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11
DAYS YUNNAN ADVENTURE WITH TIGER LEAPING GORGE TREK
Trip code: CN-YAG11
Departure date: on Friday
Bordering Indo-China, the province of Yunnan is home
to the many of China’s minority groups. Even on a
short journey you’ll find yourself mingling with
them as you explore colorful markets. The natural
diversity and splendour of this province South of
the Clouds cannot be overlooked either. On this
journey you will enjoy a three-day trek through the
world famous Tiger Leaping gorge and soak in the
atmosphere in the magically picturesque towns of
Lijiang, Zhongdian and Deqin.
DAY 01Fri : Arrive Kunming
Upon arrival, met & transfer to Jin Quan Hotel (3*)
or similar. You have the afternoon at leisure.
Kunming is a relaxing city with year-round mild
temperatures, and you can enjoy a good walk around
the Green Lake, a scenic city park area lined with
small shops and teahouses. For tonight’s dinner, we
recommend you to try Yunnan’s traditional "Cross
Bridge Rice Noodle".
DAY 02Sat : Kunming - Lijiang
Early morning, transfer to airport for flight to
Lijiang.
Upon arrival we will be brought to Jiannanchun Hotel
(3*) in the old town for 2 nights. Surrounded by
imposing mountains up to 5500m, and being home to a
number of ethnic minority groups, Lijiang in
particular is populated by the matriarchal Naxi
people, an ethnic minority group that are
descendents of Tibetan nomads.
Today, we visit the Black Dragon Spring which houses
the Dongba Research Center and the Dongba Museum of
Naxi Culture. This is followed by a visit to the
local Naxi village of Longquan in the countryside.
Lunch at the Longquan village.
After lunch, we explore the surrounding villages.
The rest of the day is free for relaxation and self
exploration.
(Breakfast, Lunch included)
DAY 03Sun : Lijian
Day free for self exploration.
Lijiang makes a great base for self-exploration on
foot or short drives as all sights are within short
distances. On your own discretion, you may walk
within the old Town of Lijiang, a World Heritage
Site protected by UNESCO; ascend to the top of the
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (4680m) via cable car;
view the rare Baisha Murals at Baisha Village; visit
the "Ten Thousand Camellia Tree" (seasonal) at
Yufeng Temple; climb up to Lion's Hill for a
paranomic view of the town below you at sunset; and
listen to Tang Dynasty music played at Xuan Ke's
Naxi Orchestra in the evening. The late evening
hours are best spent drinking 'lao ren cha' (Old
Man's Tea) at a canal-side teahouse.
(Breakfast included)
DAY 04Mon : Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge (3 Days
Trek)
We start our hiking adventure today. Leaving Lijiang
it takes 3-4 hours of driving to the Tiger Leaping
Gorge. Stop by at the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge
Viewpoint where you descend right to the river’s
edge to feel the power of the mighty Yangtze River
and marvel at the area’s dramatic landscapes. Legend
has it that the gorge is so narrow in places that a
tiger escaped capture by leaping across - thus the
name. Lunch would be served at Tina Guesthouse after
another 30 mins drive deeper into the gorge. From
here, we ascend for about 2-3 hours to Halfway
Guesthouse (common bathroom), surrounded by
plantations. At an altitude of 2500m, you get a
magnificent view over the Yangtze River below and
the Yulong Mountain right in front of you. For the
keen photographer this trek provides a great
opportunity to capture nature’s best moments on
film.
Whilst no previous experience is required to make
the trek through the gorge, it is important that
travellers are fit before starting. You should be
prepared for more than just an afternoon stroll. We
recommend that you bring light hiking boots with
ankle support. Please note there is a risk of
landslides, and bad weather may occasionally mean
that it is not possible to hike the gorge. Please
also note that your main luggage would left behind
in your vehicle and all you bring with you is a day
pack to take all essential items for the trek.
