13 Days Trekking from Daocheng to Lugu Lake to Lijiang with Mysterious Ethnic Flavor

Day 1

Kunming Arrival

Transfer via: Internal Flight on our arrangement / International flight on your own arrangement

Upon your arrival in Kunming, you will be met by your local guide and then be transferred to the hotel. Enjoy some leisure time for the rest of the day.

Day 2

Kunming to Zhongdian to Xiangcheng (B, L, D)

Transfer via: Flight / Private Vehicle on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Songzanling Monastery

Take morning flight to Zhongdian (Shangri-la, 3200m); meet at Zhongdian airport, and transfer to visit the Songzanlin Monastery which was built 300 years ago under the instruction of the 5th Dalai Lama. After lunch, drive 220 km from Zhongdian to Xiangcheng.

Stay in a local hotel.

Day 3

Xiangcheng to Daocheng to Riwa to Yading (B, L, D)

Transfer via: Private vehicle on our arrangement
Sightseeing: Daocheng

Drive 112 km from Xiangcheng to Daocheng(3750m), after lunch, drive another 77 km from Daocheng to Riwa, then take a local bus drive for another 20 km to Yading(the Rilongba).

Stay in a local guesthouse or camping.

Day 4

Yading to Kars Yak Ranch (B, L, D)

Trekking route: Chonggu Monastery, Peal Lake, Luorong Yak Ranch, Milk Lake, Kars Yak Ranch

Start your trekking tour with horses, first, trek 1 hour to Chonggu Monastery(3800m) which is in fact a ruin, then trek up to visit the Pearl Lake, then continue trek to the Luorong Yak Ranch(4200m), then trek along the Milk Lake shore up to a mountain pass(4681m), then trek down to the Kars Yak Ranch. Camping at the night.

Day 5

Kars Yak Ranch to Kars Village (B, L, D)

Trekking route: Kars Yak Ranch to Kars Hell Valley to Kars Village

Trek from Kars Yak Ranch down to the Kars Hell Valley, then trek through the valley, on the way, you will see several waterfalls (the valley is named Hell, but in fact it is as beautiful as Paradise), at the end of the valley, you will cross a narrow wood bridge, walk in the Kars Village.

Stay in a local villager's house or camping.

Day 6

Kars Village to Seku Village (B, L, D)

Trekking Route: Kars Village to Dongyi Village to Eryatong Village to Emei Village to Seku Village

Take a tractor for 39 km from Kars Village to Dongyi Village via Geka Village, then change to a minibus, drive another 18 km from Dongyi Village to Eryatong Village via Wangzi Village. Here is the end of the dust road; you have to start your trekking tour again. You will trek 6 km from Eryatong Village to Emei Village, on the way, you will see the U-shape Bend of the Dongyi River, and you will also see some ruined castles on the way(These castles are related with the war between the Naxi people in Lijiang and the Tibetan people living in this area in Ming Dynasty). Then continue trek from Emei Village to Seku Village (3500m, most villagers are Mongolian people).

Stay in a local villager's house or camping.

Day 7

Seku Village to Kawa Village (B, L, D)

Trekking Route: Seku Village to Eryada Village to Keku Village to Kawa Village

Trek from Seku Village to Eryada Village, then continue trek to Keku Village (most villagers are Pumi people), then continue trek to Kawa Village(3500m, most villagers are Naxi people and Mongolian people), on the way, you will see many cactus as big as trees, you will also see a 100-meter-high waterfall. Stay in a local villager's house or camping.

Day 8

Kawa Village to Yiji Village (B, L, D)

Trekking Route: Kawa Village to Hadi Village to Yiji Village

Trek along the Dongyi River and the Tongtian River from Kawa Village to Yiji Village, on the way, you will pass the Hadi Village (most villagers are Naxi people). Stay in a local villager's house or camping.

Day 9

Yiji Village to Yongning Hot Spring Village (B, L, D)

Trekking Route: Yiji Village to Yongning Hot Spring Village

Trek up a mountain pass (the Yiejiliangzi, about 4000m). The colorful prayer cloth on the trees reminds us of arriving at the mountain pass, from where we may have a nice view of the Lion Mountain near Lugu Lake. Then trek down to Yongning Hot Spring Village. Enjoy a hot spring bath.

Stay in a local guesthouse.

Day 10

Yongning to Lugu Lake (B, L, D)

Transfer via: Private Vehicle on our arrangement

Trek to Yongning town, here is the end of your trekking tour. Then drive 1 hour to Lugu Lake, take a small wood boat cruise on the lake, visit the Mosuo villages.

Stay in the 2-star Daba Hotel by the lake.

Day 11

Lugu Lake to Lijiang (B, L, D)

Transfer via: Private Vehicle on our arrangement

Drive 6 hours from Lugu Lake to Lijiang. On the way, enjoy the beautiful view among the huge mountains and rivers.

Day 12

Lijiang (B, L)

Sightseeing: Yulong Snow Mountain, Dongba Village

Today we will depart to Yulong Snow Mountain. It is the southernmost marine glacier in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. Altogether there are 13 peaks along the range, stretching for over 35km from south to north. The summit, Shanzidou, is 5596 meters above sea level. Viewed from afar, the snow-capped range resembles a silver dragon with snow curling up its middle. Rich forest, herb and animal resources thrive on the mountain.

On our way we will stop at Dongba Village in Yushui Stockade, which is built completely according to the traditional life style of Naxi Minority. You can feel the traditional atmosphere of national culture from the layout of its yard, building facilities, tools and details of life.

Day 13

Lijiang to Kunming / Departure (B)

Transfer via: Internal Flight on our arrangement / International flight on your own arrangement

Free at leisure until your guide pick you up from your hotel lobby and then transfer you to airport for your flight to Kunming/Beijing/Shanghai.