Yunnan cycling holiday in China
| country: | China |
| location: | Yunnan |
| trip type: | Adventurous cycling holidays |
| departures: | 2010: 28 Mar, 23 May, 12 Sep, 10 Oct |
| price: | From US $1995 (14 days) excluding flights. Single supplement US $350, bike hire US $170. Minimum group size, 2 people. Private or tailor made tours can also be arranged, please enquire |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Yunnan cycling holiday in China
Yunnan, in the southern corner of China, is noted for its fascinating history, beautiful landscapes, breathtaking sceneries, unbeaten trails, historical influences, ancient architecture and monuments, a diversified culture, and ethnic tribes with their colorful costumes and the sensation of serenity that engulfs the senses of every single visitor that sets foot in this part of China.
There is seldom a dull moment on this trip as it goes through a good diversity of scenic environments from snow capped mountains to green forests and a variety of ethnic villages.
Discover the historical cities of Lijiang and Dali. The spectacular landscapes that surround these cities are in a class of their own, including the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. The old towns found inside the cities, like the Ancient Dayan Town in Lijiang and the Dali Old City, will take you back in time.
Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province, is a vibrant and growing city, but don't let the modernity of the city fool you as there are also historical buildings and cultural influences that make this city worth a visit. The Shi Lin stone forests will leave you in complete awe.
The riding is a real mixture as some days are short but have hill climbs, and others are longer, flat and fast, but they are all filled with jaw-dropping scenery. The total distance is just less than 660 kilometers in nine days of riding. The first few days of the tour are spent acclimating to the altitude and environment. Add in a great deal of ethnic diversity and you have the recipe for a wonderful tour for enthusiastic cyclists.
There is seldom a dull moment on this trip as it goes through a good diversity of scenic environments from snow capped mountains to green forests and a variety of ethnic villages.
Discover the historical cities of Lijiang and Dali. The spectacular landscapes that surround these cities are in a class of their own, including the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. The old towns found inside the cities, like the Ancient Dayan Town in Lijiang and the Dali Old City, will take you back in time.
Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan province, is a vibrant and growing city, but don't let the modernity of the city fool you as there are also historical buildings and cultural influences that make this city worth a visit. The Shi Lin stone forests will leave you in complete awe.
The riding is a real mixture as some days are short but have hill climbs, and others are longer, flat and fast, but they are all filled with jaw-dropping scenery. The total distance is just less than 660 kilometers in nine days of riding. The first few days of the tour are spent acclimating to the altitude and environment. Add in a great deal of ethnic diversity and you have the recipe for a wonderful tour for enthusiastic cyclists.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive. We meet you at Lijiang airport and then transfer to the hotel. Afternoon is free until welcome dinner. |
| Day 2: | Warm up ride. Bike fitting and warm up ride around Lijiang, taking in Naxi villages, Lashi Lake and Zhi Yun Temple. |
| Day 3: | Bai Shui He. Ride backroads to Bai Shui He. |
| Day 4: | Ride to Hutiao Xia (Tiger Leaping Gorge) and Yangzi River. |
| Day 5: | Free day to explore Tiger Leaping Gorge. |
| Day 6: | Bai Shui Tai. Ride out of Tiger Leaping Gorge to Bai Shui Tai |
| Day 7: | Zhongdian. Scenic ride to Zhongdian (Shangri-La) |
| Day 8: | Zongdian. Free day to explore the historical trading town of Zongdian and surroundings |
| Day 9: | Stone Drum town. Ride to Stone Drum town and lesser Zhongdian |
| Day 10: | Old Tibet road. Ride into the heart of rural Yunnan along the Old Tibet road to Shaxi Village |
| Day 11: | Er Yuan Hot Springs. Experience terraced paddy fields as we head up hill to Er Yuan Hot Springs. |
| Day 12: | Dali. Ride to historical Dali. |
| Day 13: | Kunming. Transfer to Kunming. |
| Day 14: | Depart. Tour concludes after farewell breakfast. |
small group adventure holiday
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends its good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as seeing new places. how this holiday makes a difference
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Environment:
Adopting a “carry in – carry out” policy, we actively engage in environmentally responsible practices to minimise tourist impact upon the local habitat. From biodegradable soaps to re-usable water containers, we provide clients with the best information and means to help them identify and implement effective ways to positively protect local nature and communities. It is a vital ethos that can be passed on and abided by all, long after the trip has ended. Community: We passionately believe that Responsible Tourism can be of immense help to local communities; providing income, positive cultural exchanges and an incentive to protect the natural environment. Recognising that there is always room for improvement, we continually strive to narrow the gap between principle and practice. Prior to our tours, we liaise with local community leaders to ensure we are welcome and in a manner that minimizes negative social and cultural impact. We visit local development and community projects specific to the region, encouraging our clients to donate and/or assist such projects in appropriate and sustainable manners. Through sensitive hands on experience, we encourage cross cultural interaction and education between clients and the local communities. This is achieved by limiting tour group sizes, which also minimises any social and environmental impact. We also assist in the development of local infrastructure such as rural pathways. We make sure that where and whenever possible our tours positively benefit the local community. We stay at locally owned accommodation on our Yunnan tour, including the recently renovated Lao Mandian Hotel in Shaxi that has retained its charming courtyards and wooden guestrooms. We eat locally grown and cooked food, supporting restaurants on our route while at the same time providing guests with the freshest, most authentic tastes of the region. Whenever possible we visit cottage industries for local handicraft souvenirs, generating income for local businesses. We employ and train local guides, drivers and assistants on all trips to ensure that the local community benefits not only short term but with increased employment opportunities for the future. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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