Whilst no previous experience is required to make
the trek through the gorge, it is important that
travellers are fit before starting. You should be
prepared for more than just an afternoon stroll. We
recommend that you bring light hiking boots with
ankle support. Please note there is a risk of
landslides, and bad weather may occasionally mean
that it is not possible to hike the gorge. Please
also note that your main luggage would left behind
in your vehicle and all you bring with you is a day
pack to take all essential items for the trek.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
DAY 05Tue : Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek
Our second day of the trek takes us a further 6-8
hours (about 20km) trekking through the most
spectacular scenery of the gorge, where the path
twists and turns with some steep descents, until you
emerge from the gorge and arrive at the friendly
Naxi Guesthouse. Spend the night here and
recuperate.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
DAY 06Wed : Trek - Qiaotou - Zhongdian
After a couple of hours walking the character of the
trekking changes abruptly, the Yangtze River widens
up and splits into two. We come to the river town of
Qiaotou and meet our driver for lunch. From here, we
drive 4 hours to Zhongdian (Gyalthang in Khampu
Tibetan) seat of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous
County, just recently opened to the outside world.
Late afternoon, arrive at the Xinhua Hotel (3*).
Tonight, try out the spicy Tibetan hotspot in town.
(Breakfast, Lunch included)
DAY 07Thu : Zhongdian - Deqin
This morning starts with a visit to the Sumsanling
Monastery, the largest Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) Tibetan
Buddhist Monastery in Yunnan province, dates back to
the 15th century and once housed over 4,000 monks;
since the Cultural Revolution it has rebuilt and is
flourishing with some 700 monks in residence.
In the afternoon, we follow the road over the most
scenic stretch of this journey (7-8 hours) to the
last town before Tibet, Deqin. Enroute, have lunch
at Benzilan (own expense). Overnight at Rainbow
Hotel (3*) or similar for 2 nights.
(Breakfast included)
DAY 08Fri : Deqin
At a height of 3480m, Deqin lies nestled in the
cleft of one of the deep steep valleys that carve up
the area. Its position between the Mekong (Lancang)
and Yangtze rivers and as the last major settlement
on the road to Lhasa before the passes into central
Tibet have made it a trading post and market town of
considerable influence in this largely uninhabited
area. The majority of Tibetans, Pumi, Naxi and Lisu
minorities are represented amongst its small
population of 4-5000. While many have tried to climb
sacred Meilixueshan (6740m), no one has ever made it
to the summit - lending strength to the local notion
that it is the will of the mountain not to be
conquered. This morning, we head for the foot of
Meilixueshan and trek/horse-ride(own expense) up to
see the Minyang Glacier. We return in the afternoon
to visit the small Tibetan temple of Feilai Si.
(Breakfast included)
DAY 09Sat : Deqin - Zhongdian
We make an early start this morning, following the
Mekong south as it flows into Zhongdian. Check into
Xinhua Hotel (3*) for 1 night. This hotel is built
in Tibetan dzong architectural style, a fusion of
elegance and medieval fortress-like majesty. You
have some time in the late afternnon to visit the
central market, Tibetan craft stores and the
Zhongdian Museum (own arrangement).
(Breakfast included)
DAY 10Sun : Zhongdian
Today is free at your leisure for shopping or you
may opt for an optional tour to Shudu Lake. At about
3500m, this pristine alpine lake is an ideal setting
for nature walks. Unlike the barren rocky mountains
of western Tibet, the surrounding mountains are
covered with forests and abound in birds. The area
around Shudu is rich with plants and is an important
grazing area for Gyalthang's yaks and cattle. After
picnic lunch on the grass meadow, we will go to
Ringha, the sacred hill of 5 wisdom Buddha and
important pilgrimages place for all Tibetan to pray
for good health and for wish fulfilling and for
curing of illnesses. Animals slated for slaughter
are freed here to accrue good Karma. We will visit a
traditional village house, chat with the families
and taste their butter tea and Tibetan cheese. If
time permits we will stopover at Tianshen Qiao Hot
Spring.
(Breakfast included)
DAY 11Mon : Depart Zhongdian - Kunming
The journey ends with your departure transfer to the
airport for your onward flight home.
(Breakfast included)
PRICES PER PERSON:
|
Tour price
per person Min 2pax |
IN Kuming |
Single
Supplment |
|
Price per
person |
1120 |
375 |
|
Private
depature supplement |
US$170 |
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COST INCLUDES
-
Dometic Airfare Kunming/Lijiang, Zhongdian/Kunming
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Accommodation on twin/double share basis;
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Soft sleeper of overnight trains
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Meals as stated;
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All
tours & transfers as stated;
-
Hike arrangement with guide
COST
EXCLUDES
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