Gaoligongshan is an undiscovered natural jewel in Yunnan. Being one of the few travelagencies who organizes treks in this stunning area you're bound to set off on an exclusive trip.

The Gaoligongshan region extends from the eastern Himalayas to Southwest Yunnan and is one of the 'hottest' biodiversity hotspots on the world. At the heart of this region lies Gaoligongshan, a spectacular high ridge of mountains running near the Chinese-Burmese border. Unlike much of the surrounding area, the forests of the Gaoligongshan have remained largely intact because of their remote location.

The Gaoligongshan region is ecologically unique and a major crossroads of north and south, east and west, temperate and subtropical. Much of its extremely rich fauna and flora is endemic which means that it is native to this area. This is also the place where 'plant hunters' like Dr. Joseph Rock trekked through to to collect samples and send them to Europe and thus helped enrich the gardens in Europe at the beginning of this century.

However, Gaoligongshan is not only interesting because of its 'wildness' but also because of its history. Some of the trails you'll be hiking on are part of the old southern silk road also called the ancient tea and horse road. For centuries caravans of people and mules carried their precious loads like tea and silk over the mountains into Burma and India. These trails were later part of the Burma road.

Since the mid eighties Gaoligongshan is a protected nature reserve. Only recently the reserve has opened up to ecotourism as a way to attract more attention and funds to the area. This trek offers you the opportunity to explore this beautiful area.

Description:

The trek is moderate. Every day is about 7-8 hours trekking but as the trails are not too steep, anybody in good shape can do it. Every day offers different scenery, villages and families. The average altitude is 2400 m which is not too high for comfortable trekking.

Overnight stays are in the nature reserve's management stations and/ or in the villages with local people. The stays are very basic.

Best time: Oct till May

Logistics: from Kunming take a flight or travel overland from Dali or Kunming to Baoshan

Program: we offer 3 and 4 days programs

day 1 arrive in Baoshan, depending on your arrival time start trekking

day 2 and 3 7/8 hrs trekking on Gaoligongshan

day 4 travel back to Dali (or Kunming)

Price for 4 days, 2 people: 420 euro per person

Incl: transfers with private car from and to Dali, accomodation and food during the trek, English speaking guide, porter to carry small daypacks, entrance for the natureserve

Excl: costs from and to Dali

Prices in euro/US $ are subject to change and will be calculated according to the current renminbi (RMB) rate.

This is a great trip with beautiful landscapes and people in a mainly Tibetan area. You'll travel by private car from the busy city of Chengdu through pristine mountain landscapes to Tibetan heights. This western part of Sichuan province borders on Tibet and is Tibetan in nature and culture.

After driving through the fertile and populated valley around Chengdu we slowly mount to cross the 3,000 m high Erlang pass. In the course of the day we will arrive in Kangding at 2,500 m: a good height to get used to the altitude. For centuries Kangding has been one of the gateways to Tibet and the demographical border between the Chinese and Tibetan peoples.

If you have time, it is nice to make a small detour to visit the grasslands of Tagong. This small 'wild west town' has the biggest Buddhist college of Sichuan province and a massive Sakyapa monastery. With the Gongga Shan (7556 m) in the background, the green rolling hills are home to nomads and their grazing yaks.

After a mountainous ride we arrive in Litang which is one of the highest cities in the world (4,100 m). The population mainly exists of Khampa Tibetans which makes it one of the best places to experience Tibetan culture.

After Litang you can make the trek in Yading: this National park lies in a high, rough and mountainous area. On the way you'll enjoy the magnificent views on the snow-capped peaks. At an altitude of 4-4,500 m you walk or take a horse through alpine forests and admire the valleys, holy mountains and lakes. You'll find yourself on the roof of the world, far away from 'civilization'.

After these heights we go down to Zhongdian (Shangrila) which lies at 3,200 m. Here the Tibetan houses and people look different from the ones we've seen so far. In Zhongdian you can visit Songzanlin monastery.

6/7 days from Chengdu or Zhongdian

Route:

day 1 Chengdu to Kangding

day 2 to Tagong grasslands

day 3 to Litang

day 4 to Yading

day 5 and 6 trek in Yading

day 7 to Daocheng- Derong- Zhongdian (long day drive)

Other 7 day routes:

Zhongdian- Derong- Litang- Gantse- Daofu- Tagong- Kangding- Chengdu or Zhongdian– Derong- Litang- Kangding- Tagong- Danba- Wolong– Chengdu

Price: 895 euro/ 985 US $ p.p. for 2 people

Incl: car, driver, guide, accomodation

Excl: meals, entrance fees

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Best time: Oct till June. From January till March trails can be snowbound.

We don't organize this trek from July till September as rain will cause dangerous landslides on the paths.

