Tour Description

Yunnan 8-Day Bike Tour
Kunming, Dali, Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge

Dates: Click here to request a tour to be scheduled

Erhaiboats.jpg (18469 bytes)

Yunnan 8-Day Bike Tour
Kunming, Dali, Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge

Dates: Click here to request a tour to be scheduled

This eight-day bicycle tour begins and ends in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province known as the "Spring City" and the gateway to China's largest concentration of ethnic minorities. This tour is designed as an easy moderate ride. Average daily cycling mileage will be about 30 miles (50 km). On most days we will use vehicle transport to supplement the cycling to get us to the next destination. Riders will carry only their own day gear; luggage will be transfer in the support vehicle. 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 and there will be a warm-up tour of the city where we will visit the Yuantong Temple, Cuihu (Green Lake) Park and the East/West Pagodas.

The following morning, the group will fly to Dali and then get transport to Old Dali. Old Dali has that small town charm and ideally located between the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake. In the afternoon we will visit the Three Pagodas and Chongsheng. On the third day we will cycle half way around Erhai Lake, visiting several villages, temples and Jinsuo Island before returning to Dali via boat.

Next the group will head north to Jianchuan cycling along the old Dali-Lijiang road where numerous minorities can be seen along the road in traditional dress. In Jianchuan we will have an opportunity to visit the Jinhuashan Precipice Bas-relief Grottos.

Continuing north will we cycle along side the Yangtze River and view the First Bend (where the river makes a U-turn and heads north) on the way to Tiger Leaping Gorge where we will spend two nights in the gorge in simple cabin-like lodgings. Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest and most dramatic gorges in the world and is still quite wild.

The following day we will spend the day hiking in the gorge. We will visit the narrow spot of the gorge where it takes it name. It is a powerful spot with the whole of the Yangtze River confined to a 20-meter (70-foot) width.

The next day the group heads to Lijiang, the center of the creative Naxi minority group spending a day to explore the city and view several temples and the Baisha Frescoes.

In the morning of the eighth day spend exploring the old town of Lijiang and then return to Kunming in the afternoon via air concluding the bike tour.

Some Photos Highlights of the Tour of Yunnan

Itinerary

Day	Location	Cycling Distance Miles/KM	Total Distance Miles/KM	YUNNAN PROVINCE
1	Kunming	18/30	18/30	Meet group members/Brief City Tour - Yuantong Temple, East and West Pagodas, and Cuihu City Park
2	Dali	12/20	228/374	Fly to Xiaguan, transport to Old Dali, Three Pagodas and Chongsheng Temple
3	Dali	30/50	30/50	Erhai Lake area, Lanquan Temple, Jinsou Island
4	Jianchuan	30/50	73/120	Shapin village and a side trip to Jinhuashan Precipice Bas-relief Grottos
5	Tiger Leaping Gorge	30/50	58/95	First Bend of the Yangtze River
6	Tiger Leaping Gorge	0/0	58/95	One of the world's deepest gorges. Hike the area and visit the rushing Yangtze River where the river narrows to 20 m (70 feet).
7	Lijiang	30/50	74/121	Zhiyun Temple, Old town, Baisha Frescoes
8	Kunming	0	326/536	Explore Old Town Lijiang and then fly to Kunming. End of trip.
	Total Distance	160/263	865/1418

Details

Dates: Saturday, April 20 to Saturday, April 27, 2013

Start location: Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

Finish location: Kunming, Yunnan Province, China

Tour type: Support vehicle will be provided - riders carry one their own daily-use gear. (Note: This tour is also available without a support vehicle at a reduced cost.)

Geographical location: Southwest China Elevation range: 6,250 feet (1,900 meters) to 9,240 feet (2,80 meters)

Terrain: Flat, rolling and mountainous

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

Total cycling distance: Approximately 160 miles (263 km): Average distance per ride day: 30 miles (50 km) Cycling will be supplemented with vehicle transport on most days to reach the next point of interest

Days: 8

Nights: 7

Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall.

Group size: 1 - 8

Rental bike: US$0 (included)

Accommodations will be basic Chinese hotels generally of the 1-3 star variety. Two nights will be spent in a simple but clean guesthouse.

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 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. Bilingual bike tour guide to accompany the group throughout the tour.
2. All hotel accommodations for eight nights
3. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included)
4. All group land transportation costs (buses, boats, and taxis) plus two flights (from Kunming to Dali and from Lijiang to Kunming)
5. A support vehicle to carry luggage and cyclists when needed
6. All group entrance fees
7. Rental bikes and related biking gear including helmets, gloves, bike bags and raincapes.

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: - US$ Call/Email
2 people: - US$ Call/Email
3 people: - US$ Call/Email
4-8 people: - US$ Call/Email

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.

Read some

Testimonials from our Clients

Click here to Register

Click here to send a note of interest or to request additional information

For general ride information that applies to all rides, please visit out FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) and the General Info page.

Top of Page