7 day Lijiang and surrounds hiking trip
February 15th-21st, 2010

Monday, February 15th: DALI-SHAXI (L, D)
In the morning visit Cangshan Mountain by Cable Car for amazing views over Erhai Lake and the countryside surrounding Dali. Then drive for 3 hours from Dali to Shaxi, the most intact horse caravan town on the Ancient tea route leading from Yunnan in to Burma and Tibet. The Sideng market square of the town of Shaxi was added to the World Monuments Watch List of 100 Most Endangered Sites in 2001. Overnight at the Shaxi Cultural Centre guesthouse.

Tuesday, February 16th: SHAXI-SHIBAOSHAN GROTTOES-LIMING (B, L, D)
Get up early in the morning to see the sun rising over the Yujing bridge.Then visit Shibaoshan 7th century Buddhist Rock Carvings, evidence of the spread of Mahayana Buddhism into Yunnan from Tibet. Drive on to Liming, via Shigu (Stone Drum) town where the Yangtze River bends for the first time after flowing uninterrupted in a thousand-kilometre arc from its source on the Tibet/Qinghai border. Overnight in a basic hotel in Liming.

Wednesday, February 17th: THOUSAND TURTLE MOUNTAIN-QIAOTOU (B, L, D)
In the morning, enjoy a 3-4 hour return hike up Thousand Turtle Mountain, a collection of red sandstone cliffs which have weathered away to leave formations said to look like tortoises. Have lunch in Liming Village, then drive on to Qiaotou for overnight at Jane's Guesthouse.

Thursday, February 18th: HIKING TIGER LEAPING GORGE (B, L, D)
Walk for 1-2 hours to Naxi Family Guesthouse for a morning tea stop. Then hike for a further 2-3 hours, first braving the 900 metre ascent through the '28 Bends' then enjoying the panaroma of Yulong Snow Mountains from the summit as you hike along a flatter path to the Teahorse Trade Guesthouse. Have a late lunch and a relaxing afternoon at the Teahorse Trade Guesthouse.

Friday, February 19th: HIKING TIGER LEAPING GORGE- FERRY TO DAJU (B, L, D)
Hike for approx 3 hours from Teahorse Guesthouse to Tina's Guesthouse, passing some beautiful cascades on route. Have lunch at Tina's, overlooking the Middle Rapids of the Jinsha River. In the afternoon take a slightly dangerous 2 hour return hike to visit Tiger Leaping Stone. Cross the Jinsha River by ferry to arrive at Daju. Overnight at the Daju Inn.

Saturday, February 20th: DAJU-YUHU VILLAGE-WENHAI (B, L, D)
Be picked up by a driver and transferred to Yufeng Temple, one of 5 lama temples in Lijiang. Hike for approx 3 hours to Wenhai, a quaint Naxi village on a plateau in the hills above Lijiang. Overnight at the Wenhai Ecolodge.

Sunday, February 21st: WENHAI-LASHI LAKE (B, L)
Hike approx. 5-6 hours from Wenhai Naxi Village to Meiquan village on the west side of the Lashi Lake watershed, the first natural wetland reserve in Yunnan province. Transfer to Lijiang airport for your outgoing flight.

Price includes:

1. Accommodation 7 nights in simple guesthouses. All except the Wenhai Ecolodge have private bathrooms in the rooms.
   
2. Entrance ticketsShibaoshan Buddhist Grottoes (30 RMB), Shaxi Old Town (30 RMB), Thousand Turtle Mountain (80 RMB), Tiger Leaping Gorge (50 RMB), Tiger Leaping Stone (10 RMB), Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Area (120 RMB), Lashi Lake (30 RMB).
   
3. Meals 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 6 dinners as indicated on the itinerary. Lunches and dinners will be standard Chinese food including a variety of meat and vegetable dishes and rice. Breakfasts will mostly be noodles, steamed buns, eggs, dumplings or other Chinese breakfast foods except in the Tiger Leaping Gorge where pancakes, coffee, hot chocolate, fried eggs etc. are available.
   
4. GuideAn English speaking tour guide for the duration of the tour.
   
5. TransportationTransportation is by private 2wd except for the transfer from Walnut Grove to the ferry terminal which is by local minivan.

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