This 8-day bicycle tour begins and ends in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province known as the "Spring City" and the gateway to China's largest concentration of ethnic minorities. This tour is designed as a relatively moderately strenuous ride. Average daily cycling mileage will be about 30-50 miles (50-80 km). On some days we may use vehicle transport to supplement the cycling to get us to the next destination. Riders will carry their luggage in their bike panniers. There will be no support vehicle. This tour will visit both well-known and little-known sights and will appeal to those who have cultural, social and geographical interests.
On the first day, the group will meet and there will be a warm-up tour of the city where we will visit the Yuantong Temple, Cuihu (Green Lake) Park and the East/West Pagodas.
The following morning, the group will fly to Shangri-La (Zhongdian). The is a predominantly Tibetan town located at about 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). We will spend two days exploring the area of grasslands and Tibetan temples. The following day we will cycle mostly downhill and visit an historic castle along the way to Qiaotao, the gateway to Tiger Leaping Gorge.
The following day we will to see the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest and most dramatic gorges in the world and is still quite wild despite the enormous efforts to tame it. We will visit the narrow spot of the gorge where it takes it name. It is a powerful spot with the whole of the Yangzi River confined to a 20- meter (70-foot) width. We will spend the night in the gorge in simple cabin-like lodgings.
We will cycle out of the gorge and then along side the Yangzi River and view the First Bend (where the river makes a U-turn leading to the headwaters in Tibet. The next two days will be spent in Lijiang, the center of the creative Naxi minority group, exploring this unique city with fast flowing open canals and unique architecture. We will view several temples, Black Dragon Park attend a Naxi Music Orchestra and the view the Baisha Frescoes.
On the eight day, we will return to Kunming via air concluding the bike tour.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Kunming - Meet group members/Brief City Tour - Yuantong Temple, East and West Pagodas, and Cuihu City Park
(B) (L) (D)
Day 2:
Shangri-La (Zhongdian) - Fly to Shangri-La (Zhongdian). Explore this Tibetan town with plenty of flavor including a visit to a Tibetan Lamasery
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
Shangri-La (Zhongdian) - Cycle "Shangri-La," and the grasslands.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4:
Qiaotou - Mutian Castle
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
Tiger Leaping Gorge - One of the World's Deepest Gorges, and an up close look at the raw power of this historical river
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
Lijiang - First Bend of the Yangzi River
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
Lijiang - Zhiyun Temple, Old town, Baisha Frescoes
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8:
Kunming - Fly to Kunming. End of trip.
(B) (L)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Dates: Jan 23-30, 2003
Land cost from Kunming: US$1,100 to $1,850 (including two flights) depending on the number of participants (see below)
Private room: US$150
Prices include:
1. All hotel accommodations.
2. Meals eaten as group
3. All group land transportation costs (buses, boats, and taxis) plus two flights
4. All group entrance fees.
5. Rental bikes
6. Bilingual bike tour guide to accompany the group throughout the tour.
Group size: 1 person: $1,850
Group size: 2 people: $1,250pp
Group size: 3-5 people $1,100pp
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
China
Bicycle Touring
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