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 is prepared to tackle any terrain that lies in front of them (accompanied by a cushioned support vehicle and a knowledgeable guide to ensure a safe diet and a good sleep on the journey!).
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). Either way, the adventure ahead will instill in you an awareness of the intended meaning behind the word epic. Guaranteed.
We believe that on every tour, and especially on a physically demanding cycle tour, our clients deserve service beyond the expected. For a taste of what we provide along the way, you can read about what makes our breed of company extravagant here.
Enjoy some cycling scenery in this video (below) of a custom Chengdu – Lhasa tour in 2016. The first part of this tour video features most of our Cycling Scenic Tibet route found on this page (need a VPN if viewing from China).
Day 1 - Arrive in Chengdu
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.
Day 2 - Chengdu
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.
Day 3 - Chengdu to Qiaoqi
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.
Day 4 - Qiaoqi to Dawei
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.
Day 5 - Dawei to Danba
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.
Day 6 - Danba
A day off the bikes (if you prefer). Camera in hand, today's exploration is by foot through quaint villages and visits to the ancient handmade watchtowers unique to this historic region of Tibet. In the afternoon you'll have some personal space to wander the narrow streets of the tight-knit mountain town of Danba.
Day 7 - Danba to Bamei
Eager to get back in the saddle, today you descend back down to the river as you follow a moderate climb through a quiet valley, known as "Yak Valley", to the village of Dong-gu (2400m). 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: 85km
Day 8 - Bamei to Dagong
After yesterday's hard work you are thrilled to earn a leisurely morning ride across high-elevation grasslands, passing more nomads and yaks, to the authentic nomad trading town of Tagong (3000m). 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.
Day 9 - Tagong to Kangding
Fuelled up on coffee and breakfast in the morning, you are ready to assail the highest mountain pass of your trip. On your way to the scenic heights of Zheduo pass (4200m) you'll bid your last farewells to the highlands as you anticipate the rewarding 35km descent to the bustling Chinese and Tibetan trading town of Tagong (2400m). Cycling: 110km.
Day 10 - Kangding
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 the Tibetan Museum of Cultural History, 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!).
Day 11 - Kangding to Chengdu
With a full sense of accomplishment, today you relax on your scenic transport back to Chengdu for a final night at the Fraser Suites and a farewell banquet. Shuttle: 7 hrs, 330km.
Day 12 - Depart
Your trip concludes this morning at checkout.
Inclusions
All transport, including airport pick-up and transfers
Private vehicle and driver with foreign guide, plus an excellent English-speaking local guide
All meals, snacks, drinks, and bottled water enroute (with wine served at dinner)
Complimentary use of a cell phone with local number for the duration of the trip
All accommodation based on double occupancy
All activities and entrance fees enroute (per the itinerary)
Exclusions
International, or out-of-city travel arrangements
Passport and visa fees
Medical, travel, and trip interruption insurance
Activities not included on the trip itinerary
Souvenirs, laundry, items of a personal nature
Single supplement (Pricing based on double occupancy)
A relaxing and fun ride through the heart of Chengdu on a bamboo bicycle is the perfect way to feel the vibe of this ancient city! Chengdu’s laid-back lifestyle and flat geography make for a very bike-friendly city. You’ll wind along rivers past tea gardens, cruise through quaint neighbourhoods, view famous sites, hear some good stories, capture some fantastic photos, eat some local cuisine, and want to do it all again the next day! All while riding a local handmade bamboo bicycle with a friendly guide along to keep you alive in a city of 12 million.
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.
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.
