This adventurous trekking tour takes you all the way from Dali in Yunnan Province to Chengdu in Sichuan Province to explore the fabulous scenery and interesting folk customs alongside. You will trek to see the rich ethnic minority villages in Yunnan, enjoy the spectacular snow-capped mountains and wild valleys, get a taste of nature and nomadic lifestyles at primitive Tibetan villages, and visit monasteries. Also you will have great time at ancient towns like Dali and Lijiang, and enjoy a great time with the cutest pandas in Wolong National Nature Reserve. Though this long trekking tour would be a challenge and adventure, the sights and experience you get from it will make it unique and valuable.
Detailed Itinerary: Upon your arrival at Kunming, our guide will bring you to the hotel and help you check in at the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day.
Attractions & Activities:Kuming the flower city. Arrive and transfer to Hotel for check in.
Meals:
Seleted Hotels:
3 stars hotelTourist
Day 02 Kunming-Dali ancient town by Train.
Detailed Itinerary:
After breakfast, our guide will transfer you to the train station and you will take a train to Dali. Upon your arrival at Dali, our guide will bring you to the hotel for check in. After that, you are free leisure and exploration at Dali Ancient City. Dali Ancient City is located about 13 kilometers from Xiguan in Dali City. Built during the Ming Dynasty, Dali Ancient City has a long history. With Cangshan Mountain to the west and Erhai Lake to the east, Dali Ancient City has beautiful surroundings and pleasant scenery. At Dali Ancient City, you will not only enjoy its peaceful environment, see the ancient temples, architectures and local traditional Bai Ethnic minority folk houses, also you will get to get to know the unique local culture and custom of Bai ethnic, and shopping various exquisite souvenirs and handcrafts at local shops. Dali Ancient City is a good place to feel the ancient things and have a great leisure time.
Attractions & Activities:Dali Ancient City
Meals:
Day 03 Dali
Detailed Itinerary:
Today you will have time for the sightseeing and exploration at Dali Ancient City and Erhai by biking.
Erhai Lake is located two kilometers east of Dali Ancient City and is the second largest fresh lake in Yunnan Province. As Erhai Lake lies between Cangshan Mountain and Dali city, the combination of these three makes majestic views. Erhai Lake is especially famed for its clear blue water, and its amazing reflections of the surrounding mountain peaks, landscapes and sky. Around Erhai Lake, there are also islands, ancient temples, and local villages worth visiting.
Attractions & Activities:Er hai Lake,The Ancient City of Dali
Meals:
Day 04 Dali-Shuanglang city by bus 2 hours.
Detailed Itinerary:
After breakfast, you will take a bus to Shuanglang Town. It takes two hours to arrive at Shuanglang. Our guide will bring you to the local hostel for check in. For the rest of the day, you will be free for your own exploration and sightseeing.
Shuanglang Town is located in the northeast of Dali City and the northeast bank of Erhai Lake. As it is surrounded by Cangshan Mountain and Jizu Mountain in three sides and facing Erhai Lake on the other side, Shuanglang boasts the best alluring scenery of Erhai Lake and Cangshan Mountain. When coming to Shuanglang, you will not only enjoy its beautiful natural views, also the local ethnic culture and customs of Bai ethnic and other minorities are very interesting. Shuanglang, this famous historical and cultural city with its long and profound traditional culture, rich ethnic folk customs, and the picturesque scenery, will bring you ever beautiful memories.
Attractions & Activities:Transfer to Shuanglang by private bus and stay there.
Meals:
Day 05 Shuanglang-Lijiang by bus or private car --5 Hours
Detailed Itinerary:
After breakfast, our guide and driver will transfer you to Lijiang with a private car. It takes about 5 hours to arrive at Lijiang. Then our guide will take you to local hostel for check in. Take time for free exploration and leisure at the Old Town of Lijiang.
The Old Town of Lijiang located in the Lijiang City of Yunnan is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a history more than 800 years and an important trade confluence along the ancient Tea Horse Road, Lijiang Old Town has been bestowed with glorious history and brilliant culture. You will appreciate the peaceful and harmonious combination of water, bridge and ancient houses. Also you will see the well-preserved ancient architecture and buildings of the Naxi Ethnic Group, and get to know the unique culture and custom of Naxi People at Lijiang Old Town.
Attractions & Activities:Old Town of Lijiang
Meals:
Day 06 Lijiang
Detailed Itinerary:
Today you will go on the great sightseeing at Lijiang and our guide will bring you to visit the majestic Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is a famous and popular site near Lijiang. The mountain is made up of 13 peaks with the mountain range stretching 35 kilometers. It is considered as the holy mountain by local Naxi People. As a famous scenic spot for sightseeing, mountaineering, skiing, exploration and scientific research, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain attracts many tourists all the year round.
