-
You do not have any saved holidays. Click the heart icon on the search or holiday pages to save a holiday.
Please note: all saved holidays will be removed when you clear your cookies!
 |
7 |
Cycling |
DAYS |
Voir les photos
Holiday Overview
Holiday Overview
Highlights
- “Moderate-level” tour
- Photography Hotspots
- Qinghai Lake: the largest salt-water lake in China
Map & Itinerary
Map & Itinerary
This specially-designed CAT trip includes several portions of the famous “Qinghai Lake International Cycling Race”, held every summer. This is the top professional road race in Asia, with approx 250 cyclists representing 15-20 countries, attended by thousands of cheering spectators! Although our 7-day trip won’t cover the grueling 1300 km that the professional racers cover, it will still be at the same altitude, as high as 3300 meters in some places! Even though we will cycle at quite a high elevation, the route chosen is gently-undulating, so it is still a “moderate-level” tour. Along the way, there are several highlights, but two of them will be seeing “Bird Island” and visiting a Tibetan Lamasery, both midway through the trip! For photographers, the alpine meadows may be in full-bloom, with snow-capped mountains serving as a backdrop to their carpets of colour.
Qinghai Province is a desolate mountainous area located on the northeastern part of the Tibetan Plateau. Three of Asia’s best-known rivers originate in these mountains – the Yellow River (Huang He) originates in the middle of the province, while the timeless Yangtze and the mighty Mekong have their sources in the southwestern part. Although it serves mainly as the domain of nomadic Tibetan herdsmen, there are over 33 ethnic groups represented in the province.
Qinghai Lake is the largest salt-water lake in China, with an area of 4,635 square kilometers! Its name means “teal-green sea”. It is located about 100 km west of the provincial capital of Xining at 3,205 m (10,515 feet) above sea level, in a depression of the Tibetan Plateau. Twenty-three rivers and streams empty into Qinghai Lake, which teams with fish in the summer!
This Qinghai Lake cycling tour will circumnavigate the lake. The high altitude, the area’s stark beauty, the mixture of culture and natural history, and limitless photographic opportunities, will make this a trip to remember!
Elevation range: 3100meters to 3300 meters
Terrain: Flat, rolling
Cycling tour level: Moderate; high-altitude biking; vehicle-supported
Total cycling distance: Approximately 360 km
Average distance cycling per day: Up to 85 km
Traffic: Heavy traffic is expected in some sections.
Holiday Itinerary
-
XINING AIRPORT / XIHAI
Pick up from airport of Xining, the capital of Qinghai Province (China’s largest province, excluding the 3 Autonomous Regions which are technically not provinces), it was main drag to further western of China, so it is also called South part of “silk road”. It is called “summer capital” because of the cool summer, there are several minorities here, so it is a wonderful place for enjoy different customs and snacks here. We will be met and greeted at the airport. Transfer to the hotel and check in.-
Accommodation local 4 star hotel in Xining
-
Meals D
-
-
XINING / XIHAI / QINGHAI LAKE
Road condition：paved, light traffic, a dozen hills, each with a gentle gradient
Route: XiHai town---HaErGai-----Gahai------Qinghai LakeView spots on the way: Huangyuan ancient city, JinYinTan grassland, first A-bomb rememorized tablet. Qinghai Lake.
Distance：130 kilometers
Time cost: 7hrs
Elevation：3100M-3300M
After an early breakfast, we will board our safe and comfortable bus and will drive directly to Xihai, about 100 km to the northeast. As we gently ascend to a higher elevation, we will see the landscape change from urban blemish to rural grasslands and we will soon come to the vast Jinyintan Pasture (over 1000 sq km), a typical high-altitude grazing land. It was this very spot, with its variety of beautiful summer flowers, which inspired the late Wang Luobin, renowned composer of Chinese folk songs, to write his award-winning classic, “In a Place Far Away”.
Upon arrival, we will verify our equipment, then strike off westward towards Qinghai Lake, accompanied by our support vehicle. The morning’s scenery will be that of endless grasslands, punctuated here and there by evidence of an ever-encroaching desert – areas of dry, scruffy terrain dotted with occasional sand dunes. We will choose a scenic place to eat our packed lunches, carried by the support vehicle. Later, in the afternoon, and after several uphill and downhill sections, we will suddenly see the Lake, shining on the western horizon like a ribbon of shimmering silk! On our descent, the landscape will be totally different. As we start to cycle towards the lush sea of grass, with its interwoven patches of summer flowers, we can imagine ourselves cycling out onto a living, vibrant painting, created by Nature herself. Still, distances are deceiving at this altitude, and only after another 20km of riding will we actually arrive at the end-point of our long day – the Qinghai Lake fishing base.
