Arrival in Kunming Transfer to the Hotel.

Early morning you visit the Stone Forrest near Lunan, where years of rain and erosion left behind a bizarre and impressive landscape of limestone pillars which, with a little imagination, indeed resembles a forest. We have a walk through the maze of paths and walkways leading through this natural wonderland and learn more about the Sani people, an ethnic minority populating the area. Drive back to Kunming where we visit the Western Mountains, from where you will enjoy breathtaking views over the Dianchi Lake and the city of Kunming. Visit the Dragon Gate and the Huating Temple from the 11th century.

Flight to Zhongdian, which recently changed its name and is now called "Shangri-La". Zhongdian is situated amongst a stunning landscape on the eastern Tibetan plateau at 3200 m. Drive to a view point from where you enjoy a breathtaking view over the scenic Napa Lake and the surroundings. Continue to the picturesque old town of Zhongdian. We climb Turtle Hill and spin the giant prayer wheel three times for a good karma. Visit Ganden Sumtseling Gompa, a 300 year old impressive Tibetan Monastery. Destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, the Songtsam Monastery is now again one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in the area.

In the morning, drive along Xiaozhongdian to Tiger Leaping Gorge with some Tibetan villages, rivers and forests on the way. Drive along the Yangtze River to Qiaotou located at the entrance of the Tiger Leaping Gorge. Wedged between the Jade Dragon Mountain and the Haba Mountain range the Tiger Leaping Gorge is reputedly the world’s deepest canyon. It got its name from a story describing how a tiger escaped it’s hunters by leaping across the Yangtze River in one go. We walk down into the Gorge and witness the power of the water squeezing its way through the narrow, at some places only 15m wide gorge. Continue to Lijiang. Check In at the Hotel.

The lovely ancient Naxi town of Lijiang is located in a fertile valley 2’400 meters above sea level at the foot of the 5’596 meter high Yulong Shan or Jade Dragon Mountain. In the morning we take a first stroll through the apparently countless and, on first sight, confusing narrow lanes and canals crisscrossing the old town. We also learn more about the secrets of the mystic Naxi Dongba culture. An earthquake destroyed most of the city in 1996, and after its reconstruction, part of the old town of Lijiang was listed by the UNESCO as a World Heritage site. After lunch we visit the wonderful "Black Dragon Pool" Park from where, weather permitting, one has a spectacular view of the 5'596 Meter high "Jade Dragon Mountain" (Yu Long Shan). Continue to nearby traditional village of "Baisha", the former capital of the Naxi kingdom. Visit the Liu Li Temple, with its beautiful, well preserved wall paintings. The rest of the afternoon is at your disposal for the exploration of the old town Lijiang.

Early morning we leave Lijiang and drive through a beautiful landscape towards Shaxi. Shaxi was formerly an important pivotal stop on the Tea and Horse trail from Yunnan to Tibet. The village has been renovated and is preserved under an award winning project by the ETH Zürich. In the afternoon the car will take you to the Shibao Mountain. The impressive rock carvings of Shibao Mountain are over 1300 years old and are testimony of the spread of Mahayana Buddhism from Tibet in the region. You can either walk back to Shaxi (1,5 hrs) or take the car back to the hotel. Overnight accommodation is at a traditional wooden Bai House with a 150 year old history! Drive south towards Dali. Dali is situated on the eastern shores of the stunning Erhai Lake on the foot of the 4000m high Cang Shan mountain range. During the 9th century Dali served as capital of the once powerful Nanzhao and later the Dali Kingdoms, before the historical town was overrun by the Mongols about 400 years later. We visit the recently renovated 3 Pagodas of the San Ta Si Monastery from the 9th century. The rest of the afternoon is at your own disposal for the exploration of the picturesque old town of Dali.

