This is a wonderful tour for Wildlife and nature expedition! A great fun for a family with kids!
This trip will start from Chengdu with lovely Panda. Then we will fly to Zhongdian at the Tibetan Plateau. We will partly follow the same trail that pilgrims take on their way to Mt. Kawagebo. The scenery on the way is breathtakingly beautiful. This hiking will take us to one of most beautiful area in China. The best season for visiting Mt.Kawagebo (6,740m/22,107ft) is in the fall when there are more clear days. The snow-capped Mountains, who's every peak is the subject of an enchanting tale. The glacier at the foot of the peak extends 11,000 feet downward to a surprisingly low level, seeming to plunge into the Lancang (Mekong) River. Tucked away at the foot of Mt. Kawagebo, one of Tibet's most sacred mountains, is the stunningly beautiful and isolated village of Yubeng. With the exception of the occasional mountain climbing expedition and Buddhists on a pilgrimage to the mountain and sacred waterfall a half-day's walk away, Yubeng is rarely visited by outsiders. The villagers' timeless way of life - herding yak, plowing the fields and fetching water from the nearby glacier stream - has changed little over the centuries.
The other highlight in this tour is the visit to the Cizhong Christian Church, the Golden Sunb-Nose Monkey nature reserve in Tachen, Danxia Landform in Liming (Optional tour for natural rock climbing is available. ) and the Old town of Lijiang. It is certainly a great tour for family and is guaranteed unforgettable.
(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
DAY 1 ARRIVE AT CHENGDU (D)
Your guide will meet the group at the airport and, after collecting the luggage, will transfer the group by private vehicle to a hotel.
Upon arrival at the hotel and after darkness has fallen, you will be free to wander around the local market and through the street bars area known as Jinli, purchase local delicacies for yourselves and enjoy the pace of life with local people.
Stay in Chengdu Hotel.
DAY 2 CHENGDU – ZHONGDIAN (BL, by air, Altitude:500m/3300m, BLD)
In the morning, you will go to the Chengdu Research Centre of Panda Breeding to have a real chance to interact with the world-famous panda. Today, we will enjoy a local Hot Pot for lunch, and visit Wenshu Temple in the afternoon, where you can spend some time relaxing in its tea house to enjoy a cup of tea and to absorb the special atmosphere of Chengdu. In the evening, transfer to the airport at Zhongdian, Yunnan province. The driver will meet you at Zhongdian airport and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight boutique hotel.
DAY 3 ZHONGIDAN (SHANGRI-LA) – TEMPLE FLOWN FROM AFAR (200km/7h drive 3,400m/11,464ft, BLD)
Early in the morning we will drive 7hs directly to Feilaisi Temple. On the way we will have many stops for the pictures, we will not only pass by some Tibetan Villages, but the Horse-hoof Shaped Bend and Baima Snow Mountain( 4,200 m /13,776 ft), it is one of the most important bio-diversity sites for the Great Rivers Project sponsored by the Nature Conservancy. And stay in the hostel nearby Feilaisi Temple, where we can see the whole 13 Peaks of Meili Snow Mountain if lucky enough.
Overnight Hostel with private toilet.
DAY 4 TEMPLE FLOWN FROM AFAR – MINGYONG GLACIER – XIDANG VILLAGE (2,700m/8,858ft, 4h hiking, BLD)
Early in the morning, we will visit Feilai Monastery and sun-rise view the whole of Mt.Meili. Then take a 2-hour drive to Mingyong village – the start point of today's trek. An easy 2 hours walk leads up to the Taizi Temple, from where you will have a first stunning view of the Mingyong Glacier. For those with energy left can continue further up to the Lianhua temple, after that take 1.5~2 hours down to Mingyong village, drive to Xidang, where we will be able to have a hot spring spa. The condition is very basic but worth to try.
Mingyong glacier is on the mountainside of Kawagebo (6,740 meters), the major and highest peak of Meili Snow Mountain in Deqin County and it is also the one with smallest altitude in the North Hemisphere as well as one of the glaciers with lowest latitude in the world.. It's totally 4 km long and 30-80 m wide. The glacier winds it way down the mountain and stretches as long as the place with an altitude of 2,650 meters above the sea level.
Overnight Guest House with private toilet.
DAY 5 XIDANG VILLAGE – YUBENG VILLAGE (18km/7h trekking 3,050m/10,004ft, BLD)
Today's trekking will be strenuous – For the first trekking section takes us 4 hours or so to climb up to the Mountain pass -Yakou (3,700 m /12,136 ft) in the virgin forests. Yakou is also known as Nazongla Pass, which is the top of the mountain. The path is rocky and often muddy. After a picnic at the summit (where there may still be snow in early spring), we will descend to the isolated village of Yubeng.
