As a cycling enthusiast, you must have wondered: What would it take? Extravagant Yak specializes in taking care of the details for you. For each inspiring and rewarding day in the saddle, your only responsibilities are to find your rhythm and keep breathing. This is the perfect adventure for the cyclist who believes some rewards are best appreciated after a sufficient challenge (and even a bit of suffering) to earn them!
Fixed tour? Custom? Either way, we are pleased to oblige. After all, if joining an upcoming tour does not appeal to you, we specialize in consulting with you to tailor-make a route for you. After a friendly phone conversation, we’ll determine whether to include 35km Himalayan descents (with corresponding climbs) or to stick to a route where your breathing remains a little more steady (and the road a little more flat).
The heart of Western China welcomes you as your driver navigates the throngs of cyclists which mix with the rhythm of a modern city. After a rest at your hotel, you're off to dinner and a visit to China's historical Three Kingdoms era Zhuge Liang Memorial Temple and Jinli Ancient Street.
Your private guide will escort you to the Giant Panda Research and Breeding Center for close-up viewing of these curious creatures who are more native to Sichuan than the people themselves. In the afternoon you will stretch your legs with a leisurely ride to Luodai Historic Town followed by an evening's entertainment at the Sichuan Opera. Cycling: ~25km.
The true adventure begins! After an early morning shuttle out of Chengdu to Baoxing (3hrs), you will cycle a moderate ascent toward higher elevations as the environment changes from bamboo forested lowlands to evergreen-covered highlands. Tonight's accommodation will be in the Tibetan village of Qiaoqi (2500m), the staging town for your journey North the following day toward the Tibetan frontier. Cycling: ~55km.
Today is your first full day in the saddle and a feast for your senses. With your support vehicle along for assistance if needed, today's ride includes an intimate introduction to Jiajin Mountain. After reaching the top of your first 4000m pass there's little to compare with the exhilaration of cruising over 30km of rewarding downhill on the other side to a secluded hotel outside of Dawei (2700m). Cycling: ~85km.
After yesterday's hard work you are rewarded with a long gradual descent along the Xiaojin River valley to the town of Danba (2300m), the heartland of a Tibetan-related people group called the Jairong. The visual confluence of customs and dress makes an already exotic journey even more surreal. Your quaint accommodation for the next two nights is a historic Tibetan village high on the mountain above town. Cycling: ~90km.
Camera in hand, today's exploration is by foot through this quaint village to visit the ancient handmade watchtowers unique to this historic region of Tibet. In the afternoon you'll have some personal space to wander more of the narrow streets of this historic Tibetan farming community either on foot or by bicycle. Enjoy some hospitality at one of the village's quaint cafes!
Eager to get back in the saddle, today you descend from the mountainside village back down to the river to continue your journey west into Danba town proper (~1900m). The first part of today's ride takes you to the confluence of five valleys where the town sits! From here you begin your ride along the Dong-gu River up a moderate climb through a quiet valley known as "Yak Valley", to the village of Dong-gu (2400m). Cycling: ~50km
Continuing on, the scenery changes again on a gradual ascent towards the pasturelands at higher elevations as you pass Mt. Yala (peak: 5820m) and nomad encampments with their roaming animals. In case you were wondering just how unique and epic your Tibetan cycle adventure would be, today all such speculation will give way to incredulity as you cross your second 4000m pass and roll into Bamei (3500m). Cycling: 40km
After yesterday's hard work you are thrilled to earn a relatively leisurely ride across high-elevation grasslands, passing more nomads and yaks, and one more 4000m pass (!) to the authentic nomad trading town of Tagong (3700m). An afternoon's exploration of this unique town and its historic temple will prepare you for some western food at the Khamba Cafe. Cycling: 35km.
Fuelled up on coffee and breakfast in the morning, you are ready to assail the highest mountain pass of your trip. You will first shuttle to the Kangding airport for the start of your ride. On your way to the scenic heights of Zheduo pass (4300m) you'll bid your last farewells to the highlands as you anticipate the rewarding 35km descent to Zhonggu village for a rewarding dip in a local hot spring. Following your hot spring visit, you will shuttle (or ride, 20km) into the bustling Chinese and Tibetan trading town of Kangding (2600m). Cycling: ~60-75km.
Back in civilization and well rested after a comfortable sleep at a lower elevation than you've been at in days, you'll have a fascinating tour of this bustling river town, a scenic walk up to the look-out on Paoma Mountain, followed by an evening community dance in the town square (feel free to join in!).
After breakfast you'll enjoy a shuttle from the mountain town of Kangding back down to the lowlands of Sichuan. What formerly involved a full day of travel, now takes only a few hours via the new expressway linking Kangding to the rest of the province. Following a check-in at your hotel in Leshan and a delicious lunch, you will spend the afternoon on your bike taking in the beautiful sights along the river, including a view of Leshan's ancient Big Buddha carving. Morning shuttle: 3.5 hrs, 240km. Afternoon cycling: ~40km.
With a full sense of accomplishment, today you relax on your scenic transport back to Chengdu for a final night at the Grand Parcvue Hotel and a farewell banquet. Shuttle: 2.5 hrs, 140km.
This epic Mountain Biking Backcountry Tibet tour is a challenge is best described as adventure biking, designed for two-wheeled mountaineers. There are riders for whom 2-3 hours of climbing is worth an hour or more of non-stop descent. For these riders, when burning muscles and desperate pedal strokes are overshadowed by the seemingly futile experience of breathing, by screaming lungs gasping for one more mouthful of oxygen, their smiles get bigger and their sense of adventure grows deeper.
Enjoy the best of Tibetan culture and hospitality, while taking in the breathtaking mountain vistas and vast grasslands found only on the roof of the world. This quick four day trip offers you a glimpse into these remote areas that are so close, yet seemingly a world away.
This is a six day Tibetan homestay experience for those who desire an opportunity to truly absorb this ancient culture in Amdo Tibet. This trip maximizes both the cultural and natural aspects of this majestic land and its people.