Rail Tours
All aboard!
Last year one of the hottest travel trends was undoubtedly rail touring, and we're thrilled that this is set to continue in 2025 and 2026!
With that in mind, we couldn't be more excited to unveil our brand-new Rail Collection – featuring ever-popular tours like Japan by Rail and China by Rail alongside new tours and experiences, including the opulent Silk Road Express.
So whether your customers dream of experiencing some of the world’s most iconic rail journeys, speeding along on an Asian bullet train or experiencing local life on a modern commuter train, there’s a Wendy Wu rail tour that's made just for them!
Legends of the Silk Road
Introducing a whole new style of Wendy Wu touring with this luxury rail adventure!
On our 15-day Legends of the Silk Road tour, your customers will embark on an extraordinary journey through China's lesser-explored northwest corner, where the timeless legends of the Silk Road come to life.
This unforgettable itinerary blends comfort and adventure, featuring three-nights aboard the luxurious Silk Road Express train, along with explorations of ancient cities like Xian and Kashgar, exceptional dining in exclusive restaurants, and carefully curated culture-filled experiences.
SPECIAL INTRO OFFER: If they book this holiday of a lifetime before 14th March 2025, they'll save $1,000pp!
Ride the rails with Wendy Wu Tours:
China by Rail
23 day fully-inclusive tour
from $10,780 $9,780pp
Send them on an extraordinary rail voyage through China's ever-changing landscapes. Stop along the way to explore Tunxi, Dali and Lijiang and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Venture to the Yellow Mountain to admire the beauty of its scenery, acclaimed in Chinese art and literature for centuries. Read more
Japan by Rail
22 day fully-inclusive tour
from $15,980pp $15,480pp
An all-encompassing journey through Japan, travelling mainly by bullet train and taking in the highlights of all three main islands: Kyushu, Honshu and Hokkaido. They'll experience ancient traditions and modern Japan's unique charm. Read more
Singapore to Bangkok by Rail
18 day fully-inclusive tour
from $12,880pp $12,380pp
Invite them to explore heritage towns of the Malay Peninsula before venturing into the Cameron Highlands by train. In Thailand, they'll explore scenic national parks and poignant Kanchanaburi. Their journey concludes in dynamic Bangkok. Read more
India by Rail
16 day fully-inclusive tour
from $9,980pp $9,480pp
They'll set off on an extraordinary rail journey through India, embracing the myriad of landscapes, cultures, and traditions that unfold before them. From the lively metropolises to the tranquil countryside, this odyssey brings a rich tapestry of experiences.
Contact Us to view the full online brochure!
Japan cherry blossom forecasts are in!
Last chance for cherry blossoms in 2025!
Japan's spectacular cherry blossom season is just around the corner, and with the Japan Meteorological Corporation having just released its forecasts (below), all eyes are on this glorious natural display!
If you have long dreamed of experiencing this incredible phenomenon, there's still time to secure their place on one of our 2025 cherry blossom departures. However, spaces are very limited; they'll need to book ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Cherry blossom forecasts:
Although customers can usually expect to see cherry blossoms in Japan from March to April - sometimes later in the north- the dates of flowering and full bloom vary slightly from year to year. It's only around a month before Japan.
Currently, the peaks for cherry blossoms are expected to be on the following dates:
Fukuoka: 31st March - Fukuoka tours
Tokyo: 31st March - Tokyo tours
Osaka: 3rd April - Osaka tours
Kyoto: 4th April - Kyoto tours
Hiroshima: 3rd April - Hiroshima tours
Kanazawa: 8th April - Kanazawa tours
Sapporo: 5th May - Sapporo tours
Limited availability for 2025 cherry blossom:
Japan Uncovered
18 day fully-inclusive tour
Partner Flies Free
Our favourite offers are back!
Due to popular demand, we're back with our Partner Flies Free and Half-Price Single Supplement offers across a fantastic selection of our most popular tours.
Travel partners fly for FREE or solos save 50% on single supplements
Whether you are dreaming of walking the Great Wall of China, discovering Japan’s autumn foliage, cruising through Vietnam’s Halong Bay, or spotting wildlife in South Africa, our latest offers are here to help move their dream trip from the 'maybe' to the 'must-do' pile.
Some of our most popular tours on offer:
Japan by Rail
22-day fully-inclusive tour
from $15,230pp
An all-encompassing journey through Japan, travelling mainly by bullet train and taking in the highlights of all three main islands: Kyushu, Honshu and Hokkaido. Experience ancient traditions and modern Japan's unique charm.
