Imperial Tours: Private and Group Itineraries
Imperial Tours: Private and Group Itineraries
4.5
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About
Imperial Tours offers private and customized group tours combining local expertise with the high service and quality levels expected by sophisticated travelers. We offer two types of bespoke vacations. “Ultimate China” is for those seeking a ‘hosted’ luxury experience and where the ‘absolute best’ is expected. A bilingual Western Host accompanies travelers throughout, ensuring a flawless experience. “China Escapades” is targeted to more independent travelers desiring autonomy to explore China via less mediation. Contact Imperial Tours for when you're seeking the very best that China can offer...in style.
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Imperial Tours: Private and Group Itineraries
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.5
21 reviews
Excellent
19
Very good
0
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
1
travelbuddy2010_10
Louisville, KY114 contributions
Dec 2014 • Couples
We traveled to China for three weeks with Imperial. We wonder if there is another comparable tour company in the world...if so we have not found it. Our tour several years ago was with the best guides, the best hotels, the best personalized service, the best cuisine....on and on. Special experiences from surprise gourmet dinner on the Great Wall, private clubs, in home experiences, and much more is well worth the BEST description. In one case one tour member had a health snag, and the personalized care given to her was admirable. Just can't rave enough about this unmatched experience. The only downside is my benchmark set with imperial makes it hard for anyone else to match!
Written November 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I'm sorry we set the bar so high, making it tough for you to find a comparable experience elsewhere in the world. I think the solution to this dilemma would be to do a return trip to China with Imperial Tours! We look forward to welcoming you back with open arms. In the meantime, thanks so much for your kind review.
Written November 19, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
NickiG555
San Diego, CA267 contributions
Nov 2014 • Couples
I have travel the world with a variety of tour operators, especially geared toward photography, since I am a Nature Photographer. That being said, I do enjoy cultural photography as well.
Imperial Tours not only put my tour together based upon my travel preferences regarding personalized tours, hotel arrangements, food, EVERYTHING; they even provided us with a personal concierge and the phone with which to call him, any time. That was invaluable when we made a couple of changes in our itinerary. Our particular trip was all over China, from Bejing to Dunhuang, Chengdu to see the pandas and have a one on one interaction with a baby panda, Lijiang, Tibet, Guilin, the rice terraces of Longshen, and then Shanghai. The airline connections were perfect, and the local guides that met us at each location were superb. I literally felt like a princess on the wonderful Imperial tour of China. This was our second trip with Imperial, and I would do it again. It is on the pricey side, but I didn't care because every penny was worth the quality of the 3 week trip.
Imperial Tours not only put my tour together based upon my travel preferences regarding personalized tours, hotel arrangements, food, EVERYTHING; they even provided us with a personal concierge and the phone with which to call him, any time. That was invaluable when we made a couple of changes in our itinerary. Our particular trip was all over China, from Bejing to Dunhuang, Chengdu to see the pandas and have a one on one interaction with a baby panda, Lijiang, Tibet, Guilin, the rice terraces of Longshen, and then Shanghai. The airline connections were perfect, and the local guides that met us at each location were superb. I literally felt like a princess on the wonderful Imperial tour of China. This was our second trip with Imperial, and I would do it again. It is on the pricey side, but I didn't care because every penny was worth the quality of the 3 week trip.
Written January 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Nicki, Thanks so much for posting such a great review for Imperial Tours. We're delighted you so enjoyed your second trip to China, and look forward to the third!
Regards, Guy
Written January 26, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
lovetotravel28120527
Adelaide, Australia89 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
We did a 2 day tour with Imperial tours in Shanghai. This is a well organised company offering unique experiences. We started with a 3 hour Bund tour with Patrick Cranley and it one of the best things we have ever done. Patrick is an expert on Shanghai and offers a wonderful insight into many areas of the city, not only the architecture, life in shanghai and the old jewish ghetto area. i would thoroughly recommend his services. We then had a local guide John for the remainder half day and following day. The tour offered a driver until 10pm at night and did all our restaurant bookings and took very good care of us. For this you pay a premium and its nice to leave all the leg work to someone else. However it is very expensive, but worth it for the tour with Patrick.
Written January 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking the time to send in this terrific review. Please do return to explore more of this wonderful country as you have time, and please do tell your friends about how amazing China can be.
Written January 11, 2015
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
CaliforniaCK
San Diego1 contribution
Apr 2012 • Couples
If you want a bilingual western host on your trip to China, like I did, don't book this tour. If you want to get the host you paid for, like my husband did, don't book this tour. In the small print it says if they don't book six people they will cancel the host but not the tour. We were told less than a week before our travel date with no way to make other arragements. Our travel agent said don't worry, "Everyone in China speaks English". Some people in China speak English, Many people in China have memorized English phrases, but it was impossible to find anyone that spoke English when our flight was delayed for hours due to bad weather. A cell phone with the number of a English speaking person in Beijing wasn't good enough for me.
The local guides and accomdations were great, but they are not with you all of the time.
This quote from a five star review was what I wanted and felt we paid for, but not what we got.
