Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1 Aug. 12 Wednesday Laos - China
Met by your guide at Mohan in the morning, border formalities and brokering at customs . We do the bike inspection in the afternoon, ride to Puer city,. The ride is easy on highway, we will try to check in hotel before dinner.
(Ride 276 km) Alt. 800m
Day 2 Aug. 13 Thursday Puer to Dali
Take the highway to Dali, scenic and easy day to get used to Chinese traffic. Overnight at the hotel in Dali Old City. Dali old city has a history of over 2000 years, is interesting for strolling around at night.
(Ride 437km) Alt. 1890m
Day 3 Aug. 14 Friday Dali to Lijiang
We departure for Lijiang , pass by the landmark of Dali- Three Pagodas, pictures and we ride take a side trip to Shaxi tea Horse tradiiing village, in the afternoon continue trip to lijiang. The mountain ride is another highlight of the day. We arrive in Lijiang in early afternoon. Lijaing old town is the UNESCO world heritage which attracts crowds of visitors all year around. You will have enough time strolling in the old town and rest.
(Ride 166km) Alt. 2400M
Day 4 Aug. 15 Saturday Lijiang to Shangri_la
We will leave Lijiang and ride to the third deepest Gorge in the world, Tiger Leaping Gorge. It’s one of highlights of the trip, we will ride further into the gorge to beat the crowds. After lunch we will continue to Shangri_la County or Gyelthang, is where the Tibetan and Chinese worlds meet. Until recently, it was the northernmost open point for foreign travelers in Yunnan. ShangriLa is now a modern city at the edge of the vast Tibetan plateau. Again you will be delighted to spend your night in the Zukezong old town.
(Ride 180km) Alt. 3270M
Day 5 Aug. 16 Sunday Shangri_la to Batang
Ride to Yangtse river, through the Dingchu Gorge, amzing gorge that takes us into the heart of the Khampa Tibetan region. Stop at Derong for lunch, afterwards ride to G318 Road.
(Ride 360km) Alt. 2600M
Day 6 Aug. 17 Monday Batang to Derge
Follow the Yangtse river, we stop at Gato monastery, splendid monastry built in the hidden valley. We the ride over the pass to Derge County, visit the famous Gerge Printing Monastery located in the Khampa Tibet region.
(Ride 280km) Alt. 3300M
Day 7 Aug. 18 Tuesday Derge to Yushu
Ride to the heartland of Amdo Tibet, the ancient tea horse trading route. Yushu is famous for its largest Mani Stone piles in the world and strong Tibetan Religious culture.
(Ride 330km) Alt. 3650M
Day 8 Aug 19 Wednesday Yushu Rest Day
A vast highland of rolling hills, covered by endless grasslands, under the deep blue sky with white clouds. Everlasting silence until the horizon and beyond it interrupted only by scattered Tibetan nomadic families with their yak herds. We shall visit Jyekundo Dondrubling Monastery and Gyanak Mani Stones Temple.
Day 9 Aug. 20 Thursday Yushu to Maduo
We say goodbye to Yyushu and ride Through Tibet Plateau to Maduo, claimed to be the source of the Yellow River.
(Ride 330km) Alt. 4300M
Day 10 Aug. 21 Friday Maduo to Xining
Ride on highway to Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province, start to see different Muslim culture and food.
(Ride 470km) Alt. 2800M
Day 11 Aug. 22 Saturday Xining to Zhangye
Ride over Qilian mountain, nice fields and flowers, arrive in Zhangye to visit it's Giant Wooden Buddha. The Hexi Corridor on the silk road.
(Ride 345km) Alt. 1200
Day 12 Aug. 23 Sunday Zhangye DunHuang
Ride to Dunhuang, we will stop at the westmost great wall of China at Jiayuguan hanging all, we can ride to Dunhuang, the oasis on the silk road, enjoy the sunset on the Sand Dune.
(Ride 345km) Alt. 800m
Day 13 Aug. 24 Monday Dunhuang Rest Day
Optional visit to Mogao grottoes-UNESCO site, bike services if needed
Day 14 Aug. 25 Tuesday Dunhuang to Hami
Ride to Hami, into the new territory, namingly Xin Jiang.
(Ride 410km) Alt. 500
Day 15 Aug. 26 Wednesday Hami to Urumqi
Ride to Urumqi, the capital city of Xin Jiang, there is a chanc to service the bikes or visit local Bazzar.
(Ride 545km) Alt. 1200m
Day 16 Aug. 27 Thursday Urumqi to Horgas
Ride to the border city, get ready for the crossing
(Ride 650km) Alt. 1200m
Day 17 Aug. 28 Friday Horgas to Almaty
Border formalities and customs clearnce. You then exit China to Kazakhstan, you may reach Almaty in the same day.