13 Days Yunnan Trekking Tour from Daocheng and Yading to Lugu Lake (West Route)

Daocheng, located in southwest corner of Sichuan province, is well-known for the 3 holy peaks named by the 5th Dalai Lama, Shiannairi Peak(6032 meters), Xianuoduoji Peak(5898 meters), Yangmaiyong Peak(5898 meters). Every year, there are plenty of people trekking around the 3 holy peaks. Lugu Lake is located in northwest part of Yunnan province, and the unique matriarchal Mosuo people live by the lake, which earned this area another name, the Mysterious Queendom. This tour is designed for those who love trekking.

Highlights:

• Trek from Daocheng and Yading to Lugu Lake and visit traditional ethnic villages on route.
• Be attracted by the most peaceful and harmonious earthly paradise to meet your true self in Shangri-La.
• Enjoy the beautiful scenery at Lugu Lake and Yulong Snow Mountain.
• Meet and experience the culture of Mosuo people, Pumi people, Naxi People and Mongolian People.

[tour_inquiry postid="" href=""][/tour_inquiry]

Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Shangri-La Arrival
• Day 2: Shangri-La-Xiangcheng
• Day 3: Xiangcheng-Yading
• Day 4: Yading-Kars Yak Ranch
• Day 5: Kars Yak Ranch-Kars Village
• Day 6: Kars Village-Seku Village
• Day 7: Seku Village-Kawa Village
• Day 8: Kawa Village-Yiji Village
• Day 9: Yiji Village-Yongning Village
• Day 10: Yongning-Lugu Lake
• Day 11: Lugu Lake-Lijiang
• Day 12: Lijiang
• Day 13: Lijiang Departure

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Shangri-La

Sightseeing and Activities: Arrive in Shangri-La
Accommodation: Shangri-La
Meals: None

Arrive in Shangri-La. Meet your local guide and transfer to hotel for check-in.

Day 2 Shangri-La-Xiangcheng

Sightseeing and Activities: Songzanlin Monastery
Accommodation: Xiangcheng
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Visit the Songzanlin Monastery , which was built 300 years ago under the instruction of the 5th Dalai Lama. After lunch, drive 220 kilometers from Zhongdian to Xiangcheng.

Day 3 Xiangcheng-Daocheng-Yading

Sightseeing and Activities: Daocheng Yading Scenic Spot
Accommodation: Yading
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Drive 112 km from Xiangcheng to Daocheng. After lunch, drive another 77 km from Daocheng to Riwa, then take a local bus for another 20 km to Yading(the Rilongba). Stay in a local guesthouse or camp.

Day 4 Yading-Kars Yak Ranch

Sightseeing and Activities: Trekking
Accommodation: Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Start your trekking tour with horses. First trek 1 hour to Chonggu Monastery(3800 meters), which is in fact a ruin, then trek up to visit the Pearl Lake. Continue the trekking to the Luorong Yak Ranch(4200 meters), then trek along the Milk Lake shore up to a mountain pass(4681 meters), and move on to the Kars Yak Ranch. Camp there for overnight.

Day 5 Kars Yak Ranch-Kars Village

Sightseeing and Activities: Trekking
Accommodation: Kars Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trek down from Kars Yak Ranch to the Kars Hell Valley, then trek through the valley. On the way, you will see several waterfalls (the valley is named Hell, but in fact it is as beautiful as Paradise). At the end of the valley, you will cross a narrow wood bridge, walk into the Kars Village. Stay in a local villager's house or camp there.

Day 6 Kars Village-Seku Village

Sightseeing and Activities: Ethnic Villages, Trekking
Accommodation: Seku Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Take a tractor for 39 km from Kars Village to Dongyi Village via Geka Village, then change to a minibus, drive another 18 km from Dongyi Village to Eryatong Village via Wangzi Village. Here is the end of the dust road. You have to start your trekking tour again. You will trek 6 km from Eryatong Village to Emei Village, on the way, you will see the U-shape Bend of the Dongyi River, and some ruined castles(These castles are related with the war between the Naxi people in Lijiang and the Tibetan people living in this area in Ming Dynasty). Then continue trekking from Emei Village to Seku Village(most villagers are Mongolian people). Stay in a local villager's house or camp there.

Day 7 Seku Village-Kawa Village

Sightseeing and Activities: Trekking
Accommodation: Kawa Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trek from Seku Village to Eryada Village, continue the trekking to Keku Village (most villagers are Pumi people), then arrive at Kawa Village(3500 meters, most villagers are Naxi people and Mongolian people). On the way, you will see many cactus as big as trees, you will also see a 100-meter-high waterfall. Stay in a local villager's house or camp there for overnight.

Day 8 Kawa Village-Yiji Village

Sightseeing and Activities: Trekking
Accommodation: Yiji Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trek along the Dongyi River and the Tongtian River from Kawa Village to Yiji Village. On the way, you will pass through the Hadi Village (most villagers are Naxi people). Stay in a local villager's house or camp there for overnight.

Day 9 Yiji Village-Yongning Hot Spring Village

Sightseeing and Activities: Trekking
Accommodation: Yongning Village
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trek up to a mountain pass (the Yiejiliangzi, about 4000 meters). The colorful prayer cloth on the trees reminds us of arriving at the mountain pass, from which we may have a nice view of the Lion Mountain near Lugu Lake. Then trek down to Yongning Hot Spring Village. Enjoy a hot spring bath and stay in a local guesthouse.

Day 10 Yongning-Lugu Lake

Sightseeing and Activities: Trekking, Lugu Lake, Mosuo Villages
Accommodation: Lugu Lake
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Trek to Yongning town, where is the end of your trekking tour. Then drive 1 hour to Lugu Lake, take a small wood boat cruise on the lake, and visit the Mosuo villages. Overnight at Lugu Lake.

Day 11 Lugu Lake-Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: From Lugu Lake to Lijiang
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Drive 6 hours from Lugu Lake to Lijiang. On the way, enjoy the beautiful view among the huge mountains and rivers.

Day 12 Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Yulong Snow Mountain, Dongba Village
Accommodation: Lijiang
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

This day, we will depart to Yulong Snow Mountain. It is the southernmost glacier in the temperate zone of the northern hemisphere. Altogether there are 13 peaks among the range, stretching for over 35 km from south to north. The summit, Shanzidou, is 5596 meters above sea level. Viewed from afar, the snow-capped range resembles a silver dragon with snow curling up its middle. Rich forest, herb and animal resources thrive on the mountain.

On our way, we will stop at Dongba Village in Yushui Stockade, which is built completely according to the traditional life style of Naxi minority. You can feel the traditional atmosphere of ethnic culture from the layout of its yard, building facilities, tools and details of life.

Day 13 Departure from Lijiang

Sightseeing and Activities: Departure from Lijiang
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast

Departure from Lijiang. Service ends.

Recommended Hotels

Service Included:

• Admission fees for all of the sightseeing spots listed in the itinerary;
• Meals as listed in the itinerary;
• Hotels as listed in the itinerary;
• Private English-speaking tour guide;
• Private vehicle for transfers & sightseeing with skilled driver;
• Service charge & government taxes;
• Luggage transfers between airports and hotel.

Service Excluded:

• Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
• Chinese visa fees;
• Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
• Single room supplement;
• Tips to guides and drivers;
• Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
• Personal travel accident insurance;
• All optional programs.

[tour_inquiry postid="" href=""][/tour_inquiry]