"only superlatives can describe the performance of our China Host. He managed everything splendidly, related to three disparate travelers with sensitivity, intelligence and humor, served as our protector, our cultural resource, our adviser and our best friend. If anything was less than perfect, he had it corrected instantly."
If this is also what you are looking for in China, look at other tours.
The local guides and accomdations were great, but they are not with you all of the time.
This quote from a five star review was what I wanted and felt we paid for, but not what we got.
"only superlatives can describe the performance of our China Host. He managed everything splendidly, related to three disparate travelers with sensitivity, intelligence and humor, served as our protector, our cultural resource, our adviser and our best friend. If anything was less than perfect, he had it corrected instantly."
If this is also what you are looking for in China, look at other tours.
Written April 25, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for you posting your review and for choosing Imperial Tours for your journey through China. I am delighted that you enjoyed your tour in general but acknowledge your deep dissatisfaction with not being able to have a western Chinese-speaking China Host assigned to your scheduled tour.
To clarify, for our Ultimate China series of private tours, a western China Host is guaranteed. For a scheduled departure group tour, it is a widespread practice in the travel industry for tour operators to set out alternative arrangments for scheduled tours that unfortunately do not meet an agreed minimum number of passengers. We do this out of economic necessity in order not to have to cancel the tour, and our conditions for this arrangement are set out clearly on the tour information.
I appreciate your use of the term "small print" is metaphorical, but in reality the print in this section is not small. Also the verbiage is not complicated but direct . Please do take a look at other well-known tour operators' terms and conditions to compare - you will find firstly that their terms and conditions can be confusing and vague. Secondly you should observe that that they also make similar kinds of arrangements for this eventuality. As you know on this occasion, we did try and find a solution for you, but unfortunately this was not successful.
I am sorry you are not completely satisfied with your experience of our product owing to this eventuality, but am pleased that you were nonetheless able to appreciate the other aspects of the tour - as a result of there not being a China Host, we did take special pains to ensure that all the guides on your trip were strong, and I am glad you experienced this to be the case. Once again, I do apologize for this circumstance but am pleased you were able to enjoy other aspects of the trip and experienced what a fabulous country China is.
Yours, GR
Written April 26, 2012
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
walterfscottiii
St. Petersburg, FL6 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
Our guide did not carry water, have umbrellas for the sun, sited facts not stories and was just not fun. The van they put is for hours was poor and did not have seats that reclined. In the service description they said we would have a Kungfu demonstration by Shaolin Monks. That was just not true and completely advertising. The luxury picnic on the Great Wall as terrible.
Written August 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear Mr Scott,
We are sorry you did not enjoy your tour in Beijing as much as your experiences in Xi'an.
In Beijing, both the extreme heat of August and the rain it precipitated made it difficult to provide services there. The rain meant that the martial arts performance could not occur in its intended location and was truncated. We have apologized for this, provided a full refund and have learned that in such circumstances it makes more sense to cancel it completely. The rainy weather during your short time in Beijing also made it difficult to provide a great experience on the Great Wall.
With vans, you did not like the 15 seat MB100 in Beijing, but did like the 19 seat Coaster van in Xi'an. Our past feedback has shown that people find the 19 seat Coaster too large for small groups, so we apologize for the choice of the smaller vehicle. Except for the last row, the seats on the MB100 do typically recline, however it must have been frustrating that you did not know how to do this and did not feel as though you could ask your guide about this.
I am sorry you did not like your guide in Beijing. He has worked with us for over a decade, is a senior guide and has led many trips both for clients and travel agents with excellent feedback. Maybe he had an off day, but when your Itinerary Designer phoned you prior to the day on the Great Wall, you commented that both he and the driver were doing a good job. Certainly, if after this you felt that he was not performing as you would have wanted, had we been informed, we could have changed the guide for you.
Whilst it was good that you enjoyed your time in Xi'an, it is sad that you were not able to enjoy Beijing comfortably because of the weather and that you were disappointed by our Beijing services. We have made restitution to you and will endeavor to perform better in the future.
Written January 9, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karin H
Dazu County, China8 contributions
Apr 2014 • Friends
As I have traveled with Imperial twice in the past few years, to China and Tibet...
I feel they are the best of the best in this market. I also, being a China Specialist, have traveled in China with other land operators. What makes Imperial so very special, is the detail in every step of the way. The sights are the same in each city, but with Imperial the guides make them come alive!
And the little things, oh the little things, from bagels in a small town in China that they bring with from Beijing, to delight of the travelers.
Toys for the little ones ----and special dinners arranged.
I feel they are the best of the best in this market. I also, being a China Specialist, have traveled in China with other land operators. What makes Imperial so very special, is the detail in every step of the way. The sights are the same in each city, but with Imperial the guides make them come alive!
And the little things, oh the little things, from bagels in a small town in China that they bring with from Beijing, to delight of the travelers.
Toys for the little ones ----and special dinners arranged.
