DAY 6 - SUZHOU / SHANGHAI Travel by metro and train to Shanghai. After an orientation walk along Shang- hai's famous Bund, a main road that follows the Huangpu River, with our CEO. This is a great opportunity to get a layout of the city and figure out what you want to explore next. After, enjoy a Chinese acrobatic show with tumbling, balancing and plate-spinning and amazing contortionists— truly not to be missed! DAY 7 - SHANGHAI Enjoy free time in this bustling city. Opt to visit Shanghai Museum, home to a world-class collection of ancient Chinese art. Tour individual galleries devoted to such items as sculpture, bronze, ceramics, jade, coins, Ming and Qing Dynasty furniture, paintings, and calligraphy. DAY 8 - SHANGHAI / OSAKA Board a flight from Shanghai to Osaka and enjoy a free night exploring the cityscape. DAY 9 - OSAKA / KŌYASAN Depart early and journey to Mt Koya, a religious centre founded in 816 by the Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi. The train ride up the mountain is possibly one of the finest rail journeys in Japan. For the final steep ascent, switch to funicular and then hop on a bus to reach the monastery. In the evening, dine on shojin-ryori, typical vegetarian cuisine, and relax in a yukata, or kimono. Staying overnight in Mount Koya Temple. DAY 10 - KŌYASAN / HIROSHIMA Early morning offers the chance to observe the monks praying. Breathe in some fresh mountain air before a vegetarian breakfast, then start the journey back down the mountain via bus, train and funicular. Later, board a train to Hiroshima, a historically signifi- cant city, marked by the explosion of the first atomic bomb in 1945. Walk through the Peace Park in the centre of Hiroshima, a living memorial dedicated to the tens of thousands who died from the atomic bomb blast in 1945. DAY 11 - HIROSHIMA Take a ferry ride over to the sacred island of Miyajima, famed as one of Japan's most scenic spots, with a free afternoon to explore. See the famous floating Torii Gate, set out in the bay, which glows extraordinarily at sunset. The island is dotted with shrines and temples, populated by deer and monkeys, and traversed with hiking trails for those who want to get some exercise. DAY 12 - HIROSHIMA / KYOTO Travel to Kyoto and start exploring. Visit the Nijo Castle, the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period built in 1603. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the property is divided into three areas: the Honmaru (main circular fortification), Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense), and the gorgeous gardens that surround both. In the evening, explore the geisha district of Gion on a CEO-led walking tour. DAY 13 - KYOTO Enjoy a visit to the beautiful Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, located just outside of Kyoto. Walk under the thousands of iconic torii gates (as seen in the film Memoirs of a Geisha) and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. The shrine itself is at the base of the Inari mountain but includes many trails up to smaller shrines in the area. Opt to shop, stroll along the riverbank, or explore another of Kyoto's many temples with free time. DAY 14 - KYOTO / HAKONE Hop aboard a passenger boat to cruise the waters of Lake Ashinoko. If you are lucky, on a clear day you can capture a view of Mt Fuji. The lake was formed from the caldera of Mt Hakone follow- ing its eruption 3000 years ago. In the evening, enjoy the ryokan, savouring a complex meal of traditional Japanese foods, followed by a recommended soak in the onsen. DAY 15 - HAKONE / TOKYO Arrive before noon to Tokyo, with time to explore this energetic metropolis. Opt to visit Ueno park and the muse- ums, Akihabara for cutting edge electronics, Harajuku for funky fashions, Ginza for the highest of the IS THIS TOUR FOR ME? TRAVEL STYLE: Rail Get closer to the big cities, isolated communities, and stunning landscapes of the world's greatest destinations via train-based adven- tures on iconic rail routes. SERVICE LEVEL: Standard Comfortable tourist-class accommo- dations with character; mix of public and private transport. PHYSICAL RATING: 3 - Average Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking. TRIP TYPE: Small Group Small group experience; Max 15, avg 12 AGE REQUIREMENT: 12+ All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. VISA REQUIREMENTS Countries visited during this trip may have special visa requirements applicable to many nationalities. B E I J I N G X I ’ A N S U Z H O U S H A N G H A I H I R O S H I M A K O YA S A N O S A K A K Y O T O M T F U J I T O K Y O ANCIENT EMPIRES 6