Afterwards, our guide will bring you back to Lijiang Old Town and drop you at the hostel.
Day 07 Lijiang-Lugu Lake by bus and stay one night
Detailed Itinerary:
This morning you will take bus to Lugu Lake for the admiration of its enchanting beauty.
Lugu Lake is located between Yanyuan County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan Province and Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lijiang city, Yunnan' Province. Lugu Lake is known as “The pearl of Plateau” with an area of 50 square kilometers, altitude of 2690 meters and a maximum visibility of 12 meters. The lake is surrounded by verdant mountains and lush forests. In addition to the fresh air and crystal clue water, Lugu Lake has tranquil and beautiful scenery. Also Lugu Lake is noted for the mysterious Mosuo people living around. People living alongside Lugu Lake are mainly Mosuo people, who are known as the “Country of Women” and are one of the few remaining matriarchal societies left in the world. Their primitive customs and religion are attractions to tourists.
Attractions & Activities:Lugu Lake
Meals:
Day 08 Lugu Lake-Lijiang and take bus to Shangri-La
Detailed Itinerary:
Today our guide will transfer you back to Lijiang. You will have some tome for leisure and exploration at Lijiang Old Town. Then we will drive to Shangri-La and stay overnight there.
Located in Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, Shangri-La is 200 kilometers away from Lijiang. It is the hidden paradise described by James Hilton in his novel Lost Horizon. The numerous natural landscapes with charming views and those unique Tibetan cultures and customs have made Shangri-la a fairyland under heaven.
Attractions & Activities:Old Town of Lijiang
Meals:
Day 09 Shangri-La - Deqin City
Detailed Itinerary: Today we will continue our trip by driving to Deqin County and stay overnight at Deqin.
Deqin County is located in the northwest of Yunnan Province. It borders Tibet to the northwest and Sichuan to the northeast. Deqin attracts tourists there for its majestic Meli Snow Mountain and the mystique of Shangri-La. Also there are other attractions like Baimang Snow Mountain and Mingyong Glacier to enjoy.
Attractions & Activities:Transfer to Deqin city
Meals:
Day 10 Start the trekking at Yubeng village for 3 Days (14km/6h trekking 3,050m/10,004ft,)
Detailed Itinerary:
Morning our guide and driver will transfer you to Yubeng Village and we will start the adventurous trekking to Yubeng Village.
Yubeng Village is located at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain. It is a secluded Tibetan village that has idyllic beauty and unique geographical environment. As Yubeng Village is surrounded by mountains in all sides, it is only accessible by ways of foot, horse or mule. The Yubeng Village is divided into the upper village and the lower village. You can go to visit scenic spots like Base Camp and Ice Lake, Sacred Waterfall, Holy Lake, and many other sites.
Today's trekking will be strenuous for the first trekking section will take us about 4 hours to climb up to the Mountain pass (3,700 m /12,136 ft) in the virgin forests. After a picnic at the summit (where there may still be snow in early spring), we will descend to the isolated village of Yubeng. We will spend the night in a small hostel.
Attractions & Activities:Yubeg Village
Meals:
Day 11 Yubeng Village/Base Camp/Yubeng(18km/7h trekking back and forth)
Detailed Itinerary:
In the morning, we will walk from our hostel to the Base Camp which has an altitude of 3,700 meters. First we will trek about three hours to the Mountain pass (3,500 meters) in the virgin forests. On the way we may see many remains of the dead woods. Another one hour trekking down along the horse-road from the mountain pass then we will reach the arrive at the Base Camp.This is the former base camp of the joint Sino-Japanese mountain-climbing expedition that ended in tragedy in 1991. And it is the highest point at Yubeng Village. There you will have time to enjoy the beautiful surrounding scenery. Afterwards, we will trek back to Yubeng Village.
Attractions & Activities:Base Camp
Meals:
Day 12 Yubeng Village/Sacred Waterfall/Yubeng(14km/4h trekking be and back,)
Detailed Itinerary:
After breakfast, we will starting our trekking to the Sacred Waterfall. It is one of the best locations to watch the morning rainbows. It needs 4 to 5 hours to reach the location by trekking from Yubeng Village. The Sacred Waterfall is a holy destination for Buddhist pilgrimages. They believe walking around the waterfall will wash over sins. The surrounding peaceful and tranquil environment is also very incredible to enjoy. In the early afternoon we'll head back to the village lodge.
