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Yunnan Explorer

An active tour in one of China’s most beautiful provinces

China’s Yunnan Province is widely regarded as the country’s most culturally diverse and scenically spectacular region. Sharing a common border with Vietnam, Laos and Burma, Yunnan is home to a multitude of fascinating minority groups, each with their own distinct characteristics. The origins of these people are as varied as their languages and costumes. Many migrated from the mountains of Tibet, whilst others came from the Muslim regions along the ancient ‘Silk Route’.

The scenery also changes dramatically across the province from the dry, windswept plains of the Tibetan plateau to the spectacular gorges surrounding the early stages of the Yangtze River.

This is a superb ten-day adventure that introduces many of the highlights of an amazing region, including a memorable walk through Tiger Leaping Gorge.



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Tour Highlights

  • Yangtze River and Tiger Leaping Gorge
  • Lijiang - former capital of the Naxi Kingdom
  • The Bai traditional minority tribe of Dali
  • Songzanlin Monastery - a place of homage for Tibetan Lamaism
  • Kunming's flower and bird market

Inclusions

  • • The services of Peregrine’s expert English-speaking local tour leader throughout the tour, and local guides at some sites.

    • Trek in Tiger Leaping Gorge with overnight stays in local villages.

    • Walk in Tibetan-influenced Zhongdian with a visit to a Tibetan family.

    • Two free days to explore Dali, home to the Bai minority people.

    • Accommodation in Lijiang in a local Naxi house with modern facilities.

    • Sightseeing (including entrance fees where applicable): Kunming and Songzanlin Monastery.

    • Local flight from Zhongdian to Kunming.

    • Arrival transfer.

  • Minibus
  • Plane
  • Public coach
  • 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners

Yunnan Explorer

Day 1
Kunming
Meals Privided:
On arrival in Kunming you are transferred to your hotel, located right in the middle of town. You meet your tour leader and other group members at a pre-tour briefing, then head out for an optional group dinner. Local specialities are a highlight, with dishes such as ‘across-the-bridge' noodles and other similarly intriguing Yunnanese fare.
Day 2
Dali
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
Kunming is a vibrant and bustling city with a flourishing Muslim area, exciting markets, interesting temples and a strong ethnic minority influence. A half-day walking tour takes us to the more interesting parts of the city, including watching the locals practising taichi in the morning, in People’s Square, and meandering through the Flower and Bird Market, where you are free to wander around and make your own discoveries. Departing Kunming, we catch an afternoon bus to Dali.
Day 3
Dali
Meals Privided:
Dali is one of the favourite places for travellers in China. Resting near the banks of Er Hai Lake with the Cang Shan mountain range forming an impressive backdrop, the town’s cobblestone streets, ancient stone houses and laid-back charm make it a wonderful place to relax. Dali is home to the proud Bai people, a traditional minority tribe renowned throughout China for their craftsmanship. There is much to explore in our two free days in Dali. There is a chance to go boating on Er Hai Lake and travel across to the village of Wase, or spend a day catching a chairlift up and hiking in the mountains behind Dali (stopping at the occasional monastery along the way). We can also cycle to nearby villages or just stroll around town. Several small stone hamlets lie close to Dali and make for a highly rewarding half-day trip by bicycle or local bus.
Day 4-5
Lijiang
Meals Privided:
After a free morning in Dali, a spectacular local bus journey through rambling Bai and Yi hamlets, beneath towering mountains and over lush alpine passes, takes us to Lijiang, former capital of the famed Naxi Kingdom. The Old Town is a maze of cobblestone streets, narrow canals and decorative wooden houses, a wonderful place to wander around and imagine being in a bygone era. A walk up to the Wangu Pagoda on Lion Hill offers an impressive view of the rooftops of the Old Town. Our accommodation is located right in the middle of the Old Town and set up like a local Naxi house, but the rooms contain all facilities that one would expect at home! In the evening, you can witness a performance of the local Naxi orchestra (optional), a unique and entertaining musical experience (please check schedules in Lijiang to see if the show is on during your visit). We may need to repack our luggage in preparation for the trek. Extra luggage can be stored in the vehicle, but remember to pack all your valuables to carry into Tiger Leaping Gorge.
Day 6-7
Tiger Leaping Gorge
Meals Privided:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Another breath-taking journey on our private mini-bus takes us past the upper reaches of the Yangtze River to one of the world's deepest gorges and China’s most spectacular natural scenery. Part of the Yangtze River (known here as the Jinsha River) thunders through Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is in turn framed by 5000-metre-high mountains. In the gorge, a sheer cliff face rises from the raging torrents. A memorable walk in the gorge is a wonderful way to take in its awesome beauty, with overnight stays in the local villages such as enchanting Ben Di Wan. The facilities in the village accommodation are extremely basic, as we are visiting a remote area frequented only by adventurous travellers. Please note that this walk is geared towards travellers who like to enjoy some physical activity, but it is not an extreme trek for advanced mountain walkers. The walk can be quite challenging for some people, depending on weather conditions, and good footwear, preferably hiking boots, is essential. It is necessary to bring warm clothing, especially for the evenings, and, in general, for the cooler months. The degree of difficulty on the particular trail that we take will vary greatly, depending on the time of year. Our tour leader may not be able to advise us of the actual trekking itinerary until the last minute.
Day 8-9
Zhongdian
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
After completing a morning walk, we reunite with our mini-bus and drive to Zhongdian, a town set on a high plateau with a distinctly Tibetan feel. Home to a range of minority groups from western China, it encapsulates much of the region's fascinating qualities. Yaks are seen grazing on vast alpine plains and the farmhouses are built in a distinctive local style. Due to Zhongdian’s high altitude (3200 metres), it is advisable to bring warm clothing. (Please note that sometimes due to bad road conditions caused by poor weather, it may not be possible to travel to Zhongdian. If that is the case, additional time will be spent in Lijiang.) The highlight of Zhongdian is a visit to the Songzanlin Monastery, restored since the ravages of the Cultural Revolution and once again a place of homage for Tibetan Lamaism. We also visit a Tibetan family and gain an understanding of their unique way of life.
Day 10
Kunming
Meals Privided:
Breakfast
We fly back to Kunming where the tour ends upon arrival at Kunming Airport.

IN A NUTSHELL

10 days
from $1,420
15

TOUR INFORMATION

Start End Price
22/10/201131/10/2011 $1,420
22/09/201201/10/2012 $1,510
29/09/201208/10/2012 $1,510
06/10/201215/10/2012 $1,510
20/10/201229/10/2012 $1,510
10/11/201219/11/2012 $1,510
08/12/201217/12/2012 $1,510
19/01/201328/01/2013 $1,510
16/02/201325/02/2013 $1,510
23/03/201301/04/2013 $1,510
06/04/201315/04/2013 $1,510
20/04/201329/04/2013 $1,510
04/05/201313/05/2013 $1,510
18/05/201327/05/2013 $1,510
15/09/201224/09/2012 $1,510
01/09/201210/09/2012 $1,510
12/11/201121/11/2011 $1,420
21/01/201230/01/2012 $1,510
18/02/201227/02/2012 $1,510
24/03/201202/04/2012 $1,510
14/04/201223/04/2012 $1,510
21/04/201230/04/2012 $1,510
28/04/201207/05/2012 $1,510
05/05/201214/05/2012 $1,510
19/05/201228/05/2012 $1,510
09/06/201218/06/2012 $1,510
14/07/201223/07/2012 $1,510
04/08/201213/08/2012 $1,510
25/08/201203/09/2012 $1,510
01/06/201310/06/2013 $1,510
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