Written October 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jillperin
8 contributions
Jun 2014
We booked a personal tour with imperial for my wife and 2 children (ages 17 and 10). On the first day in our hotel there were boards games and a personalized workbook for my 10 year old to learn about china. The tour guides were friendly and knowledgable. The lunches were outstanding. A personalized tour is the only way to go on this memorable trip.
Written July 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks so much for taking the time to review our services. We're certainly delighted you enjoyed your time in China.
Regards, Guy
Managing Partner, Imperial Tours
Written July 4, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wild_Iris888
Oakland, CA15 contributions
Mar 2013 • Friends
We first used Imperial Tours in 2007 for a three week trip to China with our family and had an absolutely incredible experience, with entry into many sites not open to the public. Our local guides were fantastic -- friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. Recently we recommended them as the organizers for a professional arts organization group tour of Hong Kong in association with the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Again, the local guides were terrific and our itinerary was top notch with many local experts hired to travel with us (some of them aren't normally available for private tours or lectures). These guys (and ladies) are the BEST we've ever used overseas -- in Asia or Europe. An unconditional recommendation.
Written April 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
butravel
Malibu, CA96 contributions
Feb 2013 • Couples
My wife and I have traveled on bi-annual trips out of the country for almost 40 years and many have been memorable. When I reflect on a place, tours, hotels, restaurants, or individual experiences, only a few memories really standout. Not so with Imperial Tours. It's been 5 years now since we've traveled with them. When I read about the best China hotels, or sites to see, it's what they offer. When someone writes about how many China restaurants are now world class, they were on Imperial tour's itinerary. Millions have seen the Great Wall, but not like we were privileged to see it. Guy and his wife Nancy are the most professional people we have ever known. After all of these years, my best and most compete memories are because of them and I'm still grateful. Of course Iguazu Falls falls was incredible, but that's a bit too far south for them.
Written February 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DallasAyrUFan
Dallas, TX104 contributions
May 2012 • Family
Just completed a one week family tour including stops in Beijing, Xi'an and Hong Kong. Every aspect of our trip, EVERY ONE, was thought through by Imperial from being welcomed at the Beijing airport upon arrival, tips to baggage handlers and drivers, bottled water in the vans and great dining experiences according to our stated pre-trip interests. Our host, Scott, was outstanding as were our three l guides, Charlie, Luisa and Maria (all residents of the cities we visited).
We went to all of the typical tourist sites but each was brought to life by our guides. Each was kind, thoughtful, interesting, humorous and engaging. Each was equally patient with all of our questions, intelligent or not! One of the highlights was going to a part of the Great Wall where there were very few other tourists. I won't spoil the surprise but let's just say our lunch there was unforgettable.
The trip was a big success in large part due to Imperial taking time to understand our trip goals and objectives, our hotel and food preferences and our personal interests. The questions we were asked helped in making the optimum hotel and restaurant choices as well as added destinations and points of interest beyond those we wanted to see.
I'm not sure when we will make another trip back to China or Hong Kong but if we ever do, I will not hesitate to call Imperial. Further, I'll be sure to recommend Imperial to any of our friends that are making the trip.
My family and I have been very fortunate to take several guided tours at destinations around the world and our experience with Imperial was the best. We are still talking about our guides and wish we could have spent more time with each of them!
We went to all of the typical tourist sites but each was brought to life by our guides. Each was kind, thoughtful, interesting, humorous and engaging. Each was equally patient with all of our questions, intelligent or not! One of the highlights was going to a part of the Great Wall where there were very few other tourists. I won't spoil the surprise but let's just say our lunch there was unforgettable.
The trip was a big success in large part due to Imperial taking time to understand our trip goals and objectives, our hotel and food preferences and our personal interests. The questions we were asked helped in making the optimum hotel and restaurant choices as well as added destinations and points of interest beyond those we wanted to see.
I'm not sure when we will make another trip back to China or Hong Kong but if we ever do, I will not hesitate to call Imperial. Further, I'll be sure to recommend Imperial to any of our friends that are making the trip.
My family and I have been very fortunate to take several guided tours at destinations around the world and our experience with Imperial was the best. We are still talking about our guides and wish we could have spent more time with each of them!
Written June 3, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MelR2190
5 contributions
Do you have any small group tours available for 7-8 days including Beijing and Xian? If so, can you provide me a rough estimate of cost?
Guy R
Beijing6 contributions
Thanks for your inquiry. I am not able to paste html links in this answer. Therefore, assuming you are based in North America please could you phone our San Francisco office at 888 888 1970 and ask them about the possibility of joining the first half of our Majestic Tour. Please note that because of our unerring focus on quality, our small group tour comes in at a higher price than most.
Best wishes for the new year, Guy
Regards, Guy
MelR2190
5 contributions
Do you have any small group tours available for 7-8 days including Beijing and Xian? If so, can you provide me a rough estimate of cost?
Guy R
Beijing6 contributions
You could join the first half of one of our group tours, but I can't send you the internet link because of restrictions that Tripadvisor set for these responses. Please therefore could you contact our office at 888 888 1970 and Margot or Lisa will assist you. Sorry in the delay in this reponse. Regards, Guy