Tiger Leaping Gorge
Bike tour in China | 15 days ex Kunming, Yunnan | US$2350
Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge - ethnic minorities - Dali
Want to cycle the very best of China? This is it! Yunnan Province is arguably one of the most ethnically fascinating and scenically stunning in all of China. Home to over one third of Chinas minority groups and over half of all China's plant and animal species - it is easy to understand why Yunnan leaves our travellers raving!
Cycling the back roads you will experience the extraordinary natural wonder of Tiger Leaping Gorge - the deepest gorge in the world with it's towering walls and dramatic beauty, meander along the majestic Yangzi River and kick back in the laid back cobble stoned towns of Dali and Lijiang where you can try your hand at haggling in the local markets. Yunnan is world class cycling at it's best!
This tour was featured in Travel + Leisure's Sept 2009 Traveling Green in Asia special as a holiday that helps rather than hurts one of Asia's "most endangered destinations".
Itinerary
Day 1 | Kunming
We start the trip arriving in Kunming, Yunnan's modern capital city.
Day 2-3 | Lijiang
After a short flight to the ancient Naxi town of Lijiang, you'll have time to explore the old cobblestoned town and take the atmosphere of this amazing place. On day 3 we take to the bikes for a warm up ride around beautiful Lashi Lake through the amazing scenery of rural China.
Days 4-7 | Cycling to Tiger Leaping Gorge
It takes us three days to ride to the dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge. Along the way we take quiet roads to hill side temples and quiet villages, over dramatic passes with snow capped mountains on the horizon and down an exhilarating 30km downhill. We take a hike on the slopes of Haba Mountain and spend a whole day in the Gorge taking the drama of the world's deepest gorge.
Days 8-10 | Cycling to Shaxi
Two more days of cycling through more dramatic and varied landscapes. We pass the so called 'first bend' in the Yangzi River, climb up and down mountain roads, all the while seeing classic Chinese villages and colourful ethnic minority groups. A rest day in Shaxi gives you the chance to explore an ancient town which has been untouched by modern development or tourism.
Days 10-13 | Cycling to Dali
After a night relaxing in the hot springs at Er Yuan you ride on the ancient Bai city of Dali where you have a free day to explore the old city walls, surrounding mountains, Er Hai Lake, shop, or just relax in one of the many cool cafes.
Days 14-15 | Kunming
We take a bus back to Kunming for our final night together.
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
11 nights comfortable hotels with twin share rooms, private bathrooms facilities, 3 nights basic hotels
Meals Included
13 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 10 dinners
Days Cycling
8
Kilometres Cycled
490km
Difficulty
moderate/difficult
Cycling Conditions
A mixture of quiet well made roads, dirt roads and some sections mountain biking on trails. This is a fairly challenging ride with lots of hills and riding at up to 3300m elevation.