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Bicycle Tour Description

Southwest China - Kunming to Ruili (Myanmar Border) 11-Day Bike Tour

Dates: Contact us with the dates that work for you.

Yunnan village rooftops

Yunnan Village Rooftops

Southwest China - Kunming to Ruili (Myanmar Border) 11-Day Bike Tour

Dates: Contact us with the dates that work for you.

Route Map

This 11-day bicycle tour begins and ends in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province.  The area you will be traveling through is generally between Dali and Ruili, the border town with Myanmar (Burma). The region is the home to a number of Yunnan minority groups that dress in traditional clothes and also an active volcanic area with volcanic peaks and hot springs.

Your guide will meet you at the airport and take you into town for a brief tour of the city and dinner. Later that night at 21:35, you would fly from Kunming to Baoshan in Southwest Yunnan province where you would spend the night.

The next day we will explore Baoshan a bit (Dragon Spring Pool and the Ming dynasty era Yuhuang Pavilion) before you begin cycling west toward the Myanmar border to the town of Daojie, 79 km away.

On the third day, we will cycle to Tengchong, the center of the volcanic activity and a "hot spot" for all things related, particularly hot springs where it is known as the "Hot Sea."

On the fourth day, we can cycle up to the volcano area 22 km north of town before continuing southwest to Lianhe 53 km away.

On the fifth day, we will cycle to Yingjiang, only 48 km away and then after arriving and depositing your gear in the hotel/guesthouse, we can explore one of the nearby villages on dead-end roads, either 7 or 22 km away one-way depending on your desire. These places are REALLY off the beaten track and rarely ever get any visitors Chinese or foreign.

On the sixth day, we will head to Manbing, 59 km away and explore the nearby villages 16 km away one-way.

On the seventh day is a ride to the border town of Ruili 94 km cycling distance. This is a definitely one of the more unusual and fascinating towns in southwest China. There is a very active cross-border trade going on here with Burmese, Han Chinese and local minorities with a bit of the "wild west" feel to it. Here we will spend two days. The first will be one for a bit of rest a short 50 km loop road and the second to explore the nearby villages on dead-end along the border with Myanmar for 65 km. If you would like to cross the border to explore a bit of Myanmar, you will need a Myanmar visa with entry point specified as at the Ruili border.

On the tenth day, we will bicycle to Mangshi along the Old Burma Road and then fly from Mangshi to Kunming at 20:15 where we will spend the night in relative comfort before the end of the trip the next day. Time permitting we will explore a bit more of Kunming before we escort you to the Kunming airport.

 

Itinerary and Tour Details

Kunming to Ruili - 621 km (379 mi)
Route Map

Day Location KM/Miles Notes
YUNNAN PROVINCE
1 Kunming/Baoshan

0/0

Meet group members/Brief Kunming City Tour - Flight to Baoshan at night
2 Daojie 79/48 Visit Dragon Spring Pool and the Ming dynasty era Yuhuang Pavilion in Baoshan then cycle to Daojie
3 Tengchong 98/60 Center of local area volcanic activity, enjoy the hot springs.
4 Lianhe 53/32 Cycle to the Volcanic area.
5 Yingjiang 48/29 Cycle to Yingjiang then to a remote village on a dead-end road.
6 Manbing 59/36 Cycle to Manbing then to a remote village on a dead-end road.
7 Ruili 94/57 Cycle to Ruili, border town with Myanmar
8 Ruili 50/31 Cycle a loop road around the Ruili border area.
9 Ruili 66/40 If you have a visa, cross into Myanmar for a short visit
10 Mangshi/Kunming 74/46 Bicycle to Mangshi along the Old Burma Road to Mangshi then fly to Kunming at 20:15.
11 Kunming 0 Tour of Kunming and end of tour with an escort to the Kunming airport.
Total Distance 621 km
379 mi

Details - Kunming to Ruili (Myanmar Border)

Dates: Contact us with the dates that work for you.

Start location: Kunming, Yunnan Province

Finish location:Kunming, Yunnan Province

Tour type: Self-supported - riders carry their own luggage. Transport will be provided for riders if necessary to reach the next destination. (Note: This tour is also available with a dedicated support vehicle at a higher cost.)

Geographical location: Southwest China Elevation range: 3,300 feet (1,000 meters) to 6,000 feet (1,850 meters)

Click for Kunming Forecast

Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall. Slight chance of rain.

Terrain: Rolling and mountainous

Cycling tour level: moderate to challenging

Total cycling distance: Approximately 379 miles (612 km): Average distance per travel day: 47 miles (78 km). Cycling may be supplemented on occasion with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination before dark.

Days: 11

Nights:11

Group size: 1-8

Accommodations will be basic Chinese hotels generally of the 1-2 star variety. On several occasions it may be necessary to use a 0-star hotel/guesthouse.

Prices are for double occupancy rooms, and will vary depending on the number of people who participate. 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 eleven nights.
2. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included).
3. All group transportation costs (buses, boats, and taxis) including two internal flights (Kunming-Baoshan and Baoshan-Kunming) and transport to/from the Kunming and Baoshan airports.
4. All group entrance fees.
5. Transport of gear and cyclists when necessary. Riders will carry their own luggage.

Bicycle rental US$100.   Provided are a bike, panniers, lock, gloves, raincape and helmet.

This will be a self-supported ride. This means that riders will carry their own luggage.

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: $2,920
2 people: $2,550 pp
3 people $2,150 pp
4-8 people $1,820 pp

* 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 (Feb. 7, 2008) from Feb 1-17, 2008 and (Jan. 26, 2009) from Jan. 19 to Feb. Feb.2, 2009; Labor Day Apr. 24 - May 10; and National Day Sep. 25 - Oct. 10.

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. This is fully refundable up to 45 days prior to the start of the tour. 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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