NatureGreat Wall Hiking: Jinshanling to Simatai
Two days on the wildest restored stretch of the Wall, with a night in a village at its foot.
NaturePrivate journey
Yunnan: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang & Shangri-La
Eight days from the Stone Forest to the Tibetan edge of Yunnan, through old towns, snow mountains and tea country.
The journey
Yunnan: Kunming, Dali, Lijiang & Shangri-La
Yunnan is China at its most diverse. This route follows the classic line from Kunming through Dali and Lijiang to Shangri-La, adding a hike in Tiger Leaping Gorge and time in a Bai village.
We keep the pace slow and use local guides from the communities we visit, so the journey feels less like a tour and more like a long conversation.
- Lijiang old town
- Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
- Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Shangri-La and Songzanlin Monastery
- Dali and Erhai Lake
Day by day
The shape of the days.
Day 01Arrive in Kunming
Transfer and rest. Evening rice noodle dinner.
Day 02Stone Forest & Dali
Morning at the Stone Forest, afternoon train to Dali.
Day 03Dali
Erhai Lake, Three Pagodas and a Bai village lunch.
Day 04Dali to Lijiang
Drive to Lijiang, afternoon in the old town.
Day 05Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Cable car to Yak Meadow, Baisha village and a Naxi lunch.
Day 06Tiger Leaping Gorge
Day hike on the high trail, then continue to Shangri-La.
Day 07Shangri-La
Songzanlin Monastery, a Tibetan family lunch and the old town.
Day 08Departure
Fly from Shangri-La or return to Kunming for your flight.
Included
What is part of the journey.
Included
- Private English-speaking guide and driver throughout
- Hand-picked hotels with daily breakfast
- Internal flights and high-speed rail as listed
- Entrance fees to all listed sites
- Airport, station and hotel transfers
- Visa invitation letter and current entry guidance
- Alipay / WeChat Pay setup before you arrive
- 24/7 support from our team in China
Not included
- International flights
- China visa fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (required for all guests)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Personal spending, drinks and gratuities
Good to know
The practical details.
AccommodationCourtyard hotels and a Tibetan-style lodge
Group sizePrivate journey · 2–8 travellers
Activity levelModerate — altitude and hiking
Best time to travelMarch–May · September–November
This journey runs on your dates. We will check lodge and flight availability before confirming anything.
Traveller notes
After the journey.
“Everything went smoothly and Charlie was a perfect guide. It was the first time I had a guide who did not try to take me into shops. He was punctual, thoughtful and genuinely good company.”
“You provided us with an unforgettable tour in Yunnan. The landscapes, the old towns and the food were even better than we expected. I would recommend this route to anyone.”
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