Duration: 10 days/ 9 nights

Arrival on: Everyday

Destinations: Lijiang, Lugu Lake, Lijiang

Highlights: This trekking tour with carefully-chosen sites offers you the chance to experience the Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the greatest gorges in the world. Another highlight along the way is the Lugu Lake on the bank of which lives the Mosuo People, a matriarchal clan society, which will introduce you to another one of the Chinese minority cultures.

Itinerary：

Day 1 Lijiang

Upon arrival in Lijiang, meet and transfer to the hotel.

In the ancient time, Lijiang flourished as a trading post of the Silk Road of tea, known as the "Tea-Horse Ancient Road". In 1997, the UNESCO put Lijiang on a list of the world cultural heritage.

In the afternoon, a walking visit will be made to the beautiful old town of Lijiang, located at an altitude of almost 2,400 m. It is the best-preserved ancient town in China and well-known for its distinctive Naxi culture and ancient buildings. The old part of the town has wonderful old cobbled streets, meandering streams and views that will take your breath away.

Day 2 Lijiang - Lugu Lake (by automobile)

Today you drive about 7 hours from Lijiang to Lugu Lake (altitude: 2,700 meters) which is located in the border area between Yanyuan County of Sichuan Province and Ninglang County of Yunnan Province.

The major inhabitants living on the banks of Lugu Lake are Mosuo people, a branch of the Naxi ethnic group. The people boost a lively matriarchal culture, where they have many lovers but never marry. You can immerse yourself in discovering the unique living style there.

This evening you visit a typical Mosuo family and have dinner with them.

Day 3 Lugu lake - Yongning Village - Zhuangzi Village

Hiking hour: 6-7 hours

This morning you continue by car from Lugu Lake to Yongning (45 minutes).

Then, you will trek from Yongning Village to Yi Ethnic Minority’s Area. Yi is the largest population of the minority nationalities in Yunnan.

You will cross the Yongning Pass (altitude: 3,500 meters), the highest point during the hiking. Standing on the summit, you will have the wide view of Yongning basin and Lugu Lake view in the distance.

Right from today on, you will have your cook, porters and horses who will escort you on the entire trek till getting to Baoshan Stone Village.

Stay in Pumi people guest house in Zhuangzi Village.

Day 4 Zhuangzi Village - Labo Village

Hiking hour: 6 hours

Today, you will hike 6 hours through forest until you reach Labo Village. On the way, visit some Pumi and Mosuo villages named Diluo and Bajiahe, where you can experience different customs and feel the unique spiritual atmosphere.

Stay in the Mosuo village guest house tonight.

Day 5 Labo Village - Fenglian Village - Liuqing Village

Hiking hour: 7 hours

Today you leave Labo Village, go across Golden Sand River by a local ferry and arrive at Fenglian Village. Continue to trek on the zigzag mountain road. It is a 7-hour hard walk, yet it is a pleasant trip where you can see all kinds of wild flowers as gentian and azalea.

Arrive at Liuqing Village and overnight in the local village guest house – Teacher He’s house.

Day 6 Liuqing Village - Baoshan Stone Village

Hiking hour: 6-7 hours

Today’s highlights are Stone Village and Taiziguan Pass (altitude: 2,499meters).

On Taiziguan Pass, the whole Baoshan Stone Town is overlooked and Golden Sand River’s thunderous rushing waters are under your foot. Two tunnels built in 1960s make it easier to descend the Taiziguan Pass.

After 6 hours’ trekking, you will reach the today’s destination – Baoshan Stone Village, which is known as the “village on a huge rock”. On a huge rock in the shape of a magic herb, several hundreds of Naxi people have built their homes. Every one of the households uses stone tables, sleeps on stone beds, cooks on stone fireplaces and keeps water in stone vats. Wander around the old stone town.

Overnight in Mr. Mu’s Guest House.

Day 7 Baoshan Stone Village - Daju Town

Hiking hour: 6-7 hours

Have a trek for 6 hours to a Yi Ethnic Minority Village (altitude: 2,350meters) named Yangzi Naoke. Here you will say good-bye to the porters who have escorted you for 5 days. There will be no porters or stablemen for the next 2 days’ soft trekking. Before you leave, you prepare one-night necessary items in a small bag and carry it by yourselves and the remaining luggage will be transferred to Lijiang by bus.

Then, take a 3.5-hour drive by minibus from Yangzi Naoke to Daju Town and stay in Daju Guest House.

Day 8 Daju Town - Tiger Leaping Gorge

Hiking hour: 6-7 hours

You will spend a full day trekking to Tiger Leaping Gorge where the scenery is stunning. Following an ancient trek, enjoy a magnificent close-up view of sharp cliffs and roaring rushing water.

Trek from Daju Town, crossing the Golden Sand River by ferry. Then transfer from the river by local bus about 45 minutes to Tina’s Guest House via Walnut Grove. Continue to hike to the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge. You can walk down to the bottom of the gorge. It takes about 45 minutes to the bottom for the road is a little steep. There, you can see the torrent and the stone of the Middle Tiger Leaping Gorge in a close distance. Afterwards return to the Tina's by the way you came.

After lunch, start trekking to Half Way Guest House through the bamboo and bushes for about 3 hours. Enjoy the beauty of a waterfall in Haba Mountain en route. Hike another 2 hours to Tea & Horse Guest House and stay there for one night.

Day 9 Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang

Hiking hour: 5-6 hours

Today you will first pass through the “28 Bends” which is a section of winding ascent. It takes more than half an hour to finish hiking it and reach the summit where you can enjoy the magnificent view of Jade Dragon Mountain to your opposite.

Another 2 hours’ hiking will take you to the Naxi Family Guest House where you can have a rest and finally you will arrive at Qiaotou.

Transfer from Qiaotou to Lijiang by bus. In the evening, wander in the Old Town of Lijiang (UNESCO), which is the best-preserved ancient town in China and well-known for its distinctive Naxi culture and ancient buildings.

Day 10 Lijiang

Today you will be transferred to Lijiang airport for departure.

Service ends.

Trekking Route:

Lugu Lake - Yongning Village - Zhuangzi Village - Labo Village -Fenglian Village - Liuqing Village - Stone Village - Daju Town - Tiger Leaping Gorge