Penang - Bangkok - Laos - Lijiang - Shangri La (China)

Cycling Tour from Shangri-la to Lijiang
Shangri-la, Tiger leaping Gorge and Lijiang

Tour Code: BK-S-009 Duration: 7days Biking Distance: 250km Biking Time: 4-6hrs Good time to visit: from Jan to May, from Oct to Dec Departure date: Jan 01, Feb 14, Mar 01, Apr 14, May 01, Oct 01, Nov 05, Dec 04, Dec 24, 2010

Introduction to Travel to Yunnan: Shangri-la to Lijiang: 

Shangri-la, located in the beautiful Northern Yunnan province of China, captures China’s beautiful nature at its best. As we Travel to Lijiang from Shangri-la by bike over a period of 7 days we’ll charter through high mountain passes, visit the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge, and bike around beautiful alpine lakes. 

Elevation range: 1900 meters to 4100 meters
Terrain: Flat, rolling and mountainous
Cycling tour level: Moderate to challenging - alternative transportation may be used if needed
Total cycling distance: Approximately 300km; Average distance per ride day: up to 75KM.

Day-By-Day Itinerary of Shangri-la Trip:

Shangri la Travel Day 1: 

   
(Songzanlin Monastery)                                 (Praying stones and view near Zhongdian)

Shangri la Travel Day 2: Shangri-la 

Road Condition: Paved. On the way to Napa Lake, 10km from town, we’ll encounter a small slope

Overnight in local hostel in Shangri-la. (B)

Shangri la Travel Day 3: 

Shangri-la - Baishuitai

Overnight in the small local hostel

Tiger Leaping Gorge Day 4:

Yilik / River - Camping Along the River
    
(Baishui Terrace)                          (Tiger Leaping Gorge)

Road Condition: Paved. 4km uphill at the very beginning, then most of the road continues downhill. As we approach Tiger Leaping Gorge, there will be a 3km long gravel section, but its still downhill. After entering Tiger Leaping Gorge itself, we will ride another 10 km on a paved road to reach our destination. 

Distance: 73 km 

Elevation: 3400 - 1800 m

 Time: 6 hours cycling 

Before we set out for today’s Yunnan biking journey we’ll first visit the unique Baishui Terraces (“bai shui” means “white water” in Chinese). For thousands of years, mineral-laden spring water has flown down the mountain, leaving crystallized sodium carbonate along its slopes, leaving us now with the awesome view of a series of limestone basins full of water that look like huge marble sculptures! Its a lot cooler when you see it than when we try to describe it!  

After an hour or so of visiting and taking photos, we will start on our day’s cycling tour. We’ll start with initial 4k uphill section until we head downhill the rest of the way to the Gorge.  Lunch will be in Haba, a small but unique village on the way. 

In the late afternoon we will enter the world-famous Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the deepest most dramatic gorges in the world, and still quite wild despite enormous efforts to tame it. We’ll bike another 10km after enter in the gorge until we finally arrive at the “middle” of Tiger Leaping Gorge. Here we will spend the night. 

Overnight in cozy hostel at Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge

Cycling the Yangtze River Day 5: 

(Hostel in Middle Tiger Leaping gorge)  (The first bend of the Yangtze river)

Road Condition: Paved. 10km in the beginning as we ride along Tiger Leaping Gorge, then a steep 8km uphill stretch. Afterwards, the road will alternate between flat terrain and gentle slopes. 

Distance 70km

Overnight in local hostel in Shigu.

Shigu/Lijiang Day 6:

 
    

Road Condition: Paved. Flat road most of the time. Heavy Traffic.

Overnight in local hostel in Lijiang.

Lijiang Day 7: 

Tour Cost:               Currency Converter

The tour cost includes: 

• Meals daily as listed in the itinerary, picnic lunches in remote area if required(B-breakfast， L-lunch, D-dinner);
• Service of English-speaking guide
•  Scenic spots admission fee; Nature Reserve Protection fee and/ or camping permit fee (inside nature reserve) if required
• Accommodation: double-occupancy in 4 star hotel in big city, and the best hotel in small cities or counties, clean guest house/hostel/or home-stay in villages as clarified in the itinerary; camping in non-residential area as mentioned in the itinerary(tent and mattress),
• One bike for each and supportive vehicles as required(For tours in the mountainous area like Yunnan, Qinghai, Tibet, etc. we strongly suggest the participant bring your own mountainous bike with you.)
•  All domestic flights/trains/local airport taxes if there is in the itinerary; 

 The tour cost does not include:

• Personal travel accident insurance. 
•  The fee of rescuing for any accident, including but not limited:
   a. Asking the help from the international SOS;
   b. Transfer service and amending fee, if the bike is seriously damaged.
   c. While repairing the bike, the rental fee must be paid.
   d. Any others.
• The medicine for the sickness or accident while on the way.
•  Transfer, guide, entrance tickets, and meals in your free time,
• Sleeping bag if camping.
• photography charges at monasteries/palaces/sites.
• Chinese visa fees; Excess baggage charged by Airlines; Single room supplement; Tips to guides and drivers;
•  Domestic or/and international flights and related airport taxes not listed,
• The extra cost due to the unforeseen events or weather; supplementary trips and services not mentioned, and personal expenses and the items don’t listed in the “The tour cost includes” column.

