NEW YEAR'S SPECIAL
Early registration discount - take $50 off if registration received by March 1

This year we’re repeating our very memorable tours to China’s Yunnan Province & Tibet … with a couple of very special new additions. Just prior to our regular cycling tour you can join us for an exciting opportunity to visit the Xishuangbanna rainforest, home to many ancient and/or endangered species of plants and animals. This is an optional 3-day add-on, but the second special treat is for everyone. When we travel through Chengdu on the way to Tibet we’ll visit the research and breeding center for the Giant Pandas.

You can view photos of our last tour to China and Tibet taken by Journalist/Photographer Karen Kefauver of Santa Cruz at this link: 2011 China-Tibet Tour Photos. There's also a photo page for China tours we've done over the years, and we're adding more photos all the time. Check out this link: China Tour Photos.

Here is a brief itinerary, followed by more details below.

CYCLING IN CHINA'S YUNNAN PROVINCE & TIBET
September 5-20
$3800 (15 nights)

Sept 5 Arrive in Hong Kong by Wednesday afternoon
Sept 6 Train to Guangzhou, fly to Kunming (join rainforest group)
Sept 7 Dali – old town
Sept 8 Dali – old town
Sept 9 Lijiang
Sept 10 Jade Dragon Snow Mountain &Tiger Leaping Gorge
Sept 11 Shangri-La
Sept 12 Shangri-La
Sept 13 Lijiang – UNESCO old town site
Sept 14 Fly from Lijiang to Chengdu (panda research center)
Sept 15 Fly to Lhasa, TIBET
Sept 16 Lhasa, TIBET
Sept 17 Shannan, TIBET
Sept 18 Fly from Lhasa to Guangzhou
Sept 19 Train to Hong Kong
Sept 20 Fly to US

September 5: HONG KONG
Arrive at the Hong Kong Airport (HKG) and your exotic journey to China begins! Take the shuttle bus or a taxi to our hotel to meet with other participants of the group. We overnight at a 3-star hotel located in the heart of the city. If you arrive early enough, you can spend the day shopping or sightseeing in Hong Kong. The September 5 hotel (with breakfast) is included in the tour package, but if you would like to come earlier we can make those reservations. Lunches, dinners and additional days’ lodging are not included.

September 6: KUNMING
After an early breakfast in the hotel, we'll leave for Guangzhou by morning express train. Your guide will meet you at the train station and we’ll transfer to the Guangzhou Airport to fly to Kunming. We'll have a Kunming city tour in the afternoon, if time permits. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Kunming.

September 7: DALI
We’ll have an early breakfast in hotel, then transfer by bus to Dali’s old town. Dali is home to over 1.5 million Bai minority people whose culture, crafts and warm hospitality create its renowned laid-back atmosphere. After lunch we'll take our bicycles for a test ride and adjustments, then cycle to the Park of Three Pagodas and around the old town of Dali. There are plenty of places to explore or cafes to visit within the town's old city walls. Overnight at a 4-star hotel in Dali.

September 8: DALI
This morning we cycle on the scenic and gently rolling road around the gorgeous Er Hai Lake (60 km). The Cang Shan Mountains rise behind Dali city as we skirt the shores of this huge inland sea, passing through fishing villages and farming communities. A picnic lunch will be served on the road. Those who would rather not bicycle could visit the colorful Shaping markets and the preserved architecture of Xizhou. Overnight at 4-star hotel in Dali.

September 9: LIJIANG
After breakfast at the hotel we'll cycle out of Dali city through rolling and beautiful countryside. Experience the local rural life as we pedal through several Naxi and Yi minority villages on our way to Lijiang. We’ll have a picnic on the road and in the late afternoon transfer by bus to Lijiang. This UNESCO World Heritage site of ageless charm is home to the Naxi, an ancient matriarchal society descended from Tibetan nomads. Overnight at 3-star hotel in the old town of Lijiang.

September 10: TIGER LEAPING GORGE
We'll visit Yunshanping and take a ski lift with an incredible view of the majestic snow-capped peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain above us. In the afternoon we'll head off along the Tibetan Highway for dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge, the world's deepest gorge. On the way we'll cycle to the ancient Stone Drum Town (round trip of about 20 km). Stone Drum (Shigu) Town was built on a sharp bend of the Yangtze River (known here as the Jinsha River) and is named after a drum-shaped marble plaque commemorating the victory of Lijiang's Naxi ruler over an invading Tibetan army. We continue cycling about 40 km and overnight at Yi Xiang Hotel in the town of Tiger Leaping Gorge.

