Yunnan Adventure

Nihao! Welcome to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province! Your local guide will meet you on arrival and accompany you to your centrally located hotel (private transfer).
Your guide will go over all the trip details and logistics, then take you on an orientation walk to the Green Lake Park. This park was established early in the 17th century on the West side of the Wuhua Mountain. There are hundreds of species of trees and plants, as well as numerous birds and water flows.
If you arrive early, you may also go for a walk around this pleasant 'Eternal Spring City' famous for its temperate climate. Check out The Loft, an area west of the city center that used to be a factory and is now home to many small art galleries and cafés. You may also visit Yuantong Temple, the grandest Buddhist temple in Yunnan province.

Accommodation:
•Uchoic Hotel or similar ( 1 night)
Meals Included:
• There are no meals included on this day.

Today you will fly to Zhongdian (3276m), also known as Shangri-la, referencing the mythic utopia created by James Hilton in his novel Lost Horizon. Zhongdian translates to Royal Ground, referring to the rich and fertile pastures surrounding the city.
In the afternoon visit Sungtseling Monastery. Built in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama it is the most significant Tibetan Monastery outside of Tibet. Five stories high and housing over 700 practicing Buddhist monks; the main assembly hall, with its dim light and substantial red pillars, takes you to another era. With its numerous chapels, woodcarvings and paintings Sungtseling is a living museum of Tibetan culture. After touring the monastery, we walk the surrounding kora (pilgrim circuit) for good luck.

Accommodation:
• Le Fu Ge Dan Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

A day spent hiking in the surrounding countryside. First visit Dabo Si, (monastery), set within a beautiful landscape. Then hike through the immense grasslands, passing by Tibetan villages, where you will have the opportunity to chat with local people. Sit down for a cup of yak butter tea and learn more about the Tibetan lifestyle. The hike will be about 4-5 hours, not strenuous and rewarded by the incredible landscape and local interactions.

Accommodation:
• Le Fu Ge Dan Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch

Fulfilling the dreams of hikers around the world, you will set out to trek through the Tiger Leaping Gorge. This stunning canyon of the Jinsha River is nestled below the snowy mountains and offers some of the most diverse and beautiful landscapes in the whole of China.
You will leave your large backpacks behind and take only essentials for the two-day hike. Follow up a twisting path to a Naxi Family home, enjoying the breath-taking views en route. Then we go with a more challenging trek up the 28 zigzagging turns to revel in a panoramic view of the entire Gorge. After that, hike about one more hour to Tea Horse Guesthouse where you will stay overnight. The whole trek takes about 3 hours.

Accommodation:
• Tea Horse Guest House (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s hike is slightly more challenging (approx. 4-5 hours). You may find yourself sharing the walking trail with donkeys and horses as this is still a popular form of transport in the more remote areas. The steep sections are well rewarded by the panoramic views that the ascent provides. After a lunch break at Tina's Guesthouse, continue to hike through the magical setting of Tiger Leaping Gorge, greeting local villagers along the way and eventually reaching Walnut Grove. Spend tonight in the small village of Walnut Grove surrounded by snow-capped mountains and spectacular views of the night sky.
Accommodation:
• Walnuts Guest House (1 night)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Early in the morning, a private transfer will take you through the beautiful mountain landscape to Lijiang (about 2.5 hours).
The Old Town of Lijiang is located on the Lijiang plain at an elevation of 2,400 meters in northwest Yunnan, where a series of strategic passes give access to the surrounding mountains. The Old Town of Lijiang is made up of three parts: Dayan Old Town (including the Black Dragon Pond), Baisha and Shuhe housing clusters. This afternoon, you will explore this beautiful old town and get a better feel of this ancient city.

Accommodation:
• Wangfu Hotel or similar (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Today you will continue to explore the Old Town of Lijiang. Your first stop is the Black Dragon Pool, a famous pond in the scenic Jade Spring Park (Yu Quan Gong Yuan) located at the foot of Elephant Hill. It was built in 1737 during the Qing dynasty and standing on its white marble bridge offers you a spectacular view of the region's tallest mountain, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Next, you will visit the nationally famous Lion Hill Park located in the center of the old town. The park was built against the hill, resembling a lion lying sleeping, hence its name. From the ancient buildings in the park you gain a great a bird's-eye view of Lijiang's old town. In the afternoon you will head out of town for a hike from the Naxi village of Baisha to Shuhe village. We return to Lijiang for the night.
Accommodation:
• Wangfu Hotel or similar (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

About 30minutes drive from Lijiang is Yushui village and from there start a guided hiking tour to Wenhai.
Wenhai is a little-discovered place just outside of Lijiang. Nestled in a sub-alpine valley at an elevation over 3000 meters and inaccessible except on foot, Wenhai provides the perfect setting for exploring the traditional cultures and natural attractions of Northwestern Yunnan.
You will first hike for about 2 hours to reach the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Pass (3250m). Then continue walking for one hour until reaching Wenhai Village (3100m). You will have lunch in a local farmer's house and visit a local school before traveling back to Lijiang by private bus.

Accommodation:
• Wangfu Hotel or similar (3 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast, Lunch

This morning transfer to the station for a fast train to Dali. Dali boasts a prime position between the Cangshan Mountains and Erhai Lake, making it one of China’s most alluring ancient cities. In the afternoon, explore the ancient town and learn more about the history of the beautiful area. This evening is free for your own explorations. You may circle back to the Foreigner Street, where handicrafts and local culinary delights attract many visitors or chose a nice restaurant for some traditional local food.
Accommodation:
• Shuiyun Shuyuan Classic Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

Spend the morning on Mount Cangshan. After taking the cable car up, hike through terraced fields, tea plantations and along the edge of a dramatic river gorge to reach a beautiful alpine meadow with hidden waterfalls and stunning views of Erhai Lake. (3 hours).
In the afternoon head to Xizhou village, 23 kilometers outside of Dali old town. Xizhou is famous for its Butterfly Spring and Bai architecture. Take a guided tour of the town and the local markets which offer a great chance to learn more about Bai architecture. Interact with some local families living in the traditional courtyards and get a feel for local life. Be sure to try some tasty local snacks such as baba (fried rice cake) or the local cheese.

Accommodation:
• Shuiyun Shuyuan Classic Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Meals Included:
• Breakfast

This morning, take a fast train from Dali to Kunming (approximately 2.5 hours). Upon arrival, you will be met and be transferred to Kunming Airport for your departure.

Meals Included:
• Breakfast