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This 12-day cycling and hiking tour begins and ends in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. This tour is designed as a moderate to challenging ride. Average daily cycling mileage will be about 62 km or 38 miles. A support vehicle will carry luggage and cyclists when necessary. This tour will visit both well-known and little-known sights and will appeal to those who have cultural, social and geographical interests.

On the first day, the group will meet in Chengdu in the morning and take a leisurely tour of Chengdu visiting Wenshu Monastery, the River Viewing Pagoda and the Sichuan University Museum.

The following day, we will head north to the Panda Breeding Research Base and then to Xindu to visit the Baoguan Temple and finally to Guanghan.

The next day the group will first visit the Sanxingdui Archeological Museum (one of the best in China) with a number of 2,500 year-old copper masks and other artifacts. Afterwards we will cycle to Beichuan and visit the Zhengjuisi Pagoda.

The next day the group will cycle over a 3,354-meter pass and finally arriving at Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve. The following day will be spent in the park exploring the spectacular alpine scenery of multicolored pools, waterfalls, and snowy mountain landscapes.

The next two days will be spent hiking to remote villages in the area and either camping or staying in a homestay.

On the tenth day, the group will cycle out of the Juizhaigou valley to Chuanzhusi over a 3,800 meter pass.

The next day, we will cycle to Huanglong Nature Reserve, reknown for its multicolored pools.

On the 12th day, the group will return to Chengdu via air from the airport in Chuanzhusi concluding the tour.

Itinerary and Tour Details Northern Sichuan - Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou and Huanglong Bike Tour 12-Day Cycling Tour
Day	Location	Cycling km	Total Distance/km	Notes
				SICHUAN PROVINCE
1	Chengdu	30	30	Tour of Chengdu Sights - Wenshu Monastery, River Viewing pagoda and Sichuan University Museum
2	Guanghan	60	60	Panda Breeding Center, Baoguan Buddhist Temple
3	Mianzhu	41	41	Sanxingdui - Archeological Exhibit of Copper Masks and artifacts from the year 500 B.C.
4	Beichuan	77	77	Zhengjuisi Pagoda
5	Pingwu	76	156	SBao'an Temple - Transport used part way.
6	Jiuzhaigou	83	173	Travel over 3354 m pass (11,000 ft) - Transport used part way.
7	Jiuzhaigou	0	20	Hike and explore the Jiuzhaigou Nature Parks
8	Jiuzhaigou	0	0	Hike to remote villages
9	Jiuzhaigou	0	0	Hike to remote villages
10	Chuanzhusi	111	111	Climb a 3,850m (12,630) pass
11	Huanglong	20	20	Explore the nature park
12	Chengdu	0	393	Return to Chengdu via air. End of Tour..

Details

Start location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Finish location: Chengdu, Sichuan Province

Tour type: Vehicle-supported - Transport will be provided for gear. Riders will be able to use the transport as needed. (Note: This tour is also available without a support vehicle at a reduced cost.)

Geographical location: Southwest China Elevation range: 300 feet (100 meters) to 10,500 feet (3,099 meters)

Climate: The best weather for touring is in the spring and fall. Historic weather information for Chengdu is available from the link below. Higher elevations will be cooler

Terrain: Flat, rolling and mountainous

Cycling tour level: Moderate to challenging

Total cycling distance: Approximately 498 km (303 miles): Average distance per travel day: 62 km (38 miles) Cycling may be supplemented on occasion with vehicle transport when necessary to reach the next destination before dark

Days: 12

Cycling Days: 8

Hiking Days: 3

Group size: 1 - 8

Rental bike: US$0.included in the cost of the tour.This includes a mountain bike with front suspension, panniers, lock, gloves, raincape and helmet.

Accommodations: Basic clean Chinese hotels.

Prices include the following:

1. Bilingual bicycle tour guide to accompany the group for the duration of the tour.
2. All hotel accommodations (double occupancy) for 13 nights.
3. Meals eaten as group (private meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages are not included).
4. All group transportation costs (buses, boats, and taxis and a flight from Jiuzhaigou to Chengdu) including to/from the airports.
5. All group entrance fees to attractions.
6. A support vehicle for transport of gear (and cyclists when needed).
7. Rental bike and equipment.
8. Travel insurance for the duration of the tour.

If you decide to do something on your own, you will be responsible for those costs.

Cost: Prices depend on the total number of people going on the tour and the time of year. Below are the price per person (pp) and quoted in US dollars (US$) for non-holiday periods*:

Group size:

1 person: $3,280
2 people: $2,560 pp
3 people $2,330 pp
4-8 people $2,120 ppp