Program

Aug 31

Day 1

  Sept 1

Day 2

 Sept 2

Day 3  

Sept 3

Day 4 

Sept 4

Day 5

 Sept 5

Day 6 

Sept 6

Day 7 

Sept 7

Day 8 

Sept 8

Day 9 

Sept 9

Day 10 

Sept 10

Day 11 

Sept 11

Day 12 

Sept 12

Day 13 

Sept 13

Day 14 

Sept 14

Day 15 

Sept 15

Day 16 

Sept 16

Day 17

 ARRIVAL IN KUNMING

Arrival in Kunming at 14h35 by Dragon Air KA 780 from Hong Kong. Pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel. We take a walking tour to Jin Ma Bi Ji (Former City Gate) and the East and West Pagodas from the 9^th century. We will then show you to a nice, typical Yunnan Restaurant.

KUNMING – GREEN LAKE PARK – STONE FOREST (B)

After breakfast we take a stroll through the idyllic Green Lake Park (Cui Hu), a popular gathering point for the local population, to see the locals engaged in their morning workouts, practice Tai Chi, show off their birds and enjoy social dancing. After that drive to the Stone Forest of Lunan, the most popular tourist attraction in Yunnan which is located about 100km east of Kunming. Years of rain and erosion left behind a bizarre and impressive landscape of limestone pillars which, with a little imagination, indeed resembles a forest. We have a walk through the maze of paths and walkways leading through this natural wonderland and learn more about the Sani people, an ethnic minority populating the area.  Dinner and overnight accommodation in Kunming.

KUNMING – DALI (B)

Early morning transfer to the Airport and flight to Dali. Upon arrival transfer (15km) to Dali old town. Dali is situated on the western shores of the stunning Erhai Lake on the foot of the 4000m high Cang Shan mountain range and is mainly inhabited by people of the Bai ethnic group, which is renowned for their handicrafts. During the 9th century Dali served as capital of the once powerful Nanzhao and later the Dali Kingdoms. Before the big tourist influx we visit the Old Town of Dali and the 3 Pagodas of the San Ta Si Monastery from the 9th century and a good example of the architectural skills of the ancient Bai people. Check in at hotel. In the afternoon we take the cable car to the Zhonghe Monastery that is located half way up Cangshan Mountain. From there a well maintained walkway called the "Jade-Belt-Path" follows along the Eastern slope of the mountain for 11km and offers spectacular views over the Dali valley and the Erhai Lake below. (Note: The Jade-Belt-Path has a total length of 11km. You can walk the entire way and then take the cable car back down on the other end, or you can just walk as far as you like and then turn back. Overnight accommodation in Dali.

DALI – SHAXI (B) (150km /ca 4hrs)

Early morning we leave Dali and drive through a beautiful landscape towards Shaxi (Sideng). Along the way we make a stop at the Butterfly spring. The traditional Bai village of Shaxi is located about 120 km southwest of Lijiang in the stunning surroundings of the Shaxi Valley. Shaxi was formerly an important pivotal stop on the Tea and Horse trail from Yunnan to Tibet. The village has been renovated and is preserved under an award winning project by the ETH Zürich. Lunch in Shaxi. In the afternoon the car will take you to the Shibao Mountain. The impressive rock carvings of Shibao Mountain are over 1300 years old and are testimony of the spread of Mahayana Buddhism from Tibet in the region. You can either walk back to Shaxi (2 hrs) or take the car back to the hotel.

SHAXI – LAOJUN SHAN (Liming) - TACHENG (220km/ca 5 hrs) (B)

Continue by private vehicle to Shigu to see the Yangtze’s famous "First Bend", where the Yangtze River makes an abrupt 180 degree turn and flows for several kilometres, parallel to itself towards the north again. Continue to Liming, the gateway for the magnificent Laojun Shan National Park. Located within the UNESCO protected Three Parallel Rivers National Park in the north-western Part of the Yunnan Province, Laojun Shan offers some of the most spectacular red/purple sandstone formations in China. A 1.5 hours walk to the top of Mount Qian Gui, where millions of years of erosion left behind a magnificent landscape resembling a tortoise shell. On a clear day, Mount Qiangui also offers spectacular views of the surrounding red cliffs and the Huang Mountains in the distance. Continue to Tacheng which is located in a side valley of the Yangtze River. Overnight accommodation in a idyllic and secluded Guesthouse far away from everything.

