We have won our industry’s ‘Best Long Haul Specialist Tour Operator’ award for 13 years running, we have a 5-star TripAdvisor rating, a Gold Award Feefo Accreditation and 98% of our customers would recommend travelling with us! We are also fully ABTA and ATOL-protected.
No one knows our destinations like we do, and we are passionate about sharing the best of them with you, so there is no one better to recommend the very best tours and experiences for your holiday.
Our much-loved National Escorts, whose knowledge and dedication have won us the best reputation in the industry, will make your holiday with us truly extraordinary.
Flights, accommodation, meals, touring, trains, cruises, evening shows, amazing guides and visas… we include it all.
We are delighted to introduce you to our Christmas Collection: a specially curated selection of our award-winning tours departing over the festive period.
Each full of Christmas spirit, on these tours you will not only discover the incredible sights of some of our favourite destinations but also create extra magical memories thanks to the host of festive experiences on each itinerary which are unique to these special Christmas departures.
Perhaps you’ll be toasting Christmas Day at the Taj Mahal, sailing through the scenic delights of Vietnam’s Halong Bay or on safari in the heart of South Africa’s Kruger National Park. You could be exploring snow dusted temples in Japan, lush tea country in Sri Lanka or fairytale landscapes in Turkey…what a change from the usual Christmas routine!
As with any Wendy Wu tour you’ll enjoy meticulously planned holidays where everything is taken care of including flights, accommodation, meals, transfers, entrance fees and guiding… even your visa, and you’ll spend it in the company of our famous National Escorts, true connoisseurs of your chosen destination.
Join us on a Wendy Wu tour next Christmas and unwrap the gift of a holiday that transcends borders, time zones, and expectations. Let the joyous countdown begin!
Wendy Wu – Founder, Wendy Wu Tours
We are renowned for our amazing Business Class and Premium Economy upgrades, which make your holiday all the more special, and we work with leading airlines to offer you regional departures, so travelling with us is more convenient than ever.
We hand-pick comfortable hotels in great locations, have a ‘seat and a half’ policy on our coaches and include all meals on our Classic tours, so you can relax and enjoy your holiday with us, knowing everything is taken care of.
On tour with us, you will be immersed in culture and history through experiences such as meeting local families, learning ancient traditions and watching cultural shows. We also include delicious local meals in each region. Look out for the ‘Authentic Experiences’ box on each tour page!
We will advise you how much and when to tip and our National Escort will take care of it on your behalf.
We are only satisfied when you come back to travel with us again and again –only then do we know that we’ve done a good job of serving you.
It’s the most magical time of the the year, so it’s only right to pack our Christmas tours with unique experiences and Christmas and New Year celebrations. You’ll find our favourites highlighted on each tour page, in the ‘Special Festive Experiences’ box, but here are a few examples of what you can look forward to...
Spend Christmas Eve in charming Kyoto and experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
Take a two-night Christmas cruise on Vietnam’s spectacular Halong Bay. Wake to a breathtaking sunrise on Christmas Day, then sail into Lan Ha Bay and indulge in activities like swimming or kayaking before a festive drinks reception on board.
Add to the enchantments of Christmas night as you soak up the breathtaking sunset views of the Taj Mahal from a rooftop, champagne in hand.
Spend Christmas morning in the company of Asian elephants at Chiang Mai’s Thai Elephant Care Centre in Thailand. This sanctuary warmly welcomes you to share the joy of the season as you meet and learn about these magnificent creatures.
Welcome the New Year with tranquillity as you unwind in the Gubei hot springs, followed by a scenic stroll along the iconic Great Wall at Jinshanling. End the day with a celebratory champagne toast.
A sophisticated dance form prominent in the Southern Indian state of Kerala. This experience weaves storytelling elements with captivating footwork and expressive gestures of the face and hands, accompanied by music and vocal performances.
Indulge in a festive dinner of some of China’s most famous dishes including delicious Peking Duck.
Immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas morning in Sri Lanka at a picturesque tea plantation, adorned in a handmade silk saree or sarong, as you learn to harvest tea leaves.
Celebrate amid the wilds of Greater Kruger as you embark on thrilling game drives on both Christmas and Boxing days as part of your explorations of the captivating South Africa.
