13 Days Trekking from Daocheng to Lugu Lake to Lijiang with Mysterious Ethnic Flavor
Destination:Diqing(Shangri-La), Kunming, Lijiang
Tour Code: CHTT09
Tour Duration: 13 Days
- Tour overview:
- With 25 of 56 Chinese ethnic groups living there, Yunnan Province is well known for its thick and multiple ethnic custom and culture. During this tour, you will explore some villages of some local ethnic minority groups and observe their daily life there, and of course, the surprising natural sceneries en route will not disappoint you!
Tour Summary
Day by Day Itinerary
Reviews
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
| Tour Dates | Destinations | Services Provided | Meals Included | ||||||||||||||
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| Day 1 |
Kunming
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Arrive in Kunming, be met and transferred to hotel.
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| Day 2 |
Kunming/ Diqing(Shangri-La)/ Xiangcheng
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Take morning flight to Zhongdian (the Shangri-la, 3200m); meet at Zhongdian airport, and transfer to visit the Songzanlin Monastery . After lunch, drive 220 km from Zhongdian to Xiangcheng. |
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| Day 3 |
Xiangcheng/ Daocheng/ Riwa/ Yading
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Drive 112 km from Xiangcheng to Daocheng(3750m), after lunch, drive another 77 km from Daocheng to Riwa, then take a local bus for another 20 km to Yading (the Rilongba). |
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| Day 4 |
Yading/Kars Yak Ranch
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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. |
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| Day 5 |
Kars Yak Ranch/Kars Village
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Trek from Kars Yak Ranch down to the Kars Hell Valley, then trek through the valley, on the way, you will see several waterfalls, at the end of the valley, you will cross a narrow wood bridge, walk in the Kars Village. |
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| Day 6 |
Dongyi Village/Eryatong Village/ Emei Village
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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. Then 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, you will also see some ruined castles on the way. Then continue trek from Emei Village to Seku Village. |
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| Day 7 |
Eryada Village/Keku Village/ Kawa Village
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Trek from Seku Village to Eryada Village, then continue trek to Keku Village , then continue trek to Kawa Village, on the way, you will see many cactus as big as trees, you will also see a 100m-high waterfall. |
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| Day 8 |
Kawa Village/Yiji Village
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Trek along the Dongyi River and the Tongtian River from Kawa Village to Yiji Village, on the way, you will pass the Hadi Village. |
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| Day 9 |
Yiji Village/Yongning Hot Spring Village
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Trek up a mountain pass, then trek down to Yongning Hot Spring Village. Enjoy a hot spring bath. |
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| Day 10 |
Yongning/Lugu Lake
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Trek to Yongning town. Then drive 1 hour to Lugu Lake , take a small wood boat cruise on the lake, visit the Mosuo Villages. |
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| Day 11 |
Lugu Lake/Lijiang
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Drive 6 hours from Lugu Lake to Lijiang, check in a 4 star hotel and rest.
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| Day 12 |
Lijiang
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Full day visit Yulong Snow Mountain (take the cable car to Spruce Plateau and overlook the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain), Dongba Village. Dongba Culture Museum .
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| Day 13 |
Lijiang
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Be met & transferred to Lijiang airport for your flight to Kunming/Beijing/Shanghai. . |
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-NOTE:
1. Normally hotels allow a maximum of 3 adults per room with an extra bed, at extra charge. Some hotels will allow three adults and a small child.
2. Tour price is indicative only, please enquire for a detailed quotation.
3. More people more discounts. Please enquire for more details.
Price Includes
A. Entrance fees：To scenic spots as listed above in the itinerary.B. Meals: All meals as specified in the itinerary.
C. Private Transfers: Among airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in the above cities by the private air conditioned vehicle.
D. Guide and Driver: As outlined in the itinerary, a well selected English-speaking guide and driver will accompany you throughout the entire tour in that city. They do not fly with you from one city to another.
E. Hotels: Hotel Based on two persons sharing one room with twin beds. All hotels as listed in the above itinerary serve daily western or Chinese breakfast. All rooms are air-conditioned with private facilities unless specified.
F. Luggage Transfers: Between airports and hotels.
G. Service Charge & Government Taxes.
H. Travel insurance in mainland China during the above travel period.
I. Arrangements: The tour cost includes planning, handling, operational and communication charges.
B=Breakfast,L=Lunch,D=Dinner
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.