September 11: SHANGRI-LA
This morning we'll ride about 20 km along a quiet and pastoral road to visit the Tiger Leaping Gorge. We'll also be able to hike up to the Gorge, a round trip of about 5 km. After lunch we'll cycle about 40 km on the scenic road to Shangri-La (Zhongdian). Overnight at 3-star hotel in Shangri-La.

September 12: SHANGRI-LA
Today we'll ride about 40 km to Bitahai Nature reserve, an intact natural attraction with outstanding flora and fauna and picturesque landscapes. In the afternoon we'll visit the Songzanlin Monastery which was built 300 years ago under the instruction of the 5th Dalai Lama. There are still 800 monks and 3 Buddhas living there. Overnight at 3-star hotel in Shangri-La.

September 13: LIJIANG
Today we'll transfer back to Lijiang, where you’ll have the chance to explore this ancient UNESCO city. Overnight in a small hotel in the old part of the city.

September 14: CHENGDU
Fly to Chengdu to see the giant pandas, beloved national symbol of China. We’ll tour the Chengdu panda research and breeding center, where the original six giant pandas rescued from the wild in 1987 have increased to over 100 individuals, and 12 new cubs were born in 2100. The center is also home to the red panda and other rare and endangered species

September 15: LHASA, TIBET
Today we fly to Lhasa! Our Tibet staff will meet us at the airport and we’ll transfer by bus to the city proper. On the way you'll enjoy spectacular scenery, driving through typical Tibetan villages and past Yak-skin boats cruising the Yalung Zangbo River. Lhasa is at about 11,000 feet in elevation, but we’ve been gaining altitude the entire trip, so you’ll acclimate quickly. Overnight at 3-star hotel in Lhasa.

September 16: LHASA
In the morning you'll pedal through the city to visit the Potala Palace, the palace at the highest elevation in Tibet. In the afternoon you'll see Sera monastery and Luobulingka, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama. We’ll stroll by street markets and the Jokhang Temple, the spiritual heart of Tibet, built in the 7th century. Overnight at 3-star hotel in Lhasa.

September 17: SHANNAN (Tsedang)
We drive out the city of Lhasa, then cycle 60 km along the middle and lower reaches of Yarlung Tsangpo River to Shannan (Tsedang). Have a picnic lunch on the road, and in the afternoon we'll bicycle to Yumbulakhang Palace. Climb the many stairs to the temple at the top and enjoy the panoramic view of the Tibetan countryside. We’ll cycle to the Traduk Monastery on the way back to our hotel. Overnight at 3-star hotel in Shannan (Tsedang).

September 18: GUANGZHOU
After an early breakfast in our hotel, then we cycle back toward Lhasa, then fly to Guangzhou after lunch.Overnight at 4-star hotel in Guangzhou.

September 19: HONG KONG
Take the express train to Hong Kong and transfer to hotel by taxi. 3-star Hong Kong hotel is included in tour package, but dinner is on your own. Additional days in Hong Kong are an option, and we’ll make reservations for you.

September 20: DEPART FOR USA
After breakfast (included with your hotel), you’ll transfer to the Hong Kong Airport by shuttle bus. Depart for US and arrive in the US on the same day!

OPTIONAL XISHUANGBANNA RAINFOREST TOUR
September 2-5 add-on
$610

Join us on this exciting pre-tour visit to Xishuangbann, China's largest and most well-preserved tropical rainforest. It’s in the mountainous area of southern Yunnan on China’s border with Burma where the climate is warm and humid all year round. Here you can see apes and monkeys swinging in the trees and wild elephants wandering along forest paths. We might even be lucky (?) enough to see a python or a tiger skulking in the woods.

Sept 2 Arrive in Hong Kong by Sunday afternoon
Sept 3 Train to Guangzhou, fly to Kunming
Sept 4 Fly to Xishuangbanna Rainforest
Sept 5 Xishuangbanna Rainforest
Sept 6 Fly to Kunming (join regular tour group)

TRAVEL DETAILS:
When departing from the US, one day is lost en route crossing the international dateline. Check your airline schedule carefully to make sure your arrival date is correct.

$1000 deposit required upon registration
Balance of all tour fees due by July 1
$200 minimum cancellation fee
$500 cancellation fee if tour cancelled between May 1 - July 31
No refund possible for cancellations after August 1