Set out on a unique Christmas morning adventure in Turkey. Soar over Cappadocia’s fantastical landscapes on an optional hot air balloon flight, then explore the rock-cut churches of one of the world’s earliest Christian communities, at Goreme.
11 DAYS FROM PER PERSON £7,090
FLIGHT
ALL MEALS
3 PLUS – 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & ENTRANCE FEES
Although not a national holiday in Japan, Christmas is a wonderful time to explore this diverse destination. In the cities you’ll find gorgeous illuminations marking the festive period (and of course, no one does it quite like Japan), and the cold, dry weather means the countryside is often blanketed with fresh snow – the white Christmas we all dream of!
This tour showcases the bright lights of Tokyo and Osaka, magnificent Mount Fuji and the beautiful Himeji Castle and includes many immersive experiences to help you connect with the Japanese culture, such as soba noodle making, origami classes and a Geisha encounter. Christmas Eve is spent in historic Kyoto where you’ll enjoy a traditional tea ceremony and special festive feast. On Christmas Day you may get to see the spectacular Golden Temple, Kinkakuji, with a magical frosting of snow before boarding an iconic bullet train to Hiroshima where you’ll enjoy a scenic Christmas dinner cruise on Hiroshima Bay.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Feel the rush of Tokyo
Admire beautiful Mount Fuji
Puzzle over Ryoanji
Be captivated by Kyoto
Reflect in Hiroshima
Explore relaxed Miyajima
SPECIAL FESTIVE EXPERIENCES
Spend Christmas Eve immersed in the charms of Kyoto and take part in a traditional tea ceremony.
Enjoy Christmas morning at Kinkakuji, Kyoto’s Golden Temple.
With the twinkling lights of the city as your backdrop your backdrop, savour a delicious Christmas dinner while cruising Hiroshima Bay.
Climb Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Enjoy two safaris in Yala National Park
Discover Udawattakele Rainforest
Go to the heart-warming Elephant Transit Home
Try your hand at curd making
Visit Kosgoda Turtle Hatchery
On Christmas Eve, revel in the beauty of the scenic train journey from Kandy to Nuwara Eliya.
Spend Christmas morning at a spectacular tea plantation plucking leaves while dressed in a handmade silk saree or sarong. Enjoy high tea in the verdant gardens of the iconic Grand Hotel on Christmas afternoon.
DAYS FROM
16 FLIGHT INCLUSIVE FROM THE UK
ALL MEALS
3 PLUS – 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & ENTRANCE FEES
PER PERSON £4,990 VISA FEES FOR UK PASSPORT HOLDERS
Widely celebrated in Sri Lanka, the Christmas festivities begin at dawn on December 1st when locals let off fireworks to mark the start of the (wonderfully warm and sunny) season. From that point on, there is so much happening in the lead up to Christmas Day, with families gathering, the preparation of cake and mince pies, and the hanging of decorations.
This extra special departure includes many highlights of Sri Lanka, including the history and culture-filled Rock Fortress at Sigiriya, the ruined cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura and the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple. You’ll also meet the elephants of Udawalawe and spot leopards in Yala National Park before spending Christmas in Sri Lanka’s gorgeous tea country, in Nuwara Eliya. There’ll be a delicious Christmas Eve dinner while on Christmas Day you’ll take part in an exclusive tea plantation experience and enjoy high tea at the iconic Grand Hotel.
DAYS FROM 13
PER PERSON £4,190
FLIGHT INCLUSIVE FROM THE UK
ALL MEALS
4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & ENTRANCE FEES
Despite being a predominantly Buddhist country, the Vietnamese are extremely fond of Christmas. It is a time of great celebration for the locals, who gather for festivities and to enjoy the beautiful lights and decorations that are abundant throughout the cities.
Our Christmas in Vietnam tour will see you exploring the full length of this spectacular country, from the Mekong Delta in the south all the way up to Hanoi in the north. Along the way, you’ll admire the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An and imperial treasures of Hue, as well as the many highlights of Saigon. From Christmas Eve until Boxing Day, cruise the picture-perfect waters of Halong Bay and its lesser known but equally spectacular twin, Lan Ha Bay. There will be plenty of festivities on board to enjoy with newfound friends and your National Escort, with a memorable Christmas dinner, a drinks reception, and opportunities to kayak, swim or sunbathe as you sail the emerald waters.