I hope this letter finds you well. We finally arrived home from our trip last Thursday the 17th. As promised I am writing to you about our experience in China and we thank you very much for your organizing. On the whole we had a wonderful time and were very well looked after by both guides and drivers we would especially like to thank Linda and Cynthia which we would highly recommend. They both gave really excellent service in every way including punctuality, information and restaurants that were chosen for lunches, the food was delicious. The cruise on the Huangpu River was cancelled because of bad weather which couldn't be helped so the guide offered us an Acrobatic Show which we enjoyed very much. We had a lovely time on day 3 to Tongli water town. Our stay in China was wonderful. Best regards, Kathleen Pam
- Booking Code:VOC-20190905-S
- Tour Starting Date:Thursday, 5 September 2019
- Client's information:Kathleen & Pam, Australia
Dear Molly, Hope you have been well. We will be returning to Singapore in a couple of hours. Would like to commend on the tour guides, drivers and accommodation that VOC has arranged for us. The guides and drivers are very professional,very helpful, thoughtful, caring and experienced. They practised good ethics as well. We definitely have a wonderful touring experience and I will definitely recommend your company to my friends. Regards, Mrs Wee
- Booking Code:VOC-20190605-M
- Tour Starting Date:Wednesday, 5 June 2019
- Client's information:Chew Huay Huay, Singapore
Hi Sandy, Thank you for a great first tour together. I appreciate that it was a big commitment for you to be away from your office family for such a long time. I know you would have missed your young son a lot. I am also very grateful for your huge personal effort that you put into the detailed planning. The local guides were all great - Sally, Amanda Benny. Regarding the itinerary, I think we have an excellent itinerary for the beginning and the end, but the middle of the tour needs to be changed. Thank you again for all your excellent work. I look forward to visiting you in your home town for our first Tibet tour in August 2020. Jo I might travel up one day ahead of the group to meet you and have dinner with you. Best regards, Brod
- Booking Code:VOC-20190528-S
- Tour Starting Date:Tuesday, 28 May 2019
- Client's information:Brod, Australia
Van and I thought you put together a wonderful itinerary for our two-week vacation in China. Even though we missed a day in Beijing due to bad weather, our guide was very accommodating and helped us see as much as possible in the two remaining days. We enjoyed our guides, the food, and the hotels. Thank you for all of your help in putting together this trip. Best, Jayne
- Booking Code:VOC-20190517-S
- Tour Starting Date:Friday, 17 May 2019
- Client's information:Jayne Ellen Wilgus, USA
Dear friends of visitourchina, We went to visit Nanning between April 28th and May 3rd 2019 with my wife and my daughter. For us, it would be the first visit to China and we needed some support to organise this as I wanted to organise it all by myself (hotel, plane, visa, …). But as I was organising everything I felt the need of some extra support and help from people of China (for instance English talking guide, English talking organiser in China to take us around in a personal tour). “By accident” we get contact with visitourchina. And they “give” us Molly Mo as contact person. It was a winning number from the lottery ! Molly took care of us like “a real mother” ! No question I’ve asked her, she answered them immediately with her advice and experience. Always in a very friendly and positive way, adding a human sense so we were even more longing to visit Nanning and it’s people. Molly organised our guide in Nanning, Wendy, who was TOP for us. Wendy took care of us, from early morning till evening with a very professional view on guiding adding a good human sense to her work. We were so good prepared we had one day on our own and we could fill in without problems. It has been one of the best trips we ever had, we’ve learned very much of this part of China, enjoying the people we’ve met and with who we’ve got contact. It give us a real view of Chinese people and community and for us, a new world opened. A very good society, well organised, Nanning very good organised concerning environment and climate. So, we came back from Nanning after a too short stay with very positive feelings, hoping once more to visit China again. We’re very grateful to Molly in the first place. She is the ideal person to represent Visitourchina. She take care of my many, many questions with a great heart, she had many patience with us and she never disappointed us, her answers give us the extra love for China and it’s people. Visitourchina m...
- Booking Code:VOC-20190428-M
- Tour Starting Date:Sunday, 28 April 2019
- Client's information:Arnold Demeyere, Belgium
Hi Molly, The tour was great. Both guide and driver are very friendly and helpful. For the meals on the trip, so much food and delicious dishes. We loved the trip. Thanks for all your help. Best wishes, Brandon
- Booking Code:VOC-20190426-M(A)
- Tour Starting Date:Friday, 26 April 2019
- Client's information:Brandon Michael Driggs,USA
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