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ABA
Tibetan Grasslands!
Sichuan, Gansu and Qinghai Provinces
Starting from 500m in Chengdu, capitol of Sichuan Province with its
lovely hot and seasoned food we will start cycling along the Min River.
We will coach most of the way with some portions of cycling to the source
of the Min River being the Huanglong and Jiuzhaigou National Parks.
Getting to these two parks will be a slow process not just because of
terrain or altitude but because of the numerous photo opportunities at
every bend on the road. Huanglong or "Yellow Dragon" is the
"Yellowstone" of China with its unreal mineral pools shadowed under
the 6,000m high Precious Snow Mtn. Jiuzhaigou Nat'l Park is set in a
forested area brimming with myriad's of small lakes and thousands of fish.
Beautiful lake reflections, unreal colors and waterfalls will keep us
enthralled as we make our way cycling through the park. Next it is a
climb to the Tibetan Grasslands. Cycling on average between 3,000
and 3,600m we will be introduced to the Tibetan Nomads and their herds of
Yaks. This is where we will use our tents as up on these grasslands
there are seldom settlements of any great size.
Going on into Gansu Province we will get into some rolling hill country
with still the ever present abundance and variety of high tundra flowers,
eagles and gerbils. In the midst of our ride through Gansu we will
get a taste of Tibetan Buddhism at Xiahe - one of the largest operating
monasteries outside of Tibet with it's seven colleges. Next it's on
to Qinghai Province and some major geographical changes! From the
top of the mountain pass separating Gansu and Qinghai we will start with a
swift descent into a valley of red rock similar to the state of Arizona in
the USA. We meet up with the beginnings of the Yellow River and
then through hilly country to Xining, the capitol of Qinghai Province.
We end our trip with cycling to and from Qinghai lake - China's largest
freshwater lake and two nights on its shores with the many Tibetan herders
who summer there.
View Route Map!
Tour Grade:
Difficult to Challenging
Hotel Grades:
See Itinerary (grades are indicated in parentheses)
Cycling distance: 700 - 750 Km.
*
Participants are required to provide their own tent and sleeping bag
( rated to 0 C ) for this tour.
Tibetan Grasslands Detailed Itinerary: 11 nights/12 days
Day 1: Two hour morning flight from Hong Kong to Chengdu, the capitol of Sichuan Province. After some transit time, enough for a peek at Chengdu we are back to the airport to check into our connecting flight to Jiuzhaigou Huanglong Airport. This 45 minute flight brings us into one of the highest airports in the world (3,400+ m). We arrive in the evening and have a two hour coach trip to our hotel for the first two nights in Jiuzhaigou sitting at 2,000m. It has been a long travelling day.
Day 2: While we can’t wait to get on our bikes, we really can’t pass up Jiuzhaigou National Park which only allows for hiking. We will take a day in the Park visiting some amazing lakes, waterfalls and Tibetan villages. Jiuzhaigou translates as “Nine villages and valleys”. Time for bike fitting and preparations tonight and for those who are so inclined, a visit to one of our CSR sites, (Corporate Social Responsibility) an orphanage for handicapped Tibetan Children. Some on our tour may choose to “cycle for cash” to benefit this orphanage.
Day3: We will coach to the top of the Gong Gang Lin pass at 3,600m and cycle down into the walled city of Songpan for lunch ( a fast 40k). From Song Pan we cycle along the Min River Valley backtracking and then veering West to start a climb onto the grasslands. Our destination for the night will be the small town of Wa Qi and a hotel on the grasslands. It is going to be a long ride if we do it all – 178km! We will do an optional cycle or not on the climb and also ride until dark as far as we can. Most likely we will coach the last 80-100k
Day 4: It is a short morning ride to Tang Ke (33k) where we can view the winding beginnings of the Yellow River through the grasslands. After lunch we have another 57k to our overnight and hotel in the city of Roergai. Light permitting we will visit the TaShi Monastary today. If not, tomorrow morning.
Day 5: Riding into Gansu Province today. Departing Roergai we have a 90k ride to our evening destination of Lang Mu Si. Another day of even keeled cycling along the high plateau with an even greater variety of color in flowers. You will also notice thousands of gerbils with hungry eagles watching them from the telephone poles. Towards the end of our morning we may come across some Hui Muslim Nomads - light years beyond the Tibetan Nomads we have visited when it comes to living comfortably. Who knows they may even offer some of their delicious bread and goat butter (it beats Yak butter any day!). There is a pass again before lunch and you may take one look and decide to ride the coach over. If you are a downhill rider, however, you don't want to sit it out. After lunch we will ride to the Lang Mu Monastery situated in a "mystical" looking valley - befitting this mystical religion of Tibetan Buddhism.
Day6: This morning we will take some time to explore the monastery – most important to Tibetans for the printing of scriptures. Late morning we are off 76 km of cycling this day around our lunch. Destination He Zhuo and hotel.
Day 7: Today we start with another one of those 3 km climbs, 15k ups and downs and then 15km downhill to the road junction to Xia He Monastery our evening destination. This downhill valley will allow you to never move your pedals - one long coast with river and quaint villages on both sides. It's another 36k ride up the valley to our destination of Xia He and we will have an afternoon tour of this very large monastery designed much like a University with seven schools of thought. Overnite at Xia He.