Discover Saigon’s fascinating history
Be charmed by Hoi An’s Old Town
Explore Hue’s Imperial Citadel
Cruise Halong Bay for two nights
Paddle boats on the Mekong Delta
Tour Hanoi by cyclo
SPECIAL FESTIVE EXPERIENCES
Come Christmas Eve, embark on a wonderful two-night cruise into the waters of Halong Bay and its secret twin, the ethereally beautiful Lan Ha Bay.
The champagne will flow on deck as the sun sets on Christmas Eve, before a delicious Vietnamese-style festive feast. Wake to a Christmas Day sunrise over the emerald waters of the bay. Spend the day swimming, or kayaking in its tranquil coves, then return to the ship for Christmas drinks reception on deck.
13
DAYS FROM PER PERSON £4,390
FLIGHT INCLUSIVE FROM THE UK
ALL MEALS
3 PLUS – 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & ENTRANCE FEES
Thailand loves to get into the Christmas spirit, with lights, trees, markets, a lantern ceremony on Christmas Eve and traditional Thai feast on Christmas Day. Add in the excellent weather – average temperatures of 27° and plenty of sunshine – and you’ve got the ideal destination for a cultural Christmas adventure.
Marvel at Bangkok’s Grand Palace
Ride the WWII Thai-Burma Railway
Explore the temple ruins of Ayutthaya
Meet minority hill tribes
Stroll through laidback Chiang Rai
Master Thai cuisine at a cooking class in Chiang Mai
SPECIAL FESTIVE EXPERIENCES
Spend Christmas morning at a sanctuary for rescued elephants, where you’ll meet and learn all about these magnificent residents. Savour the flavours of Thailand with a Christmas feast at The House by Ginger, a beautifully converted colonial mansion in Chiang Mai.
Start Christmas Eve soaking up Mae Taeng’s rural landscapes on a gentle bamboo rafting trip.
On our Christmas in Thailand tour, you’ll explore the highlights, from the vibrant energy of capital Bangkok, the enigmatic ruins of Ayuthaya and the tragic beauty of the bridge on the River Kwai to the spectacular landscapes and laidback vibes of the highland cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. As you go, there’ll be a series of wonderfully immersive experiences, to give you an authentic taste of the local culture. Visit a floating market and meet an indigenous hilltribe community then, over Christmas itself, enjoy a relaxing bamboo raft ride, spend time with elephants, savour a Thai feast for Christmas dinner and take part in a cooking class on Boxing Day.
DAYS FROM PER PERSON £3,990
FLIGHT INCLUSIVE FROM THE UK
ALL MEALS 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & ENTRANCE FEES
VISA FEES FOR UK
While Christmas isn’t a widely recognised religious holiday in China, plenty of locals still like to take part in the celebrations, with lovely illuminations in major cities like Beijing and Leshan and the recent trend of gifting friends elaborately boxed apples on Christmas Eve. The cold weather at this time of year also means there is a good chance of snow – imagine standing on the Great Wall surrounded by snow-covered peaks and valleys!
On this festive adventure, you’ll soak up all of China’s most famous attractions; stand before the Terracotta Warriors of Xian, explore Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and Temple of Heaven and be awe-struck by the Grand Buddha of Leshan. And you’re in for a celebration like no other walking on the iconic Great Wall on Christmas Day, before swapping traditional turkey for an authentic Peking Duck feast and falling in love with the adorable giant pandas on New Year’s Eve!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Walk on the Great Wall
Feast on Peking Duck
Explore the Forbidden City
Face the Terracotta Army
See the Grand Buddha at Leshan
Watch giant pandas play
Spend Christmas Day walking the magnificent Great Wall of China.
Indulge in a festive dinner of some of China’s most famous dishes including delicious Peking Duck.
On New Years Eve, visit the famous Panda Conversation Centre to see these charismatic animals and enjoy a local Sichuan dinner.
DAYS FROM
15 FLIGHT INCLUSIVE FROM THE UK
ALL MEALS
Discover Harbin’s Ice and Snow Festival
Stay overnight at the Great Wall
Get up close to the giant pandas
Feast on China’s best delicacies
See the ancient Terracotta Army
Travel by bullet train
Explore the Christmas markets, cruise the mighty Huangpu River and indulge Shanghai’s gastronomic delights on Christmas Day.