Attractions & Activities:Sacred Waterfall
Meals:
Day 13 Yubeng Village/ back to Deqin City (25km/8h trekking, 25km/1h drive 2,000m/6,560ft,)
Detailed Itinerary:
This morning we will walk down to Yubeng Valley and there we will meet Yubeng River. The Yubeng River flows all the way into Meikong River. As the altitude of the valley declines to 1,900 meters, you will enjoy quite different landscapes during the way. We will have lunch at Ninong Village(1,900 meters). Then we will go across Meikong River and trek another two hours to arrive at Jiabi Village. Today's trekking will be quite adventurous and challengeable, but the thrilling experience is really worth it. After that we will transfer to a van and go back to Deqin County. Stay overnight at Deqin.
Attractions & Activities:Yubeng Valley
Meals:
Day 14 Deqin to Daocheng by bus (Long bus journey).
Detailed Itinerary:
Today you will take bus from Deqin to Daocheng. As there is no direct bus from Deqin to Daocheng, we will transfer at Zhongdian. It will be a long journey, but the scenery along the journey is very beautiful. Upon arrival at Daocheng, our guide will bring you to the local hostel for check in. In the evening, you will enjoy relaxed hot spring bath at Daocheng. Have a good rest tonight.
Daocheng is a county subordinated to the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on the southwest border of Sichuan, China. Daocheng has an average elevation of 3,800 meters. Along with its majestic mountains and rolling valleys, there are many primitive Tibetan villages, Buddhism monasteries and pastoral scenery at Daocheng.
Attractions & Activities:Three Sacred Mountains
Meals:
Day 15 Daocheng-Yading village by 2.5hours bus
Detailed Itinerary:
Today you will be driven from Daocheng to Riwa and then transfer to local sightseeing bus to arrive at Yading. Stay overnight in Yading.
Attractions & Activities:Yading Natural Reserve
Meals:
Day 16 Yading One Day Tour
Detailed Itinerary:
Morning transfer to Yading Nature Reserve and have a great time for the sightseeing there.
Yading Natural Reserve is located in Daocheng. It is a county subordinated to the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture on the southwest border of Sichuan Province. This national natural reserve is noted for its mysterious lamaseries, forests, pastures, snowcapped peaks, clear lakes and primitive Tibetan villages. It is so beautiful that the tourists nickname it "The Last Shangri-La", "The Wonderland of Shangri-La" and "The Last Pure Land on the Blue Planet".
We will enter the nature reserve and tour inside. You can choose to ride a horse or hike all the way to its end - Luorong pasture. At the valley you will see three beautiful snow-capped mountains, they are Mt. Yangmaiyong, Mt. Xiaruoduijie, and Mt. Xianairi respectively. At around 4:00PM, you will get out of the valley, and then take a sightseeing bus to arrive at Riwa village. Meet the driver and you will be driven back to Daocheng.
Attractions & Activities:Yading Natural Reserve
Meals:
Day 17 Daocheng bus to Litang village 3 hours
Detailed Itinerary:
Today we will drive to Litang, which has an altitude of 4,000 meters. We will arrive at Litang in the afternoon, and our guide will bring you to visit Litang Monastery. We will stay overnight at Litang Village.
Litang Monastery, also known as Ganden Thubchen Choekhorling Monastery, is the largest Gelupa Tibetan Buddhism monastery in Kham Area. The monastery was constructed by Sonam Gyatso, the 3rd Dalai Lama in 1580. It is the monastery that has the longest history in Kham Area.
Attractions & Activities:Litang
Meals:
Day 18 Litang village to Seda village by bus
Detailed Itinerary:
This morning you will take bus from Litang Village to Seda County. Then our guide will take you to visit Wuming Buddhist Academy.
Seda Wuming Buddhist Academy is located at Ganmu Tibetan autonomous prefecture in Sichuan Province. The monastery lies at the side of a valley called Larong Valley which is about 20 kilometers away from Seda County. Wuming Buddhist Academy was established for inheriting and developing Tibetan Buddhism and Traditional Buddhist culture. The school was built in 1980. It was designed by Jigme Phuntsok, the most influential lama of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism in contemporary Tibet. In 1993, the daily Le Monde deemed the monastery the biggest Buddhism school in the world.
Attractions & Activities:Wuming Buddhist Academy
Meals:
Day 19 Litang Transfer to Xinduqiao village
Detailed Itinerary:
Today you will be driven to Xinduqiao from Litang. Xinduqiao is a wonderful fairyland known as the "Light and Shadow World" and is also a great location for photography lovers. The magical land has endless grasslands, winding streams, golden cypress, rolling hills dotted and cattle and sheep that graze peacefully. At Xinduqiao, you can catch a glimpse of the Gongga Mountain peak and Millennium Temple. Take your time to take some wonderful photos.
