What to Expect
- Physical requirements:
This adventure is suitable for OAT travelers who live an active lifestyle, enjoy good health and mobility, are comfortable participating in 3-5 hours of daily physical activities and sightseeing, and are able to walk 3 miles unassisted over the course of each day. It is not appropriate for individuals who rely upon wheelchairs or other mobility aids. We reserve the right for our Trip Leaders to modify participation, or in some circumstances send travelers home if their limitations are impacting the group's experience.
- Climate & terrain:
The hottest months are June to August (mid-day temperatures can reach the mid-90s); the coolest are November and March (40s and 50s). In Tibet we reach an altitude of 12,000 feet. Temperatures here can vary greatly, from cold mornings to warm afternoons, and some travelers may experience altitude sickness. We walk on city streets; rugged paths; unpaved roads; and steep, uneven stairs at some sites.
- Pacing:
7 locations and 3 nights onboard ship in 22 days. We have 1 one-night stay in a family home and 1 night on a sleeper train; a 4-6 hour bus ride on Day 18; and 4 internal flights of 1-2 hours each.
- Transportation:
Air-conditioned minibus; 206-passenger river ship; smaller boats through Lesser Three Gorges; overnight sleeper train.
- Cuisine:
Our meals will be based on the local cuisine. Western foods will be available at breakfast and some lunches, but otherwise we will experience the foods of China—many of them containing ingredients that are new and different to us. Please contact an OAT Adventure Specialist if you have any dietary restrictions.
- Group size & leadership:
16 maximum with 1 Trip Leader.
Visa Information
U.S. citizens will need a visa (or visas) for this trip. In addition, there may be other entry requirements that also need to be met. For your convenience, we’ve included a quick reference list, organized by country:
- China (main trip/Shanghai extension): Visa required.
- Tibet: Visa not required. An entry permit is required; OAT will obtain this permit on site.
- Mongolia (optional extension): Visa not required. Travelers taking this extension need a multiple-entry visa for China.
- Cambodia: Visa required.
Travelers who are booked on this adventure will be sent a complete Visa Packet— with instructions, applications, and a list of visa fees—approximately 100 days prior to their departure. (Because many countries limit the validity of their visa from the date it is issued, or have a specific time window for when you can apply, we do not recommend applying too early.)
If you are not a U.S. citizen, do not travel with a U.S. passport, or will be traveling independently before/after this trip, then your entry requirements may be different. Please check with the appropriate embassy or a visa servicing company. To contact our recommended visa servicing company, PVS International, call toll-free at 1-800-556-9990.
Vaccinations Information
For a detailed and up-to-date list of vaccinations that are recommended for this trip, please visit the CDC’s “Traveler’s Health” website.