-
Accommodation 4 star hotel in Qinghai Lake
-
Distance 130 km
-
Meals BLD
-
Time 7hrs
-
-
QINGHAI LAKE FISHING BASE / HEIMA RIVER
DAY 03 QINGHAI LAKE FISHING BASE / HEIMA RIVER (B/L/D)
View spots：Heima River is a good place to shoot photographer sunrise and sunset
Road condition：paved; fewer vehicles, but flat for the first 25km; several small uphill sections for the remainder, some animal pass road
Distance： 74 kilometers
Time: 6hrs
Elevation：3100M-3200M
Early risers will be able to see the sun start to illuminate one of the most beautiful landscapes in western China. Qinghai Lake is set on a high plateau, with the Tibetan mountains in the distance. On their first morning, visitors like to wander along the shore before breakfast, enthralled by the high-altitude tranquility of the lake itself, which stretches endlessly to the horizon. After a nourishing breakfast, we will start our clockwise ride around Qinghai Lake. Our morning’s ride will first follow the fairly-busy national road, but even so, in June and July, the wild rapeseed flowers are in bloom, blanketing the landscape with shades of yellow and gold. There is little civilization around most of the lake, so we will stop in a quiet spot along the way to enjoy our picnic lunch and to allow us to recharge our energy with toast, ham，fruits and chocolate. In the afternoon, our path will lead us away from the traffic, onto a quiet road alongside the lake. We will cycle in an area of peaceful tranquility until we reach our stay for the night, a rustic, but comfortable hostel, situated just by the lake.
-
Accommodation Heima River Hostel
-
Distance 74 km
-
Meals BLD
-
Time 6hrs
-
-
HEIMA RIVER / BIRD ISLAND
Road condition：paved, light traffic, flat or downhill for the most of the time, some animal pass road, national road.
View spots：Naked Carp in fresh water and eggs is born here, Bird Island
Distance：67km
Elevation：3080M-3300M
Time: 6hrsThis is the day for photographers! And at the end of the day, when we reach the western end of the lake, we will be tempted to simply stay and take pictures! We will cycle along in the soft morning light, the pastoral scene will include un-tethered cows, sheep, horses, and even yaks, nonchalantly munching on clumps of ripe, lush grass. White yurts, similar to those seen in Inner Mongolia, typically dot the landscape. Our morning will be punctuated by several “photo stops”, each one registering an unforgettable scene in our own memory, as well as in the camera’s. (Astute photographers may catch an occasional anachronism – shaggy black yaks surrounding a white yurt with a satellite dish perched on the roof.) We will make a small detour away from the water to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in the small village of Shinaigai, after which we’ll head back to the lakeshore to see one of the highlights of the trip – Bird Island! It’s been said that if Qinghai Lake were the crown of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, then Bird Island is the jewel in the crown! Although the name is singular, there are actually 2 islands, and even these two can barely hold the birds that return to nest, year after year. Qinghai Lake is located at the crossroads of several bird migration routes across Asia. In April of each year, as the ice melts across the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, thousands of birds from southern China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and the Indian subcontinent arrive to lay and hatch their eggs. Over 20 species have been noted, including Bar-headed Geese, Ruddy Shelducks, Brown-headed Gulls, cormorants, egrets, and sandpipers. Stately Griffon Vultures glide overhead, minivets frequent the scrubby bushes, and Mongolian Larks sing from the grasses. Even the rare Black-necked Crane and an occasional swan have been seen! The flat ground, mild temperature, proximity to abundant fish, and safety from predators support thousands of nests (and eggs), right on the ground! In June and July, as the young begin to fly, the sky is black with flying birds. Bird Island is one of the wonders of the Tibetan plateau, a photographer’s challenge, but an ornithologist’s delight. This special site, with so many birds, so close, and normally only associated with remote mountain cliffs, attracts many visitors during the summer months.
-
Accommodation Bird Island Hotel
-
Distance 67km
-
Meals BLD
-
Time 6hrs
-
-
BIRD ISLAND / QUANJI / GANGCHA COUNTY
Road condition：paved; heavy traffic for the most of the day; first section is 10km, varying between flat and uphill; the rest of the road is flat and/or downhill
View spots：G.przewalskii in males than females, low fecundity, each year in late March to August by Buha River in Qinghai Lake into the breed. Spawning grounds generally slow moving, sediment as gravel, pebbles or spinning. Spawning season in mid-May to mid-June, the scenery is spectacular comparison.
Distance：70 km
Elevation：3130M-3250M
Time: 5-6hrs
After breakfast, we will make an unhurried walk from our hotel to visit the Shatuo lamasery, home to the Red Hat branch of Tibetan Buddhism. Its first building was constructed in 1665, but there have been several additions. The buildings now include a 300-square-meter prayer hall,18 rooms and dorms for monks, and a mansion for the living Buddha. After our visit (about 1 hours), we will start our cycling tour again along the west bank of the lake for another 25km, then we will ride on the National road again and bike to Quanji, where we will have lunch and also visit the local market to buy fruit. In the afternoon, ride to Gangcha, where we will relax a bit and take a shower before wandering around this little Tibetan town with its various ethnic groups. After supper, we will be able to relax and enjoy an amazing sunset over the seemingly-endless lake.-
Accommodation Gangcha Hotel
-
Distance 70km
-
Meals BLD
-
Time 5-6hrs
-
-
GANGCHA / XIHAI TOWN / XINING
Road condition：paved, several uphill and downhill sections.
Route: GangChang County----JingyinTan----XiHai Town------Xining (you will be transferred to Xingning by bus.