Attractions & Activities:Xinduqiao
Meals:
Day 20 Xinduqiao transfer to Kangding
Detailed Itinerary:
Today you will be transferred to Kangding and we will stay overnight at lcoal hostel in Kangding.
Kangding County is located in the western side of Sichuan province in China. It is a small mountain city that is at the altitude of 2,600 meters above sea level. For centuries, Kangding has been the meeting place of many cultures and therefore is home to memorial to the Tea Horse Road. It serves as kind of last outpost before the wild Tibetan mountains and passes of the Chengdu-Lhasa highway and the historical Tibetan region of Khamba. At Kangding you will not only see primitive Tibetan villages to get to know Tibetan traditions and cultures, also you will enjoy the spectacular scenery of alpine peaks, valleys, grasslands, and lakes.
Attractions & Activities:Kangding
Meals:
Day 21 Drive to Danba village
Detailed Itinerary:
Today you will be driven to Danba and we will pass by Bamei Town. The scenery along the road is very beautiful and fabulous. In the afternoon, you will be arranged to visit Jiaju Village. This is dubbed as the most beautiful Tibetan villages in China. There you will not only appreciate the alluring natural scenery, the unique Tibetan styled houses and experience the special local life and culture. Tonight we will stay at the local hotel in Jiaju Tibetan Village. We will stay overnight at Danba.
Attractions & Activities:Jiaju Tibetan Village
Meals:
Day 22 Daban to Four Girls Mountain (Mount Siguniang)
Detailed Itinerary:
Today our guide will transfer you for the appreciation of the fabulous Mount Siguniang. We will stay at local hostel near Mount Siguniang.
Siguniang Mountain is also known as Four Girls Mountain, which is sitting on the boundary of Xiaojin County and Wenchuan County of the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It has become one of the best places for mountaineering and hiking in China because of its tall and steep mountains, snow-covered top, green and dense forests, beautiful scenery. Mount Siguniang is composed of four continuous snow-capped peaks. These four mountain peaks are snow-capped though out the year, with white cloud and mist lingering above the top, just like four beautiful ladies wearing white veils.
Attractions & Activities:Mount Siguninag
Meals:
Day 23 Changping Valley sightseeing
Detailed Itinerary:
This morning, our guide will drive you Mount Siguniang and we will have the exploration at Changping Valley. As only part of the valley is open to traffic, you need to walk or ride a horse for the sightseeing and exploration. We will stay overnight at the hostel inside the mountain.
Changping Valley is a beautiful place to visit inside Mount Siguniang, which is also a relic of ancient battlefield. There are a lot to see at this gully. When riding a horse along the path deep in the primitive forest with ancient trees of various species, strange rocks, springs and waterfalls. What’s more interesting is to enjoy those beautiful and bright groups pf flowers at different season.
Attractions & Activities:Mount Siguninag
Meals:
Day 24 Mount Siguniang -Wulong the biggest panda base
Detailed Itinerary:
After breakfast, our guide will transfer you to Chengdu. During the trip, we will pass Wolong and we will stop by there to visit Wolong National Nature Reserve. The Wolong National Nature Reserve is located in Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province. It is the largest breeding center for the endangered species, including giant pandas, red pandas, golden monkeys, white-lipped deer and many other precious plants. You will have chance to play with the cutest pandas and see many other lovely animals. We will stay overnight near the reserve.
Attractions & Activities:Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding
Meals:
Day 25 Wulong-Dujiangyan-Chengdu city
Detailed Itinerary:
Today we will continue our trip back to Chengdu. We will pass by Dujiangyan and we will stop for a visit to see Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Doujiangyan is an irrigation system constructed in 256 BC during the Warring States Period of China by State of Qin. It is located in the Min River, a tributary of Yangtze River. Doujiangyan was built to prevent floods from the Min River and it made Sichuan one of the most productive agricultural places in China. As the oldest and only surviving no-dam irrigation system in the world, Dujiangyan has proved to be a wonder in Chinese science. Around Doujiangyan, there are beautiful natural scenery and many historical sites. You will see Yuzui, Feishayan, Baopingkou, Anlan Suspension Bridge, Erwang Temple, and Fulong Temple.
Afterwards, we will go on driving back Chengdu and our guide will bring you to the hotel.
Today you will have time for your own exploration at Chengdu City. You may visit some of its highlighted tourist attractions like Kuan Zhai Alley and Jinli Street, shopping at Chunxi Road, and taste local delicious food and snacks.
Attractions & Activities:Chengdu city tour with local food
Meals:
Day 27 Departure from Chengdu
Detailed Itinerary: Today our guide will escort you to the airport and help you board your departure flight. Wish you a pleasant trip back home!
Attractions & Activities:Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport