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The complete Grand Asia Experience… Combine our cruise with our Japan land tour to Kyoto and Nara, and our land tour to Angkor Wat and Cambodia for the ultimate trip of a lifetime.

Join us as we sail the Sea of Japan, the Yellow and the South China Seas, winding our way around islands and down a coastline that has enticed explorers, adventurers, conquerors and kings for centuries. Discover ancient temples and pagodas; relish the smells and sounds of bustling markets and silent monasteries; and drink in the beauty of the coastal landscapes of Japan, China, Korea, Vietnam and Cambodia. From Kobe's prospect at the edge of the Orient to Nagasaki's beautiful bay, from the Yangtze River city of Shanghai to Korea's cherished Jeju Island, from the ancient treasures and modern miracles of Vietnam's Mekong Delta to the awe-inspiring temples of Angkor Wat, let the wonders of Grand Asia envelop you.

Breathtaking scenery. Mind-opening cultural experiences. Wonderful food and wine. Congenial companionship. Taken separately, each is a delightful experience. Combined onboard the 114-passenger, Spirit of Oceanus in Asia, they make each day a celebration, each evening a special occasion.

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Day 1 - Arrive in Japan

Plan to depart the USA one day prior. Transfer from Osaka airport to Kobe where you'll spend the night at the deluxe Kobe Okura Hotel.

Accommodations: Kobe Okura Hotel
Included Meals: none

Day 2 - Kobe

Enjoy historic attractions of this port city, one of the first to begin accepting foreign traders following Japan's two and a half centuries of isolation. The highlight of your visit: a trip to spectacular white Himeji Castle. Board the Spirit of Oceanus, and sail in the early evening.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 3 - Miyajima / Hiroshima

Bright red floating torii (gates) and tame deer welcome you to Miyajima as you approach the mountainous “island of the shrines,” once regarded as so sacred a place that people were forbidden to till the soil, give birth, pass away or be buried on the land. Here we will meet a Shinto priest and enjoy a performance and personal tour of the famous Itsukushima Shinto shrine. Hiroshima, a city once battered, is now thriving and devoted to peace. In memory of the 1945 atomic bomb explosion, a Peace Flame, never to be extinguished until all nuclear weapons are abolished, burns in front of the Memorial Cenotaph. Tour the Peace Park, Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Museum.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 – Nagasaki

Once Japan’s “Gateway to the West,” Nagasaki was one of the few ports open to foreign traders during Japan’s 250-year period of isolation. It was also the second city to be destroyed by an atomic bomb in World War II. Peace Memorial Park offers spectacular views, a reminder of the war’s devastation and a message of hope and rebirth. Tour the Atomic Bomb Museum and Glover Garden, an open-air museum exhibiting 19th-century Victorian mansions and gardens built by an enterprising Scotsman who helped to overthrow the shogunate.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 - Jeju Island, South Korea

Often thought of as the “Hawaii of Korea,” for its volcanic rock, mountainous terrain and temperate climate, Jeju, the “Island of the Gods,” boasts South Korea’s highest peak. Explore the Jeju Folk Village Museum, home to over 400 thatched-roof houses still inhabited by villagers. Visit the Biosphere Reserve at Seogwipo and learn the legend of the lone Oedolgae Rock pillar, standing tall off the seashore.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 6 - Shanghai, China

Originally a sleepy fishing town, Shanghai is now China’s premier cultural, commercial and financial center and the largest city in the country. Strategically located at the mouth of the Yangtze River, it’s one of the world’s busiest ports. The new, architecturally adventurous Shanghai Museum exhibits an extraordinary collection of Chinese art through the ages, while the beautiful pavilions, corridors, streams and courtyards of the Yuyuan Garden offer timeless tranquility. Other not-to-be-missed Shanghai experiences include the French Concession District and Nan Shi, the ancient quarter.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 7 - Shanghai / Suzhou

Delve deeper into Shanghai, exploring the city on your own, or meander the classical gardens of Suzhou on an optional excursion.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Days 8 / 9 – At Sea

Bask in the amenities of the Spirit of Oceanus and prepare for the delights ahead as we sail south along China’s eastern coast.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 10 - Xiamen

A fusion of natural splendor and man-made wonders, Xiamen (meaning “gate of China”) has been one of China’s major seaports since ancient times. Explore the extraordinary Buddhist Nanputao Temple nestled at the foot of the massive Wulaofeng (Mountain of Five Old Men) overlooking the sea. Return the smile of a Laughing Buddha at the Heavenly Kings Hall and visit Gulangyu Island, home to 20,000 residents, renowned for its delicate natural beauty, ancient relics and colonial architecture.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 11 - Hong Kong

Ride to the top of Victoria Peak for a stunning panoramic view of the city. Browse the open-air Stanley Market for everything from silk garments to arts and crafts to costume jewelry. Visit the Man Mo Temple (built to honor the god of literature and the god of war) alongside students praying for good results on their exams.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 12 - At Sea

