Explore China and Tibet

A 15 day cultural and scenic journey by bike in South West China and the Tibetan Plateau

Our 15 day bike trip is a loop, starting and finishing in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province and one of the major cultural centres of China. At 500m elevation Chengdu is located in the Sichuan basin, sometimes referred to as the "Heavenly Kingdom", surrounded by soaring mountains to the northwest and the Sichuan Basin to the east.

We begin our biking in the lowland rice fields and farmlands of Sichuan Basin and gently climb toward Tibetan Plateau. The mountainous area is lined with snow covered peaks, stunning river valleys and later widens out into the open Tibetan grasslands.

We visit a panda breeding sanctuary and Buddhist monasteries, meet with Tibetan nomadic yak herders, explore small Tibetan towns and ancient Chinese villages, dine in local restaurants and take the challenge of biking in an area seldom visited by western travelers. We bike on mostly paved roads where at times bikes and small tractors out-number cars and climb over four high mountain passes with the highest being 4298m.

Stunning scenery, colourful culture, world reknown cuisine and history all combine to create one of the most diverse, interesting and memorable biking destinations on the planet.

+64 3 525 8783

Itinerary / Highlights

Chengdu to Chengdu
(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=evening meal)

Day 1 - Arrive in Chengdu, free day. Airport pick ups will be provided. We will meet in the hotel reception for a pre departure meeting at 5pm. D. Hotel accommodation.

Day 2 - Get into the vibe of China with a city tour of Chengdu by bike including a visit to a Giant Panda Breeding Research Centre and some other local surprises. Approx 50kms biking. BD, lunch at own cost. Acc: Hotel.

Day 3 - We begin with a vehicle transfer out of the city and ride through a grain growing area and paddy fields to Pingle. Approx 63kms biking. BLD. Acc: Guesthouse.

Day 4 - We bike on through farmland and steamy bamboo forest and over our first pass at 1250m to Lushan. Approx 75kms biking. BLD. Acc: Hotel.

Day 5 - We gain some altitude in the morning with a transfer up to a lake created by a new dam project. Biking around the lake we enter the Tibetan area and on to Yaoji Forest Reserve. Approx 17kms biking. BLD. Acc: Forest Cabins.

Day 6 - Our first major pass as we climb over Jiajinshan Passat 4200m. With views of the Himalayan foothills and yaks for company it's an awesome achievement and rewarded with a 36km sweeping downhill. Approx 70kms biking. BLD. Acc: Hotel.

Day 7 - A long and flowing day as we follow a river valley downstream through farmland and orchards to Danba. Approx 120kms biking. BLD. Acc: Hotel.

Day 8 - A day off the bikes. Spend the morning walking through small hillside villages to explore some ancient defensive towers and then head into Danba town to check out the sights in the afternoon. In the late afternoon we take a short drive up to Jaiju Tibetan village and spend the night in a Tibetan stone house. BD. Lunch at own cost. Acc: Local Guesthouse.

Day 9 - We head back down to the river valley and follow the river as it gently climbs through a quiet valley to Donggu. Approx 49kms biking. BLD. Acc: Local Guesthouse.

Day 10 - Biking on up the river valley we cross over a 3900m pass and drop down into the wide open Tibetan Grasslands. In the afternoon take a break from the saddle to visit an old and fully functioning Buddhist Monastery and temple. Approx 55kms biking. BLD. Acc: Bamei Hotel.

Day 11 - We bike across the rolling grasslands of the Tibetan Plateau to Tagong. In the afternoon explore the town, local shops and nearby temples. Approx 30kms biking. BLD. Acc: Tagong Hotel.

Day 12 - The most challenging day of the trip (remember the support vehicle is there) through the rolling grasslands dotted with Nomad tents and grazing yaks. In the afternoon our last and highest pass at 4298m, and end the day with a 37km downhill run to Kangding. Approx 110 kms biking. BLD. Acc: Kangding Hotel.

Day 13 - Leaving the Tibetan area, a morning ride takes us back down one of the river valleys that feed the Yangtze River. In the afternoon a gentle ride past rice paddies and farmland to the ancient Chinese village of Shangli. Approx 52kms biking. BL, Dinner at own cost. Acc: Shangli Guesthouse.

Day 14 & Our last ride of the trip brings us back down to the rolling farmland of the Sichuan Basin. Afternoon transfer to Chengdu. Approx 45kms biking. BL, Dinner out at own cost. Acc: Chengdu Hotel.

Day 15 & Fly out. Airport transfers can be arranged.

Please remember that this is a guide only and due to unforeseen circumstances it may be necessary to make changes to the itinerary.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Accommodation is twin share in local hotels and guesthouses. (Upgrades to single rooms are available at some locations at your own expense).

WHAT IS ADVENTURE BIKING?
- We get off the beaten track onto remote and little used roads as much as possible. Most of the time we use paved roads and occasionally single track, the later with not too much technical difficulty.

- All our biking is vehicle supported which means all your gear is carried for you. Snacks and water are always at hand.

- If you need a break from the saddle you can ride in the vehicle at any time.

- You don´t need to be a fitness fanatic to come with us, but a reasonable standard of fitness is required and makes your trip more enjoyable.

- This trip is not about covering as many miles as possible. It is about experiencing your travel from a different perspective, meeting the local people and experiencing the sights sounds and smells of your surroundings. You will become part of the landscape and environment we are passing through, merging with the people and landscapes that we encounter along the way.

- People who come with us enjoy the active outdoors and want something different in a holiday. By doing one of our trips you´re not just a spectator, but part of the scene getting to touch, smell and see what´s going on from close-up rather than as a passer-by.

Note: This tour does not enter Tibet (Xizang) as currently defined by Beijing. However the tour is primarily in the area occupied by Tibetans and who themselves consider it Tibet.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2012
Sat 25th August to Sat 8th September.
Mon 9th to Mon 24th September.

DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2013
Thurs 15th to Thurs 29th August.
Sun 1st to Sun 15th September.

PRICE FOR 2012 & 2013
New Zealand dollars: $4490
+ Local Payment: US$100
Bike hire if required NZ $300
Single supplement if required NZ $650

+64 3 525 8783