15 days Kunming to Lijiang, Yunnan - trip code BACY07
US$2695
Our newest Yunnan trip is one that we get really excited about! This unique itinerary takes you into YunnanŐs frontier Tibetan region with its fascinating culture and dramatic scenery. The tour starts in the old Tibetan town Zhongdian, renamed Shangri La, heads north to the sacred pilgrimage site of Mei Li Snow Mountain on the border of Tibet and Myanmar, before turning south and taking in the rapidly changing scenery along the Mekong River. This region was made a UNESCO protected area in 2003 due its incredible biological diversity, including the Golden Haired Monkey, one of ChinaŐs most endangered species, and unique land formations.
This region is dotted with villages of several minority groups including Tibetan, Naxi, Lisu, Yi and Bai and we stay in a combination of local guesthouses, hotels, a Tibetan monastery, a 100 year old Christian church and one night camping so there are plenty of opportunities to explore these diverse cultures and awe-inspiring landscapes. The roads on this tour defy the imagination and the cycling features several climbs, including a 60 km climb up to our highest point at 4200m split over two days, and incredibly long sweeping down hills into the Yangzi and Mekong River Valleys. This tour gets you right out there into little traveled regions with YunnanŐs best cycling.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Kunming
We start the trip arriving in Kunming, Yunnan's modern capital city.
Days 2-3 | Shangri La | 37km
After a short flight to old Tibetan town of Zhongdian, now renamed Shangri La, we setup the bikes for a short ride to the Napa Wetlands. The following day to help acclimatise to the 3200m altitude we'll hike to Tian shoeing Hot Springs.
Days 4-7 | Cycling to Deqin | 90km + 40km + 70km
After initially descending into the Yangzi River Valley it is time to climb, and up up up it is to a night camping in alpine meadows on the shoulder of Bai Ma Snow Mountain. The following day the climb continues on up to 4200m before descending a huge 50km to Deqin and a rest day in the beautiful countryside.
Days 8-13 | Cycling to Jinjiang | 83km + 80km + 70km + 77km + 26km + 81km
Following the course of the Mekong River down an incredibly beautiful valley you will quickly learn that this is some of the most dramatic cycling scenery around! You will descend, climb, descend - there's little flat land around here. You will stay one night in a monastery, see the rare golden haired monkey and finish back at the Yangzi River. This is a ride you'll never forget.
Days 14-15 | Lijiang
After transferring to Lijiang the tour finishes after breakfast on day 15.
Special Note
Due to roadworks on the route this year, the Sept 3 departure will follow an alternative route. Details are available on request.
Facts and Information
Style
fully supported cycling
Inclusions
support vehicle, local guides, tour leader, most meals, entry fees
Group Size
minimum 3, maximum 12
Accommodation
7 nights hotels with twin share rooms & private bathrooms facilities, 3 nights basic guesthouse, 2 nights camping, 1 night in a monastery, 1 night in a church
Meals Included
14 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 14 dinners
Days Cycling
10
Kilometres Cycled
654km
Difficulty
difficult
Cycling Conditions
This is a very mountainous ride with a lot of climbing and descending. The entire tour is above 1900m elevation with the highest point at 4200m.
