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4 Wheel Drive Tour
From Kunming to Shangri-la in 10 Days and 9 Nights
TOUR DETAILS
| DAY | WHAT YOU DISCOVER | Driving Hours |
| 1 | Arrival in Kunming: Airport pick-up in the morning. After checking into your hotel we visit Yuantong Temple, the largest Buddhist temple in Kunming and a major draw for pilgrims. Around the Tang Dynasty Pagodas we can observe where local everyday life really takes place. In the afternoon we visit the serene Bamboo Temple further afield. | 1-2 h |
| 2 | Kunming – Dali: Arriving in Dali. Orientation walk in the old town. Visiting the colorful local Bai minority market. Local specialty seafood dinner. | 2h |
| 3 | Dali visiting day: Visiting the 1200 years Three Pagodas and the temple complex. Enjoying the view over Dali and Erhai Lake. Drive to Erhai Lake. Visiting Xiao Putuo Island. Comoran fishing with a local fisherman on Erhai Lake or cycling a part of the the encircling quiet Erhai lake shore road. Drive back to Dali old town. Free time (dinner not included). | 1 h |
| 4 | Dali – Shaxi: Check into a boutique hotel (a converted local family farm house). Lunch. Free time to explore off-the-beaten-track Shaxi old town. Shaxi has not only one of the best preserved old towns in south China, but as well stone carvings and Taoist temples dating back as far as 1200 years to offer. | 3 h |
| 5 | Shaxi visiting day: Transfer to nearby monkey mountain Shi Bao Shan. We drive up to Shi Bao mountain to explore cave temples and the well preserved stone carvings and watch the monkey population lolling under forest trees. | |
| 6 | Shaaxi – Deqin: On the way we visit Sechong catholic church. (*1). Home stay at our Tibetan family home. (*2) Discovering the village. In the evening Tibetan family dinner. (*3) |
7-8 h |
| 7 | Discovering Deqin Area: Fei Lei Temple / Watching Stunning 6700 Meter High & Holy Kawa Karpo. (*2) Optional: Hiking 2 h up to Mingyong Glacier. |
1 h |
| 8 | Deqin – Shangri-la: Overnight Stay in our family boutique guesthouse Kersang´s Relay Station. Visiting the old town. Bathing in hot springs and natural steam sauna at night or Tibetan dancing and dining in the countryside. |
4 h |
| 9 | Shangri-la Visiting Day: Visiting turtle mountain and the largest prayer wheel in the world. Drive around scenic Napa Lake where Yak herds graze. Visiting Songsaling Yellow Hat Tibetan Monastery. Free time to relax. In the evening: Dinner and Tibetan steam sauna and swimming in a natural hot spring pool or Tibetan dining with various local delicacies and traditional Tibetan dance performance in the countryside. | 1 h |
| 10 | Shangri-la – Airport: All good things come to an end. Airport transfer and end of the tour. | 0.5 h |
(*1) This road will lead us along the fantastic Mekong river shore, which is littered with
small Tibetan villages.
(*2) The village close to Deqin is my wife´s family village. It is beautifully located close to
the Mekong river and a green oasis.
(*3) Overnight Stay with Shared Bathrooms (Shower & Hot Water) for the home stay.
The family home is a farm with animals (goats / cows / chicken) where four generations
live together. Great for children.
Other activities for Dali:
Full day trekking: Hiking half way up to Cangshan mountain through subtropical forests.
Following the winding path through several gorges , waterfalls, and enjoying the view on
the Dali Grand Canyon.
2 days trekking: Hike up 7 hours to stunningly beautiful Horse Bathing Lake. Overnight
stay in tents at the lake. Hike up to Cangshan mountain (4122m high). Hike down to the
lake and take the cable car back to Dali.
Included services
Overnight stay in good guesthouses and mid-range hotels (3 star), in camps
4 Wheel Drive and gas
Accompanying vehicle for luggage and expedition equipment
Meals (Breakfast & Lunch)
Mineral water
All entrance fees for Monasteries, Temples & Sights
Guide, English speaking and driver
Chinese guide
Help with Chinese visa application
Price on request.
For questions and bookings please contact us.