Kunming/Lijiang(by air)
Arrive in Kunming, you will be met at the airport in Kunming where you will catch an onward flight to Lijiang, an ancient Naxi town north of Dali with a history of over 800 years. After a dinner of local Lijiang specialties in the old town, we will attend a performance by the ancient Naxi Orchestra.

Lijiang/Qiaotou/Tea-horse Trade Guest House
We will depart Lijiang early in the morning to take a 2.5-hour drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest gorges tucked between Yulong Snow Mountain and the Haba Mountain. After crossing the river, we will drive to Qiaotou, where we will start our trek along the high path of this 17-km (10.5 mi) gorge along the Yangtse River. In the afternoon, we will first trek two hours to Naxi Family Guest house, have a good rest there. Then we will trek another 2-3 hours further up the steep 28-bends and reach the top of 2670m along the way. We will stay at Tea-horse Trade Guest House tonight with great view of the Yulong Snow mountain and the Gorge, hot shower, clean and comfortable rooms and delicious local food.

 

 

Tea-horse Trade Guest House/Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge/Tina's House
This morning will be left free for a good rest and visit of the local family in the village. We will start out at noon pass waterfalls and old bridge on the way and down to middle Tiger Leaping Gorge, where less tourist and more wild and narrow. Stay at Tina's Guest house.

Tiger Leaping Gorge/Haba Village
We will leave the guest house after breakfast and walk to Haba Village, where we will spend the night. After arrival, we will take a gentle walk along hills around the village, from which you can get a spectacular view of the surrounding snow peaks.

 

 

Haba Village To Zhongdian via White Water Terrace
Today we continue on by car to White Water Terrace, where the Naxi culture originated. The village's name comes from the white rock formations shaped like small rice terraces located just above the town. Another 3-4 hours drive west we will reach Zhongdian, a small town on the Tibetan Plateau. At 3,300 m (10,000 ft) above sea level (only 400m lower in altitude than Lhasa) the climate here is cool year round. As we coast along we'll enjoy beautiful mountain scenery and Yi and Tibetan villages, like as we ascend the Gyalthang plateau.

Zhongdian
We leave the morning open for a rest. In the afternoon, we will visit Ganden Sumsanlin monastery, the largest monastery in Yunnan, built in the 17th century. This impressive monastery was established under the instruction of the 5th Dalai Lama, and is home to over 700 monks. Stay in the same.

Zhongdian/Kunming
We'll take a morning flight back to Kunming. The end of the tour.