Yubeng is a secluded small Tibetan village tucked away at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain in Deqin county, the northwestern corner of Yunnan Province. It is only accessible by foot or horse/mule.
Overnight Guest House with private toilet.
DAY 6 YUBENG VILLAGE – BASE CAMP -YUBENG (18km/7h trekking be and back, BLD)
In the morning, walk from our hostel to the Base Camp (3,700m/12,136ft). We will trek up about 3hs to the Mountain pass(3,500m/11,480ft) in the virgin forests. On the way we may see many remains of the dead woods. And one hour trekking down along the horse-road from the mountain pass, we reach the base camp, where the view becomes very open.
Overnight Guest House with private toilet.
DAY 7 YUBENG VILLAGE – SCARED WATERFALL – YUBENG (14km/4h trekking be and back, BLD)
Weather permitting, we'll wake up to a clear view of the Mt. Kawagebo glacier at the sun-rising. After breakfast we will hike to the waterfall (3,400m/11,152ft), from which Yubeng get its name. It is a 5-hour roundtrip from Lower Yubeng. About 10% of the hike is level ground, 70% is a steep hike and 20% is very steep. Buddhists on a pilgrimage to the area circumambulate the waterfall 13 times with the belief that this act will erase all sins from this life. In the early afternoon we'll head back to the village lodge, visiting sacred sites along the way.
Overnight Guest House with private toilet.
DAY 8 YUBENG VILLAGE – YANMEN TOWN (21km/5h trekking, 50km/1h drive 2,000m/6,560ft, BLD)
Today we will spend the whole morning walking down Yubeng Valley. Yubeng River flows all the way into Meikong River. Parts of the trail we will cover is actually a canal along the half-way mountain by local villagers. And the altitude drops also to 1,900m(6,232ft), causing quite different views on the way. Have lunch in Ninong village(1,900m/6,232ft), then drive 2 hours to Yanmen (also called Cizong) village, visiting Cizhong Christian Church build by French missionaries last century.
Overnight Guest House with private toilet.
DAY 9 YANMEN TOWN – WEIXI – TACHENG TOWN (240km/7h drive, 1850m/6068ft, BLD)
After breakfast, drive to Tacheng village. On the way, we will pass by Tongluo Lisu village and Kangpu Monastery in the Mekong Gorge.
Overnight Hostel with private toilet.
DAY 10 TACHENG - LIMING (1.5h drive, BLD)
In the morning, we will drive 20 minutes to the Golden Sunb-Nose Monkey nature reserve. We will have the unique experience of watching the feeding of the Sunb-Nose Monkey and taking photos closely. A lot of fun!
Then drive 1.5 hours to Liming. Liming is featured by the red sandstone karst mountains landscape (Danxia Landform), where Lisu people inhabit the deep valleys. These beautiful layered peaks are some of the highest of their kind in China and are especially mystical because they are said to create the rising and falling of the sun 3 times in one day at certain times of year. This is actually caused by the angle of the earth and your view of the 3 peaks which block the sun throughout the day, hence creating 3 additional sun rises and 3 sets. We will visit a Lisu village on the way and take a 4 hours hike around the beautiful Danxia Landform. You might take off your shoes to feel the red sandstome during your hiking.
Yunnan Sunb-Nose (Golden) Monkey: Deep in the remote forests of southwestern China lives the rare and obscure Yunnan golden (or snub-nosed) monkey. Their human-like features have made them the subject of legends in China. But neither their elusiveness nor their human appearance has stopped them from becoming one of the most endangered primates on Earth. Habitat loss — including deforestation and the removal of dead trees — and illegal hunting have strained a species already struggling to survive in isolated and fragmented populations. There are now fewer than 2,000 Yunnan golden monkeys in the wild.
Overnight Hostel with private toilet.
DAY 11 LIMING – LIJIANG (67km/2h drive, BLD)
An optional rock climbing activity could be arranged this morning for family tour. Or after breakfast, we will drive to Lijiang via the Stone Drum Town or Shigu Ancient Town where you can enjoy the grand First Bend of Yangtze River. The name of Shigu comes from the drum that commemorates a 16th-century Naxi victory over a Tibetan army. Visit the Irion Chain Bridge. Drive further on to Lijiang.
4 star courtyard hotel in the old town.
