Day 1 Arrival

Meet Adventure Lead at Paris airport and transfer by train to Orleans and check into the Hotel. Relax and have some Free and Easy time before meeting for a group dinner wrapping off with a ride brief for the following days. Use the remaining time to pack your bags for bike packing and drop off your main luggage and bike bag for storage at the Hotel. Have a good night’s rest.

Meals : Dinner.

Stay : Hotel.

Day 2 Orleans to Blois

After a hearty breakfast, prepare your bike and bike pack and begin the day’s ride to Blois. Getting onto La Loire a Velo, begins your exploration of the France segment. Along this majestic river,  you will first be greeted by Castle Bezy, followed by Château de Meung-sur-Loire and, not to be missed, is Château de Chambord where we will make a stop here. Beaugency is the first medieval town to pass, to spend some time soaking into its local culture before continuing along the river ending today’s ride at Blois, a hillside city rich with late-Gothic Cathedral towers. After checking in at the hotel for the night, take the remaining time to visit Château Royal de Blois and explore the city before meeting up for a group dinner. Have a good night’s rest.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner.

Stay : Hotel.

Cycling Distance : 65km approx.

Profile : Generally Flat. 

Day 3 Blois to Tours

After a fabulous breakfast, we continue south of the Loire. Château de la Vicomte and Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire are 2 notable castles to visit before checking in at Leonado Da Vinci residence and 15th century King Charles VIII castle where Leonardo Da Vinci’s tomb is located at Amboise. Continue along the south bank crossing a suspension bridge making a visit to an island park before settling the day at Tours. After checking-In at the hotel, take the rest of the afternoon exploring the town. Once a Gallic Roman settlement is now a university town and a traditional gateway for exploring the chateaux of the Loire Valley region.  Meet for a group dinner to exchange experience before turning in for the night.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner.

Stay : Hotel.

Cycling Distance : 60km approx.

Profile : Generally Flat.  

Day 4 Tours to Saumur

After a good breakfast, continue south of Loire making a visit at Château de Villandry, a restored Renaissance palace, home to formal gardens with a maze & temporary art exhibitions. Continue to explore interesting ancient architectures carved into stone cliffs before ending the day at Saumur. A western French town that houses Château de Saumur is a medieval castle with a museum displaying archaeological finds, ceramics and tapestries. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon exploring the city before meeting for a group dinner and a good night’s rest after.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner.

Stay : Hotel.

Cycling Distance : 73km approx.

Profile : Generally Flat. 

Day 5 Saumur to Angers

After breakfast, continue cycling through rural towns along the river witnessing the changes in architecture from ancient to modern times. Checking in at castles converted to restaurants and enjoying a cafe reminiscing the olden times. The day ends at Angers, the medieval seat of the Plantagenet dynasty. It has an old town with half-timbered houses and the new city areas offering a thriving cafe culture. Use the rest of the time exploring the town before meeting for a group dinner to exchange your experience before retiring for the night. 

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner.

Stay : Hotel.

Cycling Distance : 52km approx.

Profile : Generally Flat.

Day 6 Angers to Ancenis

After breakfast, continue cycling through Savennières, the finest White Wine production region and Chalonnes-sur-Loire, a UNESCO World heritage site area of the Loire Valley, known as the Cradle of the French and the Garden of France. The day ride ends at Ancenis after checking in at Château d’Ancenis. Meet for a group dinner before retiring for the night.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner.

Stay : Hotel.

Cycling Distance : 63km approx.

Profile : Generally Flat. 

Day 7 Ancenis to Nantes

After breakfast, continue cycling to Nantes, a port and industrial center of the upper Brittany region. Today’s ride brings us to Château d’Oudon and Château de Clermont before ending at Château des ducs de Bretagne where the Dukes of Brittany once lived, now a local history museum with multimedia exhibits, as well as a walkway atop its fortified ramparts. Take the remaining time exploring this vibrant city. Meet for a group dinner before retiring for the night.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner.

Stay : Hotel.

Cycling Distance : 40km approx.

Profile : Generally Flat. 

Day 8 Nantes to Saint-Nazaire

After breakfast, continue cycling south along the Loire. Today’s ride brings us to the river mouth where it meets the Sea at the West Coast of France. Housed in a fortified lock in the harbor is the Espadon, a post-WWII submarine. Take a train back to Orleans and check into the hotel on the first day. Pick up the bike bag and luggage and meet for a  group dinner before retiring for the night.

Meals : Breakfast, Dinner.

Stay : Hotel.

Cycling Distance : 65km approx.

Profile : Generally Flat. 

Day 9 Depart Paris or Extend

After breakfast, pack your bike and check out to take a train back to Paris airport. Your bike packing adventure concludes after checking out. Official check out time is 11 AM / 12 PM. Proceed for your onward journey.

Meals : Breakfast.

– 8 nights stay at Hotel;

– 8 Breakfast, 8 Dinner;

– 2 way Train transfer between Airport and Orleans and Saint-Nazaire to Orleans;

– Adventure Lead for the duration of the ride;

– Assistance with on-trip transport arrangement on own expense;

– Bike mechanical support;

– 1 year TaiJi Cycling membership;

– Bike Packing Training & Consultancy for trip and air travel;

– TaiJi Cycling Jersey;

– 1 year TaiJi Cycling membership.

– air/land travel to Paris, France;

– visa arrangement, if required;

– meals not mentioned within the itinerary;

– admission fee to attractions;

– provision of cycling helmet;

– provision of bicycle;

– comprehensive personal travel insurance;

– expenditure on personal effects;

– anything not specified in the trip inclusion and itinerary.

Twin/Double Occupancy :            From SGD 3,680 per person

Single Occupancy :                         From SGD 4,360 per person

Taiji Cycling Member Discount : SGD 50

~ A depositof 30% is required at the time of booking. Deposit paid is non-refundable unless trip is withdrawn or cancelled by Taiji Cycling/Travel Wander.

~ Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ Only book your air ticket to Paris when you have been informed to do so.

~ Group size: minimum 6 cyclists, maximum 10 cyclists.

~ Should you require a visa to enter France, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply for your visa HERE if you require.

~ For cyclists who are travelling alone and have opted for twin-share occupancy, Taiji Cycling/Travel Wander will do our utmost to pair you with another cyclist of the same gender to share the room. If this is not possible, cyclists are required to top up the difference for a single room. Should you choose not to go on this trip, there is no refund of the deposit paid.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Taiji Cycling/Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases  local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Taiji Cycling/Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Taiji Cycling/Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ As you prepare for the bike packing adventure, we highly recommend at least 70km of accumulated cycling per week and have completed at least 1 overnighter bike packing adventure with TaiJi Cycling.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the cyclists. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due (not limited) to bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the cyclists and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ As Bike Packing Adventure requires a significant level of cardio and physical exertion, it is not suitable for cyclists with chronic and/or acute disease. Please obtain your doctor’s advice to be fit for the activity before booking. Cyclists must ensure they are medically and physically able to cycle.

~ If the cyclist presents difficulty in completing the day’s ride, we strongly discourage the cyclist from continuing for the day with top priority on the safety of the cyclist and team in mind. Cyclist may require booking a private transfer at the cyclist’s own expense to fast track to the next accommodation. There is no refund on the uncompleted distance of the ride.

~ Cyclist may choose to terminate the ride early during the planned cycling day where possible. Or make it a rest day and fast track to the next accommodation. Cyclist may require to book a private transfer at the cyclist’s own expense. Should the cyclist wish to partake in other activities or sightseeing on the rest day, it will be at the cyclist’s own expense. There is no refund on this portion of the trip.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.