TACHENG – BENZILAN  (B) (150KM /ca 4 hrs)

In the Morning we visit theTacheng Nature Reserve. This Nature Reserve is home to the Yunnan Snub Nosed Golden Monkeys. These Monkeys live in the secluded areas of Southwest China and Northern Myanmar only. They get their names from the short stump of a nose on their round faces, with nostrils arranged forward. Some of the monkeys do not seem to be disturbed by the presence of humans which offers a good chance to observe these endangered animals from a close distance (note: the monkeys roam free sometimes it is necessary to walk for about 1hr in order to see the monkeys). We follow the Yangtze River in northern direction to Nixi and continue to Benzilan. If time permits visit a small traditional Tibetan village. Overnight accommodation at the beautiful Benzilan Lodge near Benzilan.

BENZILAN – FEILAI SI (B) (ca 160km/ca 5 hrs)

About 10km north of Benzilan we visit one of the most important Tibetan monasteries in the area, the Dhondrumping Gompa, which originally was constructed in 1667. In Shuzhong we visit the Shuzhong Nunnery. The Dhondrumping Monastery and the Shuzhong Nunnery are both sub-monasteries of the Songtsalin Monastery in Zhongdian. After Benzilan the road winds its way up the flanks of the Baimao Mountains, over the Ya Kou Pass, which lies on 4'292 meters above sea level. Soon we will get a first glimps of the imposing Ka Wa Karpo, at 6'700 meters the highest peak of the Yunnan Province and one of the 14 holy mountains for Tibetans. The fascinating, ever changing landscape along the way offers guaranteed many unique photo opportunities! We reach Feilai Si in the early evening. The accommodation in Feilai Si is simple but offers great views of the Kawa Karpo.

FEILAI SI – MINGYONG GLACIER - FEILAI SI (B)

Today we visit the magnificent Mingyong Glacier, which elegantly flows down the side of Mount Kawa Karpo for 12km. After a 2.5 hours scenic walk up alongside the Glacier valley we reach the Taizi Temple from where we enjoy the stunning view of the Mingyong Glacier and the surroundings. Those with some energy left can continue walk for another 30 Minutes to the Lianhua Temple. For those who do not wish to walk the whole distance can rent one of the Mules. Drive back to Feilai Si.

(note: the walk to the glacier is rather strenuous, about 2,5 hrs one way. The walk starts at 1’800m and ends at 2.600m)

FEILAI SI – ZHONGDIAN (B) (215km/ca 5 hrs)

Weather permitting, early risers can expect an unforgettable sunrise! After breakfast and a last look at the majestic Ka Wa Karpo, the road winds its way up the flanks of Mount Bai Mao Xue Shan, over the Ya Kou Pass, which lies on 4'292 meters above sea level. Shortly before arriving in Zhongdian we make a brief stop to enjoy the view over Napa Lake. Continue to Zhongdian (20 Minutes drive). Overnight accommodation in Zhongdian.

ZHONGDIAN (B)

Zhongdian is situated amongst a stunning landscape on the eastern Tibetan plateau at about 3200 meters above sea level.  It recently changed its name and is now called "Shangri-La", after the Shangri-La that the British writer James Hilton described in his Novel "The Lost Horizon". In the morning drive out to the Pudacuo National Park, which is located about 20km to the north-east of Zhongdian. This beautiful National Park covers an area of 300km2 and includes the two crystal clear lakes of Bita and Shudu. Located at 3’500 Metres above sea level, Pudacuo is regarded as the first region in China to actually achieve the status of “National Park of China”.

Drive back to Zhongdian. We visit Ganden Sumtseling Gompa, a 300 year old impressive Tibetan Monastery. From a historical point of view the Ganden Sumtseling Gompa is very significant to the region because it was inaugurated personally in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama. Destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, the Ganden Sumpseling Gompa is now again one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the area. After that we drive to the picturesque old town of Zhongdian. We climb Turtle Hill and spin the giant prayer wheel three times for a good karma. Time at leisure to explore the ancient town of Zhongdian on your own. Overnight accommodation in Zhongdian.

