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The Grand Traverse: Tiger Leaping Gorge to Yubeng
10 days · Lijiang to Shangri-La · Moderate
- Duration
- 10 days
- Route
- Lijiang – Shangri-La
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Highest point
- 3,850 m
- Group size
- 2 to 10
Ten days across northwest Yunnan. Walk the High Trail through Tiger Leaping Gorge, then cross into the Meili Snow Mountains for four days in Yubeng. Yunnan's two great treks in one trip.
Who it’s for: fit hikers who want the best of Yunnan in one go. The gorge comes first at lower altitude, then a rest day in Shangri-La, so your body is ready for Yubeng.
Why this order: starting low in Tiger Leaping Gorge (2,000–2,700 m) and sleeping two nights at 3,300 m before Yubeng is the gentlest way to build up to 3,850 m.
Highlights
- Both of Yunnan's classic treks in one trip, with altitude built up gradually
- The High Trail and a night above Tiger Leaping Gorge
- Sunrise on Kawagebo and four days in the Yubeng valley
- Ice Lake, the Sacred Waterfall and the Ninong gorge
- Lijiang, Shangri-La and Songzanlin Monastery
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Lijiang
Airport pickup, an evening in the old town and a trek briefing.
Day 2Tiger Leaping Gorge: Qiaotou to Halfway
Drive to Qiaotou and walk the High Trail over the 28 Bends to Halfway Guesthouse.
Day 3Tina's, the river, and on to Shangri-La
Walk to Tina's Guesthouse and down to Middle Tiger Leaping Stone, then drive up onto the plateau to Shangri-La.
Day 4Shangri-La and Songzanlin
A rest-and-acclimatise day. Songzanlin Monastery in the morning and a gentle walk in the afternoon.
Day 5Drive to Feilaisi
A spectacular drive above the Jinsha River to Feilaisi, facing the Meili range.
Day 6Over the Nazongla Pass to Upper Yubeng
Sunrise over Kawagebo, then cross the pass on foot into the Yubeng valley. Horses carry the bags.
Day 7Ice Lake
A full day up to the glacial lake beneath the Meili ice falls.
Day 8The Sacred Waterfall
Down to Lower Yubeng and up the pilgrim path to the Sacred Waterfall.
Day 9Out through the Ninong gorge
Walk down the Ninong gorge to the road and drive back to Feilaisi.
Day 10Back to Shangri-La and depart
Drive to Shangri-La for an afternoon flight.
What's included
Included
- English-speaking trek leader throughout, plus a local Yubeng guide
- Private vehicle and driver for the whole trip
- 9 nights twin-share in guesthouses and small hotels
- All meals on trek days
- Gorge, Meili and Songzanlin tickets
- Bag transfers in the gorge and luggage horses in Yubeng
- Airport transfers on days 1 and 10
Not included
- Flights (into Lijiang, out of Shangri-La)
- Travel insurance covering trekking to 4,000 m and evacuation (required)
- Single room supplement
- Meals not listed, drinks and personal spending
- Tips
Visas. Ten days is designed to fit 240-hour visa-free transit for US travellers, for example arriving from the US and leaving for Hong Kong or another third country. Read our visa guide
Trail guides for this trek: Tiger Leaping Gorge High Trail, Yubeng Village & the Meili Snow Mountains
Dates and prices
Join a scheduled group date, or book a private trek on dates that suit you. Prices are per person in US dollars.
Group dates
Private trek
| Private trek, group of | Per person |
|---|---|
| 2 | US$5,190 |
| 3 | US$3,890 |
| 4 | US$3,190 |
| 5 | US$2,990 |
| 6 | US$2,690 |
| 7–8 | US$2,490 |
| Join a group date | US$2,990 |
Placeholder prices. Run npm run price after real ground quotes.