speaking guide
• Local bottled water during sightseeing
• Gratuity to the guide & driver
• Service voucher

• Any cruise arrangements
• Any meals and entrance fee
• Travel insurance
• Any visa
• Over mileage supplement at USD 55.00 net in total will be applied if the ship docks at Wusong Pier