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Category: moderate
Duration:11days, On trek 7 days
Takes you on an exciting and unique trek through several valleys along the Yangtze River and into the famous Tiger Leaping Gorge. Along the way we visit picturesque villages such as Baoshan Stone Village and enjoy breathtaking views. We spend the nights in guesthouses and private homes of the Lisu and Naxi minority peoples, who are our friendly and hospitable hosts.
Day 1 - Arrive in Lijiang and transfer to your traditional courtyard hotel in Lijiang Old Town, which is listed by UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Dinner at a restaurant in the Old Town, where we’ll have an informal welcome meeting and give some important information regarding the trek. (Hot shower available).
Day 2 - Depart from Lijiang and drive for 20 minutes to Yangchan village, situated at the foot of mountains, the starting point of our trek. From here, we'll follow the hoofprints of sheep and goats for 5 hrs, with a bird-eye view of Yangtze River, to a Miao village (2100m high), which is perched on the slope of Yangtze Valley. Here we'll stay overnight in shepherds' shacks. Blue starry skies can be seen at night while you lie down inside. We might encounter curious goats and shepherds. Picnic lunch. (Hot shower not available).
Day 3 - Today we'll walk down along a wiggling shepherd trail and cross the Yangtze River to the other side. We’ll have a picnic lunch with a view of the Yangtze. After our 6 hrs of walking, we'll spend the night in a village with Lisu minority people (this minority is also known as "monkeys living on cliffs "), and goats, pigs, and chickens will accompany us as we become a part of the Lisu people’s family.
Day 4 - In the morning, we 'll leave the isolated Lisu village for Tiger Leaping Gorge (another part of Yangtze river), via Lashi lake, which is inhabited by Naxi communities. In total we do 5- hrs- of hiking today plus 3 -hrs- driving. Lunch in restaurant.
The peaceful Naxi Family Guest House (1920m) is our destination, which is surrounded by a spectacular scenary of Tiger Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow MT.
(Hot shower available)
Day 5 - After breakfast, we'll follow a trail of the ex-Tea-horse caravan along the slopes of Tiger Gorge, for about 7 hrs. Snow-capped peaks, the roaring Yangtze beneath your feet, the long gorge so deep and steep emerging in front of you, that is Tiger Gorge! We eat lunch on the way towards our destination of the day: Tina's Guest House (1800m high). (Hot shower available)
Day 6 - Today we'll continue walking along the Yangtze through Tiger Leaping Gorge, for 6 hrs, and cross the river by small ferry and continue to a guesthouse in the village of Daju at the northern end of the gorge. From Daju we can see the two majestic snow mountains: Haba and Jade Dragon. (Hot shower available)
Day 7 - We meet our bus in the morning and drive for 4 hrs to Lanxi village from where we start our 4 hrs steep descent to another Naxi village. Here, we get a taste of the simple life and spend the night with a Naxi family. Try genuine Naxi cuisine! (Hot shower unavailable)
Day 8 - Our final part of the trek, from the village, will take us down a fantastic trail to the Yangtze once more, with Baoshan Stone Village as our destination. Baoshan, which used to be a very important military station against Tibet, was built on a gigantic rock and many things here are made out of stone. For example, some of the villagers' beds! During the night we stay in a simple guesthouse. (Hot shower available)
Day 9 - After breakfast our bus will take us back to Lijiang in 8 hrs. After check-in, the rest of the day you'll have free time. Perhaps we'll meet in the Old town of LiJiang for a nice meal.
From Baoshan Stone Village you also have the option to extend your trek; another 5 days more of walking will lead you to Lu Gu Lake where the Mosuo Minority still maintains her matriarchal way of life.
Day 10 - Free day in Lijiang.
Optional tour to Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (5.596m) and take the highest lift in Asia to 4.506m. RMB 275 p.p.
Day 11 - Transfer to the airport and fly to your next destination.
11 days/10 nights
Price Per Person for 3-10 participants RMB 14050,-
Price Per Person for 11-20 participants RMB 10750,-
Single supplement RMB 650 (only possible in Lijiang)
CNY China Yuan Renminbi please convert here: www.xe.com
Included in the trek: Shepherd Treks guide, horses with horseman, all land transportation, all meals, tea and accommodation.A basic Chinese travel agency Liability Insurance. Flights to Lijiang and from Zhongdian are NOT included.
Not included: Meal drinks such as beer and local spirits, snacks, tent, sleeping bag, mat and general trekking/walking equipment. Overseas flights. Optional tips for guide.
Flights to/from Lijiang/Zhongdian are not included.
Shepherd Treks can assist booking domestic flights.
This trek has been especially programmed for winter. The valleys here are generally warmer than in the rest of the Lijiang area and we do not trek above 2.670 m.
Bring good winter clothes, boots, hats, gloves, and a high quality sleeping bag and mat.
But the Yangtze explorer is actually possible to do all year-round with the exception of the rainy season in August and September.