DAY 12 LIJIANG - CHENGDU (67km/2h drive, BLD)
Free day for you to wondering around the Lijiang Old Town. Take evening flight back to Chengdu.
4 star Hotel in Chengdu.
DAY 13 CHENGDU - GERMANY (BL)
Transfer to the airport. End of an incredibly memorable experience!
Necessities
Enough films and batteries, Sun-cream with the protection index of 40-60, sunglasses with a sun protection factor of 15, the lip creams and balms with SPF rating, towel, toothpaste, electric torch, Snack foods.
Cloth that you bring must be warm enough and can be removed easy enough according to the weather, including Jacket, hat, Cotton underwear, Socks, Long-sleeve Shirts, T-shirts and Pants (Shorts are not appropriate at any time while hiking), comfortable shoes, rain gear (long rain coat is better).
Medicine
In addition to the normal medications for traveling, just like the Aspirin and medicine for diarrhea, siriasis，sunstroke and carsickness.
Currency to use
US$ is acceptable only in a very limited range, e.g. tips. However, for convenience, Chinese currency is the best choice. If you want to change US$ to Chinese currency in the tour, you can change it in the Hotel you stay or in the Bank of China. You could draw cash only from Bank of China in the big city, the ATM there doesn't always work properly and the bank is not easy to find. Please bring some cash at hand to use.
Food and drink
a) Eating is an important part of your China experience. Generally breakfasts are included in the itinerary and offered by hotels. China Highlights recommends local Chinese restaurants that are popular with local people for lunch. You can order dishes with the help of your guide. We usually leave dinner for your own choice — Western food can be found in most large cities.
b) We have tried to arrange various food in different cities. But you may still think the food is simple and not as delicious as in the big cities especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. If you have any priority of the food (eg. If you are vegetarian or you are allergic to MSG, peanut oil, fish and peanut, etc) please inform us early, we will try to alternate the food accordingly. At the same time please prepare some of your favorite snacks and substitution food in case of need.
c) Meals in the home stays will be different from the cities but clean, which leave you a good chance to experience the ethnic minority culture. We will pack a breakfast for you of cold cereal, milk, toast, fruit, and jam for the home stay.
d) It is very important to drink a lot of water and eat enough fruit in your tour especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. You are advised not to drink tap water.
Accommodation
Hotels in China are bound by Government laws which mean that air conditioning is switched on nationally in May and the central heating in November (this may vary slightly depending on the region).
In some remote areas, sometimes shower maybe not available in the home stay. A married couple is not allowed to share a room in the Miao's home-stay due to the local customs.
Tipping
It is customary to tip service providers in the travel industry in Asia, depending on the service. Tipping is expected — though not compulsory — and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Recommendations for tipping drivers (3 USD per person per day as a guideline) and local guides (8 USD per person per day as a guideline) would depend on the quality and length of the service.
Vehicles
We use comfortable sedans or vans with air-conditioning. The comfort and safety of our customers is of utmost importance, so we ensure that all of the vehicles we use are well maintained and always very clean. Our drivers take pride in their vehicles.
Tourist insurance
It is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.
Customs
In some provinces with many minorities (like Guizhou, Guangxi, Tibet, Xinjiang and etc.), the customs and habits of local people are different from place to place. The local guide will inform you what should care. Respect the local customs and religions. The people are very kind and hospitable. You can feel free to talk with them. But there are some rulers you should go by!
a. Do not photo them without getting the permit, please show the respect to them!
b. Don't talk the sensitive topics like the political and the religion matters!
Conditions
When you sign up for the trekking tour, you acknowledge that there are risks involved in trekking in high altitude and confirm that you are fully aware of and accept these risks. It is customer's responsibility to determine whether the tour he/she choose is suited to his/her physical condition. Customers are responsible for the cost of any medicines or medical care they may require during the trip for any reason. Please make sure you have adequate personal medical insurance to meet any medical emergency which might arise. In some cases, if you need medical care during the tour, you may be required to pay for it at the time it is rendered and seek reimbursement from your insurer after you return home. Please check with your medical insurer for details. In the event of a medical emergency, we will make every effort to assist you in obtaining necessary care. Also, please tell us in writing if you suffer from any allergies or other physical conditions which might affect you during the tour (if you hasn't tell us in writing before going, you are supposed to be healthy enough to take the tour). Finally, please check with your doctor to find out what inoculation may be recommended for the areas you will be visiting. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary inoculations. We reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to decline to retain any person, if such person's physical condition, mental well-being or behavior interferes with the operation of the tour. There will be no refund in such cases.
Always take good care of your belongings.
