A high‑altitude trilogy weaving Bai, Naxi, and Tibetan cultures with world‑class hiking in the UNESCO-listed Three Parallel Rivers. Move between lakeside courtyards, ancient towns, and alpine sanctuaries framed by snow peaks.
Dali 4 nights → Lijiang 4 nights → Shangri‑La 5 nights
Stays: Bai courtyard in Xizhou, Naxi timber lodge near Shuhe, Tibetan‑style sanctuary on the plateau
Culture: Bai indigo craft, Naxi music evening, prayer‑flag hilltops and butter‑tea welcome
Hiking icons: Cang Mountain traverse, Lashihai wetland paths, Tiger Leaping Gorge
Food mood: Erhai lake fish, Yunnan mushrooms, yak hotpot and barley buns
Day 1 — Arrive Dali: Erhai orientation and sunset tea
Check in to a Bai‑style courtyard near Erhai’s quiet shore
Slow lakeside stroll with first views of Cang Mountain
Welcome tea ritual and light supper with seasonal mushrooms
Day 2 — Cang Mountain temples
Cable car to mid‑mountain boardwalks with cloud‑sea vistas
Visit a small hillside temple for a vegan tasting lunch
Gentle descent via forest path and old stone steps
Day 3 — Shaxi: Tea‑horse road sunrise, caravan market, horseback trek
Private sunrise balcony at Sideng Square for coffee and photos before crowds
Insider Friday Market experience with Yi and Bai traders
Horseback ride on the Ancient Tea Horse Road to a secluded picnic spot
Day 4 — Shaxi slow day: courtyard living, tea, and countryside walk
Late morning courtyard breakfast and unhurried town ramble
Optional pottery or woodblock mini workshop with a local artisan
Short countryside walk to fields and riverside, afternoon tea in a quiet nook
Day 5 - To Lijiang: Shuhe or Baisha
Drive to Lijiang and settle into a Naxi timber lodge
Village ramble past water channels and stone bridges
Naxi music set in an intimate courtyard
Day 6 — Jade Dragon foothills
Foothill meadow walk with glacier viewpoints
Picnic with warm barley tea and fruit
Return via murals in Baisha village
Day 7 — Lijiang free day
Optional calligraphy or woodblock mini‑class
Old‑town rooftop photo hour in late afternoon
Early night in for hike prep
Day 8 — Tiger Leaping Gorge
Classic middle‑gorge trail with cliff‑path panoramas
Trail lunch at a teahouse, mindful pacing and hydration
Transfer onward to Shangri‑La, high‑plateau arrival
Day 9 — Shangri‑La old town and monastery
Dawn prayer‑wheel walk atop the hill temple
Monastery visit with butter‑lamp offering
Yak‑milk tea break and old‑town rooftop sunset
Yubeng Village Trek — 3 days
Day 10 — Xidang to Upper Yubeng: 16–18 km ascent over a wooded pass with shrine stops. Check in to mountain guesthouse; hot soup and early night.
Day 11 — Sacred Waterfall or Ice Lake: Choose a day hike. Waterfall route for cultural pilgrims and spray rainbows; Ice Lake for higher, rockier terrain and glacier views. Return to Yubeng guesthouse.
Day 12 — Exit via Ninong Gorge: Descend dramatic gorge trail to road head. Transfer to Shangri‑La with sunset rooftops in the old town.
Day 13 — Soft landing in Shangri‑La.
Notes: Acclimatization required; weather shifts quickly. Local guides and permits arranged; mule support available on request.
Niru Village Trek - 2 - 3 days
Day 10 — Niru approach: Drive to trailhead, 8–10 km meadow and forest walk to Niru village guesthouse. Wildflower pastures, yak herds, prayer‑flag ridge photos. Early dinner and stargazing.
Day 11 — Upper meadows loop and return: Morning climb to alpine pastures above Niru with snow‑peak viewpoints, picnic by a stream. Descend to trailhead and transfer back to Shangri‑La. Herbal steam on return.
Notes: Lower altitude than Yubeng, good for first‑time trekkers; pack layers, rain shell, sun protection.
Hotel Selection
Culinary & ritual notes
Daily tea rituals from Bai pours to Tibetan butter tea
Mushroom tasting in season, yak and barley on the plateau
Optional evening stretching on Days 5, 9, and 13
Practical details
Logistics: Private driver throughout; scenic transfers coordinated with rest days
Gear: Layered warmth, sun protection, broken‑in trail shoes
Altitude: Gradual ascent; hydrate and rest on arrival days
Guiding: Culture‑hike specialist for gorge and plateau days
Peaks & Retreats: The Yunnan Trilogy
12 - 16 days
From $4,100 pp/ twin share
This is a sample plan. We customise every activity to suit your needs.
