Yunnan Trip

6 -19 Nov 2024 (14 days) Yunnan Explorer & Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek
Trip Cost Rm7200 (per pax for group of 14 pax), Rm6900 (16 pax and above) (EXCLUDED Flight ticket)
(Note : Based on Remimbi Yuan 1 = RM0.65. We will make final adjustment on the cost based on the Yuan exchange rate in Sep-Oct 2024)

Update 22May24 - Trip is FULL. Revised itinerary and updated Flight schedule by using CZ.

Update 10Mar24 - We had run this trip before Covid time and had revised the itinerary now for better arrangement. Trip involve some trekking in Tiger Leaping Gorge (easy to moderate). Please register your seat by email rachelheng123@gmail.com or whatsapp Rachel 012-3520868

IMPORTANT NOTICE This is meant to be a "free and easy" adventure trip. Participants should be relatively fit, with a good sense of humour, and above all, have the right attitude for close travel with others through possibly some trying times. Most definitely, this is not a trip for prudes, whiners, fuss-pots, and other similiarly assorted types! We had a couple of those before and it wasn't pleasant for us or them. Although every effort will be made to stick to the given itinerary, ground conditions may change and cause some disruption and/or deviation from the norm. Otherwise, have fun.

Spectacular Sunrise of Meili Snow Mountains & autumn colour from Felaishi

This is frontierland, China ! Yunnan is like the last bastion of Han China, before merging into Tibetan China on its west, and Indo-China on its south and east. The result is a land where myriad cultures thrive; from the UNESCO World Heritage Site Lijiang, to Tibetan Zhongdian and Deqin, the latter marking the route proper into Tibet . But culture aside, Yunnan also abounds in adventure, with the Mingyong Glaciers outside Deqin, horsing around in the pastures of Yak Meadow and surely the highlight, a 4 days trek onto the Tiger Leaping Gorge—a walk of wondrous sights, scents, and senses!

This trip involves travel by some public buses, train and bus/jeep hire. We stay in a mix of 2 star hotels with attached bathrooms in bigger towns and guesthouses with common or shared bathrooms in smaller places. As with most Yongo trips, you pay for your own meals, entrance fees, horse hires, bicycle hire and other activities.

Snowing on the way to Zhongdian

Note on the TLG Trek - We leave our main luggage with the vehicles and carry only what is needed on the 3 days trek. The last group used the horses to carry the luggage at a cost of Rm30 per luggage for the duration of the trek, at member's own expense. This is recommended because it was much easier walking without the backpacks. We'll enjoy the scenery and photo-taking much better. Participants can also opt to ride all the way or part of the way. The cost was Rm50 for a day hire. A few past participants decided on this for the "steep" 28 bends on day 2 and all walked the rest of the way after hitting the top. Another option is for 2 pax to share one horse i.e. taking turns riding and walking.

Day 1 KL-Kunming : Assemble at KLIA morning flight CZ366 0850AM on 6th NOV 2024, arriving Guangzhou at 1245PM. Take another flight CZ3449 to Kunming at 1505PM, arriving 1740PM. Transfer to hotel. O/N Kunming.

Day 2 Kunming : We will do some walking from hotel to visit Green Lake, Bird Market and its adjoining local market. We also visit the huge tea market, one of the biggest in China if time permit. Overnight (ON) Kunming.

Day 3 Dali : In the morning we go to Dali by high speed train (3.5hours). Dali is a backpacker's haven rivaling Yangshuo in Guangxi. There is a vibrant "foreigner's street" lined with cafes and street stalls. We spend the rest of the day and evening there. ON Dali.

Day 4 Dali: Today we will go to Cang Mountain, also known as Diancang Mountain, located at the Southern end of the Yunling Mountains and forms a trailing section of the Hengduan (transversely faulted) mountains. The mountain range comprises 19 peaks and 18 brooks.ON Dali.

Day 5 Shaxi: We spent the morning visiting the local market, cycling (Optional) in Dali countryside and a visit to nearby Xizhou Old Town. After lunch we drive 4hr with our own bus to Shaxi Ancient town and overnight there. ON Shaxi.

Tibetan lady in front Songzanlin Monastery/ Giant Prayer Wheel in Zhongdian

Day 6 Shaxi to Zhongdian: After breakfast, we drive to Zhongdian aka Shangri-La, with a visit to the beautiful wooden carvings in Jianchuan and also the First Bend of the Yangtze River. In hte evening we can join the locals in Tibetan dancing n the Ancient Town square. ON Zhongdian.