Dali

Transfer to Dali Airport and flight to Jinghong. Jinghong is the capital of Xishuangbanna, the southern most autonomous prefecture of the Yunnan province and located on the Lancang Jiang River (Mekong). The name Xishuangbanna (Xi Shuang Banna) originates from the Thai word Sip Song Pa Na, which means literally “12 rice-growing districts.” Upon arrial in Jinghong, pick up at the Airport and Drive to Menglun, located about 75km southeast of Jinghong. We visit the beautiful Menglun Tropical Garden which situated along the Luosuo River and spreads over 900 hectares. The park has been founded in 1959 and today more than 8000 species of plants can be found within the Garden.

Jinghong-Menglun-Mengla

We drive south along the new road toward the Lao border, where we arrive around noon. After completing the border formalities meet the Lao guide at the other side of the border. We continue our drive through the magnificent landscape of Northern Laos to Luang Namtha. The town of Luang Namtha is tucked away in the mountainous North-Western corner of Laos on the banks of the Nam Tha River. Check-in at the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure.

You choose your half-day activity of today: You can take a kayaking tour on the Nam Tha River, take a boat trip upriver on board a traditional boat or take a mountain bike tour through the beautiful surroundings of Luang Namtha. Pick-nick lunch is included. In the afternoon drive from Luang Namtha to Houay Xay, via Vieng Phouka. If time permits we visit the famous Tham Eng Cave along the way. Arrive in Houay Xay in late afternoon. Overnight accommodation is I Houay Xay. Luang Namtha is the starting point of a couple of interesting trekking tours into the nearby Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area. You can prolong your stay in Luang Namtha and undertake a trekking tour into the untouched nature of the Nam Ha Conservation area. We can arrange easy 1-day tours to up to 3 day trekking tours with overnight accommodation in local villages. Descriptions of these trails are available on request. Daily trekking hours vary between 4-6 hours in medium difficulty terrain. However, the longer treks require a certain understanding of the local customs and circumstances.

At 8.30am embark on a cruise downriver on the mighty Mekong on board of one of our luxury boat for the downstream cruise on the Mekong River. On the way, the boat will take its first stop in Pak Tha, to have the boat documents signed. The second stop will be to visit a Hill tribe village along the Mekong River. Our guide will explain the way of living and the origins of these rural populations. Lunch is served on board. During the afternoon, free and relaxing time by tasting local flavors (initiation of fruits, drinks, snacks depending on the season). The boat will arrive in PakBeng before sunset. Overnight accommodation is in Pakbeng.

At 08:00am, the boat leaves Pakbeng and we continue our beautiful journey on the Mekong River toward Luang Prabang. Enjoy a drink and enjoy the beautiful, untouched nature of northern Laos from the comfort of your boat.
Lunch is served on board.  In the afternoon, we will make a stop to visit the impressive Pak Ou Caves (Tham Ting) with its thousands of Buddha images. We will arrive in Luang Prabang around 05:00pm. Transfer from the pier to your hotel. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Luang Prabang is located in north central Laos at the confluence of the Mekong River and the Nam Khan River. In 1995 Luang Prabang was listed by the UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site. This ancient royal capital offers a charming amalgamation of crumbling French architecture, glistening temples, natural beauty and laid back life style of the local population. Luang Prabang is also an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries.
We explore the streets around Luang Prabang by traditional “Tuk Tuk” and discover some of Luang Prabang hidden treasures and highlights. After visiting the morning market we continue to Wat Mai (“New Monastery” built in 1796).  It was given its present name following the restoration undertaken in 1821 by King Manthathourat. Next to Wat Mai temple is the National Museum which used to be the Royal Palace (Haw Kham).  It houses the Royal throne of the Lane Xang kingdom in its original splendor, and many other religious treasures. After the museum you will take another ride in the Tuk Tuk enjoying the sites on your way to visit Wat Visoun. This temple was constructed during the reign of King Visounarat around 1520. In 1942, it was turned into a Museum of Religious Arts and houses collections of Buddha images and religious artifacts from the fourteenth century.

Departure from Luang Prabang