Remarks:

• Once you confirm the trip, the quotation in RMB is fixed (subject to the items above). However, as exchange rates may continue to fluctuate, we reserve the right to modify the price quoted in USD to match the original RMB quotation, when you pay.
• Reservation should be made at least ONE MONTH before departure time.
• The train and flight schedules are presented according to time-tables available at time of publication; they are subject to change according to any new schedule, and we reserve the right to choose alternate flights. 
• Prices may be somewhat higher if tour dates fall on public holidays (including, but not limited to,  Chinese National Day Sep. 30th -Oct.8th , Or other Special Festival time).
• The quotation is based on the present domestic air fare and discounts available; we reserve the right to modify the price according to the airline’s policy. 
•  If you prefer to have a single room, you are expected to pay the single supplement.
• This is a tentative itinerary, the really itinerary and hotel/hostel maybe different from the itinerary. For the enjoyment of your trip a "go with the flow" attitude is necessary. Many factors will influence your trip, such as weather conditions, health, route conditions, etc. Please prepare two days more as "cushion" day in case of delays in travel due to unforeseen events.
• The part of the area we will visit has not been well developed like Beijing and Shanghai. While it is good to enjoy the well protected nature view and experience unique primitive folk customs, we should prepare for that even the star hotel is not so good and though we will try our best, the food may not be so delicate and various.
• Very important: When you are planning to do mountain biking, you acknowledge that there are risks involved in this sport and confirm that you are fully aware of and accept these risks. You may or may not be required to sign a separate acknowledgement and acceptance of personal liability by the local supplier before being allowed to do cycling. And if you are not allowed to participate because you refuse to sign, you will have no claim against CSH or the supplier and will not be entitled to any refund or compensation.

Travel Tips:

• The participants we are looking for: HEALTHY!!! able to cycle for over 6 hours a day; prepared to cross high altitude passes and over difficult terrain in remote areas; experienced in mountainous area riding (with many bends, turns, and possibly switchbacks); excellent physical condition required with a positive attitude and a strong determination; previous hiking experience preferred. Please keep in mind that this is a general guide only. A variety of factors, including weather, may add to the challenge.
• This is a tentative itinerary, the final itinerary and hotel/hostel may vary considerably from the itinerary. For the enjoyment of your trip, a "go with the flow" attitude is necessary. Many factors will influence the trip, such as weather conditions, health, route conditions, etc. Please allow one extra days as "cushion" days in case of delays in travel due to unforeseen events.
• Regardless of your previous high-altitude experience, it is crucial that you be self-confident, superbly fit, committed, and determined at the outset of the expedition and possess the necessary stamina and experience to be a contributing player in the excursion.
• Biking Gear suggested: Wind/waterproof coat, Hip pad, kneepad, gorro, helmet, Headlight, towel, sun block, glove, shoes for cycling etc
• While you will most-certainly enjoy the fantastic views offered with this exciting biking adventure, there will also be unexpected encounters with other vehicular traffic, especially big trucks making wide turns, so you should ride very carefully in these places.
• Many tourists have an uncomfortable feeling in the high-plateau areas, generally headaches and being out-of-breath; don’t be worried about it and you will adapt to the altitude in 2-3 days.
•  To counter altitude-sickness in the high plateaus, be sure to take extra rest and try to avoid arriving with a cold. Although extra oxygen will be available for those who need to stop and take an extra breath or so, any quantity brought along will be limited, and cyclists cannot be dependent on its availability
• Please be respectful of local customs and religion while you are in any area of a minority people; pay attention to any instructions given by the local guide and cooperate with him/her.
•  Please be aware not to expect/order the meat of  dog, horse, mule, pig, or donkey, all of which are forbidden in Tibetan areas; eating the meat of any animal slaughtered without proper religious supervision is also forbidden
• It’s not allowed to watch the Tibetan sky burial without their permission
• To be polite, it is expected that you finish any beverage served to you in a cup, upon being greeted by a Tibetan; if you cannot finish the drink, please politely beg their pardon.
• When greeted by a Tibetan who puts a silk scarf around your neck as a present, leave it on – do not immediately take it off.
• There are some special taboos in Muslim area, such as exposed skin, head coverings, and proper conduct in mosques – listen to the guide
• It’s prohibited to drink or to smoke in any Tibetan Monastery
• Check with the guide regarding taking photographs; it’s forbidden to take any photos in a monastery without permission, although you may be allowed to “buy” permission. Always ask permission before taking a photo of monks or women, regardless of where they are.