Yunnan province offer one of the most  significant diversities in China, not only for the numerous minorities living there, but also for its wide types of landscape.  

 

On this trip, considered one of the most popular treks in Yunnan Province  due  to  the  spectacular  views  in  Jinsha River Valley (upper Yangtze River)  and  Lugu  lake  area,  we  will  pass  by scattered  villages  and  typical  Chinese  riverside  terraces  and experience the various different ways minorities live. You will be able  to  see and  spend  time with minority  cultures such as the Naxi, Pumi and Yi. 

 

Our  trek  ends  on  the  only  Chinese Matriarchal  Society,  the Mosuo,  in  Lugu  Lake  area.  After  our  isolated  trekking

adventures,  we  will  go  back  to  Lijiang’s  Old  Town,  the  old traditional Naxi town, where you can just relax and get ready for your trip back!

 

This route is not too strenuous and is suited to most hikers. 

Arrival in Lijiang

Day 1 

 

Arrive in Lijiang. Free time to visit the old town. 

 

Overnight at Lijiang Sanhe Hotel (3*) 

 

Drive to Yangzinaoke and trek to Baoshan

 

Day 2 

 

In the morning we drive for 2 hours to Yangzinaoke, and trek 2 hours to a  Yi  minority  village.  After  lunch  we  trek  2.5  hours  and  arrive  at Baoshan.   

 

Overnight in traditional farmhouse (public shower) 

 

Trek to Liucheng

 

Day 3 

 

We ascend from 1935m to 2300m for a 5 hours trek to Liucheng, a small Nakhi village. The beautiful Crown Gorge containing the Yangtze River now  looks much  thinner  and  quieter.  At  points  of  the  trek we  pass through  tunnels  that were manually  built  years  before, which  is  an exciting experience as we travel step by step through darkness, back into the light. We find the blue sky much more lovely after coming out from  the  tunnels, and  then we will pass  through  tranquil  forest  into Liucheng and towards to the village location.   

Overnight at Ho's house

Trek to Labo

 

Day 4 

 

Today we  trek  for approximately 6 hours  to Labo. We cross wooden irrigations canals and terraced fields towards the last Nakhi village in our

trek. There we cross the Yangtze River by boat again, and continue to walk toward Labo, an ethnical Moso village. The Yangtze River lies at the foot of mountains.  

 

Overnight at local family’s house.  

 

Trek to Bajiahe

 

Day 5 

 

Today we trek alongside a beautiful valley (Diluo rive valley), where you will see some Mosuo minority villages. Then we will  trek 5 hours  to Bajiahe village.  

 

Overnight in farm house.

 

Trek to Zhuangzi

 

Day 6 

 

Today  we  trek  for  approximately  4  hours,  passing  through  some beautiful Mosuo villages; sometimes however we might find ourselves at a halt whilst local farmers drive off cattle! In the forest full of pine and oak trees, sometimes we hear the sounds of horse bells and horsemen before they come into sight. We will finally  reach the Mosuo village - Zhuangzi.   

 

Trek to Lugu Lake

 

Day 7 

 

Leaving Zhuangzi behind us, we will continue to trek for approximately 6 hours  to Lugu Lake. Through  the  tranquil scenery and memorable views, we will trek to Yoning and rejoin our bus, driving one hour to the Lugu Lake.  

 

Overnight at Lugu Hu Hotel (1*)

 

Visit Lugu Lake/ Drive to LiJiang, end of trip

 

Day 8 

 

Visit Lugu Lake. By boat we will visit a small island in the middle of the lake,  then drive 6.5 hours  to Lijiang. Cross  the Yangtze River ,  finally arriving in Lijang, where the town seems rather large after the isolation of the mountains and villages on our extraordinary trek.