ZHONGDIAN – BAISHUI TAI – TIGER LEAPING GORGE (B)

We leave Zhongdian and the eastern Tibetan Plateau and drive through a magnificent landscape towards the impressive Baishuitai (White Water Terraces). The natural Limestone-stepped terraces where formed over a period of 250’000 years by the water that is constantly flowing over the terraces. We take a short walk around the terraces. In the afternoon we drive in the shadow of the Haba Mountain Range through stunning scenery to the Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hu Tiao Xia), where the Yangtze waters are squeezed through a narrow, at some places only 15 meter wide gorge. The overnight accommodation is in a simple guesthouse in the middle of the gorge in Walnut Grove at the foot of the Jade Dragon Mountain. (As an alternative you can also drive up to the Half Way House and stay overnight there. The drive is a bit scary though as the road is pretty exposed – but the view from the Naxi Family Guesthouse is quite spectacular. This can only be done when the weather conditions are good)

TIGER LEAPING GORGE – LIJIANG (100km/ca 2.5 hrs) (B)

We drive through the impressive Tiger Leaping Gorge towards Qiaotou. We stop at the viewpoint where you can actually see the rock where – according to the legend – the tiger leaped across the Yangtze river in order to escape its hunters. During the summer month it is quite impressive to see the 7000 m3/second of water rushing through the 15 Meter wide gorge. We will reach Lijiang in mid afternoon. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

LIJIANG (B)

First thing in the morning you take a stroll through the apparently countless and, on first sight, confusing narrow lanes and canals crisscrossing the picturesque old town. We also learn more about the secrets of the mystic Naxi culture. Part of Lijiang old town was listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage site in 1992. After lunch visit of the wonderful "Black Dragon Pool" Park, from where, weather permitting, one has a spectacular view of the 5'596 Meter high "Jade Dragon Mountain" (Yu Long Shan).  After that, you drive out to Baisha. The Baisha village used to be the capital of the once powerful Naxi Kingdom.  We visit the Liuli temple with beautiful wall paintings from the late Ming Dynasty, which, miraculously, survived the turmoil of the Cultural Revolution. In the evening time for an optional visit to a traditional Dongba-Music concert.

LIJIANG – LUGU LAKE (B) (220km / ca 7hrs)

Today we drive through a fascinating, ever changing countryside with countless Yi villages towards Lugu Lake. On the way we cross the Yangtze River and partially drive along the scenic Yangtze Valley. Lunch on the way. Shortly before arriving at the Lugu Lake we stop at a view point with breathtaking views over the Lugu Lake. We reach the Lugu Lake in the early evening.

LUGU LAKE (B)

The picturesque alpine Lugu Hu (Lugu Lake) is located in Northern Yunnan, overlapping the border to the Sichuan Province. Situated at 2’690 meters above sea level, Lugu Lake (Lugu Hu) is the highest lake of the Yunnan Province and with a depth of 90 meters the second-deepest in China. It covers an area of 50km2.  Its shores are mainly inhabited by the Yi, Moso (Mosuo), Norzu, Pumi and Tibetan minorities. Probably the best known minority in the area are the Moso (Mosuo). The Moso (Mosuo) follow an ancient practice, whereby a flexible form of cohabitation takes place of formal marriage. We take an easy but scenic walk along the lake. In the afternoon we make a boat trip on the idyllic Lake.

LUGU LAKE – LIJIANG (B)

Today we leave the idyllic Lugu Lake and drive through magnificent countryside towards Lijiang. We stop at a view point with breathtaking last views over the Lugu Lake. (if not done on day 14). On the way to Lijiang we cross the Yangtze River and partially drive along the scenic Yangtze Valley. Lunch on the way. We reach Lijiang early evening. (note that currently the road from Lugu Lake to Lijiang is not in a good condition!)

LIJIANG – DEPARTURE (B)

Transfer to the Airport. Flight to Kunming by MU 5942 at 10h50. Arrival in Kunming at 11h45. It is still not possible to check your luggage through. Therefore you will have to get your luggage in Kunming and recheck you luggage.