Arrival in Kunming during the day (flight reference to be precised, we can include the flights if needed) Welcome by your driver, then transfer to your well located accommodation in the center of Kunming. Rest of the day free without guide or car. You can easily stroll to the emerald lake, where locals enjoy walking, singing, dancing and playing music in the evening and the weekends. Possibility to extend on foot to Yuantong temple not far from there or to the flower and bird market. In the evening, watch the beautiful Yunnan minority dance and song show entitled ” Dynamic Yunnan ” (8pm-9:30pm / No show on sundays) Dinner at your expense. Overnight at Grand Park Hotel.

Transfer to Kunming railway station for train C4302, departing at 08:30 and arriving at 11:05 (first-class seats). Meet your new English-speaking driver-guide and set out to explore Weibaoshan Mountain, located at an altitude of 2,500m. Part of one of the 13 sacred Taoist mountains of China, the site is quiet, exudes a certain serenity, and it is good to walk there to discover its small temples where Taoist monks reside. Transfer to your hotel, well located in Weishan. Still preserved from tourism, this city hosts a population quite charming, and smiling, for a very pleasant free walk in its small alleys. Dinner at your expense and overnight at Weishan Laoguan

After breakfast, drive towards the Dali region with a stop at the Hui (Muslim minority) village of Donglianhua to visit the small museum and the mosque. Continue to Dali and visit the Great Three Pagodas Temple, with its numerous altars dedicated to the deities of Han Buddhism. Then transfer to the small village of Xizhou. Accommodation at the superb and comfortable boutique hotel Linden Center, built in a beautiful traditional Bai mansion, and equipped with all modern comforts. Note that a tour of the hotel is organized by the Linden Center every day at 5pm, in English, presenting the history and architecture of the place. Meals at your expense. Overnight at Linden Center.

Transfer to Xiaguan, in the southern part of the lake, where you collect your bicycles and follow the ecological trail running along the west shore of Erhai Lake. The views are superb, with cultivated fields, fishermen at work, and mountains forming a scenic backdrop. A break is recommended halfway in Dali Old Town to stroll through its market and admire the city walls and the Catholic church built in the local style. You then continue to Xizhou, famous for its magnificent traditional Bai mansions and its tie-dye workshops. Meals at your expense. Overnight at Linden Center.

Start gently from Xizhou and follow the west shore of Erhai Lake. The electric bike makes the 40 km ride (about 4 hours, slight ascent) pleasant, even on the small inclines. The wetlands provide ideal habitat for migratory birds, and the Bai villages along the way invite brief stops to observe daily life. You reach Eryuan in the afternoon and enjoy a well-deserved moment of relaxation in its hot springs — a perfect way to end the year in a serene and rejuvenating atmosphere. Food tip: try the Ru shan (milk cheese) and Sheng pi (raw pork skin), surprising and delicious local specialties. Meals at your expense. Overnight at Wuyuan Qijiantang.

To begin a new day, hop back on your bike and head north toward Niujie (16 km, 1h30, flat). The route crosses rural roads lined with fields and gentle hills. Yi villages, with their low and colorful houses, punctuate the way. It is an opportunity to meet locals in traditional clothing, especially in the lively markets filled with colors, spices, and fragrances. Arrival in Niujie in the afternoon and check-in at a simple but welcoming guesthouse in a peaceful pastoral setting. Enjoy your free time relaxing in the hot springs. Food tip: warm yourself up with a fragrant, generous soup made with local mushrooms. Meals at your expense. Overnight at Yinlanxi Hotspring Resort Hotel.

This morning, head to Shaxi on a hilly but manageable route (40 km, 4 to 5 hours, steady climb on the first half and descent on the second). This historic village, once a key stop on the trade route linking Tibet and China, has preserved its authentic charm. In the afternoon, explore on foot or by bike its cobbled lanes, the central square with its ancient theater stage, and its well-preserved temples. Food tip: try the handmade flaky biscuits, perfect with a cup of local tea. Meals at your expense. Overnight at the Aoding Courtyard

After breakfast, set off to discover Shibaoshan, a beautiful complex of Buddhist rock carvings and serene temples. Walk back down on a very pleasant trail offering superb views over the whole valley (about 1 hour downhill, 5–6 km). Then return to Shaxi Old Town, whose buildings once served to host merchants traveling along the great Tea and Horse Caravan Road, of which Shaxi was one of the major trading hubs.In the afternoon, discover the Shibaoshan Mountains, a superb set of Buddhist sculptures engraved in the rock and very zen temples. Meals at your expense. Overnight at the Aoding Courtyard.

Meeting at 9h with your driver for transfer by private vehicle to the Tibetan region of Tacheng. Stop on the way at Shigu Village (first curve of the Yangtse River), then follow on along the Yangtse river towards Tacheng, through a few small villages, arrival in the afternoon and check-in at Habuda Hotel. Rest of the day free to wander around. Dinner at your expense and overnight at Habuda Hotel. 

Departure from your hotel at 8:00 am to go to the Baima Nature Reserve, to observe the golden monkey of Yunnan, a protected species, in its natural environment. Drive back, possible visit along the way to Naxi minority villages, as well as the village near the hotel, beautifully surrounded by vineyards, which also produces very good traditional honey! After lunch, drive to the remarkable village of Cizhong, inhabited by Catholic Tibetans.On site, it is possible to arrange a wine tasting of wines produced by French winemakers at the Xiaoling Estate (bottles can be purchased on-site at your own expense). Dinner at your expense and overnight at the Shengjing Yiju.

Drive to the Tibetan village of Xidang (2500m), following the Mekong Valley. Start of the hike, first up to Namzong La Pass at 3.600m, then down to Yubeng village (3200m), located at the foot of the mountain. You will have mules and muleteers today to help you carry your luggage. Dinner included and overnight at the family hostel. About 2 hours’ drive and 6 hours walk today. Overnight at the Mulberry Oxygen Supply Hotel.

