Yunnan 6 Days Hiking in Tiger Leaping Gorge & Wenhai

Points of Interest :
Upon arrival in Lijiang, your German- or English-speaking guide meets you at the airport or railway station. You drive into the city center and set out on a guided walk through Lijiang’s atmospheric Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site with cobbled alleys, canals and traditional wooden houses.

Later, you visit a local family belonging to the Naxi minority. Here you gain insight into their daily life and cuisine, and you are introduced to the basics of the unique Naxi script.

Driving time: about 45 minutes, 50 km.

• Meals included : Lunch
• Accommodation : Zen Garden, Lijiang

Points of Interest :
In the morning you start your first hike from Yuhu village, located near Lijiang at an elevation of around 2,500 m, to Wenhai village at about 3,100 m. The walk takes roughly 3.5 hours, with about half of the route being a fairly strenuous uphill climb.

Wenhai, also inhabited by the Naxi, is set beside a mountain lake and reached only by unpaved roads, so very few tourists visit. With a bit of luck, you may even spot rare cranes in this tranquil setting.

Driving time to the trailhead: about 30 minutes, 25 km.

• Meals included : Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Accommodation : Wenhai Eco Lodge, Wenhai

Points of Interest :
After breakfast you set off on a longer hike through the Wenhai valley. For about 5 hours you walk through subalpine mountain scenery along the flanks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, enjoying wide-open views over Lijiang and the surrounding villages.

In Longpan your driver meets you and takes you to Qiaotou, the starting point of Tiger Leaping Gorge, where you spend the night. Tiger Leaping Gorge lies on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, here called the Jinsha (Golden Sand) River. The gorge is about 15 km long and framed by towering peaks, with nearly 4,000 m difference in elevation between the highest summits and the river below, making it one of the deepest gorges in the world.

Driving time: about 20 minutes, 15 km.

• Meals included : Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Accommodation : Qiaotou Hotel (guesthouse), Qiaotou

Points of Interest :
Today you begin your full-day hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge. The trail runs between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and the Haba Mountains, following the river with several ascents to tackle. Qiaotou lies at around 1,800 m, while the highest point of today’s route exceeds 2,500 m above sea level, rewarding you with spectacular canyon views.

After about 7 hours of hiking you arrive in the afternoon at the Tea Horse Guest House, a simple lodge where you spend the night high above the river.

• Meals included : Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Accommodation : Tea Horse Guesthouse, Tiger Leaping Gorge area

Points of Interest :
You complete your hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge by around midday. This morning you still face some uphill stretches, but the walking time is only about 3.5 hours. Afterwards you continue by private car to Zhongdian, today commonly known as Shangri-La, a town largely inhabited by Tibetans.

A stroll through the Old Town is rewarding, although the high altitude of about 3,300 m may require some acclimatization. Close to your hotel you also find a large Tibetan Buddhist (lamaist) monastery that is well worth a visit.

Driving time: about 2 hours, 100 km.

• Meals included : Breakfast and lunch
• Accommodation : Songtsam Hotel, Zhongdian (Shangri-La)

Points of Interest :
Depending on your flight time, you are transferred to the airport for your onward journey, or you may choose to extend your stay in Zhongdian to explore more of the Tibetan plateau and surrounding landscapes.

Driving time: about 30 minutes, 10 km.

• Meals included : Breakfast
• Last day : Transfer to the airport or optional trip extension in Zhongdian