Name: Trekking through Tiger Leaping Gorge
Brand: WildChina
SKU: 1

Tiger Leaping Gorge is among the deepest gorges in the world, able to be leapt in a single bound, according to legend. At every corner on its high trail you will come face-to-face with rugged cliffs diving sharply into jade-colored, rushing waters. This getaway boasts views that will leave the most seasoned traveler slack-jawed.

About this Journey

Fed by Tibetan glaciers, the Jinsha River cuts its way through the legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge, carving a twisting path of shifting, scenic vistas revealed to hikers as they leap logs and climb through waterfalls. This dramatic canyon, one of the world’s deepest, offers an immersive experience. The journey starts by following the river, the powerful sound of it roaring off the rock walls as one heads to Walnut Grove, a picturesque stop within the heart of the gorge.

A new day sees an uphill turn, falling in single-file behind a farmer and packhorse carrying produce destined for Naxi and other ethnic villages along the road. The trek continues through those same authentic communities, savoring a pause and a cup of Pu’er tea in each, offering insights into local life. Finally, the descent into fabled Shangri-La allows exploration of golden-roofed temples, such as the impressive Songzanlin Monastery, and vibrant Tibetan market fare.

What we love

Hiking the lower trail of Tiger Leaping Gorge to Walnut Grove
Passing through Naxi, Yi and Hui (Muslim) ethnic minority villages in the Haba Mountains
Gazing in awe at White Water Terrace, a mythical landform at the end of the gorge trail

Map

Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Lijiang

Step off the plane in Lijiang and meet your local WildChina guide, who will be waiting to welcome you and ready to whisk you off to your hotel for check in • Stroll along the stone streets and babbling brooks lined by the rustic architecture of traditional homes in Shuhe Ancient Town • Experience the hospitality, culture, and cuisine of the Naxi people up close with a traditional dinner party in the courtyard home of a local family to round out the day.

Day 2Lijiang to Tiger Leaping Gorge

In the morning, we’ll drive an hour to Tiger Leaping Gorge and begin trekking the lower section of the 17-km gorge as you follow the winding path along the mountainside. After a four to five-hour trek, you’ll reach Walnut Grove, one of the narrowest points of the gorge, where you are afforded a breathtaking view of the Yangtze River peeking through this narrow gorge. We will arrange for you to stay overnight in a local family-run guesthouse in Walnut Grove.

Hiking Time: 8-9h
Level: Difficult

Day 3Tiger Leaping Gorge to Haba Village

Today, you’ll drive thirty minutes to Haba Village, where you’ll hike into the nearby mountains of ethnic Yi, Naxi, and Tibetan villages. WildChina will arrange for you to visit the villages and see the striking differences in the culture and lifestyle of each. After exploring several of these villages, you’ll make the return trip to Haba.

Hiking Time: 3h
Level: Easy

Day 4Haba Village to White Water Terraces

A two-hour drive will take us to the White Water Terrace, where water cascades down from limestone and looks like snow-white rice terraces • Hike around the area for about 1.5 hours before enjoying lunch • After lunch, we will trek through a series of Naxi villages, and get a personal look at rural life along the gorge.

Day 5White Water Terraces to Shangri-La

Drive to Shangri-La, where you will have time to acclimatize to the altitude • After checking in to your hotel, pay a visit to Songzanlin Monastery, the biggest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan, currently home to 700 monks • Continue to Dukezong old town, an atmospheric assemblage of narrow winding lanes, white stupas, and colorful markets.

Day 6Depart from Shangri-La

In the morning, enjoy a leisurely Tibetan-style breakfast, after which your WildChina guide will escort you to the airport and help you check in for your flight home.

Photos

Details

What’s Included

All services of a WildChina English-speaking local guide
All accommodations, based on double-occupancy and including breakfast
All overland transfers with private chauffeur and in-transport refreshments
Private chauffeur service to and from airport at start and end of your trip
All admission fees and activity expenses, as noted in the itinerary
Meals as noted in the itinerary with complimentary drinking water

What’s Excluded

International and domestic flights, domestic trains, plus relevant taxes
Chinese tourist visa, which is required for most foreign passport holders
Travel, health and trip cancellation insurance
Meals apart from those included in the itinerary and alcohol
Expenses of a personal nature
Excursions and activities not included in the itinerary
Discretionary gratuities for guides and drivers

Hotels

The Bivou Lijiang

Luxury Boutique

Uniquely named ‘The Bivou’ (temporary encampment), this sustainably designed boutique hotel at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain features eco-conscious comfort.

Sean's Spring Guesthouse, Tiger Leaping Gorge

Local Boutique

Opened in 1983 by Tibetan mountaineer Sean, the rustic, Tibetan-style Tiger Leaping Gorge guesthouse, the first on the gorge, offers sweeping cliff views from its terrace and cozy, mosaic-adorned rooms, ideal for hikers.

Songtsam Linka Retreat Shangri-La

Luxury Boutique

Nestled at Songzanlin Monastery, Songtsam Linka Resort Shangri-La is an authentic Tibetan village retreat offering traditional rooms, stunning views, and an immersive cultural experience.

Next Steps

How do I book this tour?

Please use the inquiry form on the right-hand side of this page or email info@wildchina.com to get started. One of our travel designers will be in touch accordingly to start the process of planning your custom China trip!

What is the payment schedule?

1.Deposit:

Once you are ready to book, a $500 USD per person planning fee is required to begin reserving your arrangements. This will go towards your total trip costs and will be taken off your final balance amount.

2. Full payment:

Full trip payment will be requested 60 days prior to departure. If you’re booking within 60 days of your departure, you may be asked to pay make the full payment straight away.

Payments can be made via credit card, bank transfer, WeChat or Alipay.

What is your cancellation policy?

See our full booking conditions here.

Why WildChina

We’re on the ground with you

Our team of advisors will design every detail of the trip with you through close consultation, then orchestrate your entire journey while on the ground. We’re in the same time zone as you, so we can fulfill requests and handle issues without a hitch. With over 40 staff in Beijing and an expansive network of operational partners across the country, we have the manpower to ensure your journey is safe, reliable and comfortable from beginning to end.

Your trip, your way

Flexibility is our highest-ranking compliment. We pull off journeys for pioneers with a 6-hour layover to Hollywood’s elite, and everywhere in between. Our team regularly pulls off unprecedented logistical feats; nearly any time frame or budget is within our realm. No matter how you wish to experience China, we are here to bring that dream to life.

We embody passion

WildChina guides are carefully handpicked for their knowledge and charisma, then meticulously trained to maintain our exceptional service standards. They are expert storytellers and passionate natives of the regions where they guide, having the perfect combination of local insights and service know-how to bring you seamless once-in-a- lifetime moments all across China.

The little things, the big picture

Supporting inspired local economies allows you to experience the soul of the destination, while also protecting and cultivating China’s artisanal culture. From watching artisans hand make shoes in Yunnan, to picking organic vegetables for dinner on a local farm in Fujian, our tours are designed to showcase and protect China’s heritage, both natural and human.

Trekking through Tiger Leaping Gorge

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