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Day 1
Upon arrival in Shanghai, greeting at the airport and transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner and briefing of the program.
Day 2
Morning walking tour of Shanghai’s legendary “Bund”. Then transfer to the airport and fly to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province. Will arrive Kunming in the early afternoon.
At an altitude of 1,890 meters (6,140 feet) temperature in Kunming is pleasantly mild, producing what is described as year-round springtime, which earns it the "City of Eternal Spring." There is a host of temples, tombs and monastery ruins scattered around the hills and plains that surround Kunming, reflecting this important city's 2,000-year history. Check in your centrally located hotel. Visit the Western Hills with the magnificent Dragon Gate and Huating Temple before dinner.
Day 3
Morning walking tour in the Green Lake Park (Cuihu Gongyuan), one of the most picturesque parks in downtown Kunming. Late morning fly to Lijiang (40-minute flight). Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel in the old town. Afternoon is free to walk around in the old town of Lijiang.
Day 4
The ancient town of Lijiang is the only Chinese city listed on UNESCO's World Cultural Heritage list. Situated on a plateau at an elevation of 2,600 meters and with a history of 1,300 years, it is the home to the people of Naxi nationality and their ancient Dongba culture.
With the snow-capped Jade Dragon Mountain as backdrop, the old town has adapted itself harmoniously to the natural scenery. The architecture is especially noteworthy for the blending of elements from several cultures that have come together over many centuries. Lijiang maintains an ancient water-supply system of great complexity and ingenuity that is still functioning effectively.
Morning walking tour of the old town and also visit the Black Dragon Pool Park. Start to drive towards Lugu Lake by late morning. The drive takes about 5 hours and we will stop en route to walk through some local market and villages. Upon arrival, check into a local hotel and visit a tradition Mosuo home for tea.
Day 5
We will start our paddling journey early in the morning. First paddle to a small island where there is a Tibetan-style monastery. Then follow shore to Lige Village on a tranquilizing peninsula. Overnight at a local guesthouse of Mosuo style. Afternoon trek to the interior farm land and visit some Mosuo villages.
Day 6
Paddle along shore and stop for tea and lunch at Dazui Village. Visit local homes. Afternoon continue to another villages (Gesa Village and Zhongwa Village) and overnight at a local guesthouse.
Day 7
Paddle to Lowa Village and perhaps stop at Liwubi Island to visit a monastery. Return to Lige Village arround mid afternoon and return to the guesthouse for a roast-pig banquet.
Day 8
Drive back to Lijiang and walk around the town. Attend a Dongba Music Performance in the evening.
Day 9
Drive along the river gorge passing by rice fields and tea plantations, you will get to Zhongdian, known as the “Shangri-La”, located in a Tibetan minority area of Yunnan. Visit the old town in the afternoon and overnight at a very colourful Tibetan-style hotel.
Day 10
Morning transfer to the airport and fly to Lhasa. The flight takes about 1.5 hours. Upon arrival, transfer to the city and check into a local hotel right by the Bakhor Market. Rest for remainder of the day.
Day 11
Early morning circumambulate around the Jokhang Temple by foot. After breakfast visit the Bakhor Market and the Blue Buddha. After lunch, we will drive to the Drigung River (Drigung Chu), which is situated in an exquisite alpine valley about 3 hours from Lhasa. The new paved road is a real treat and makes the journey quite pleasant. As we leave the Kyi Chu and drive up the Drigung Valley, we wind our way up to the Terdom Nunnery (Elevation 4325m). You may notice the effects of altitude here so we will take our time to get settled at the camp ground. Around sunset time, you are free to soak in the natural hot springs or take a short walk around the nunnery. Overnight at the camp in the valley.
Day 12
We begin rafting at the two forks of the upper Drigung River. The water is crystal clear and you may even catch a glimpse of fish as we glide by in the raft. The river is quite technical which means you have to work as a team to help the guide smoothly manoeuvre the raft down the river. After lunch we get dramatic views of the monastery and sky burial site above. We meet the vehicles and our camping gear at a riverside campsite.
Day 13
Today the rafting becomes even morn more exciting as the rapids build in intensity. We encounter one narrow gorge that we cannot run so guides will portage the raft while you explore the gorge. Thousands of years of erosion have carved beautiful shapes in the rock and this is a good opportunity for photos. We continue rafting just below the gorge. Visit some nomadic camps, villages and local schools in the afternoon.
Day 14
Continue to paddle along the river. The valley begins to widen and you expect the rapids to ease, however they continue all the way to the Kyi Chu and still make the journey an exciting one. We finish when the Drigung Chu meet the Kyi Chu and drive back to Lhasa in the afternoon. Today is the International Children’s Day so we may have a chance to pass by a local school to have a party with the students.
Day 15
Today we visit the stunning Potala Palace, which was constructed in 637 by Songtsen Gampo, the first king of the united Tibet and which later served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas.
Visit the Sera Monastery after lunch to observe the religious debate.
Evening a farewell party will be organized with a traditional Tibetan banquet.
Day 16
Morning depart for the airport and fly to Beijing. Farewell dinner.
Day 17
At leisure till transfer to the airport for your return flight.
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