Spend New Year’s Eve in Gubei
3 PLUS – 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & ENTRANCE FEES
PERSON £5,590 VISA FEES FOR UK PASSPORT HOLDERS
Embrace the magic this Christmas and experience a different side of China as it transforms itself into a winter wonderland. Here, Christmas is just a great excuse to have fun and while there are bright lights and window displays in the major cities, in China you can go back to basics and spend Christmas enjoying the company of like-minded people and wishing for snow while on a wonderful adventure.
On this enchanting journey you’ll travel from Shanghai up to the northeastern city of Harbin where you’ll discover the real-life wonderland of the Harbin Ice Festival. Inbetween you’ll visit the lovable pandas, see the ranks of Terracotta warriors, celebrate New Year at the Great Wall, and explore the wonders of Beijing. Christmas Day itself will be spent exploring, eating and cruising the Huangpu River in Shanghai, while New Year is all about the Great Wall with a nighttime visit to the Simatai section and a wander along and champagne toast on the remote Jinshanling section.
PER PERSON
DAYS FROM
£3,890
FLIGHT INCLUSIVE FROM THE UK
ALL MEALS
3 PLUS – 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & ENTRANCE FEES
VISA FEES FOR UK PASSPORT HOLDERS
December is one of the finest months to visit India with warm temperatures, minimal rainfall and low humidity - the perfect conditions for exploring the iconic sights of Golden Triangle and beyond! You’ll be immersed in the bustle of Delhi, explore the extravagant Rajasthani cities of Jaipur, Pushkar and Udaipur before heading deep into Ranthambore National Park in search of the elusive and beautiful Bengal tigers.
After attending Midnight Mass in Agra on Christmas Eve, you’ll awake on Christmas Day to explore India’s most famous monument, the magnificent Taj Mahal. Enjoy a delicious Christmas feast, before ascending to a rooftop to sip on champagne while enjoying breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal against a spectacular sunset backdrop. You’ll be treated to a fantastic musical show telling the story of Emperor Shahjahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal (for whom the Taj Mahal was built) – a true Bollywood experience!
Immerse yourself in Delhi
Spot tigers in Ranthambore
Marvel at the Taj Mahal
Experience a ceremony on the Ghats of Pushkar Lake
Visit a vintage car museum
Discover the step wells of Bundi
SPECIAL FESTIVE EXPERIENCES
Explore the iconic Taj Mahal on Christmas morning.
On Christmas night, enjoy unparalleled views from a rooftop as you watch the sunset over the Taj Mahal, champagne in hand.
Your magical Christmas night is complete with a spectacular performance of ‘Mohabbat the Taj’.
DAYS FROM
PER PERSON £4,690 16
FLIGHT INCLUSIVE FROM THE UK
ALL MEALS
3 PLUS – 4 STAR ACCOMMODATION TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & ENTRANCE FEES
VISA FEES FOR UK PASSPORT HOLDERS
In a region that is a cultural melting pot, the locals of southern India have warmly embraced Christmas traditions and made them their own. Throughout December, candles and fairy lights glow in windows and on rooftops, banana and mango trees get a festive makeover with colourful ornaments and Santa makes his rounds on a decorated, horse-drawn cart. Add in the sublime weather and you’ve got a laidback, tropical-tinged Christmas adventure, full of warm sunshine, bright colours and rich culture!
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Enjoy a rickshaw ride in the French Quarter of Pondicherry
Witness the Arti Ceremony at the Shri Minakshi Temple
Enjoy a tea tasting session at a tea plantation in Munnar
Take a cruise on the Kerala backwaters on your private houseboat
SPECIAL FESTIVE EXPERIENCES
Dressed in local attire, attend Christmas mass at St Francis Church.
Spend Christmas Day exploring vibrant Kochi with a festive lunch and dynamic Kathakali dance performance.
Set sail on the beautiful and serene Keralan backwaters on Boxing Day, spending the night on a traditional houseboat.
From Chennai, you’ll travel through Pondicherry, Velankanni and Madurai, visiting an ashram, basilica and temples, and experiencing the ancient marital art of kalarpayattu as you go. Cruise Lake Periyar then head up into the tea plantation landscapes of Munnar before spending Christmas in the delightful city of Kochi. Take part in a midnight mass at an Oriental Orthodox Church, don traditional attire for Christmas mass and enjoy a vibrant Kathakali dance performance before setting sail on Kerala’s serene backwaters on Boxing Day.