Gems of China
27 day fully-inclusive tour
from $7,930pp
Marvel at China’s most incredible landscapes, from the mighty Great Wall and impressive Three Gorges Dam, to the soaring peaks that inspired the blockbuster film 'Avatar' at Zhangjiajie National Park - and so much more.
Highlights of Sri Lanka
16 day fully-inclusive tour
from $8,030pp
From stunning scenery to amazing architecture, Sri Lanka is a tropical paradise. Marvel at magnificent temples, see the Rock Fortress at Sigiriya, observe elephants at Yala National Park and much more.
Kruger to Cape Explored
15 day fully-inclusive tour
from $10,780pp
Witness the incredible wildlife of Greater Kruger National Park, traverse the scenic Garden Route with its picturesque landscapes and charming towns, to finally immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan allure of Cape Town.
Vietnam
Vietnam is a country of breath-taking natural beauty with an incredible modern day history that quickly becomes addictive. It has experienced war and a bloody revolution in the past 100 years, but the revolution now underway is peaceful and prosperous. The speed of the modern day changes is making Vietnam the absorbing and gripping place that it is today.
Everywhere you turn in Vietnam you will encounter memorable experiences, from the stunning limestone islands from the deck of a Chinese junk in Halong Bay to crawling through the Cu Chi tunnels: taking 10 minutes to cross the street in Hanoi to watching a moped over loaded with chickens wobbling along uneven country roads: tasting the changing flavours of Vietnamese cooking to sampling more western cuisine – with a Vietnamese twist.
Vietnam has something to offer everyone, so whether you are a culture vulture, thrill seeker or just looking to relax and take in the beaches, Vietnam won’t disappoint.
Top Holidays
Christmas in Vietnam - 13 days from $7,480pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Angkor to the Bay - 18 days from $7,980pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Vietnam & Cambodia Discovery - 21 days from $7,580pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Classic Mekong - 19 days from $9,100pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Japan
Japan Holidays promise a unique and dynamic culture that effortlessly combines ultra-modern with deep tradition.
On the streets of innovative, futuristic cities glass towers and tranquil temples stand side by side, whilst picturesque old towns, and gorgeous landscapes are an easy bullet train ride away. Mix these spectacular sights with a welcoming people, delicious cuisine and rich culture and you've got yourself a holiday to remember.
The country's historic isolation has produced a unique culture that flourishes to this day. Distinctive traditions are still honoured from the reflective beauty of intricate tea ceremonies and zen garden design to the raucous spectacle of sumo wrestling. Grand castles are spectacular reminders of the country’s feudal pasts and ancient temples also bear witness to Japan’s deep spiritual connections.
Natural Wonders
It’s not all about man-made delights though by a long chalk. A holiday in Japan will also deliver scenic beauty by the bucketload from the perfect symmetry of Mount Fuji’s iconic cone to the coastal beauty of Matsushima Bay that has inspired poets and writers for centuries.
The wildlife may not be the first reason you visit but it may well leave a lasting impression, Bears can be seen foraging in the forests of Hokkaido, Honshu and Kyushu and Shikoku, you can see cranes dance in the winter snows of Hokkaido and perhaps most adorable of all are the Japanese macaques, or ‘snow monkeys’, which can be seen bathing in the steaming hot springs of the Japanese Alps.
Culinary Delights
Dining will be one of the highlights of your Japan holiday from the freshest of fresh sushi to delicious teppanyaki and warming ramen broths. Each regions boasts its own speciality and the culinary delights range from steaming street-side stalls to fine dining in some the most highly regarded restaurants in the world. Tokyo alone boasts over 200 Michelin starred restaurants!
Top Holidays to Japan
Christmas in Japan - 11 days from $14,690pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Discover Japan - 14 days from $11,030pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Japan Uncovered - 18 days from $12,880pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Japan by Rail - 22 days from $15,990pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Enquire today for one of these tours or to create your very own Tailor-Made Japan Holiday.
Thailand
The ancient Kingdom of Thailand is a friendly, fun-loving, exotic, tropical, cultured, and historic country which burns fiercely with the heat of modernity, while maintaining its roots to its historic past. Thailand radiates a golden hue from its glittering temples and tropical beaches to the ever-comforting Thai smile.
Over recent years, Thailand has experienced a dramatic social and political upheaval, while its history, traditions and exotic wares still remain, coexisting with an influx of industry, technology, and social transformation. The Thailand of today is rapidly becoming a highly advanced 21st-century society where you can then enjoy its countless attractions to the full.
