Days 1-2, Kunming:

Arrive in Kunming, the “Spring City”, on an afternoon or evening flight on day 1. After a rest at the hotel, typical Yunnan cuisine will be for dinner. The second day begins with a visit to the Bamboo Temple before heading out to Yunnan’s famed Stone Forest, a geological wonder and UNESCO world heritage site. The second evening’s unique mushroom hotpot dinner features dozens of varieties of Yunnan’s wild mushrooms.

Days 3-6, Dali & Shaxi:

We’ll start very early to make the four hour drive to Dali, home to the Bai people for more than 1000 years. After checking in to the hotel we’ll head straight for the mountain. A cable car is available, but the option of walking up Dali’s Cang Mountain can be satisfying as well. The view of ancient Dali and the Erhai valley below is sure to stir up excitement for the coming days in Dali. After a visit to Zhonghe Temple, we have the option of a completely flat and pleasant 13 KM walk along Cang (pronounced tsang) Mountain’s Cloud Trail. The evening is free to explore the ancient streets of Dali or relax in one of Dali’s many friendly cafes and bars.

Day 4

Day 4 is a busy day of sightseeing in the valley. In the morning cormorant fishing on Erhai Lake is followed by a visit to a Bai batik. On Mondays we’ll head to Shaping village for the weekly market. Further around the lake we’ll pass through the serene villages of Wase and Shuanglang perched on the east side of the Erhai. A few other treasures await visitors on the Erhai’s little visited eastern shore, but we’ll keep them a secret for now. At night it’s back to the old town for R&R.

Day 5

Day 5 begins with a visit to Dali’s famed Three Pagodas. By afternoon we’ll have the option of relaxing in the hot springs at Dali’s vast Geo-thermal paradise. The hot springs are especially delightful in the winter months when the cool and crisp mountain air contrasts the warm water. After the hot springs we’ll head further north along the old road to Lijiang until we reach the Shaxi Valley. The little visited valley offers a range of tasteful and comfortable locally owned guesthouses.

Day 6

On Day 6 we’ll have ample time to explore Shaxi. The day will begin with a tour of the impressively preserved hamlet of Sideng, which marks a once major trading post on the ancient tea caravan road to India. Sideng centers the valley and on Fridays the Sideng Market is a can’t miss event, as local Yi and Bai merchants from the surrounding areas make the trip to town to trade and sell their homemade goods. Afterwards we’ll visit the well secluded Shibao Mountain grottoes which date to the later Tang Dynasty (9th Cent. AD). From here we’ll make a stop in Jianchuan for a late lunch before moving on to Lijiang. After settling into the guesthouse or hotel in Lijiang we’ll take a tour of the world famous ancient city. Hikers should be sure to inquire about the 2 day overnight trek from Shaxi to Mapingguan, a perfectly secluded Bai village with only 36 families!

Days 7-8, Lijiang and Baisha

We’ll start the day with a tour of the legendary Black Dragon Pool. We’ll then take our time climbing up Elephant Hill for an unbeatable view of Jade Dragon Mountain as well as Lijiang, past and and present. We’ll then head over to the nearby village of Shuhe for lunch and a pleasant stroll around the ancient village. The rest of the day will be free to wander Lijiang’s ancient town. In the evening the option of attending a Naxi music performance is sure to leave a memory. Excellent cycling day tours of Lijiang’s surrounding villages and scenery are easily arranged as an alternative, so don’t hesitate to ask!

Day 8 starts with a visit to the nearby ancient village of Baisha on our way to Jade Dragon Mountain. Baisha, former capital of the Naxi Kingdom, is famous for 15-16th century frescoes which harmoniously combine Daoist with Tibetan and Chinese Buddhist iconography. With the choice of three cable cars, including the world’s highest cable car, we can climb higher than 4000 meters. After returning to Lijiang, some rest will be important, as the (optional) trek through the Tiger Leaping Gorge awaits.

Days 9 – 10, Tiger Leaping Gorge

Days 9 and 10 feature Tiger Leaping Gorge and the peaceful Haba Valley which is home to an astounding seven different ethnic minorities. The moderate day and a half long day hike is simply breathtaking. Those who choose not to hike are treated to a completely different set of intimidating viewpoints closer down to the crashing waters of the upper Yangtze. After completing the trail on the second day we will follow the road out of the gorge to Haba Village. We’ll have the opportunity to visit local homes in minority villages, witness a traditional song and dance performance, and have an introduction to some rare and well-protected flora and fauna in the high valley. (Guests who opt to complete the hike spend the 9th night at a guesthouse in the gorge and the 10th night in Haba village. Guests who choose not to do the hike spend the 9th night in Haba village. The trip will be one less day in total.)

Day 11, Baishuitai – Shangrila

Day 11 begins with breakfast and one more activity in Haba before heading to the majestic White Water Terraces at Baishuitai. The glimmer of the sun bouncing off the rippling waters is as unique a creation as any natural formation. The beauty of the endless terraces and tiny hamlets in the valley below rivals that of Haba on the previous day. Afterwards we’ll follow the back road from Baishuitai to Shangri-La. The scenery along the way should keep you glued to the window. After a few rugged days in the mountains, the cozy and tastefully adorned Tibetan style Songstam Hotel is a welcome refuge just outside town. A traditional Tibetan song and dance performance provides the evening’s entertainment.

Day 12, Songzanlin Monastery – Napa Grassland

Day 12 begins with a visit to the Songzanlin Monastery, Yunnan’s largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist site. In the afternoon we’ll ride on horseback or take a hike through the nearby Napa Grassland and visit a Tibetan village on the mountain side. We’ll finish the day with some free time in Shangri-La’s old town before hustling back to Lijiang to catch a night flight to Chengdu .

Days 13 – 14, Chengdu:

China’s most leisurely city makes for a relaxing finish to your tour. We will start early to visit Chengdu’s groundbreaking Panda Research Base. An optional vegetarian lunch follows with a stroll at the tranquil Wenshu Monastery. In the afternoon we head to Leshan to see the Great Buddha. Fiery Sichuan hotpot, accompanied by Overland’s directors, is for dinner. Don’t worry, though, a non-spicy yet equally tasty version is also available.

Depending on your flight time we will plan a range of leisurely activities on day 2. As local cuisine is one of the most important parts of life in Chengdu, we’ll squeeze in as many tasty Sichuan cuisine options as we can. From sipping tea and playing cards amongst elders in one of Chengdu’s countless parks to a Sichuan Opera performance, it is easy to feel like a Chengdu citizen for a day.

We’ll see you off to the airport at the end of day 14 or on the morning of day 15, but we hope it won’t be the last time we meet!