Yunnan to Mandalay (15 Days / 14 Nights) Note: THIS TOUR IS CLOSED TEMPORARY
Trip Profile:
The cycling trip Yunnan to Mandalay starts in Yunnan, cycle to visit the stunning views of while emmerging in the culture, the people, and experience the local food. Then cycle toward to the Burma border. The requirement to cross the border at Muse, Burmese e-visa is now available to apply online: https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/
After crossing the border, we cycle to Lashio, the largest town in northern Shan State before reaching Mandalay. Froom Mandalay, it is possible to extend the trips to Bagan and Inle Lake.
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
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: Shangrila-Tiger Leaping Gorge
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 down into 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
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
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
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
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-Baoshan
Today, cycling to Longling county, it will takes you about 8 hours for 80km cycling tour, have meals on the way when we enter into villages. Then driving to Baoshan City.
Day 10: Baoshan to Dehong
After breakfast, cycling to Gaoli Gongshan Natural Park, it will takes you about 7 hours for 70km cycling tour, have meals on the way when we enter into villages. Then driving to Dehong City.
Day 11: Dehong to Muse
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we cycle to Muse, we say goodbye to our guide and cross the borer to Muse. The requirement to cross the border at Muse, Burmese e-visa is now available to apply online: https://evisa.moip.gov.mm/ Meet our Burmese guide and transfer to our hotel. Dinner and overnight in Muse.
Day 12: Muse to Lashio
After breakfast, we cycle to Nam Hpat Kar. Stop for lunch and afternoon cycle to Kutkai. Transfer the lat 75km to Lashio. It is the biggest town of Shane State. Dinner and overnight in Lashio.
Day 13: Lashio to Pyin Oo Lwin
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we cycle to Visit Naung Pain village and the surrounding sightseeing. We stop for lunch in Nawnghkio. Afternoon, cycle to Hsum Hsai. Then transfer to Pyin Oo Lwin.
Day 14: Pyin Oo Lwin to Mandalay
Today we cycle 60km to Mandalay. Visit the ancient Royal Palace. Late afternoon, visit U Bein Bridge and take the boat to view the sunset over the bridge. It is the longest teak bridge of the world and the bridge spans about 1.2 kilometers in length and offers fabulous views of the surrounding farms and streams. Farewell dinner and overnight in Mandalay.
Day 15: Mandalay - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Free until departure.
| TOUR INFORMATION | ||||||||||||||||
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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)