Day 1 Beijing
Upon arrival at Beijing airport, meet your tour guide and transfer to
the hotel. Join your tour manager and fellow travelers at an Evening Reception.
Grand Hotel Beijing
Day 2 Beijing
Take a walk on Tiananmen Square this morning, the world's
largest. Then move on to the Forbidden City, magnificent imperial palaces of
the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Embark on an excursion to the Great Wall, which runs
across northern China for thousands of miles.
Return to Beijing and enjoy a Peking Duck Dinner tonight.
Grand Hotel Beijing <B-L-D>
Day 3 Beijing g Lijiang
Fly to Lijiang via Kunming. The city of Lijiang still maintains a
nostalgic atmosphere with hundreds of old houses, bridges, and shops. Spend the afternoon
exploring the Black Dragon Pool Park, wander through the Old Town's
narrow streets, and attend a Naxi Traditional Music Demonstration.
Lijiang Jiannanchun Hotel <B-D>
Day 4 Lijiang
Begin your hiking today from the Baisha Village on the
outskirts of the city and go up along trails to Yufeng Temple |
|
 |
and the green meadows of the Yulong
Snow Mountain. Stop by small villages and hamlets for short breaks.
Return to town by late afternoon.
Lijiang Jiannanchun Hotel <B-L-D>
Day 5 Lijiang g Walnut Grove
Today you travel to the town of Shigu located at the south
bank of the Yangzi River. From Shigu you hike up to the mountain peak to get a dramatic
view of the First Bend of the Yangzi, a sharp 180 degree turn of the river.
You will also trek down to small villages along the river bank.
Travel by road to the Tiger Leap Gorge. Here the Yangzi
River cuts deep through the Hengduan Mountains and creates one of the most spectacular
natural wonders on earth. Follow the trails and hike along the gorge for some breathtaking
views. Overnight in Walnut Grove village.
Shanbailian Inn <B-L-D>
 |
|
Day 6 Walnut Grove g Zhongdian
Enjoy the fresh air in the morning and hike to Qiaotou where you board
the vehicle and continue the journey to the town of Zhongdian, where the legend of Shangri-la
was thought to be originated. Make a brief stop at Xiao Zhongdian. Upon
arrival, check in at hotel and rest.
Gyalthang Dzong Hotel <B-L-D> |
Day 7 Zhongdian
Visit the Songzanlin Monastery, a charming Tibetan temple
located in a village outside Zhongdian. You then head for the enchanting Bita Lake
Nature Reserve, about 25 kilometers east of Zhongdian.
Hike for about 7 kilometers through meadows and flowers to reach the
lakeside. The 840 square kilometers surrounding the lake is the Preserve. Various kinds of
fish swim in the water of the lake, including the precious "Bita Double-Lip
Fish", a species left from the fourth glacier age. In early summer, rhododendrons and
other flowers of all colors bloom all over the mountain slopes.
Gyalthang Dzong Hotel <B-L-D>
Day 8 Zhongdian g Deqin
Travel to Deqin by vehicle. On the way, you will stop by Napa Lake
for a short hike and picture taking. The journey to Deqin takes more than half a day, but
what you will see along the way is very rewarding. Visit a couple of small villages
and meet the local residents.
Arrive in Deqin by late afternoon.
Mingzhu Hotel <B-L-D>
Day 9 Deqin
The main attraction in Deqin area is definitely the Meili Snow
Mountain (also called Kawaboge), 30 kilometers to the west of the town. The local
Tibetan people regard the Meili as a holy mountain. Each fall, Tibetans come from afar to
celebrate and to worship the sacred mountain.
Today you cross the Lancang River (the Mekong) and
hike towards the peaks. Some parts of the hiking trails are quite rough on the mountain
slopes and you must prepare warm clothes and good shoes for today's hike. This will be the
most challenging hike on this trip.
Rainbow Hotel <B-L-D> |
|
 |
Day 10 Deqin
Only 80 kilometers from Tibet by road, Deqin has traditionally been one
of Yunnan's remotest corners, and it is a Tibetan town in the Lancang River valley with a
couple of monasteries and even a Catholic church. It is
decidedly a town with its own characters. Spend a couple of hours exploring the markets
and streets in this Tibetan stronghold.
Between the Yangzi River and the Lancang River is the Baimang Snow
Mountain Nature Reserve with perennial snow-capped peaks (the highest peak
Zhalaqueni at 5,640 meters above sea level), primeval forests, and large amount of species
of animals and plants. Your hike through Baimang forests will reveal many forms of life
nurtured by plenty of rainfall and warm winds from the Indian Ocean.
Rainbow Hotel <B-L-D>
Day 11 Deqin g Kunming
Travel back to Zhongdian by road today and catch an evening flight to
Kunming.
Kunming Bank Hotel <B-L>
 |
|
Day 12 Kunming g Hong Kong
Morning flight to Hong Kong. In the afternoon, take a half-day guided
tour of the Hong Kong Island, which features the panoramic Victoria Peak,
the tranquil Aberdeen Fishing Village, and the beautiful Repulse Bay.
Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel <B>
Day 13 Hong Kong
Today you are free to explore Hong Kong on your own.
Kowloon Shangri-la Hotel <B> |
Day 14 Return Home
Transfer to the airport and board your homebound flight.
<B>
==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==<>==
Please
Note : Tourist facilities in Deqin are not well developed. Hotels are simple and there will be
some long drives between places on roads that may be in poor condition. Occasionally
situations arise that warrant a revision of the tour program. Every effort will be made to
ensure that such changes maintain the intent of the itinerary. Although the rewards are
great, this is a strenuous trip. Only those with mountain hiking experiences should
consider taking this tour. |
