Explore the Three Parallel Rivers

Day 1 Shangri-la or Lijiang to Tacheng

Arrive in Shangri-la or Lijiang and drive for 2.5-4 hours to Tacheng. In this area are Nixi and Lisu villages with charming distinctive black-roofed farmhouses. This is a very fertile valley, with two crops of rice and fruit trees. The semi-wild boars, which feed on wild nuts before winter, make the best ham in the world. We resume our drive to Qibie Hada village, where Songtsam Tacheng is located.

Day 2 Tacheng

We will spend the day exploring Baima Snow Mountains Nature Reserve and following wild Yunnan golden monkeys. After a picnic lunch at a beautiful spot, we will visit a local Lisu village and taste their honey developed in a traditional way.

Day 3 Tacheng-Benzilan

Leave Tacheng in the morning and drive to Benzilan along the beautiful Jinsha River valley. 

After checking into the hotel, we will walk around the charming village where the lodge is located and visit some local families in their homes as well as the village center where people come to pray in the evenings just like hundreds years ago. We can also take a short hike into some of the most old grown original forest in the area. 

Day 4 Benzilan - Meili

Guests can get up early in the morning and we will climb up a little hill to hang up our prayer flags and burn incense for a great journey ahead. 

Drive to Dongzhulin Monastery after breakfast, which sits overlooking the beautiful Jinsha River Gorge (Yangtze). Dongzhulin, though not as famous as Songzanlin, is more popular with the local Tibetans. It has several “living” Buddhas and each year the Mask Dancing Ceremony attracts thousands of followers. It was built in 1667, before Songzanlin, and at one time housed treasures which rivaled Potala Palace. Unfortunately it was badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution and the current structure was restored in 1987. 

Meili Lodge is a traditional Tibetan mountain lodge built from quarried stone. It has fantastic views not only of the Meili Snow Mountain Range, but also of the village with a creek tumbling down the mountains.

After freshening up at Meili lodge, we will visit the small village nearby which has a stunning view of the Meili Snow Mountain Range.

Day 5 Meili

An early start in order to capture Kawagebo at sunrise – this is an excellent photographic opportunity.

A day hike will be arranged, depending on guests’ fitness levels. The Meili Snow Mountain Range has become a very popular destination for tourists; however our trip will enable you to explore some of the most untouched corners of the area. 

In summer time, pastures at highland are covered by colorful wild flowers and dotted with yaks and horses. Hike to a Tibetan pasture, join local family in their cabin for hot yak butter tea, followed by picnic at the a scenic spot.  

Day 6 Meili – Shangri-la

Drive to Shangri-la, stop at handicraft villages of Nixi and Gonjo. At Nixi we learn about their locally produced black pottery. Then, at Gonjo village, we will attend a handicraft workshop to learn how to draw a traditional lacquer wooden box. The rest of the day will be yours to wander around the village which surrounds the hotel. Kena village was historically very important, as the economic and cultural center of this area.

Day 7 Shangri-la

In the morning, explore the hidden valleys of Shangri-la on horse back. Alternatively visit Little Shangri-la(Xiaozhongdian) where color of wild flowers in spring and falling leaves in autunm is simply indescribable.

Later on we will visit the Songzanlin Monastery, Yunnan’s biggest monastery that houses over seven hundred monks. Guide will introduce the basic concepts of Tibetan Buddhism and daily religious practice. We then visit the Monastery and learn more about its history, its structure, and the daily life of monks.

In the afternoon, we will visit the old town - an important trade town on the ancient Tea and Horse Caravan Road - now booming once again, with shops and tea houses for travelers. We will walk through the old parts of town, and then stop at a tea house for a cup of tea and to learn more about the history of the Tea and Horse Caravan Road. We continue our exploration of the old town, and stop by a small cheese shop where you can find yak cheese from nearby villages and a traditional Tibetan rug workshop. During our excursion to the old town we will also visit some local and international Non‐Governmental Organizations that work to protect and promote local culture.

A farewell dinner can be arranged at hotel or in old town. Alternatively a traditional Tibetan dinner can be prepared for your enjoyment by a local family in their home, with some help from the hotel staff. 

Day 8 Transfer to airport, end of trip