Final year university students will soon start planning what to do after graduating. Many will be hoping to spend some time travelling, expanding their horizons and enjoying some care-free time before starting their careers. New this year, and created by popular demand, is an escorted tour of Japan by The Dragon Trip for those on a shoe-string budget.

The Dragon Trip's escorted tours to China have already proved popular with students due to their low cost and outstanding itineraries. Both tours are run by local adventure leaders who help with the language barrier, and give the group an insight into the local culture.

New Japan Tour

The tour explores the beautiful Japanese countryside, with its shrines, temples and hiking trails, as well as its urban life in Tokyo and Osaka with visits to karaoke bars, the sumo district and the Harajuku fashion district. Experiences such as visiting a Japanese bath house, meditation classes, learning karate and how to make sushi, set the trip apart from other tours.

The Japan tour starts and finishes in Tokyo, taking in Kyoto, Hiroshima, Osaka, Hakone and the Takaosan Mountains in between. The trip takes 13 days, with prices from £1499pp, and departure dates are on 12th September and 10th October 2016. Visit www.thedragontrip.com/japan

China Tour

The established Chinese tours offer a similar immersive experience with activities such as camping on the Great Wall of China, visiting the world's biggest panda breeding centre in Chengdu, and exploring the vibrant nightlife of Shanghai. The diverse itineraries will cover major historical sites such as Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, as well as numerous off-the-beaten-track locations. The itineraries also include hands-on lessons in cooking, Mandarin, and traditional dance.

The company's flagship 'Hong Kong to Hong Kong' tour (25 days, from £1,380pp) is a full circuit of China that covers a combination of the countryside in the West and the cities of the East; a great way to see China in under a month. Those with less time to travel can join an eight day tour from Hong Kong to Chengdu starting from £430pp.  There are weekly departures from 9th March to 2nd November.

Prices include transport, hostel accommodation, a guide and activities in the itinerary. Excludes food and drink and international flights.

For more information see www.thedragontrip.com

Editor's Notes

The Dragon Trip was founded in 2010 by backpacker Ramsay Kerr, a Brit who grew up in Hong Kong. The company was established to provide affordable backpacking adventure tours of China to people who can't speak Mandarin and to show guests a different side of China. 

Five years later, The Dragon Trip now supply tours to STA Travel, Real Gap, GAP 360, Asia Venture, TUI PLC and CRCC Asia. The Dragon Trip has established itself as the UK's leading operator of school trips to China.

Media Contact

For more information contact Jenna Osborne at P1 Communications, Tel 0208 614 7505 jenna.osborne@p1communications.com