(Choice number 1): Hike to the sacred Waterfall (B)

4 to 5 hours of hiking today to reach a sacred waterfall for the Tibetans. Whoever bathes there will be blessed by Buddha… Back to your guest house during the day. Overnight at the Mulberry Oxygen Supply Hotel.

(Choice number 2): Hike towards the base camp (B)

5h to 6h walk to the Kawagebo Glacier Base Camp, with an extension to the lake at the foot of the glaciers (an additional 1 to 2h). Return to Yubeng. Overnight at the Mulberry Oxygen Supply Hotel.

5 to 7 hours hike to the village of Ninong, following the Yubeng River, to the junction with the Mekong River, along impressive gorges. Road towards Mingyong village. Discover the Mingyong Glacier using a local shuttle to get there. Continuation to Feilai Si village. Accommodation at the superb Meili Lodge hotel offering a magnificent view of the Meili mountain range. Meals at your expense. Overnight at Xuelong Meili Yiju Hotel.

Superb sunrise over the Meili Mountains. Take the road towards Shangrila Along the way, enjoy a beautiful viewpoint overlooking a bend of the Yangtze, and take part in a half-day rafting activity from Benzilan on the upper course of the river (about 2–3 hours on the water, recommended between November and May. Otherwise, the rafting activity will take place on a smaller river and will require different arrangements over one or two days from Shangrila). Keep on driving towards the potter’s village of Nixi, the black earth of the region is very well known for its qualities. Arrival late afternoon in Shangrila’s old city. Note that the central part of the Old Town was ravaged by fire on January 11, 2014, it is already nearly fully rebuilt. Dinner at your expense. Overnight at Khimtsang Hotel.

Meet your driver at 9am. Day tour of Shangri La and its region, starting with the beautiful Tibetan monastery of Songzanlin. Lunch at your expense. Try Yak butter tea, Tsampa and Yak butter cheese, local specialties and bases of their daily food. In the afternoon, discover the Tibetan countryside in the Ringha Valley. Return to Shangri La. If you would like to, you can attend and participate to spontaneous dances on the evening of the locals in the Old Town Square. Dinner at your expense. Overnight at Khimtsang Hotel.

Meet your driver at 9:00 for your private transfer to the Tiger Leaping Gorge. 

Arrival around 11:00 and start of the hike between the Tea Horse Guest House, followed by about one hour of walking to reach the Halfway Guest House, where you can have a meal before continuing with 2–3 hours of hiking on mostly flat and descending terrain toward Tina’s Guest House. Then transfer to your guesthouse for a well-deserved rest. Meals at your expense. Overnight at Jade Snow Inn.

A 2–3-hour hike this morning alongside the upper Yangtze (the “River of Golden Sands”). Start by descending for about one hour to reach the impressive, roaring river, which you will follow for a stretch before climbing back up via a steep path. Then take a boat to cross the river and reach the village of Daju. Lunch at your own expense, followed by a 3-hour drive toward the Baoshan (Stone Village) and Wumu area. Arrival in the afternoon at Huahuasei Lodge, opened by a Naxi–Belgian couple. A possible meeting with a Dongba shaman can be arranged, or simply enjoy the sunset from the terrace overlooking the river while playing one of the family games available. Dinner on-site at your own expense (40 RMB per person). Overnight at Huahuasei Lodge.

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, walk downhill from Wumu (2400m) with a 600m descent (about 2 hours). Then take a boat on the Yangtze (1800m) to travel upstream and reach the foot of Baoshan village (around 1 hour by boat). Hike up to Baoshan with a positive elevation gain of 200m (about 1 hour on foot). Stroll through this very typical village built around a massive rock, and enjoy lunch at your own expense. Then drive back to Lijiang, passing by Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Arrival in the late afternoon in the small village of Shuhe and check-in at the surprising and charming Bivou Hotel. Take a walk through this picturesque village, with its streams and weeping willows. Meals at your expense. Overnight at the Bivou.

Take your time to recover and enjoy breakfast, then depart around 10:00 for Lijiang Old Town, which you can explore at your own pace all the way to the Black Dragon Pool Park, a very peaceful and serene place. If you feel like it, you can climb to the top of “Elephant Mountain” (about 1 hour up). From there, you’ll have a beautiful view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Descend at your own rhythm and return to Shuhe Village and your hotel, where it is possible to arrange a pottery activity (creating a Wamao, a dragon-cat symbol of prosperity and good fortune in all aspects of life; supplement of 200 RMB per person). Meals at your expense. Overnight at The Bivou.

Start the day with a dose of excitement: the Via Ferrata located in the Dongba Valley. Afterwards, return to Shuhe to rent electric scooters. This afternoon, set out to discover the villages of Baisha and Yuhu. In Baisha, we recommend visiting the silk embroidery school, and in Yuhu, the Yuzhuqingtian Pond located on the west side of the village. Return to Shuhe in the late afternoon and bid farewell to your English-speaking driver who has accompanied you through all these adventures from Weishan to Lijiang. Meals at your expense. Overnight at the Bivou.

Take the morning to sleep in and stroll around the hotel surroundings. Departure from the hotel at 11:30 and transfer to Lijiang Railway Station to take train C456 to Kunming, departing at 13:01 and arriving at 17:01. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy a free evening, for example exploring the Flowers and Birds Market and having dinner at one of the many local restaurants. Overnight at Grand Park Hotel

Free time at the beginning of the day, then transfer to the airport for your return flight (can be included in our services). End of our services, we wish you a pleasant return home, beautiful memories in mind!