This Buddhist nation is colourful with gleaming temples and golden Buddha’s framing both the rural and modern landscape. Away from the main cities is the rural heartland, with its mix of rice paddies, tropical forests, and quaint villages. In the north, the forests and fields nestle up against the Blue Mountains with their glistening waterfalls. In the south, limestone cliffs protrude out of the cultivated landscape.
Thai cuisine reflects all aspects of Thai culture: it is generous, warm, refreshing, and relaxed. Each Thai dish relies on fresh, local ingredients – including pungent lemongrass, searing chillies and plump seafood.
Most visitors who visit Thailand begin and end their stay in Bangkok. The capital has impressive historical sights, great food, vibrant nightlife, and world-class shopping, but, most importantly, it provides a thrilling introduction to this captivating nation.
Top Holidays
Thailand & Laos Adventure - 16 days from $6,430pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Thailand Highlights - 14 days from $5,630pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Christmas in Thailand - 13 days from $8,480pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Singapore to Bangkok by Rail - 18 days from $11,440pp ***Includes International Airfares***
India
India is like nowhere else on earth. It is the ultimate eclectic mix of sights, sounds, spirituality, and smells. Every expectation – be it of beauty, mysticism, poverty, or bureaucracy – will be outdone by what hits you when you arrive, and one visit will not be enough. The welcome you receive, wherever you go, will be warm and friendly and nothing will be too much trouble at any stage of your journey.
India’s landscape is as diverse as its people and ranges from tropical beach paradises to primary forests of teak: to desert tundra’s broken by forts ruled by princes: and to chilly foothills clad in tea plantations opening onto vistas of the world’s highest mountain peaks.
The experiences you may encounter will be just as diverse, from being slowed down by herds of water buffalo crossing the road; hearing the perpetual blowing of car horns 24/7; avoiding monkey’s as they try to steal food from your rucksack; playing cricket with the locals in the heat of the day; to counting how many people are hanging on the outside of your train as it leaves the station!
India is embracing modernity with open arms and is the foundations for its recent economic boom but religion still remains the backbone of Indian society and it continues to provide a source of both social harmony and sporadic tension. Tourism Today is booming in India, not just with western visitors, but domestic tourism is thriving as middle class Indian’s discover a new found wealth as their economy continues to prosper.
Tour Highlights:
Golden Triangle: 11 days from $5,980 per person, includes international airfares. Taj Mahal at Agra, explore Delhi, discover Jaipur. Note: 4 solo departures on offer. ***Includes International Airfares***
Grand Tour of India: 30 days from $13,980 per person, includes international airfares. River Ganges Cruise, Taj Mahal Sunrise, Jaisalmer, Kerala, Kochi. ***Includes International Airfares***
Highlights of India: 19 days from $8,180 per person, includes international airfares. Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur, Taj Mahal, Ranthambore National Park, Spiritual River Ganges. ***Includes International Airfares***
Inspiring India: 15 days from $5,830 per person, includes international airfares. Delhi, Taj Mahal, Ranthambore, Bundi, Udaipur, Jaipur. ***Includes International Airfares***
Kerala & the Southern Highlights: 19 days from $8,380 per person, includes international airfares. Colonial Buildings of Chennai, Periyar Wildlife Reserve, Kerala Backwaters. ***Includes International Airfares***
India by Rail: 16 days from $9,030 per person. Deli - Amritsar - Shimla - Delhi - Agra - Jaipir - Delhi - Varanasi - Delhi.
* Prices and availability as of 18 Dec 2024.
China
In its five millennia of existence, China has experienced its fair share of upheaval & revolution and more than its fair share of innovation - the invention of paper, printing and the compass, to name a few, have had a massive impact on the development of the world.
Today China is an ancient culture reinvented; whilst some aspects of life remain as they have for thousands of years, especially in rural areas, many aspects are being embellished by the new, with state-of-the-art modernity endemic in every town and city. Because of this the rewards of travelling through China are endless whether you come looking for ancient heritage or contemporary culture.
From the biggest, most magnificent sights on everybody's bucket list - the Great Wall and Terracotta Warriors to name a few, to languid pandas, vibrant mega-metropolises, serene landscapes and undiscovered corners, China is as diverse, complex and rich as a whole continent. Every province brings a new set of flavours to its cuisine and a new range of beliefs, philosophies and languages to its people – and all of it is ripe for exploration. The hardest bit is just deciding where to go first.
Top Holidays
China by Rail - 23 days from $9,380pp ***Includes International Airfares***
China: Winter Wonderland - 15 days from $8,880pp
Christmas in China - 11 days from $6,100pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Wonders of China - 17 days from $8,180pp ***Includes International Airfares***
Middle East
Built on the foundations of the most ancient civilisations, the modern-day Middle East is a region of unfathomable history and warm hospitality.
