Arrival in Kunming during the day (flight reference to be precised). Welcome by your English-speaking driver-guide, followed by transfer to your conveniently located accommodation, set away from downtown Kunming near the Golden Temple and the Botanical Garden. You can relax in the hotel’s hot springs to recover from your international flight. In the evening, attend the beautiful song and dance performance of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities entitled “Dynamic Yunnan” (8:00–9:30 pm). Dinner at your expense. Overnight at Qianxun Mowen Homestay.

Transfer to Kunming Station to take the C4302 train to Dali, departure at 08:30 and arrival at 11:05 (Business class seats). Meet your English-speaking driver-guide and discover this morning the Weibaoshan mountain, located at 2500m altitude. Part of one of the 13 sacred Taoist mountains of China, the site is quiet, exudes a certain serenity, and it is good to walk there to discover its small temples where Taoist monks reside. Transfer to your hotel, well located in Weishan. Still preserved from tourism, this city hosts a population quite charming, and smiling, for a very pleasant free walk in its small alleys. Dinner at your expense and overnight at Dawn of Yihe Hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the Dali region. On the way, stop at the Hui village (Muslim minority) of Donglianhua and visit the small museum and mosque. Continue on to Dali’s Old Town, where you may choose a restaurant for lunch (at your own expense). In the afternoon, visit Wuweisi Temple, located next to a tea field where you can pick leaves and prepare them yourself to take home. Then settle in at Taoxi Manor Hotel, conveniently located near the Three Pagodas and the North Gate of Dali’s Old Town. Dinner at your expense. Overnight at Taoxi Manor

This morning, transfer to the small village of Xizhou, where you can visit the morning market and then rent bicycles or electric scooters for a ride along the lakeshore, recently redeveloped into an ecological corridor. Afterwards, transfer to a large Bai residence in a nearby village to experience Batik fabric making and the traditional “three teas” ceremony of the Bai people. Continue in the afternoon to the village of Niujie, located in Eryuan County, well known for its hot springs. Check in at Yanqige Inn and enjoy the rest of the evening relaxing in the hotel’s communal hot springs or in a private hot spring directly in your room. Overnight at Yanqige Inn

Meeting at 9h with your driver for transfer by private vehicle to the great valley of Shaxi. Discovery of the old town of Shaxi, once one of the major hubs of trade. Continue on to the Shibaoshan site, a beautiful complex of Buddhist rock carvings and serene temples. Accommodation at the Linden Center Shaxi, recently opened by the renowned Brian Linden within the Shibaoshan site itself. The hotel has a good restaurant. Overnight at Linden Center Shaxi.

Meeting at 9h with your driver for transfer by private vehicle to the Tibetan region of Tacheng. First stop this morning in Jianchuan, where you can discover traditional local crafts such as wood carving and take part in a workshop to create a beautiful wooden tray and print a few traditional patterns on natural paper to bring home as a souvenir. Next, stop at the village of Shigu (site of the First Bend of the Yangtze) before continuing along the Yangtze through small villages. Arrival in Tacheng in the afternoon and check-in at Tacheng Songtsam Lodge. The rest of the evening is free to explore the surroundings at your own pace. Dinner at your expense and overnight at the Tacheng Songtsam Lodge

Departure from your hotel at 8:00 am to go to the Baima Nature Reserve, to observe the golden monkey of Yunnan, a protected species, in its natural environment. Drive towards Cizhong, possible visit along the way to Naxi minority villages, as well as the village near the hotel, beautifully surrounded by vineyards, which also produces very good traditional honey! After lunch, drive to the amazing village of Cizhong, populated by Catholic Tibetans. Visit the Xiaoling winery if you wish (tasting at your own expense, with the option to purchase one or more bottles on site). Dinner at your expense and overnight at the Cizhong Songtsam Lodge.