Day 8: We start the morning with a coach ride the first 100 k until the top of the pass separating Gansu and Qinghai Provinces or mile marker 40. From the top we can cycle downhill into Qinghai Province with its major change in geography. Red Sandstone Mountains glowing in the high altitude sunshine. It's 46 km of downhill to lunch. After lunch we can ride along the Yellow river valley for another 30 km and then the "canyon climbing" begins! This gorge is magnificent with its "road runner-Arizona like" landscape. Most will want to sit this climb out and coach all the way to Xining - another 100 km but some will be up to the challenge – as far as you can go. Overnite in Xining, the capitol of Qinghai Province.
Day 9: We will cycle out of Xining up to 100+ km. on our 170+ km journey to Qinghai Lake coaching the last bit. Overnight at a Hotel on the lakes edge.
Day 10: We have the morning to ride at leisure, unaccompanied by our support vehicles wandering the lakes edge by bike or foot. After lunch we will ride the first up to100+ km back toward Xining and then coach the rest. This will be our last cycling distance for a very memorable trip. Overnite back at the Xining Hotel.
Day 11: Some time to look around Xining before our afternoon flight to Shenzhen 13:40 – 18:15. From Shenzhen we will coach back to Hong Kong. Arrival in Hong Kong around 8:30PM.
*
Itinerary subject to change
View Schedule and Pricing Information
TBT-1
Central Passes
/ Lake Yamdrok
This tour will start with our usual acclimatizing, culturally and
physically, in Lhasa and then gradually take in the spectacular passes and
glaciers of Central Tibet. From a relatively lush Lhasa valley we will
go over the Kampala (4,800M), Karola (5,100M) and Simla (4,330M)
passes and enjoy cycling along Lake Yamdrok in between. Yamdrok
Lake is one of Tibet's largest and highest at 4,200M and is over 50 Km in
length. The Karola Glacier will leave us awe struck as it literally
seems to be falling on us when we go down Karola pass entering southern
Tibet. Cycling to Xigatse we will have a geographic change of
high canyon walls and very dry country with plenty of climbs left. The
end of this tour takes in some of Tibet's history present and past with the
Gyantse Fort and the Tashilinpo Monastery - seat of the Panchen Lama.
This trip we only offer in the summer and fall months of every year because
of snow and weather conditions on the passes.
View Route Map!
Tour Grade:
Challenging
Hotel Grades:
See Itinerary (grades are indicated in parentheses)
Cycling distance: 350 - 450 Km.
*
Participants are required to provide their own tent and sleeping bag
( rated to -20 C ) for this tour.
Tibet Central Passes / Lake Yamdrok Detailed Itinerary: 13 days/12 nights
Day 1: This evening we will train to Guangzhou - 2 hours from Hong Kong for a stay near the airport there in anticipation of our early morning flight next day.
Day 2: A morning flight from Guangzhou to Lhasa. Transferred to our hotel for our three nights in Lhasa (2) - a 1 hr. journey from the airport. Resting and getting oriented - you will find yourselves very dizzy and confused due to the sudden changes not to mention tingling in your extremities! From 500M to 3,600M in less than two hours - not bad!
Day 3: Short acclimatizing bike trip to the Potala Palace and tour of this the former residence of the Dalai Lama as well as the Barkhor Bazaar. Afternoon walking around the Jokhang temple - Lhasa's most holy site.
Day 4: Biking to Drepung monastery and then back to Lhasa for a boat ride in a boat made of Yak hide! This evening perhaps we can try some, uh, lovely Yak butter tea!
Day 5: We're off! Cycling along the Lhasa River Valley to our first camp night at Dagar (0) 76 Km of the last pavement we will see for this tour. This is the same road as what we came in on Day 2 from the airport. We will have a lunch half way at the Nedong Monastery.
Day 6: KAMPALA PASS! From 3,600M we will climb to 4798M in a span of 20 Km. Mile marker 100.8 is the top in case you start wondering. If it is too much our patient lorry driver will pick you up and carry you to the top for some exciting downhill! Another 10 Km down to the lake after some thrilling sights of Turquoise Blue Yamdrok lake and the coming Karola Pass in the distance. Camp near Baidi village on the Lake. (0) 38 Km.