The trek is moderate and anybody in good shape can do it. Averagely you walk 6-7 hours a day. This trek can be extended with 3-4 days if you want to start in the Tiger Leaping Gorge. The highest pass you cross is 3650 m, the average height is around 2500 m.

Price: 2 people- 3750 RMB p.p./ 395 euro p.p./ 535 US $ p.p.

3 people- 3000 RMB p.p./ 320 euro p.p./ 430 US $ p.p.

Prices in euro/US $ are subject to change and will be calculated according to the current renminbi (RMB) rate.

Incl: accomodation & all meals during trek, porters and/or horses during trek, English speaking guide

Excl: private car/ public bus from Lijiang to Stone City and from Yongning to Lugu Lake/ Lijiang, entrance fees, all other meals

Route: the trek can be done either way, starting in Stone City or Lugu lake

day 1 go from Lijiang to Baoshan Stone City or Lugu lake

day 2-6 trekking for 5 days in the mountains

day 7 back to Lijiang

This trek explores the unknown but stunning mountainous area in the remote north east of Yunnan. You'll hike on small mountainpaths and halfway you cross the Yangste river. You stay in small farmer's villages with local families like the Pumi, Mosuo and Naxi in their homes. Nature is impressive and ever changing and the people are genuinely friendly and welcoming. This trek sees few tourists and is an authentic beautiful experience.

You can start the trek in Baoshan Stone City, a small village perched on a giant rock in a deep valley. Traditionally, the stone was carved to form benches, beds and stoves inside the homes. Today the stones serve as steps and alleyways that connect the families. From here you trek for 5 days through magnificent rugged mountain landscapes where every bit of suitable land has been cultivated. Colours are changing from brown and yellow high up in the mountains to a fresh green down in the valleys. The traditional villages are surrounded by steep terraced fields. During the trek you pass occasional villages where all people live off the land. Local people also walk the mountain paths to get from one place to the other as there are hardly any carroads. During the afternoons you will arrive in the villages to stay the night. The houses are built in courtyard style and rooms are basic. There are no showers, toilets are outside and sometimes there is no electricity so you'll have an early night. Next day you will be woken up by the roosters, have a healhty breakfast and get ready for another day of beautiful hiking.

At the last day you'll catch a glimpse of your final destination: Lugu Lake. Its altitude at 2,685 m makes it Yunnan's highest lake. The village close by is actually quite small but it feels big after so many days of hiking in the mountains. We're back in 'civilization'.

The drive from Lugu lake to Lijiang takes you through a beautiful mountainous area called 'the lesser cooler mountains'. It's a sparsely inhabitated area with small villages, home to mostly Yi and Mosuo peoples. On the way you'll see Yi-people walking alongside the road. The women wear spectacular huge black hats and colourfully striped long skirts. With a bit of luck you will meet them in one of the markets on the road.

The ride from Lijiang to Stone City takes you through a high mountainous area with spectacular views on the Haba and Jade Dragon Snow mountains.

Travel to Xishuangbanna/ Jinghong:

There are flights to Jinghong from Kunming, Dali or Lijiang. Long-distance busses leave amongst other places from Kunming. We can also arrange onward overland travel to Laos.

Xishuangbanna is the subtropical part of South West China bordering Laos and Burma. Except for Jinghong, this area is not very developed for tourism. Many of the minorities live in villages which can only be reached by foot. Our route will roughly go from Menghun to Bulangshan. During this 30 km trek you'll hike through jungle and forests and on the way you'll visit Bulang, Lahu, Hani and Dai villages. Every day is about 5-6 hours trekking. We can also include a colourful local market in your program, depending on the day and/or visits to some typical Dai Buddhist temples.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner and accommodation will be arranged by the village people. Some of the villages are very poor by western standards. Giving small presents to villagers is a highly appreciated custom for a guest.

Best time: Oct till April

Description:

The trek is moderate. Every day is about 5-6 hours trekking and anybody in good shape can do it. Every day offers different scenery, villages and families.

Program:

Day 1 transfer from Jinghong airport to a hotel in Jinghong

Day 2 car ride to Menghun, lunch, trek through mountains and forests, visit a Bulang village on the way, stay overnight in a village

Day 3 trek on the mountain slopes, lunch in a village, stay overnight at Bulangshan

Day 4 take a bus to Menghun (bumpy about 3 hrs ride), lunch and take a private car to visit the Octagonal pavilion and another Dai temple. Drive back to Jinghong.

Day 5 transfer from hotel to airport

Price: 295 euro/ 375 US $ p.p. for 2 people

Incl.: English speaking guide, porter to carry daypacks, transport/ excursions according to program, accomodation (2 nights in hotel, 2 in villages), food during the trek

Excl.: entrance fees, gifts for the villages

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