This morning, head towards Meili Mountain. Road towards Mingyong village. Discover the Mingyong Glacier by taking a local shuttle to reach the site, with the opportunity to visit the Lotus Temple along the way. Continuation to Feilaisi village. Accommodation at the superb Songtsam Meili Lodge offering a magnificent view of the Meili mountain range. Dinner included on site. Overnight at Songtsam Meili Lodge.

Superb sunrise over the Meili Mountains. Road to Benzilan. On the way, very nice view on a curve of the Yangtze. Visit the Tibetan monastery of Dongzhulin, located in line with the Yangtze. It is a popular place for locals, known for hosting several ” living Buddhas “. Discover a small local nunnery not very far from there. A short hike will be arranged according to your fitness level for the day. Visit a French resident in Benzilan and enjoy a wine tasting (purchase of a bottle required, at your own expense). Meals at your expense, overnight at Linden Center Benzilan.

Departure this morning towards Shangri-La. Stop at Nixi village, renowned for its pottery artisans, where the region’s black clay is famous for its unique qualities. Try your hand at crafting a black clay cup to take home as a souvenir. Continue on to the Ringha Valley, arriving at Liotard Farm around 2:00 p.m., where a walk will begin through the surrounding hills, rivers, forests, and villages. Visit the Dabose Temple, while also discovering local architecture, agricultural life, and Tibetan traditions. In the late afternoon, arrive at the campsite, located next to the farm in the Ringha Valley at 3,350 m altitude. Meet the Liotard team and tour the camp, where tea and snacks will be served. Visit Liotard Farm (a traditional Tibetan house adjacent to the camp) and enjoy activities for children. Sunset aperitif, followed by dinner in the Liotard Farm dining room. Dinner included on site. Overnight at Liotard Farm Camp (Luxury Tent)

This morning, depart accompanied by two mules: one for carrying equipment and one you can ride. Hike or ride to a meadow at 3,650 m where a picnic will be served, then descend back to Liotard Farm via a different path. Arrival in the late afternoon. Chinese dinner served at the farm. Overnight at Liotard Farm Camp (Luxury Tent)

After breakfast, depart the farm for a full day exploring Shangri-La and its surroundings, starting with the magnificent Tibetan monastery of Songzanlin. Stroll through the old town, including a visit to Bai Ji Si Temple, which offers beautiful views of Shangri-La and the Shika Mountains. Note that the central part of the Old Town was ravaged by fire on January 11, 2014, it is already nearly fully rebuilt. Lunch at your expense. Try Yak butter tea, Tsampa and Yak butter cheese, local specialties and bases of their daily food. In the afternoon, take part in a Thangka painting workshop. If you would like to, you can attend and participate to spontaneous dances on the evening of the locals in the Old Town Square. Dinner at your expense. Overnight at Lux Tea Horse Road Shangrila.

Meet at 9am with your driver for transfer by private vehicle to Lijiang. Midway, stop at the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Arrive in Lijiang for lunch, then check in at the comfortable Lux Tea Horse Road Lijiang Hotel, located in the Old Town, which you can explore on foot throughout the afternoon, including a visit to the Black Dragon Pool Park. Overnight at Lux Tea Horse Road.

After breakfast, drive to the small village of Lunagu, still untouched by mass tourism, where you can experience the authentic Dongba culture in a recently renovated traditional house. Then visit Zhiyun Temple and take a stroll along the shores of Lashihai Lake. (Other activities can be arranged according to your preferences: hike to the “Milk Lake” from Yuhu Village / via ferrata followed by a visit to Yuhu Village / half-day horse ride / full-day regional exploration by motorcycle / helicopter flight / meditation experience / golf, etc.) Meals are at your own expense.

 Check in at the end of the day and overnight stay at Lux Tea Horse Road Lashihai.

Morning at leisure to stroll along the lake shores before transfer to Lijiang Airport for your flight to the next destination (flight details to be confirmed). End of our services, we wish you a pleasant return home, beautiful memories in mind!