Skip the roadways and make your way to Vietnam in the lap of luxury — relaxing aboard the Spirit of Oceanus as you sail the South China Sea.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 13 - Danang / Hoian

Strategically located in Vietnam’s center, Danang played an important role in the wars of the 20th century. Nearby Hoi An, a small town nestled on the banks of the Thu Bon River, was a vital seaport in the Champa Kingdom. Harboring a wealth of temples, pagodas and shrines, Hoi An has been classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 14 - Chan May / Hue

Vietnam’s new port of Chan May provides easy entree to Hue, the Imperial City, once capital of the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945). Hue, on the banks of the Huong or “Perfume” River — surrounded by rice fields, is an important trade center. Legacies of both the ancient Champa Kingdom and years of colonial rule are alive in the city’s art and architecture, including the Forbidden Purple City and the moated Imperial Citadel.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 15 – At Sea

Soak up the expertise of our Exploration Leaders and learn about the cultures you’ve experienced and are about to encounter as we cruise north towards Haiphong.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16 – Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Take in a seascape of thousands of limestone mountains dotting calm waters as you approach Ha Long Bay. Known as the “Bay of the Descending Dragon,” this UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Gulf of Tonkin includes some 1,600 mostly uninhabited islands and islets. Legend has it that Ha Long Bay was carved into the seabed by the tail of a dragon as it plunged to earth.

Accommodations: Spirit of Oceanus
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 17 - Haiphong / Hanoi

After disembarking in Haiphong, explore Hanoi, Vietnam’s capital. A fascinating blend of East and West, Hanoi’s architecture is a fusion of Chinese influence from centuries of dominance, and French design from its colonial past. Spend the night at your deluxe hotel.

Accommodations: Hanoi Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 18 - Hanoi

Explore Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. In the evening, toast your journey with a special farewell dinner at the imposing Co Loa Citadel, an architectural wonder and Vietnam’s first capital.

Accommodations: Hanoi Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast, dinner

Day 19 – Hanoi / Home

Following breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the Hanoi Airport for your flight home.

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

PRE CRUISE 4-Day Land Tour Add On: Kyoto and Naja Japan

Day 1 – Osaka, Japan / Kyoto

Plan to depart the USA one day prior. From Osaka airport transfer to Kyoto, and check into your deluxe hotel.

Accommodations: Kyoto Hotel Okura
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner

Day 2 – Kyoto

Explore the city known as Nihon no Furasato (The Heart of Japan). Kyoto, a living museum of the country’s artistic and cultural heritage, had been Japan’s capital for more than 11 centuries. Visit Kiyomizu Temple, dedicated to the 11-faced Buddhist deity, Kannon. Built on stilts, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers outstanding views of the city and access to the Otowa no taki (Sound of Feathers) waterfall.

Accommodations: Kyoto Hotel Okura
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 3 – Kyoto

Delight in transcendent temples and pavilions, including the Ryoanji (Peaceful Dragon) Temple, which is renowned for its Zen garden. Named for the gold leaf on lacquer that covers its floors, the Kinkakuji (Golden) Pavilion houses sacred relics of Buddha. The shogun’s samurai could secretly observe visitors from hidden rooms in Nijo Castle, with its thick outer walls, moat, and corridors constructed with “nightingale floors” that squeak to warn of anyone approaching.

Accommodations: Kyoto Hotel Okura
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

Day 4 - Kyoto / Nara / Kobe

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nara is home to the enormous bronze Buddha, the Daibutsu, at Todaiji Temple. The seated giant weighs 550 tons and incorporates 290 pounds of gold. Horyuji Temple, founded in 607, is the oldest intact temple complex in Japan, and houses the world’s oldest wooden buildings, as well as a vast collection of Buddhist art. Continue to Kobe and check in to your deluxe hotel.

Accommodations: Hotel Okura Kobe
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch

POST CRUISE 7-Day Land Tour Add On: Angkor Wat and Cambodia

Day 1 - Hanoi / Ho Chi Minh City

This morning you’ll fly to Ho Chi Minh City (flight included), and transfer to the classic Caravelle Hotel, our base for exploring the bustling cosmopolitan city of Ho Chi Minh. Visit the History Museum and the former President’s Palace. Stroll Central Saigon (still the official name for the city center) taking in the boulevards, sidewalk cafés and elegant French architecture of Ho Chi Minh’s colonial days. BL

Accommodations: Caravelle Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 2 - Mekong Delta / Ho Chi Minh City

Travel deep into the marshlands and forests of the Mekong Delta, driving through small villages and lush countryside for a taste of the area’s unique culture. Alternatively, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, a 75-mile-long underground maze — one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War and once home to 10,000+ Vietcong troops.

