Best tours in Asia

1. ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CHINA

This two-week tour takes in the best of China, covering tonnes of destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, and Chengdu. After a day of travelling, you’ll start your trip in Beijing, with a visit to the iconic Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City, before spending your evening in the Imperial Gardens. The big-name sights don’t stop on day two – it’s time to see the Great Wall of China. Your expert guide will take you off the beaten track to the Huanghuacheng section of the wall. The Summer Palace is on your list for today, too. Next up is a ride on a super-fast bullet train to ancient Xi’An to watch masked Tang Dynasty show. Traditional dumplings are on the menu for dinner. In the morning, you’ll have the chance to see the Terracotta Warriors that Xi’An is famous for. Your guide will clue you in about their history on a private tour of the city.

The next day will be off to a peaceful start with a traditional Tai Chi session, and a tasty finish with a Sichuan dinner. In between, you’ll travel on a bullet train from Xi’An to Chengdu. In the morning, it’s all about the pandas in the Dujiangyan Panda Base. This place works to protect pandas – it’s a conservation centre. On the next day, you’ll travel to Chongqing by bullet train to see the town of Ciqikou, before boarding a cruise ship which you’ll call home for the next three nights. As you sail the Yangtze River, you’ll tick off lots of sights, including the Shibaozhai Pagoda temple, the river’s famous gorges, and the Three Gorges Dam. A flight to see the sights of Shanghai’s next on the itinerary – you’ll spend two nights and one full day in this glitzy city, before driving to the water town of Zhujiajio. Keep an eye out for some picture-perfect water lilies. Then, you’ll head back to Beijing for your final day, finishing your trip with a Peking duck feast.
 

2. MEKONG DELTA UNVEILED

On this tour, you’ll get to tick off two countries on one trip – Vietnam and Cambodia. Your week will kick off with a beach day on Vietnam’s brochure-ready Phu Quoc island. On day two, you’ll fly to historical hotspot Can Tho. You’ll learn all about Vietnam’s chequered past – plus, you’ll get to explore the city’s markets, meet some monks, and see the French Quarter. Then, when you’re worn out from wandering, you’ll have an exclusive dinner on a boat in the harbour. Day three will begin with a boat trip around Cai Rang, a famous floating market on the Mekong River. Then, you’ll travel further down the river for a visit to the Tra Su Bird Sanctuary. You’ll hop on another boat for a tour through the sanctuary’s waterways – have your cameras at the ready for birds and fruit bats.

After a good night’s sleep, it’s time to say farewell to Vietnam, and hello to Cambodia. You’ll switch countries via a speed boat trip – James Bond style. The rest of the day will be spent taking in the sights on foot. On day six, you’ll hop on a flight to Siem Reap to see the famous Angkor Wat. This collection of ancient temples comes complete with its own resident monkeys. Later on, you’ll head to a night market for dinner. You’ll be back at Angkor Wat bright and early, though, to see the sunrise. The rest of the day will see you ticking off a whole lot of top Cambodian sights, including Angkor Thom, the Elephants Terrace, and Preah Khan temple. Then finally, you’ll finish your trip how you started it – with a chilled-out day on Phu Quoc’s beaches.

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3. INDIA’S GOLDEN TRIANGLE

This whirlwind tour takes place over five nights. Your first day gives you a chance to chill, and get ready for the sights and sounds of India. On the following day, you’ll get on a flight to Jaipur, via Mumbai. Your afternoon will be spent on a guided tour of Jaipur, ticking off a whole host of sights including the Maharaja’s City Palace and the Jantar Mantar – the world’s biggest marble observatory. On day three you’ll get to see the Amber Fort which, as its name suggests, is made from terracotta-toned sandstone and marble. After you’ve explored inside the fort, you can opt to visit the Ladli social enterprise, which works to help local kids.

