Hiking through the mountains and ethnic groups of northern Yunnan - 9 days

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  LIJIANG - TIGER LEAPING GORGE

  We meet in the morning in the old town of Lijiang, which we visit briefly, then leave late in the morning for the small town of Qiaotou, located at the entrance to the Tiger Leaping Gorge. After having lunch in a small Hui restaurant (Muslim minority), we begin the ascent. After about 2 hours of walking, we reach the Naxi Family guesthouse where we spend the night. The view of the mountains is breathtaking. Summary of the day: 2 hours of walking and 1 hour 30 minutes of transport.

• day 2

  Tiger Leaping Gorge

  We start the hike this morning with the steepest part: the ascent of the famous 28 bends. This series of switchbacks lasts about 1h30, but we are rewarded at the top with a breathtaking view of the Yangzi from a rocky promontory. After taking a few photos, we begin the descent and reach the Tea Horse Guesthouse in 1h to 1h30, where we stop for lunch. We set off again in the early afternoon on a flatter section offering magnificent panoramas of the Jade Dragon range, pass by the Halfway Guesthouse and its panoramic terrace, then finish descending to the bottom of the gorges until we reach Tina's Guesthouse, where we stop for the night. 6h of hiking for this day.

• day 3

  SHITOUCHENG, THE STONE VILLAGE

  We leave this morning by car for the banks of the Yangzi, which we cross on a ferry. 3 more hours of driving allow us to reach the village of Baoshan. After a break, we continue on a mountain track that winds a bit (magnificent panoramas), and finally arrive at Shitoucheng. We take advantage of the late afternoon light to go to the lookout, at the top of the village, to enjoy the panoramic view of the valley. Night in a guesthouse. 4h30 of transport for this day.

• day 4

  SHITOUCHENG-LIUQING

  We leave early this morning to enjoy the mildness of the first hours. The walk alternates between small paths and tracks, and we also pass through several small villages. We overlook the Yangzi most of the time. The afternoon is more physical, with a long exposed climb to reach the "Prince's Pass", but the breathtaking views of the Yangzi from the cliffside trails are splendid and make the ascent memorable. After a short descent, we reach the small hamlet of Liuqing, where we stop to spend the night with a local family. 5h of walking for this day.

• day 5

  LIUQING-FENGKE

  After the long day before, today's walk is gentler. The start is sheltered, in a coniferous forest, before opening up to clear views. 360° panorama several times! Arriving at the lower village of Liuqing, we join a paved road that has unfortunately recently replaced the old path. We can, depending on our mood, either continue walking, which offers many panoramas, or take a vehicle to the village of Fengke, located on the heights above the Yangzi River. Allow 4h30 of walking for this day.

• day 6

  FENGKE-BAJIAHE

  This morning we take a vehicle to go down to the Yangzi River, called here in Yunnan the River of Golden Sands, JinShaJiang (altitude 1400 m). The walk is at first quite gentle in a valley dotted with small hamlets, then becomes steeper and wilder afterwards. Allow 4h30 to 5h to reach the village of Bajiahe, where we spend the night with a local family. 4h30 of walking for this day.

• day 7

  BAJIAHE-ZHUANGZI

  We set off in the late morning, and immediately begin with the steepest ascent of the day. After a good half hour, we reach a track above the village that we will follow for a few hours. We pass through small villages where we can admire some terraced crops. Around noon, we reach the Tibetan temple of Songping, where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon, a good hour of climbing leads us to the village of Zhuangzi, where we spend the night. This small village is mostly populated by the Pumi ethnic group, which numbers just over 20,000 people. In the evening, we stay with a family we have known for years. 5 hours of walking for this day.

• day 8

  ZHUANGZI-YONGNING-LAKE LUGU

  This morning, the last ascent before reaching the village of Yongning and Lake Lugu. We leave Zhuangzi and the altitude of 2800 meters for 850 meters of positive elevation gain, which leads us to a pass beyond 3600 meters, then follows a long descent of 1000 meters of negative elevation down to Yongning. Accommodation tonight is on the shores of Lake Lugu. The drive to the village of Lige, where we spend the night, takes barely 30 minutes. Depending on the schedule, it is possible to take a walk along the lake. Tonight, we enjoy a local barbecue and spend the night in a hostel. Count on 6 hours of walking for this day.

• day 9

  LUGU LAKE-LIJIANG

  Early departure from the village of Lige by car to reach the city of Lijiang, where we arrive for a late lunch. 4h30 of transport for this day.