A place where the past is always present, it was here that some of the first cities came to be, and where three of the world’s major religions were born, shaping these age-old metropolises with the classic architecture that it is so rewarding to explore today.
Under the watchful gaze of bell towers, minarets and domes, wander timeless alleys and fragrant souks, mixing with locals whose welcome is always authentic and sincere.
Outside these urban centres are beautiful beaches, great deserts and dramatic mountains dotted with striking stretches of lush greenery, cultural treasures and bucketlist sights, including the world’s earliest spa destination, the Dead Sea!
Popular Holidays:
Dreams of Egypt - 13 days from $11,880pp (special offer*) ***Includes International Airfares*** Steeped in history, romance and legend, a tour of Egypt is one of the grandest adventures a traveller can enjoy.
Ancient Israel - 10 days from $9,580pp Our extensive tour of the Holy Land takes you through some of Israel's most famous cities and sites. Begin in cosmopolitan Tel Aviv, home to the bustling Mediterranean port district of Jaffa
Journey through Jordan - 10 days from $9,480pp ***Includes International Airfares*** Experience the very best of Jordan on this mesmerizing north-to-south tour. Start in the thriving commercial hub of Amman.
Wendy Wu Tour Highlights
In Pursuit of Pandas - 9 days from $4,380pp: Great Wall, Warriors in Xian, Pandas in Chengdu, Buddhist Temples.
A China Experience - 10 days from $6,180pp: Sparkling Shanghai, Xian's Terracotta Warriors, Great Wall of China, The Forbidden City
Golden Triangle - 11 days from $5,980pp: Taj Mahal at Agra, Explore Delhi, Discover Jaipur
A week in Japan - 9 days from $7,940pp: Tokyo (2N), Fuji Five Lakes (1N), Osaka (1N)
Many other tour options available. Enquire today for more information about tours available to your chosen destination.
Solo Tours
Travel Solo, but never alone
Choose from over 400 dates for group tours travelling in 2025 and 2026 to Japan, China and Southeast Asia, on selected tours and departures.
From their dedicated Solo departures, to guaranteed single rooms or happy to share options, these are the many ways you can enjoy solo travel with Wendy Wu Tours:
Group Tour - Solo Room: Many of their customers take great comfort in being able to return to their own space after a day of exploring. Each of their tours offers a single supplement, guaranteeing your own single room.
Group Tour - Happy to Share: Wendy Wu understand that the additional cost of a single supplement may not always be an option, which is why they are delighted to offer their 'Happy to Share' option on their tours.
Dedicated Solo departures: Wendy Wu have reserved selected departures on some of their most popular tours exclusively for customers who prefer to share their wonderful holiday experiences with a ready-made group of like-minded solo travellers.
Offers are valid until 28 February 2024 on a selected range of 2024 & 2025 departures from our group tours. Subject to availability (please note there are limited single rooms). New bookings only. Not combinable with any other offer (except Loyalty). Applicable to flight-inclusive tours only. Bookings are non-transferable
Why Tour with Wendy Wu?
Wendy Wu Tours is the New Zealand's leading touring specialist, offering extraordinary tours throughout Asia, Latin America, Eurasia, the Middle East – and most recently, Australasia.
Since Wendy sent her very first tour to China in 1994, we've grown from strength to strength and are proud of the multiple awards we've won throughout the years and the unique travel experiences we offer to an expanding range of destinations.
Unbeatable Value: We offer hundreds of inclusions in each and every tour, including your international flights, accommodation, meals, touring, transportation, transfers – and even your visa! All you need to do is get to the airport!
Travel Guides: Our National Escorts are the best, end of. But don't just take our word it, take a look at our Trip Advisor page to see our customer reviews. Travel with us and you'll have the pleasure of their company throughout your trip.
Tour Styles for everyone: However you like to explore the world, we've got a range of touring style to suit all, including escorted group and bespoke holidays. Plus, whether you travel solo, in a couple or within a larger group, everyone is welcome.
Regional Departures: We're proud of the range of airline partners we offer, which means that you can often travel from your local airport for greater convenience. We regularly offer great value flight upgrades too, so keep your eyes peeled!
The Touring Experts: Our staff have travelled extensively through Asia and South America and are passionate about the destinations we offer. We work closely with our in-destination offices too, to keep our knowledge fresh and 'local'.
Authentic Experiences: We not only take you to lesser visited places, but offer authentic experiences throughout. Be it learning a local craft, practicing an old tradition or dining with locals, you'll get under the skin of our destinations and their cultures.
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