Tour Description

Chengdu to Shangri-La (Zhongdian) and Lijiang
22-Day Bike Tour

Dates: Saturday, October 8 to Sunday, October 30, 2016

Chengdu to Shangri-La (Zhongdian) and Lijiang
22-Day Bike Tour

Dates: Saturday, October 8 to Sunday, October 30, 2016

This 22-day bicycle tour through southwest China begins in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, and ends in Lijiang, Yunnan Province, This tour is designed as a challenging ride. Average daily cycling mileage will be about 50 miles (72 km). On a few days vehicle transport will be used to supplement the cycling to get us to the next destination. Riders will carry their own luggage in their bike panniers. This tour will visit both well-known and little-known sights and will appeal to those who have cultural, social and geographical interests.

The tour begins in the heart of the Sichuan basin and ascends the Himilayan foothills toward the breath-taking heights of the Tibetan plateau. You will certainly feel the difference as we leave the thick air of Chengdu and ascend out of the lowlands into the cool, thin air that is home to one of the highest cultures in the world. We will enter a land whose architecture, cuisine, culture and people are vastly different from the majority of China. We will cycle through enormous stretches of land filled with farmers, herders and temples.

You will seldom cease to be surprised by the variety of landscape with tight narrow valleys with lush vegetation, steep ascents marked by countless switchbacks, rain-shadow valleys, and river heads. The first stage of the journey as we leave Chengdu will entail two days of climbing up to our first mountain pass of Jiajin Mtn as we continue westward up to the Tibetan plateau. The second stage will take you through lively agricultural towns and villages with day-long descents and day-long ascents as we head over Yala Snow Mountain (3860m). Heading into Tagong you will be impressed views of the vast grasslands that support grazing yaks and sheep and pigs that scatter the landscape and are essential to the fast disappearing nomadic livelihood as we traverse this portion of the plateau.

Some of the common sights and experiences we will enjoy along the way: snow-covered peaks, majestic river valleys, visits to ancient monasteries and temples, historic regional architecture, wandering through bustling markets in rural villages, tea and traditional snacks in road-side rest stops, observe shepherds to bring in their animals, toss a wave to farmers working in their barley fields, and joining in with a community dance in some of the small towns en route that gives such a fitting expression to this festive culture.

From Daocheng we will take the only passable road, which flirts with the border of the Tibetan Automonous Region, heading further south into Yunnan Province. Our first stop will be in Shangri-La (Zhongdian), overlooked by a monastery modelled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, staking claim to the name from Hilton’s infamous mountainous paradise. Decending off the plateau we return to more oxygen rich air in Qiaotou and Tiger Leaping Gorge before making our way up the last mountain pass, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, overlooking Lijiang. In Lijiang we will enjoy the infamous Ancient City and minority influence.!

Bike Trip Travelogue - Sichuan Photos - Yunnan Photos

Chengdu to Shangri-La (Zhongdian) and Lijiang Bike Tour
Day	Location	# of Miles/KM	Notes
			SICHUAN PROVINCE
0	Chengdu	0/0	Arrive in Chengdu
1	Chengdu	24/40	Take transport part way out of the city, begin ascending into the foothills
2-5	Anren to Rilong	120/190	elevation 3200m, 4114m pass on day 4
6-7	Danba	70/112	Rest day on day 7
8	Tagong	52/85	elevation 3400m, 3860m pass
9	Kangding	50/80	3000m, 4280m pass over Zheduo Mtn
10	Xinduqiao	46/75	elevation 3300m
11	Litang	59/95	elevation 3950m, take transport part way
12-13	Daocheng	96/155	elevation 3400m, 4600m pass, Rest day on day 13
14-15	Derong	195/310	4600m pass
			YUNNAN PROVINCE
16	Shangrila	75/120	elevation 3200m
17-19	Tiger Leaping Gorge	100/160	elevation 1900m
20-22	Lijiang	88/140	elevation 2400m
	Total Cycling Distance	876 mi 1,400 km

Tour Details

Dates: Saturday, October 8 to Sunday, October 30, 2016 Contact us with the dates that work for you.

Start location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Finish location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Tour type:Vehicle supported tour - riders carry only a day bag.

Geographical location: Southwest and Central China Elevation range: 1600 feet (500 meters) to 14,700 feet (4,600 meters)

Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall. Click on the links below for detailed historical weather data.

Terrain: Rolling and mountainous

Cycling tour level: Challenging

Total cycling distance: Approximately 876 miles (1,400 km): Average distance per travel day: 50 miles (80 km) Cycling may be supplemented on occasion with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination before dark.

Days: 22

Group size: 1 - 10

Rental bike: US$ (Call/Email) includes helmet, water bottles, lock if needed, and handlebar mounted day bag.

Accommodations will range from basic Chinese hotels to 4 star accommodation.

The prices are for double occupancy rooms, and will vary depending on the number of people who participate.

Private room supplement: US$ Call/Email

This tour is limited to no more than ten (10) people. This will permit more flexibility in the program and allow more spontaneity for taking photos or exploring villages along the way.

Prices include the following:

1. Bilingual bicycle tour guide to accompany the group throughout the tour.
2. All hotel accommodations for 22 nights.
3. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included).
4. All group transportation costs including buses and trucks as needed, one flight from Lijiang to Chengdu and transport to/from airports.
5. All group entrance fees.

This will be a vehicle supported tour. This means that each person will only carry their own day bag while cycling. Vehicle transportation will be used to carry luggage and riders/bikes when necessary.

If you decide to do something on your own, you will be responsible for those costs.

Cost: Prices depend on the total number of people going on the tour and the time of year. Below are the price per person (pp) and quoted in US dollars (US$) for non-holiday periods*:

Group size:
4 person: - US$4555
5 people: - US$4040
6-7 people: - US$3790
8+ people: - US$3395

* Holiday Periods require a 30% surcharge to the basic price due to increased costs of hotels and transportation. Tours with overlapping dates will be prorated. These periods are: Chinese New Year; Labor Day ; and National Day

Current registrations:

There are 6 people registered for the October tour

An announcement of the cost of the tour will be made to the group 60-days prior to the start based on the number of registered members.

A deposit of $500 per person is required. This is fully refundable up to 60 days prior to the start of the tour. Submission of a deposit will guarantee your place on the tour. Balance is due at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the tour and payable by credit card, wire transfer, or personal check.

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