Accommodations: Caravelle Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City / Siem Reap

Fly to Siem Reap (flight included), your base for exploring Angkor, home to some of the world’s most magnificent architectural masterpieces. Explore the royal walled city of Angkor Thom, the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. At its heart is the Bayon, a temple with giant smiling faces carved into its stone towers. Spend the night at your deluxe hotel.

Accommodations: Siem Reap Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4 - Temples At Angkor

Angkor Wat’s soaring towers, elaborately carved murals, colonnades and courtyards are an awe-inspiring combination of imagination and engineering. Visit the spiritual center of Ta Prohm — built in the late 12th/early 13th centuries as a Buddhist monastery and university, it blends seamlessly into the surrounding jungle. Explore the wonderfully tranquil temples of Prah Khan, built on a steep hilltop affording dramatic vistas of the lush green surroundings.

Accommodations: Siem Reap Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5 - Tonle Sap Lake

Board traditional covered boats at Tonle Sap, a floating fishing village of homes, shops and deepwater rice paddies. Designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the lake/river system floods once a year when the Mekong River swells with monsoon rains. Later in the day, check out the sculptures and textiles at Artisans D’Angkor, where Cambodian children are trained in traditional Cambodian arts such as silk weaving, stone carving and gilding.

Accommodations: Siem Reap Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6 - Siem Reap / Phnom Penh

In the morning, explore Banteay Srei, often referred to as the “jewel of Khmer art.” Built largely of red sandstone, the temple is decorated with deep, elaborate carvings. Next, fly to Phnom Penh (flight included), Cambodia’s capital. Visit the National Museum, home to the world’s finest collection of Khmer art and artifacts. Soak up the city’s Buddhist and French colonial charm as you peruse its wide boulevards and beautiful temples and pagodas.

Accommodations: Phnom Penh Hotel
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch

Day 7 - Phnom Penh / Home

After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. B

Accommodations: n/a
Included Meals: breakfast

Grand Asia Cruise + Kyoto + Cambodia – Northbound

Day 1 – Arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Day 2 - Phnom Penh / Siem Reap
Day 3 - Temples at Angkor
Day 4 - Tonle Sap Lake
Day 5 – Siem Reap / Ho Chi Minh City
Day 6 - Ho Chi Minh City / Mekong Delta
Day 7 - Ho Chi Minh City / Hanoi
Day 8 - Hanoi Sightseeing
Day 9 - Hanoi / Haiphong
Day 10 – At Sea
Day 11 – Chan May / Hue, Vietnam
Day 12 - Danang / Hoi An, Vietnam
Day 13 – Ha Long Bay, Vietnam
Day 14 – At Sea
Day 15 – Hong Kong
Day 16 – Xiamen, China
Days 17/18 – At Sea
Day 19 – Shanghai / Suzhou, China
Day 20 – Shanghai, China
Day 21 – Jeju Island, South Korea
Day 22 - Nagasaki, Japan
Day 23 - Miyajima / Hiroshima, Japan
Day 24 - Kobe, Japan
Day 25 – Depart Kobe



Notes on Itinerary: We may occasionally alter itineraries slightly for safety, or to take advantage of weather, wildlife, and unplanned discoveries. Our ability to be spontaneous makes our style of cruising unique.


Cost Includes: Hotel accommodations and meals as listed above, $575 per person which covers all taxes, port charges, fees and on board services. Onboard gratuities are neither required nor expected. All airport/ hotel transfers, Grand Asia cruise including all meals while aboard and an experienced naturalist guides.

Not Included: Airfare from US to Japan; excess baggage charges; items of a personal nature such as alcoholic beverages, laundry fees and insurance of any kind. Prices do not include fuel surcharges which may be added up to the time of final payment.

Payment and Cancellation Policy: A deposit of US$1000 per person is required to confirm a reservation, with final payment due 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations received prior to departure are subject to cancellation penalties per person. Please see AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions.

We highly recommend our travelers
protect their investment with comprehensive Trip Cancellation and Insurance

Accommodations Aboard: Your comfortable home-base throughout Japan is aboard the Spirit of Oceanus. This all-suite vessel accommodates 114 guests. Each suites feature view windows, ample closet space, large marble vanity and sink, a lounge area, bathrobes, spa bath amenities, in-room safe, a chilled refreshment center, and satellite telephone access. Several suites also feature sliding glass doors and private teak balconies. The Oceanus has a dining room, two lounges, sun deck, sports deck, hot tub, library and game room. There is elevator access to all passenger decks. Open dining features continental and regional cuisine.

Qualifications: This trip will be enjoyed by anyone. Some excursions from the boat to the shore will be made in zodiacs. On land, trip members will walk to specific areas to enjoy cultural interactions, photography and enjoying nature.

General Information: This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations 'Terms & Conditions'. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A packing list, extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information is sent upon confirmation. We strongly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance through AdventureSmith Explorations. If purchased within 14 days of sign-up, the pre-existing condition exclusion is waived.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Call today.

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