We have recently returned from a two week China highlights holiday with Lumle holidays, this was advertised on their web site at a special discounted price. We have used Lumle before for a fantastic India holiday so had no problems going again with them.

As a group of six aged 63 to 66 with varying preferences and capabilities some choices can be difficult on a budget, so although Lumle can tailor make your holiday we stuck with there basic structure and changed things her and there. With all holidays there is a compromise in convenience and cost, so thanks to Narayan at Lumle we managed to change things at no cost to suite our needs.

The tour was Beijing, Xian, Shanghai, Yichang to Chongqing on the Yangtze, Chongqing then home. We had one internal flight, and included for an extra experience an overnight train and relaxing bullet train journey taking in the scenery, all with smooth transfers in comfy people carriers. We saw some main sights within our time there, but would have loved to have stayed longer and done more.
The Yangtze boat trip did not disappoint, and the accommodation was first class on the Victoria Jenna, with regular and optional excursions. I loved to sit and drink on our own balcony and watch the world go by, magic.
All hotels had standard facilities with a much used kettle, and all were good to very good, 3 & 4 star, with some in excellent locations.

Our guides genuinely wanted us to enjoy ourselves, they were very knowledgeable with some flexibility. Our drivers were talented at there job. All were very friendly, as we found with the Chinese in general.
We took enough Chinese currency for our needs with some small change, we had cards and travellers cheques just in case and some of our hotels did change currency. Our extra costs included visas, Heathrow transfer from Yorkshire and hotel, extra excursions, tips more or less as recommended, gifts and spend. Market gifts and souvenirs were only restricted by the room in our cases.

Food was good in the hotels and ok to eat outside the hotels, the more Chinese the restaurant the cheaper the meals but harder to get exactly what you want, because of the language barrier, the more western a little more expensive but you can be understood better. Take your choice. The friendly atmosphere in the places we visited made the challenge enjoyable and my best meal was in a typical small Chinese restaurant.
Here is a few things we knew and some we found out:-
Check your up to date with your vaccinations.

Take a small umbrella and light weight cape. The umbrellas are still useful for sun protection. We did get a fair bit of rain.

If you prefer coffee take ready mixed instant sachets with milk as only one hotel provided coffee sachets.
Carry a mug or small flask with your instant coffee or tea and make a free drink on the train, in the station or airport. Maybe a pot noodle. Free hot water is provided in these places and most of the Chinese carry small flasks or cups.

Carry spare tissues and wet wipes in case toilets are not up to required standards.
This was our first time in China. We were well looked after, and apart from some minor issues as with all adventures, its been a great experience and very good value. So I would recommend Lumle to any potential traveller.

I feel so fortunate that I live in an age were I can see the Terracotta Warriors, sail on the Yangtze, walk the Great Wall of China and have unforgettable holidays, may it long continue.
It’s not quite save the world, get the girl and be home for tea, but its a dam good second.

Keith Whiteley, London, Visited September 2015