Tour Description

Western Sichuan Bike Tour to Danba

Dates: Tuesday, September 9 to Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Mark, Peter and Rainer at a Stupa

Western Sichuan Bike Tour to Danba

Dates: Tuesday, September 9 to Tuesday, September 16, 2008

This 8-day bicycle tour begins and ends in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. This tour is designed as a moderate to challenging ride. Average daily cycling mileage will be about 32 miles (51 km). On some days we will use vehicle transport to supplement the cycling to get us to the next destination. There will be a support vehicle to carry luggage (and cyclists when needed). 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 in Chengdu in the morning to transfer gear into panniers and store excess luggage at the hotel. We will then visit the Panda Breeding Research Center north of Chengdu. Then we will take transport to the starting point 140 kilometers from Chengdu. This puts on a road leading into the Jiajingshan Panda Reserve. We will spend the night at Baoshan.

On day two, the group will head up to Jaijingshan Pass partially using vehicle support. The pass is at about 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) above the tree line. Yaks can often be seen grazing on the slopes tended by Tibetan herdsman. At the top of the pass we will then coast down into a gorgeous valley to Rilongguan, at the base of Four Girls Mountains.

On day three, we will spend a day exploring the Four Girls Mountains area with hikes and cycling in a nearby valley.

The following day we will cycle (mostly downhill) to Xiaojin Xian where there is a Buddhist Temple, an Islamic Mosque and a Catholic Church where Mao spend some time on the Long March.

The next day we will cycle to Danba, located on the Dadu River, a major tributary to the Yangzi. Along the way we will visit a lamasery and a Tibetan Buddhist Temple.

In Danba, the group will explore the area including some of the Tibetan Defensive towers the dot the hills around the town.

On the seventh day, the group will cycle along the beautiful Dadu River valley (a major tributary of the Yangtze River) and spend the night in a guesthouse in a small town.

On the eight day, we will return to Chengdu to the Erlangshan pass, then cycle down to the highway where we will take transport to Chengdu concluding the bike tour.

Bike Trip to Danba Travelogue and Photos
Another Bike Trip to Danba Travelogue and Photos

Itinerary

Day	Location	Cycling Distance Miles/KM	Total Distance Miles/KM	SICHUAN PROVINCE
1	Chengdu/Baoshan	28/45	88/144	Meet group members in Chengdu, visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Center then transport to start of ride
2	Raoji Forest Maintenance Station	33/53	33/53	Ride through the Jiajingshan Nature Reserve to 2,300 meters (7,540 feet)
3	Rilongguan	43/70	43/70	Cycle to top of 4,000-meter (13,100-foot) pass then coast down to Rilongguan (3,100 meters, 10,200 feet) at the base of Four Sisters Mountain (snow-covered all year)
4	Xiaojin Xian	37/60	37/60	Explore Wori Feudal Lord Tower, Twin Bridge Gorge, Catholic Church, Islamic Temple, Buddhist Temple
5	Danba	40/66	40/66	Visit 500-year old Lamasery, Tibetan Temple
6	Danba	20/32	20/32	Explore Danba area
7	Xiawasi	68/112	68/112	Cycle down the beautiful Dadu River valley and spend the night in guesthouse
8	Chengdu	48/80	157/358	Transport to the Erlangshan Pass and then cycle down. Take vehicle transport back to Chengdu. End of trip.
	Total Distance	235/386	337/553

Details

Dates: Tuesday, September 9 to Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Start location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China

Finish location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China

Tour type: Support vehicle. (Note: This tour is also available without a dedicated support vehicle at a lower cost.)

Geographical location: Southwest China Elevation range: 2,380 feet (700 meters) to 13,100 feet (4,000 meters)

Terrain: Flat, rolling and mountainous

Cycling tour level: Moderate to Challenging - alternative transportation will be used when needed

Total cycling distance: Approximately 253 miles (338 km): Average distance per ride day: 32 miles (51 km) Cycling will be supplemented with vehicle transport on some days to reach the next point of interest

Days: 8

Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall. Historic weather information is available from the link above.

Group size: 1 - 8

Rental bike: included with gloves, helmet and raincape.

Accommodations will be basic Chinese hotels generally of the 1-3 star variety. One night it will be necessary to use a simple guesthouse.

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

Private room supplement: US$190

This tour is limited to no more than eight 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. All hotel accommodations for 8 nights
2. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included)
3. All group transportation costs including support vehicle
4. All group entrance fees
5. Bilingual bicycle tour guide
6. Rental bike including gloves, helmet, and raincape

This will be a vehicle-supported ride.

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:
1 person: $2,720
2 people: $1,950 pp
3 people $1,390 pp
4-8 people $1,290 pp

Current Registrations

There is one person registered as of

An announcement of the cost of the tour will be made to the group 45-days prior to the start based on the number of registered members.

A deposit of $500 per person is required at the time of registering. Submission of a deposit will guarantee your place on the tour. Balance is due at least 45 days prior to the beginning of the tour and payable by credit card, wire transfer, or personal check.

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