DAYS FROM 15
PER PERSON
£5,990
4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
TRANSPORTATION, SIGHTSEEING & ENTRANCE FEES
While South Africa may share many classic traditions (and have many uniquely its own) and the magical atmosphere of December with home, on this festive adventure you can enjoy them at the height of summer! At this most wonderful time of the year, lose yourself in huge African landscapes, spot glorious wildlife and discover how to celebrate in a truly African way.
Travelling from the festive spirit of Johannesburg’s vibrant cityscape to magnificent Cape Town where you’ll see in the New Year in style, this tour is packed full of wonders. Follow the Panorama Route past deep gorges, lush forests and waterfalls, before spending Christmas on safari in the Greater Kruger with a traditional boma dinner under the stars on Christmas Eve night. Then its along the gorgeous Garden Route stopping at Tsitsikamma National Park and charming Knysna en route to Cape Town. From here you’ll explore the city and tour the Winelands and Cape Point, visiting the penguins of Boulders Bay, before bidding farewell to an old year and a magnificent experience.
Enjoy a thrilling ride in the glassfronted elevator that descends into the Graskop Gorge
Seek out the Big Five on a 3-night stay in Greater Kruger Park
Embark on the Featherbed Eco Experience in Knysna
Enjoy a sensory journey through the Cape winelands
Get up close to the penguins on Boulder’s Beach
Indulge in the rich local flavours with a traditional boma dinner under the stars, and afterward, partake in a rhythmic drumming class. Spend Christmas & Boxing days on exciting game drives.
Bring in the New Year at a restaurant on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.
IN
ALL MEALS
4 STAR ACCOMMODATION
SIGHTSEEING
&
KAZAKHSTAN
TASHKENT
Visit Istanbul’s iconic landmarks
Explore ancient Ephesus
Witness the Whirling Dervishes
Taste Cappadocian home cuisine
See Cappadocia in her winter glory!
ISTANBUL (3N+1N) CANAKKALE (1N) SELKUK (2N) CAPPADOCIA (3N) LUXOR ALEXANDRIA (1N) EGYPT ASWAN NILE CRUISE (4N) ABU SIMBEL EL ALAMEIN TURKEY TAURUS MOUNTAINS ANATOLIAN PLATEAU IZMIR KAYSERI
Spend Christmas Eve in Cappadocia marvelling at the Whirling Dervishes in the beautiful setting of Saruhan Caravanserai. Experience Christmas morning with a walking tour of Goreme’s ancient churches which are among some of the very earliest Christian churches in the world. Enjoy a Turkish-style Christmas dinner.
Although not a traditional Christmas destination, Turkey is spellbinding all year round but especially in the chill of December. Quiet, ethereal and full of rich culture and history, as you explore this treasure trove of wonders you’re bound to get glimpses of festive spirit, be it from the potential dusting of snow on the fairytale landscapes of Cappadocia or in the sensory maze-like warrens of Istanbul’s markets. Join us for a Christmas celebration like no other, in the heart of Turkey.
KYRGYZSTAN
FERGANA
Start by exploring the landmark sites of ancient Istanbul, which may be prettily frosted with snow, before visiting the Gallipoli Peninsula. Then its time to step back into the distant past to discover the fabled histories of three ancient cities – Troy, Pergamon, Ephesus, and on to the extraordinary landscapes of Cappadocia. Here you’ll be caught up in the rush of a Whirling Dervish performance on Christmas Eve in an atmospheric caravanserai, spend Christmas morning among the UNESCO-listed rock-hewn churches of Gerome and enjoy Boxing Day lunch with a local family in their traditional village home.
Explore the extraordinary Blue Mosque
Argentina Armenia Azerbaijan Bhutan Bolivia Borneo Brazil Cambodia Chile China Colombia
Costa Rica Ecuador & Galapagos Egypt Georgia Hong Kong India Israel Japan Jordan Kazakhstan
Kyrgyzstan Laos Malaysia Mongolia Nepal Palestine Peru Philippines Portugal Saudi Arabia South Africa
South Korea Sri Lanka Taiwan Tajikistan Tibet Thailand Turkey Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Vietnam
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Opening times may vary at different times of the year. Please visit wendywutours.co.uk for updates.
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