Overview

 Highlights


  • Cycle through rural villages and vast limestone pinnacles near colorful Yangshuo
  • Complete a worthwhile service project in rural Yangshou
  • Ride bamboo rafts down the Li River
  • Return home with an intimate insight into rural China

On this trip you go as a traveller, only to find that you become the main attraction, as local people are delighted to see that we travel as they do - on bicycles. We jostle for room with lumbering buffaloes, friendly farmers and of course local cyclists while at other times we cycle for long periods in complete serenity on country roads. Our cycling pace is relaxed with time to stop in villages or any other sites of interest. A mini bus accompanies us to carry our gear and provides a welcome break when you have had enough cycling for the day. Following our cycle ride we have ample time to appreciate the rich culture and history of Yangshuo where you will conduct a worthwhile service project at a rural school. This is a service learning adventure to get excited over!

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Hong Kong and Guilin

Activities:

Grading:Introductory   


After all this thinking and planning the day has finally arrived for you to depart on your Southern China Cycling and Service Learning Expedition! You will depart Manila today on a flight to Hong Kong (flights not included and to be arranged). Upon arrival at Hong Kong airport, you will be met by a World Youth Adventures representative and transferred to your hotel. Today is an arrival day and the airport transfer will be co-ordinated to meet up with your flights. After a trip briefing at the hotel, you will join your tour leader for a Welcome Dinner in Hong Kong and experience some local cuisine! Accommodation: Bridal Tea House

Meals:  D

We will depart this morning from the hotel at around 7:30am, making our way to the nearby Hong Kong Pier and travel together on the catamaran boat service to Jiangmen, arriving at Jiangmen Pier at approximately 11:00am. Welcome to China! After clearing immigration and customs you will meet your driver and vehicle at the pier and transfer to a local restaurant for lunch. After lunch we transfer approx 20km by coach out of the hectic streets of Guangzhou, to begin our cycle from the quiet settlement of Jiao Tang. After being set up with your bikes and having a thorough safety briefing the adventure begins, where we ride at a leisurely pace to Zhaoqing, covering approx 40km. Remember that at all times there will be a support vehicle there for you to use should you get tired or want a rest. Accommodation: Magnolia Hotel Zhaoqing

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we cycle through classic rural China. The road weaves past high bamboo forests and small villages, the ubiquitous rice paddy fields and vegetable gardens. There is flexibility today to ride as little or as much as you wish depending on the weather conditions and how you are feeling. Approx 50-70km cycling Accommodation: New Lido Hotel Deqing

Meals:  B,L,D

Coach out of Wuzhou towards Yangshuo where we commence cycling along the most scenic route to Yangshuo. Yangshuo is an idyllic town set amidst limestone pinnacles and rice paddies. The surrounding region is very beautiful, spotted with small villages and imposing karst rock formations. The village itself has fantastic shopping and restaurants, and lively ambiance. The cycle route to Yangshuo is along undulating roads and we are sure the whole group will be making the most of the support vehicle today! Approx 40km cycling Accommodation: Didu Hotel Yangshuo

Meals:  B,L,D

Today you will complete the Community Project in remote Yangshuo. At this present stage, an exact project has not yet been selected, however closer to the trip departure, we will have a better idea of what community/school/village will be in need of assistance. The cost for completing the project is not included in your tour price and this portion of your trip will need to be fundraised. The amount raised will also determine the scale of the project and what is able to be completed. Essentially, the more funds that are raised, the bigger the project can be. Our local operators we will go and ask local communities in the region what they need and arrange accordingly, depending on how much your school raises. All materials will be transported to the project site by the time you arrive. Again it depends on how much fund you can raise. If there is enough, we can see if we can improve a local schools toilet facilities such as a flushing system. Other suggestions include: Repainting the walls of a local school, Planting fruit trees, Build a library, assist with construction of a Sports facility (light duties and assisted by a professional builder if the fund raised is enough) There are also opportunities to teach English in class, ball games (split into groups mixed with your students and local students and play with each other), playing musical instruments, singing and dancing, painting. To finish the day, they will all have a lunch of rice noodles in the school. A plaque with gratitude for The British School Manila will be unveiled at the completion of the project. Accommodation: Didu Hotel Yangshuo

Meals:  B,L,D

After a day of Service work you will be so excited to be jumping back on the bikes! Cycle 20km to Xingping. After lunch and a safety briefing travel down the beautiful Li River aboard a motorized bamboo raft (4 passengers per raft ONLY). A coach will drive you back to Yangshuo where you spend your final night. A special celebratory farewell dinner has been arranged to celebrate what you have achieved over the week. Note: passengers must wear life-vests provided on raft. Approx 20km cycling Accommodation: Didu Hotel Yangshuo

Meals:  B,L,D

We depart Yangshuo and drive the 75km to Guilin. Today is a busy day exploring all the natural and cultural sites of Guilin. In addition to its natural wonders, Guilin is also well known for it's rich culture due to the numerous minority groups who reside in the area. First off we visit the symbol of Guilin city - Elephant Trunk Hill, here a limestone mountain has eroded in the shape of an elephants trunk drinking water. Next we head underground into Reed Flute Cave, which is described as being "the art gallery which was created by nature". After lunch you will visit the Seven Star Park and Shan Lake before transferring to the airport at the suitable time for your flight home to Manila. All services conclude upon arriving at Guilin Airport yet the memories will last a lifetime!

Meals:  B,L


Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young men and women to help them deal with adverse situations in life.
CARBON NEUTRAL
World Expeditions Schools absorbs the cost of credits mitigating 100% of the unavoidable carbon emissions. This is our commitment to being part of the solution to climate crises.


Inclusions

  • All meals (6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners)
  • Comfortable 4 star rated, well located hotels
  • Private air-conditioned vehicles
  • Support vehicles while cycling serving water, fruit, snacks
  • 21 speed touring bikes and helmets
  • 2 x Expert bilingual guides throughout
  • Group medical kit
  • All entrance fees and activities
  • The cost of sourcing, organizing and managing the project but NOT the cost of materials
  • Pre-departure information kit to help you prepare
  • One way boat ticket from Hong Kong to Jiangmen Pier

  • International airfares and departure taxes
  • Visa costs
  • Travel insurance (compulsory)
  • Additional meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Beverages and items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc
  • Tips and gratitudes

Grading

Introductory

These trips involve cycling and/or walking for up to five hours a day at a slow but steady pace. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health. (Note: These are not easy trips). Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week. For a cycling adventure, cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended. You need to be comfortable and familiar with changing gears and the use of your front brake.


Customise your program

We can fully customise a School Travel Program to suit your students' learning objectives and budget. Whether you require a Service Learning program, physical challenge, cultural immersion or certain curriculum targets - talk to one of our educational travel experts about the elements you need in your itinerary. We pride ourselves on developing unique itineraries to meet the learning requirements for schools.

World Expeditions Schools is a division of one of the world's leading adventure travel companies, World Expeditions. We can develop itineraries in any destination that is offered by World Expeditions, which is to every continent on earth.

Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.


Why travel with us

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Testimonials


Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.


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