Trekking in Yunnan Province
The Tiger Leaping Gorge (trekking information)
Please find below a detailed summary of everything you need to know.
You do not have to be a trained mountaineer to visit this area. We are the UK's tailor made specialists for China and we pride ourselves in creating an itinerary around your preferences in terms of how much walking you want to do and what you want to see. A visit to this area can be combined with any other attraction in China, however if you just want to escape the crowds and experience the real China then this part of Yunnan Province is as good as any. Two typical scenario's of Trekking tours can be found further down the page.
How do I get there?
We would normally collect you from the smaller airport at Li Jiang. Your drive to the first Guest House on your trek would normally be a few hours. If you are just visiting Yunnan Province the Indirect International flight would most likely arrive in Kunming, Yunnan's Capital City. Please ask if you would like train travel incorporated into your trip to China is a great way to see the countryside of this part of China.
How Long is the tour?
Once we have an idea of how long you want to spend travelling by foot and your ability we will put together a program that involves anything from light walking to heavy trekking, normally anything from two hours to five hours a day.
Is it strenuous?
Once we have an idea of how long you want to spend travelling by foot (and your ability) we will put together a program that involves anything from light walking to heavy trekking, normally anything from two hours to five hours a day.
Is it Safe?
Yes, last year 2008 we sent 85 people trekking on the Gorge, in 80 of these trips our clients were escorted with a guide during the Trekking part of there itinerary. We have have had no problems at all.
How much does it Cost?
The cost of your time Trekking depends on many factors. Are you visiting other regions in China (or Asia)? How long is your holiday? How many people - if any, are travelling with you? We have a few examples below but your trip is tailor made and a cost will be supplied to you once we have prepared a first draft itinerary for you.
Our featured guest houses in the gorge are:
- The Spring Guest House Click to view details
- The Tea Horse Guest House Click to view details
- Tinas Guest House Click to view details
What follows are two tour scenarios, Tour A is based at one location, The Spring Guest House with relatively short walks each day. Tour B features slightly longer treks and you will stay at different guest houses.
Sample Tours involving the Tiger Leaping Gorge
Tour sample A (6 nights)
A rough cost of this programme is from £580 excluding international flights based on two people. A single supplement cost of £90 is applicable.
| 1 | Pick up from Lijiang, two hour drive by private car to the The Spring Guest House. Spend the rest of the day at your own leisure. Relax and enjoy the views. | Spring Guest House | LD |
| 2 | After breakfast with your guide, this mornings trekking will last three hours to the top of Haba Mountain Hill, which peaks at 3000 meters. The Gorge is beautiful in itself, but this trip has an amazing view of the surrounding countryside. On your return we will take you to a typical small holding (we will also prepare a packed lunch for you). You will also view the three Gorge section points and the Jade dragon snow mountain range. | Spring Guest House | BLD |
| 3 | Today we trek around a big waterfall and the bamboo forest, 2 hours hike to get there and then2 hours trekking back to the Spring Guest House. | Spring Guest House | BLD |
| 4 | After breakfast we take a half hour car drive to the Gorge's high trail. We will then trek back to the guest house. On the way, we will pass by a Yacha village and also a Bendiwan village and many small waterfalls. You will be provided with a packed lunch on the high trail. You will return like most days to have dinner at the Guest house. | Spring Guest House | BLD |
| 5 | After breakfast we drive one and half hours to visit a Haba village we could then choose to to hike three hours to see the traditional Naxi and Yi people. We would also like to show you the Hui minority people working in the rise terrace fields. You will have lunch today with a local family. Then it's a two hour drive back to the guest house. | Spring Guest House | LD |
| 6 | After breakfast trek down to the Gorge river then hike back for two hours and be transferred by private car to Lijiang. | Spring Guest House | LD |
Tour sample B (2 nights)
A rough cost of this programme is from £380 excluding international flights based on two people. A single supplement cost of £35 is applicable.
| 1 | This tour starts from Lijiang. We will drive for two hours to the town of Qiaotou, we will then trek to the Naxi Family Guest House to have lunch. After lunch we will set off for another hour to get to the hardest part of your trek, the '28 bends'. We will stop at the 28 bends Guest House for some drinks and fruit. It is here you will get to see the best view of the gorge and the Yangtze river below. We will then walk down the pedestrian path and along the mountain crossing through a beautiful woodland area. We will reach the Tea-horse Guest house to have dinner and stay overnight. | Tea-horse Guest house | LD |
| 2 | After breakfast we will hike for about 2 hours to get to a Half way guest house, we will rest and then continue down to Tina's house to have lunch. On the way we will encounter many waterfalls and you will be able to appreciate the size of the Gorge. We will hike across to Yixiantian and reach the Walnut Garden area. Dinner and overnight will be at the Spring Guest House. | Spring Guest House | BLD |
| 3 | After breakfast we will after three hours walking reach Xindukou. We will then take the boat to cross the Jinsha River. Once across the other side we climb the path to Daju where we will have lunch. We will then drive about 3.5 hours back to Lijiang downtown where you will move on to your next destination or begin your journey back to the UK. | BL |