On the next day, you’ll see some truly iconic Indian sights. Fatehpur’s first on the list. This city was built in the 16th century, and it’s so well preserved that it’s earned the nickname ‘Ghost City’. Then, it’s time to see the big-name Taj Mahal. Learn about its history as you wander around its gardens, before heading over to the nearby Agra Fort. On your final day, you’ll travel to bustling Delhi to see a line-up of sights that include India Gate and the President’s Palace. Your tour might be over, but your holiday’s not. Hop on a domestic flight to sand-edged Goa, and spend a week relaxing on the beach.

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4. JAPAN UNMASKED

Whether you want to travel on a bullet train or snap photos of Mount Fuji, this 13-night tour will uncover Japan’s best bits. Your trip will begin in Tokyo, where you’ll go on a guided tour of the city. You’ll tick off Sensoji – Tokyo’s oldest temple – and the Meiji Jingu Shrine. Plus, you’ll climb to the top of the Sky Tree, the second tallest tower in the world, for wow-worthy views of the city. Then on day four, you’ll make tracks for the mountain city of Matsumoto, with a stop at Mount Fuji on the way – this active volcano is over three-thousand-metres tall – before ending your day with a traditional meal of sake, fish and noodles. Day five is all about Matsumoto. Explore the castle and pretty streets here, backed by Japan’s snow-capped northern Alps.

The next day, you’ll get an authentic insight into Japan’s rich history. After shopping for trinkets at Takayama market, you’ll get clued up on rural life in Japan – as it was 500-years-ago – at Hida Folk Village. Then on day seven, Kanazawa’s botanical gardens, which are home to over eight-thousand trees, and the UNESCO village of Shirakawago are on the cards. On day eight, you’ll tour Kanazawa’s old Samurai district before hopping on a bullet train to Hiroshima. You’ll learn all about this city, where the world's first atomic-bomb attack took place, on day nine. Then after a night here, you’ll get close to wild deer in Nara Park and head to Shin Osaka with its sacred temples on day 10. On day 11, keep your camera at the ready because colour-popping temples, botanical gardens and a magical waterfall are all on the itinerary. Then on day 12, you’ll say goodbye – or ‘Sayonara’ – to Kyoto and hello to Hakone, which is famous for its hot springs. You’ll round off your trip with a cruise on Lake Ashi, a cable car ride to the Owakudani Valley and a farewell meal.

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5. ICONS OF INDIA – TIGERS AND THE TAJ MAHAL

Uncover India’s best bits on this action-packed, nine-night tour. After touching down in Delhi and having a relaxing night here, you’ll begin your trip with an exciting tour of the city. Shop for souvenirs, such as spices and leather goods, in Old Delhi and visit must-see landmarks like Jama Masjid – the world’s largest mosque – and the UNESCO-listed Qutb Minar, with its towering tombs and monuments. After a night in Delhi, you’ll spend day four in the riverside city of Agra before visiting India’s show stealer – the Taj Mahal. Made from white marble with a 34-metre-high dome, large garden and a reflecting pool, it’s a true gem. Then on day five, you’ll hop on a train to the ‘ghost city’ of Fatehpur Sikri and then visit the city of Sawai Madhopur, which is famed for its forts and temples. On day six, it’s time to go off-road in Ranthambore National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for Bengal tigers, which prowl the grasslands there.

On day seven, you’ll make tracks for Jaipur, India’s bustling capital. Here you can stroll through the bustling bazaar, packed with handmade footwear, ornate saris and intricately-decorated bedspreads. With so much to see and do in this city, you’ll have the next day to explore, too. Top sites on day eight’s agenda include the impressive Amber Fort, pink palace of Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar – the world’s largest observatory. You’ll have some time to relax, pack and pick up last-minute souvenirs in Jaipur before jetting off home. Don’t want your trip to end just yet? You can always extend it with a Multi-Destination beach escape to Goa.

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Tempted by our tours?

Get all the details on our range of escorted tours. Plus, discover our Multi-Destination holidays, take a look at our round-up of the best tour and sightseeing holidays, and find out how you can see the seven wonders of the world.

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Author: Hannah Stratton