View spot: natural view of grassland ,Qinghai-Tibet Railway is passing here.
Distance： 164km
Elevation：3100一3200M
Time: 6-7hrs
This morning we will be up before dawn to see a bit of Gangcha itself, with its traditional yurts, beautiful prayer flags, and mysterious praying stones. Then we will make an early start on our bikes, leaving Qinghai Lake behind us, as we head back toward Xihai. On the way, we will encounter several small villages where we will see the authentic buildings and day-to-day activities of the local people. After a picnic lunch, we will again pass through the most beautiful natural grazing grounds outside of Xihan before our arrival in the late afternoon. That night we will enjoy a feast in a local restaurant to celebrate our great accomplishment of doing a “race” around Qinghai Lake!-
Accommodation 4-star hotel
-
Distance 164km
-
Meals BLD
-
Time 6-7hrs
-
-
XIHAI TOWN / XINING CITY
After a relaxing morning, we will drive back to Xining, where we will transfer to the airport to catch our outbound plane.
-
Meals B
-
Price Policy
Tour Price Policy
Additional details
1. Before you pay deposit to book the tour, we haven’t made any reservation yet. The train, flight tickets and the hotel may different from the itinerary listed.
2. The visiting order of the scenic spots in the itinerary may change according to the traffic condition and other unforeseen things.
3. Tourist insurance is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
The price includes
1. Entrance Fees: to scenic spots as listed in the itinerary
2. All the activities fee mentioned in the itinerary: Hutong rickshaw in Beijing; Sichuan Opera show in Chengdu;
3. Private Transfers: Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing during the trip by private air conditioned vehicle with a driver.
4. Meals: All meals as indicated in the itinerary (B-breakfast, L-lunch, D-dinner), include Peking duck dinner in Beijing; Hot pot dinner in Chengdu.
5. Guide: As outlined in the itinerary an English-speaking guide and driver will be provided in each city, who will remain with you throughout your time in that city. A new guide and a new driver will meet you at each city on your tour, to provide you with the best local knowledge available
6. Hotel: hotel fees are based on two people sharing one room with king-size bed. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast
7. Internal flights
** Day 11/ Flight from Yichang to Shanghai (based on economy class);
8. Trains
** Day 04/ High speed train from Beijing to Xi’an (based on 2nd class);
** Day 06/ High speed train from Xi’an to Chengdu (based on 2nd class)
** Day 06/ High speed train from Chengdu to Chongqing (based on 2nd class)
9. Arrangements: the tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges
10. Travel Agency Liability insurance
The price does not include
1. International airfare or train tickets to enter or leave China
2. China entry visa fees
3. Excess baggage charges
4. The medicine for the sickness or accident while on the way
5. Personal expenses: expenses of a purely personal nature such as laundry, drinks, fax, telephone calls, optional activities, sightseeing or meals which are not included in the tour itinerary
6. Meals: any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary
7. Single room supplement
8. Please notice that the price will be much higher during the festival of Labors’ Day, National Day, spring festival
9. Tips to tour guide and driver (recommended USD10-15/guest/day).
10. Tourist accident insurance. NB - you are strongly suggested to buy travel and health insurance before you start out from your home country.
Payment conditions
To confirm your reservation, you must pay a deposit of 30% of the total amount due via the payment link that your local agent will share. The balance is due 30 days prior to departure. The quoted exchange rate is valid for the next 7 days – if the deposit is not paid within this time, the quote will be re-calculated.
Terms and conditions for cancelation
i. Cancellation of the Tour by CAT (local agent):
CAT reserve the right to cancel the postpone tour at any time up to the date final payment is due under the following condition: in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. And in this case, all money paid by the participants will be refunded. If the tour is postponed, CAT will offer all those who have signed up the opportunity to have the same tour for a later time, but the price may be changed according to the season. We will notify you of any change, and give you a reasonable period
of time to make your decision. Consumers may, but are under no obligation to, take the tour under these new terms. After final payment has been made, we may cancel the tour only if, in our opinion, health and/or safety factors related to conditions in China would make the tour inadvisable. Since cancellation in this case involves factors which may arise suddenly and are entirely outside our control, including but not limited to natural disasters, civil unrest and epidemic disease, we cannot guarantee a full refund in this case. This is because payment will already have been made to finalize the arrangements and reservation.
ii. Cancellation of the Tour by Consumer:
Any cancellation must be made by sending an email to the local agent. The cancellation fee varies according to how many days prior to departure the cancellation is made:
· More than 30 days prior to departure: 5% of the total holiday cost
· Between 30 and 22 days prior to departure : 25% of the total holiday cost
· Between 21 and 8 days prior to departure : 50% of the total holiday cost
· Between 7 and 3 days prior to departure : 75% of the total holiday cost
· Less than 3 days prior to departure and after the departure date: 100% of the total holiday cost
All cancellations must be in writing and will be effective upon receipt by CAT. No refund will be made to those participants who break the journey regardless of the portions of the package unused. If, owing to serious illness or injury, the participant withdraws from the tour, a refund will be subject to the consent of the local travel agent.
No refund will be made to those participants who have failed to secure valid travel documents such as passport or visas.