Day 7: Cycling fairly level along the Lake today with wonderful views of water fowl, horses, yaks and goat herds along the lake's edge. Our evening destination will be the town of Nakartse and a simple hostel with warm Tibetan curiosity. 44 Km. cycling (0 or 1)
Day 8: KAROLA PASS! Its a deceptive first 29 Km. climbing from 4,200 M to 5,100 M to the pass at mile marker 181.7. Deceptive because it seems to not really be much of a climb. The views of needle point peaks and glaciers as well as the rushing glacier rivers and waterfalls really keep you going. Breathing is difficult today but we are ready, right! Lunch and rejuvenation 10 km before the top and then GLORY! Karola Glacier will overwhelm us with its sheer size and how it seems to hang over our heads. This Karola Pass is the site of the highest battle in world history. The battle between the British and Tibetan armies in 1904. It's cold up here so we won't stick around too long - it's DOWNHILL TIME! 15 Km of downhill later we come to our camp site of Ralung Village. At mile marker 196 turn off to Ralung for another 5 Km. (0) 69 Km. cycling
Day 9: From Ralung to Gyantse today we will start the dry side of Tibet. Stark Canyon walls with green Oasis' in the valleys. 24 Km. of downhill to our lunch stop at mile marker 220. From 220 on it can be not so nice with some very steep climbs with Simla Pass at 4,330M cresting at mile marker 253. Recommended to sit it out and then do the last 20 Km. into Gyantse. Overnite Gyantse Guest house (1/2) 57 Km. cycling
Day 10: Our last cycling stretch is a fairly flat cycle of 64 Km. to Shalu Village and Monastery and then the last 25 Km. into Xigatse the seat of the Panchen Lamas. Gyantse sits at an altitude of 3,060M whereas Xigatse sits at 2,800M. Overnite Xigatse. (2)
Day 11: Visit the Tashilunpo Monastery seat of the Panchen Lamas and then an afternoon trip by coach back to Lhasa. A nice bed tonight in Lhasa - celebrate! Free for shopping and relaxing in Lhasa City.
Day 12: Early morning transfer to airport - flight to Guangzhou and then transfer to train station for our train back to Hong Kong.
* Itinerary subject to change
View Schedule and Pricing Information
TBT-4
Lake Namtso via Pemba Valley and Reting
This tour is a must for the nature lover. We take in Lake Namtso, which is
the second largest salt water lake in Tibet and a stopover for several bird
migratories. Getting there is half of the fun with a ride up the Pemba
Valley and three challenging climbs up and down passes ranging in height
from 4800-4900m. The last pass of 5180 will be done by landcruiser (perhaps
cycling for the hardier ones). From this pass we will have our first view of
Lake Namtso. Around cycling and bird watching we will also see sights of
cultural/religious interest such as the Sili Goetsang and Tashi Do Hermitage
Caves, Tibetan Nomads and all of the Lhasa sights to boot.
View Route Map!
Tour Grade:
Challenging
Hotel Grades:
See Itinerary
(grades are indicated in parentheses)
Cycling
distance: 250-300 Km.
*
Participants are required to provide their own tent and sleeping bag
( rated to -20 C ) for this tour.
Lake Namtso Detailed Itinerary: 13 days/12 nights
Day 1: This evening we will train to Guangzhou - 2 hours from Hong Kong for a stay near the airport there in anticipation of our early morning flight next day.
Day 2: A morning flight from Guangzhou to Lhasa. Transferred to our hotel for our three nights in Lhasa (2) - a 1 hr. journey from the airport. Resting and getting oriented - you will find yourselves very dizzy and confused due to the sudden changes not to mention tingling in your extremities! From 500M to 3,600M in less than two hours - not bad!
Day 3: Short acclimatizing bike trip to the Potala Palace and tour of this the former residence of the Dalai Lama as well as the Barkhor Bazaar. Afternoon walking around the Jokhang temple - Lhasa's most holy site.
Day 4: Biking to Drepung monastery and then back to Lhasa for a boat ride in a boat made of Yak hide! This evening perhaps we can try some, uh, lovely Yak butter tea!
Day 5: Our first full day of cycling out of Lhasa East/Northeast to Pembo Valley. 80 Km. Hotel.
Day 6: We hit our first pass today - Chakla 4,900M, over the mountain and down the Reting River Valley today. 90Km. Inn
Day 7: A morning exploratory of the Reting monastery and then we are off! Over an unnamed pass, our second, 4900 M to our overnight Hotel in Dam Xiong 74 Km. The second half of our ride today will be back on pavement and welcomed for a change!
Day 8: We cycle our third and final pass - Kong La Pass of 5,180 M! This 50Km stretch of road is challenging (quite rutty). From the top of the pass we will see the magnificent first sighting of Lake Namtso. We will lodge near the bird sanctuary management area after our downhill to the Lake. Simple Inn.
Day 9: Riding back down 50Km to Damxiong for overnight. Hotel.
Day 10: A last 75Km ride to Yangbajing and overnight Hotel. Yangbajing is famous for Thermal Pools.
Day 11: Back to Lhasa by land cruiser. Now we get some good food and some of those creature comforts we have missed over the past 6 nights! Overnight Hotel.
Day 12: Early morning transfer to airport - flight to Guangzhou and then transfer to train station for our train back to Hong Kong.
* Itinerary subject to change
View Schedule and Pricing Information
ABA-Short
North Sichuan
.... details coming soon ....
View Route Map!
Tour Grade:
Challenging
Hotel Grades:
See Itinerary
(grades are indicated in parentheses)
Cycling
distance: TBD.
*
Participants are required to provide their own tent and sleeping bag
( rated to -20 C ) for this tour.
North Sichuan Detailed Itinerary: Coming Soon...
View Schedule and Pricing Information
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All Photos Copyright Tim Obendorf
All
Photos Copyright Tim Obendorf
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