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13-day grand traversing in southern Yunnan through Dali, Lijiang, Tacheng, Cizhong, Meili, Benzilan and Shangri-la, a voyage of breathtaking landscapes and wonderful cultures for adventurous travelers. Discover China's rich ethnic diversity as you walk one part of the Ancient Tea and Horse Road between Dali, Shaxi and Lijiang. En route you'll meet Naxi and Bai ethnic minority people whose old ways endure. Hike into the Meili Snow Mountains and explore untamed and wild terrains at the most sacred mountain in the world. Bike beside pristine highland lakes, journey into valleys and climb up mountains, enjoying the wonderful world of wildlife including golden snub-nosed monkey and impressive flora. Being awed by natural scenery, you'll also be spoilt by delightful boutique accommodation and authentic Yunnan and Tibetan cuisines throughout the journey.
Yunnan, which ...
Yunnan, which literally means 'South of the Clouds', is home to some of the most diverse cultures, ecology, and landscapes in China. With verdant low-lying valleys, spectacular white-capped mountains, rustic towns and villages and vibrant ethnic minority communities, Yunnan has long inspired both poets and travelers. As a very distinct part of China, Yunnan is home to the 'Eighteen Oddities', eighteen aspects of life that distinguish it from other provinces.
On this grand traversing journey, you'll explore Yunnan's stunning landscapes, experience minority culture, and travel along part of the Ancient Tea and Horse Road. Travel to the southeastern tip of the Tibetan Plateau to discover this collection of exquisite world-class retreats that blend harmoniously into their surroundings. Rise with the sun to a view of Yunnan's tallest and holiest summit. Practice yoga amidst fertile mountain valleys and immerse yourself in rich Tibetan culture as you taste local cuisine and chant sutras with a Lama. You'll have plenty opportunities to explore local traditions, sample country cooking and enjoy tea ceremonies.
Away from colourful tales and adventures by day, you’ll stay and rest in 5-star or boutique hotels by night. All the hotels' architecture and interiors strongly reflect an influence from the local cultures with contemporary design touches and offering stunning views.
This trip is considered a moderate adventure. Moderate adventure includes full days outside the hotel, with drives of up to 3 ½ hours on mainly well-maintained, paved roads. We may spend up to 4-5 hours walking, hiking or biking. However, we can tailor make itinerary to suit your fitness level.
Though you'll be traveling in some of China's most spectacular mountainous regions, high altitudes often make activities more difficult. In the unlikely event of altitude sickness, emergency evacuation measures will be taken. Your field guides is well-equipped to handle any medical emergencies. However, travel insurance is highly recommended.
Dates or itinerary don't fit? We are specialising in bespoke "tailor-made" luxury or private journeys. Please contact us for a "tailor-made" itinerary for your perfect adventure.
This tour is eligible to earn ONLYLUXE reward points.
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Arrive in Dali Airport where you will meet your guide
Transfer to the hotel before strolling through Dali Old Town
Immerse yourself in the traditional Bai architecture of Xizhou, characterised by ornate gateways and honeycomb patterns.
Visit Xizhou's lively market before learning the process of making rushan, a local cheese.
Bike through Erhai Lake's verdant surroundings and villages.
Hone your cooking skills in a cooking lesson in a local home in Zhoucheng village.
Take off by car towards Weibao shan
Hike up Taoist Weibao (“Magnificent Treasure”) Mountain, which is dotted with temples (2-2.5 hrs, 11km walking)
Hike along mountain trails down to the foot of the mountain (2-2.5hrs walking)
If time and energy permit, stroll through the Weishan old town (12km walking)
En route back to Dali, follow along the Ancient Tea and Horse Road to Donglianhua village, populated by the Muslim Hui minority
Travel to Lijiang by car
En route to Lijiang by car, stop by Shaxi village, which used to be an important conduit on the Ancient Tea and Horse Road connecting Tibet and Eastern China
Arrive at your hotel in Lijiang and check in hotel
Spend the remainder of the evening at your leisure
Walk the small paths and canals that weave through Lijiang's Old Town
Head over to the Dongba Culture Museum for a closer look at local minority culture and history
Travel to Yuhu village, located in the Lijiang basin, and visit the former residence of Austrian-American botanist Joseph Rock and hike around the surrounding countryside
Enjoy a refreshing, locally-sourced dinner at a Naxi family house before returning to Lijiang
Morning explore the Black Dragon Pool before start the day excursion at Wenhai Valley
Make your way around the seasonal rhododendrons as you step through the tree line to enter Wenhai Valley (3.5hrs, 10km walking)
Travel to the Tacheng area by car which is nestled between the upper reaches of the Mekong and the Yangtze
Explore the local valley which is home to Tibetan, Naxi and Lisu people
Take a short hike to the top of a nearby hill and enjoy the spectacular views (3km, 1.5hrs walking)
Get up close to the endangered golden (snub-nosed) monkey at the national gardens (1-2hrs drive; 10km, 2hrs hiking)
Visit a local Naxi or Tibetan village and get to know the locals
Drive deeper into the Tibetan region, past small villages and grazing yaks
Arrive in Benzilan, an important stop on the Tea and Horse road
Visit a small Tibetan village in the mountains and meet the locals
Be welcomed into a local Buddhist temple and take part in a Zhuanjing ceremony
Travel towards the Meili mountains by car
Stop by Gadan Dongshulin Temple
Focus your energy as you chant sutras with a Lama
Pass by the Baima Snow Mountains and track snub-nosed monkeys
Arrive at Meili before nightfall and savor a well-deserved Tibetan dinner
Awake to a view of Kawagarbo, the highest summit in Yunnan
Hike into the Meili Mountains (12km, 3hrs hiking)
Stop for a picnic and listen to small temple bell’s echoing in the breeze
Rise with the sun and capture stunning views of the Kawagarbo from the hotel terrace
Say zaijian (Goodbye) to Meili and make your way back to Shangri-la Zhongdian by car
Visit Songzanlin Lamasery, the largest Buddhist temple in Yunnan
Arrive back in Zhongdian and enjoy a farewell Tibetan meal
Come back down to earth as you say farewell to Songtsam
Your guide and private chauffeur will escort you to the airport and help you check in to your departure flight to next destination.
Daily departure on request. Please contact us for group bookings.
- The departure point is Dali, located in China’s southwestern Yunnan province, on the shores of Erhai Lake.- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Dali.
For hassle free and seamless transfers for your China trip, please contact us for transfer arrangements. E: travel@onlyluxe.com.au
Please contact us for more information. E: travel@onlyluxe.com.au
Yunnan has the subtropical monsoon climate with large daily temperature difference and clear dry and wet seasons. The average temperature, in the hottest month (July) is 19 ℃ ~ 22 ℃, in the coldest month (January) is 6 ℃ ~ 8 ℃. The best time to travel in Yunnan is in spring and autumn, especially March to April, and September to November.Dali TemperatureLijiang TemperatureShangri-La Temperature
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.Payment DetailAll pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.Single SupplementAll accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.General Cancellation Policies- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurancePlease Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.LiabilityThe participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.Child PolicyPlease consult travel consultant on age limit.Changes to ItinerariesLocal conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.Changes in PricesWhile we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age LimitsYou need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.Cancellation by The Tour OperatorThe walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.Force Majeure'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.EvacuationsIn rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.Travel InsuranceIn view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.