Day 7 Deqin : We drive to Feilaishi/Deqin 168km 6hr. The population from Zhongdian onwards are 80% Tibetan. Felaishi is one of the favourite spots for China's photographers for excellent views of Unesco listed Meili Snow Mountains. ON Felaishi.

Day 8 Minyong Glacier : We wake up early to catch the sun as it rises over the Meili Snow Mountains peaking at 6740m. It will take us two hours to get to a village for Minyong Glacier climb, 2-3 hours trek one-way. Optional horse rides are available to take "non-climbers" up near the top. These mountains are a place of pilgrimage for Tibetans and also another UNESCO Site. ON Felaishi. (One needs to arrange some packed food and snacks (biscuits & chocolates) at provision shops either in Feilashi or in Minyong village.Instant noodles are also available near the top of Minyong Glacier)

Spectacular Sunrise of Meili Snow Mountains from Felaishi

Day 9 Zhongdian: We return to Zhongdian, stopping along the way to enjoy the spectacular views of the Meili & Baimang Snow Mountains, as well as the first bend in the Jinsha River, commonly known as the Omega Bend. In Zhongdian, we spend a second evening in the Old Town, and catch the Tibetans at their dance/exercise routine every evening at the Old Square. ON Zhongdian.

Day 10 Zhongdian/Tiger Leaping Gorge (TLG)1: We spend the morning visiting Zhongdian'scolourful local market and Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan temple in Yunnan. After lunch we drive on to Qiaotou 105km 2hr, the gateway to the famed Tiger Leaping Gorge or Hutiao Xia, one of the deepest gorge in the world. The whole 3 days trail is 15km from Qiaotou, but on this first day, it's a short 1.5hrs level stroll to the Naxi Family Guesthouse. ON Guesthouse.(Note : Guesthouse stay with basic facilities)

Day 11 TLG 2: The second day includes a more difficult 900m height ascent known as the 28 bends. Without our main luggage, it is "expected" to be manageable. There is the option of riding up the bends on horses at Rm50 per horse. We overnight at the another Naxi guesthouse known as Tea Horse Trading Guesthouse. (Note : Guesthouse stay with basic facilities)

Day 12 TLG 3: Our last day on the trek will be take us about 4 hours, mostly downhill. There are some nice waterfalls on the way down to Tina's Guesthouse where we lunch. We will be back in Lijiang by late afternoon to enjoy the shopping, eating and drinking. ON Lijiang.

Map of Tiger Leaping Gorge

Day 13 Lijiang : We start our day by going to a viewpoints at Lion Hill and Wangu Tower, for views of the rooftops of Old Lijiang. Then we take the group to a nearby and vibrant Naxi local market. Group is free for the rest of the day gettling lost in the Old City of Lijiang with its huge complex of tourist shops and further inside, of quaint traditional hsouses, all criss-crossed by water channels. At night we have the option of Naxi Music Performance or Danba Music Performance in the Old Town theatres. Lijiang Old Town has a 800 year old history and is Unesco listed. Group have the option of cycling or taking local vans to wooden Baisha temple, some 10km away, to see the famous wooden frescoes. Walk about a bit in the one street village. We proceed to nearby Shuhe Ancient Town that has been tastefully restored and is now houses shops, eateries and quaint cafes.ON Lijiang.

Minorities/UNESCO's Lijiang Old Town

Day 14 Lijiang-Airport: Take flight CZ6604 from Lijiang at 1100AM to Guangzhou, arriving 1320PM. Then transit CZ365 at 1735PM, arriving KL 2150PM (19Nov2024).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Cost cover budget accommodation, all town to town trips, high speed train and bus/jeep hires only.
Cost excludes Flight ticket KL-Kunming-Lijiang-KL (Approximately all in RM2400), meals, luggage on horse, cycling, entrance & activities fees and in-town taxis or bus on free days. Budget about Rm50 per day for meals i.e. Rm600 for 14 days.
Cost is subject to change depending on fluctuations in exchange rates and/or airfares.
Note that entrance fees are collected at almost every tourist places. We will compile a list in due course but be aware that because of the numerous places we visit, it can amount to a small fortune. Rough estimate Rm400.
We do not do compulsory shopping stops common to normal China tours nor do we collect compulsory up-front tips.
Non-refundable deposit of Rm1600 is payable to confirm your place.
Cost is subject to change if there's a significant changes in foreign exchange rates and airfares.

Email: rachelheng123@gmail.com or yongo123@gmail.com
Phone: Rachel 012 352 0868
Phone: Yong Lee Min: 016 220 9033 or 603 4031 6225