Kunming - Dali - Baoshan - Tengchong - Guyong - Tengchong - HESHUN - Mangshi - Ruili - Mangshi - Kunming 

Private tour: Daily departure from Kunming with English speaking local guide (English, German and French speaking provincial guides available on request at surcharge). Minimum 2 passengers.

Over the centuries, the Tibetan influence has spread over the geographical borders. From North West Yunnan, often referred to as Shangri La, the Paradise on Earth, to Lhasa, the roof of the world, this trip leads you to the heart of a rich culture that continues fascinating the world. Step into their grasslands, high plateaus and mystic religious beliefs and experience the legendary kindness of the Tibetan people.

ITINERARY:

Kunming - Arrival     (-/-/D)

DAY 1 Meet with your guide and transfer to your hotel. If time permits, visit of the lively old quarter of the Flower and Bird market before dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

Kunming - Dali     (B/L/D)

DAY 2 Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport for morning flight to Dali. Upon arrival, discover the Bai minority villages of Xizhou, famous for the architecture of its residences and Zhoucheng, where you will visit its local temple and a tie-dye processing factory. Later, cruise on the Erhai Lake to the Golden Shuttle Island (local temple, fishermen village, market) and drive back to old city of Dali and take a stroll along its streets bordered with traditional houses. Lunch and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at hotel.

Dali - Baoshan - Tengchong     (B/L/D)

DAY 3 Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Baoshan via a new road. There begins the famous South West Silk Road. While leaving the mountain area for the plain, the journey will enable you to cross the already mighty Mekong River, still in its gorge, in a region where South East Asia cultural influence is tangible. On the way, glimpse at the ancient suspended bridge of the Silk Road over the river. Then depart for another 4 hours drive on the old road to Tengchong through a hilly landscape. The area is well known for its geothermal activity and it numerous volcanoes. Lunch en route. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at Tengchong Hotel**.

Tengchong - Guyong - Tengchong     (B/L/D)

DAY 4 Breakfast at hotel. Drive outside Tengchong, visit Lisu minority villages and the famous ancient "Azalea Tree". Lunch en route. Drive back to Tengchong. Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight at Tengchong Hotel**.

Tengchong - HESHUN - Mangshi     (B/L/D)

DAY 5 Breakfast at hotel. Coach to Heshun, a village with very well protected traditional architecture with cobble stoned streets and wooden and stone houses. Proceed to coach to Mangshi for minorities?village on the way. Lunch en route and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at Mangshi Hotel***.

Mangshi - RUILI     (B/L/D)

DAY 6 Breakfast at hotel. The road will offer many opportunities to make stops and visits of Jingpo, Lisu, Achang and Dai minorities villages. Ruili is the South Westernmost gate out from China, giving access to Myanmar. Lunch en route and dinner at local restaurants. Overnight at Jingcheng  Hotel****.

Ruili - Mangshi - Kunming     (B/-/-)

DAY 7 Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to airport in Mangshi for departure flight to Kunming airport and connect to your next destination.

HOTEL ADDRESSES:

Our tour prices are inclusive of accommodation in twin shared room, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), transfers and tours with English speaking local guides, all entrance fees, domestic flight tickets including domestic airport taxes and construction fees, room taxes and baggage handling. Gratuities to local guide & driver.

Note: Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.