Go See!

Macs Adventure launches China walking and cycling tours

Macs Adventure has launched four exhilarating, once-in-a-lifetime privately-guided walking and cycling adventures in China – a brand new destination for the tour operator.

The two walking tours: Beijing and the Great Wall and Walk the Great Wall of China combine the ancient sights of Beijing with a choice of either two or five days walking on dramatic and remote sections of the Great Wall of China. The cycling trips in southern China provide two options - firstly the shorter Yangshuo and Guilin Cycling  tour or secondly, the seven night Backroads of Yangshuo trip which combines cycling in the limestone karst landscape of Yangshuo with rafting and kayaking on the Li River.

In the spirit of adventure, the privately guided tours all have time built in to explore by yourself too.

Sally Thompson, the Product Manager at Macs Adventure who developed the new tours said: "There's a Chinese proverb: “Don't listen to what they say. Go see.” We at Macs agree with this proverb and think that everyone should visit China at least once, which is why we have developed these tours. The itineraries give a wonderful insight into the country and its culture.”

Beijing and the Great Wall, five nights from £840 per person

http://www.macsadventure.com/holiday-1903/beijing-the-great-wall

This short trip starts with the sights of the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Olympic Park and the 'hutong' district in Beijing and then continues with independent walking on two different sections of the 2,000-year-old Great Wall. The tour also includes a stunning short cruise through limestone peaks of the Longging Gorges where you can see the caves of Guyaji, which has over 100 houses carved out from a hillside.

Walk the Great Wall of China, seven nights from £1450 per person http://www.macsadventure.com/holiday-1909/walk-the-great-wall-of-china

As well as taking the splendid sights of Beijing, this route along the wall takes in five different sections on separate days. The first section, the trek at Juyongguan, is the closest section to Beijing, passes a number of watchtowers and a Confucian temple. The next day's walk starts with a steep ascent to an imposing ridge, the 'General's Tower' with sweeping panoramic views and finishes with the a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ming Tombs.  The next trek from Shuichangcheng to Huanghuacheng is called Water Great Wall and offers breath-taking views of the reservoir below, into which the Great Wall seems to plunge, while the last part of the day takes you to the Silver Pagodas of the Tang Dynasty. Day 6's itinerary takes you along staircases and through a pine forest, while Day 7, the Gubeiko to Zhuandao Pass, sees you descend towards Spider Valley and beautiful panoramas and join a search for medicinal herbs. The final trek from Jinshanling to Simatai is completely restored, but because it is a long way from Beijing it sees far fewer walkers than other sections.

The prices for the walking tours include accommodation with breakfasts, a local guide, transfers, luggage transfers, water, snacks and local fruits for hiking, and back up support. Travel to Beijing is not included, but Macs Adventure can advise the best options at the time of booking. Direct flights with Air China are about £768 return per person.

Yangshuo Guilin Cycling from £615 per person

http://www.macsadventure.com/holiday-1907/yangshuo-guilin-cycling

If you want to cycle through an area that stimulates all the senses, this cycling tour in southern China is for you. Relax in lovely accommodation and pedal through some of the most dramatic landscapes the world has to offer. The itinerary starts in Guilin and includes a number of looped cycle rides past ancient houses, paddy fields and the 'three coloured' pools.  

The price includes accommodation with breakfast, four lunches, one dinner and snacks and local fruits for cycling. A local guide, luggage transfer, bike rental and the bamboo raft ride, transfers and pre-departure information pack, and back support are also included. Travel to Guilin is not included but Macs Adventure can advise on the best options at the time of booking. Flights to Guilin can be connected to via Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Fly with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong for about £671 per person return. 

Backroads of Yangshuo, seven nights from £815 per person

http://www.macsadventure.com/holiday-1910/backroads-of-yangshuo

Cycle in the company of a local guide and pedal past spectacular limestone karst peaks and along peaceful trails within the stunning countryside of Yangshuo. This region is relaxed and stunning in equal measures and you will cycle on village trails alongside the rivers, past rice paddies and through ancient villages with 500 old Ming and Qing Dynasty houses. The itinerary starts with a tour of Guilin, and then heads towards the village of Baisha along the Yulong (Jade Dragon River) and crosses a 400-year-old bridge. Ride alongside the river and through orchards of orange, mandarin, chestnut and pomelo trees and later take an optional ride to Moon Hill with its stunning views. Other highlights include kayaking, a raft trip and a traditional cooking class.

The price includes accommodation with breakfasts, one lunch, snacks and local fruits when cycling; a local guide, bike rental, luggage transfer, bamboo raft ride, cooking class, transfers, pre-departure information pack, and back up support. Travel to Guilin is not included but Macs Adventure can advise on the best options at the time of booking. Flights to Guilin can be connected to via Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong. Fly with Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong for about £671 per person return. 

Ends

6 July 2015

Contacts:  Frances Tuke, 020 7953 7470, frances@lotus-uk.co.uk, Frances McCann tel: 0141 375 0733 fran@macsadventure.com

About Macs Adventure: Launched in 2003, Macs Adventure is a specialist in self-guided walking, cycling and activity holidays in the UK, Europe and selected long-haul destinations.