Yunnan province offer the most significant diversity in China, not only for the numerous minorities living there, but also for a wide type of landscape. Leave from the capital Kunming, we will first enter into the Naxi typical area around Yunnan to reach the popular Tiger Leaping Gorges. Then follow the tumultuous Yangtze River, from village to village, from different origin like Naxi, Pumi, Yi, we will end our trip on the only Chinese matriarchal society, the Mosuo Minority in Lugu Lake area. A great opportunity to visit this well-preserved area which is still isolated from the big country's development. End in Lijiang, the old traditional Naxi town, heavily historical and charming.

Challenging Grade: 3 (moderate, involves 6-7 hours trekking per day)
Best time: March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November

( Lugu Lake )

Day 1/Arrive in Kunming
Arrive in Kunming, transfer to your comfortable hotel on arrival. (D) 

Day 2/Kunming-Lijiang
In the morning, walk around the Flower and Bird Market at Jingming Street. Move on to visit Kunming Municipal Museum. Then, visit Yuantong Temple, at the foot of Yuantong Hill in the northern part of Kunming. Take an afternoon flight to LIjiang, pick up from the airport and transfer to the hotel on arrival. (B,L,D)

Day 3/Lijiang-drive to Qiaotou-trek to Walnut Gorge Village-Bendiwan Village
In the morning, we will drive 2 hours to Qiaotou (Tiger Leaping Gorge Town). Tiger Leaping Gorge is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world, lying between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain. Then, trek approximate 6-7 hours to the village of Walnut Gorge in Tiger Leaping Gorge, enjoying the magnificent scenery of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. See the Yangtze River surges eastward in billowing waves, then we trek along the local path to Bendiwan Village. Stay overnight in halfway Inn. (B,L,D) 

Day 4/Bendiwan Village-trek to Daju
Not far from the Lower Section of Tiger Leaping Gorge while at the other side of river, Daju seems so close to us, as it is said there is only 60m wide in the narrowest section of the river. We descent to ferry wharf and take ferry to the opposite side of Jinsha River. Then, trek 2 hours to Daju, whose habitants are mostly Naxi people. Stay overnight in Snow Flower Inn. (B,L,D) 

Day 5/Daji-drive to Guoluo-trek to Baoshan Stone Town
Today we have a break from walking and drive to a ethical Naxi Vilalge – Guoluo. Then, trek about 4 hours to Baoshan Stone Town, known as the "village on a huge rock". On a huge rock in the shape of a magic herb, several hundreds Naxi people have built their homes. Every one of the households uses stone tables, sleeps on stone beds, cooks on stone fireplaces and keeps water in stone vats, living a life as if in a fairyland. Wander around the old stone town. All around are the sweeping curves of green and yellow terraces that gracefully spill down to the side of the hill, often planted with rice at different stages of its cycle. Stay overnight in Mu's House. (B,L,D)

Day 6/Baoshan Stone Town-trek to Liucheng (Liuqing)
Today we will trek to Liuqing for 6 hours, as we ascend from 1935m to 2300m, then descend to the Liuqing Village. In the morning, leave from Baoshan Stone Town, and continue to climb over Taiziguan Pass (2499m). Taiziguan Pass is located 10km north of Stone Town, whose majesty is only next to Tiger Leaping Gorge. On Taiziguan Pass, the beautiful Crown Gorge containing the Yangtze River now looks much thinner and more quite. Two tunnels built in 1960s make it easier to descend the Taiziguan Pass, instead of covering two stiff rock mountains. We walk into and move every step that bring us more close to the light. We find the blue sky much lovely after coming out from the tunnels, then we will pass through the tranquil forest to Liuqing. Stay overnight in Ho's House. (B,L,D)

Day 7/Liuqing-trek to Fenglian
Today we trek approximate 6-7 hours to Fenglian, a ethnical Mosuo and Naxi village. Today's trekking is along even and downslope mountain paths, the Yangtze River lies at the foot of mountains, and the villages are scattered along the route. Camping overnight. (B,L,D) 

Day 8/Fenglian-trek to Gewa
Leave from Fenglian Village in the morning, today we will cross wooden irrigations canals and terraced fields, and the last Naxi village in our trekking. Arrive at the ferry port and take a boat cross Jinsha River. Continue 6 hours trekking to Gewa Village, a nice Mosuo village. Camping overnight. 

Day 9/Gewa-trek to Zhuangzi
Today we trek approximate 5 hours, passing through beautiful Mosuo village, sometimes we jammed in a short time while local farmers drive off cattle. Pass through the forest full of pine and oak trees, sometimes we hear the sound of horse bell and horsemen before they come in sight. We will reach Zhuangzi Village, a mixed place of residence of Yi and Mosuo Minority. Camping overnight. (B,L,D)

Day10/Zhuangzi-trek to Yongning-drive to Lugu Lake
Today we will trek about 5-6 hours. Leaving Zhuanzi behind us, hike across a tranquil virgin forest and up to the entrance of the Zhuangzi Pass (3500m). Here, you will see the Lugu Lake from a far distance. Descend the mountain to reach Yongning Village, rejoin our bus. Drive 1 hour to the Lugu Lake. Lugu Lake, the ancient and mysterious "The Female's Kingdom" composed of Mosuo People, is situated at the junction of Southwest Sichuan and Northwest Yunnan, 2,685 meters in altitude. Up to now, the Mosuo people retain the vestiges of matriarchal society. Stay overnight in the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day11/Lugu Lake-drive to Lijiang
Tour around Lugu Lake, in the shape of a horse's hoof, covering an area of 52 square kilometers. Cruise on the beautiful Lugu Lake, and visit Liwubi Island, and visit Mosuo village's house. Then, drive about 6 hours to Lijiang. You have an opportunity to take pictures as cross over the Yangtze River en route. Arrive in Lijang, the town seems rather large after coming back from the isolated mountainous villages of our extraordinary trekking. Stay overnight in the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day12/Lijiang  
Day is free to explore Lijiang. Stay overnight in the hotel. (B,L,D)

Day13/Lijiang-Kunming/depart 
Transfer to the airport of Lijiang. Take a flight to Kunming and connect with your homebound flight. TOUR ENDS! (B)
Note: B-Breakfast  L-Lunch  D-Dinner