AVAILABLE DEPARTURE DATES 09 Oct - 17 Oct, 2024 PRESS RELEASE  Saigon to Hanoi 17D/16N
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Yunnan Adventure (09 Days / 08 Nights)
Trip Profile:
This Yunnan cycling tour starts from Shangri La to cycle through stunning view of Yunnan, one of the most beautiful region in China. This cycling holiday aims to take people to see REAL China, experience the culture, seeing the people, the village and enjoying the food. From Sangri La, we cycle to Lijiang and Dali. The trip is finish in Kunming, the main city in Yunnan. There is an option of extending the trip to Myanmar by crossing at the border at Muse. >> Learn more about the trip Sangri La to Mandalay (Myanmar).
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive at Shangri-La
Arrive at Shangri-La Airport, pick up and transfer to hotel for check in. Tour briefing. Welcome dinner. Overnight in Sangri La.
Day 2: Shangrila-Baishuitai
(70km)
We begin with a short transfer out of town, passing through arid plateau on towards Pudacuo National Park where the day’s point to point cycling begins. We set off on the bikes with a downhill stretch on good road and continue during the day to cycle a series of valleys and mountains through a changing rural scenery gradually descending to the village of Baishuitai. Our final stretch of the route brings us through conifer forest. Located below the Haba Snow Mountain (the other side of Tiger Leaping Gorge), Baishuitai is famed for its natural mineral terraced White Water Tables created by calcium carbonate deposits from the melting mountain spring water.
Day 3: Tiger Leaping Gorge (80km)
We set off today with a few gentle hills before challenging a more serious climb. Once we reach the top of the pass we will have views of the magnigficinent Haba Mountain peaks. The highest point is at a dizzying 5,396m. With alpine moraine lake, endless clusters of azalea and waterfalls cascading down snow-covered cliffs, the glacier on the Haba Snow Mountain is the southmost glacier in China. We make a short descent into Haba village, whoseresident minorities include Naxi, Hui (Muslim) and Yi peoples, as well as a few Tibetans.
This afternoon we climb to our next pass then cycle downinto the Yangtze River Valley. At the village of Yonke we turn into the legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world’s deepest ravines. Cutting its path between Haba Mountain and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain your surroundings will be as dramatic as the place names suggest.
Day 4: Cycle to Lijiang (89km)
From the west end of the gorge we cycle towards the Yangtze, and up over the pass with a long 1475m climb up the southern slope of the Dragon Snow Mountain for 36km to the top. Then is downhill all the way to Lijiang. Snow-capped and often shrouded in mist, Dragon Snow Mountain is a sanctuary for rare animals and wild plants with unique micro climates on the different slopes. It is also known as a natural glacier museum and is now a famous scenic spot for tourists and scientific research.
Day 5: Rest day in Lijiang
Breakfast at the hotel. Free day at leisure to relax. Overnight in Li Jiang.
Day 6: Lijiang-Shaxi (72km)
We cycle mainly downhill today through more rural landscapes of mountain and valley following the old Tibet highway. There is little in the way of traffic and toward the end of today’s ride we journey through a forest of Eucalyptus and conifers to reach the traditional Shaxi village. Known as the last Tea Horse town Shaxi village is home of the Bai people, a matriarchal community where children take their mother’s name.
With more sunshine, annually than California the area has rich natural biodiversity. Victorian botanists and flower hunters were drawn here to collect specimens for the ornamental gardens of Europe and America including orchids, roses, rhododendrons, azaleas, and magnolias, to name but a few. There is an interesting Caravan museum in the town.
Day 7: Shaxi-Xiashankou (79km)
We leave Shaxi riding through valley along the Heihui river passing farms and rice terraces. We pass through several small villages. The road was used by the horse caravans transporting tea and salt between villages travelling as far as to Tibet and India. It was named the tea horse road because of the common trade of Tibetan ponies for Chinese tea.Then drive to Xiashankou.
Day 8: Xiashankou-Xizhou-Dali (70km)
We set off for our last day on the bikes as we head to the historical town of Dali. We cycle along a flat paved road between the towering Canshan Mountain range and Er Hai Lak. One of China’s largest freshwaters Er Hai is an alpine fault lake. Its name means "Ear-shaped Sea".
Our final destination is the lakeside town of Dali. With gated city walls, bustling cobbled streets, and colourful markets. Dali historically is home to the Bai people, and was the centre of the 8th-century Nanzhao Kingdom. In the 16th century it was an important gateway to south east Asian countries. Today, it is home to many different ethnic groups, architecture, cobbled streets and colourful markets. Once we have checked in to our hotel we will pack up the bikes before gathering for a celebratory farewell evening to mark the end of our Yunnan adventure.
Day 9: Dali-Kunming Departure
Departure from Dali to Kunming. Tour Ends.
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Tour Price Includes:
- Arrival and Departure transfers’ assistance
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Sightseeing arrangement as stated in itinerary.
- Use of exclusive vehicle for the sightseeing and transportation through out your stay.
- Local English speaking tour guide
- Accommodation in Twin basis including breakfast
- Entrance fees
- Mineral Water in the suppot van
- Lunch and Dinner in the local Tourist Restaurant
Tour Price Excludes:
- Services not mentioned in the Program.
- Tips & gratuities for Guide/ Driver & Personal expenses.
- Travel insurance/Medical Insurance/ Emergency evacuation charges.
- Airline Ticket (International and Domestic)