8D Retracing the Ancient Tea & Horse Caravan Trail,
Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shanxi, Yunnan Province, China

Beginning in the 10th century AD, a vibrant trade route linked China, India and Burma, crossing a landscape as diverse as the traders who followed it. As these traders stopped at outposts along their route, they exchanged not only commercial goods, but also cultural traditions. In southwest China’s Yunnan province, this route, which was called the Tea and Horse Caravan Trail, transported blocks of tea from Sichuan and Yunnan to trade for horses bred in Tibet. Traces of Tibetan, Indian and Burmese cultural influences can still be found in this area.

On this journey, we retrace a portion of the fabled Ancient Tea & Horse Caravan Trail, which, though no longer in use, still retains many of its historical remnants, villages and local ethnic minority communities. Incorporating parts of our classic Yunnan trip, South of the Clouds, this journey immerses travelers in the rural areas of the Caravan Trail. Over a 3-day hike, we pass through rolling hills and pine forests, visiting mythic 1,200-year-old grottoes, which trace back to the very beginnings of Buddhism in China, and an ancient trading post. We also follow the same paths used by 10th century merchants to a former salt mine and key stop for the caravans, all the while dining and staying with local Bai ethnic minority villagers.

Highlights
Tea & Horse Caravan Trail • Ethnic minority villages • Jade Dragon Snow Mountain • Lijiang Old Town • Dali Old Town • Jianchuan Shibaoshan Grottoes • Village visits & home stay • Ethnic Naxi dinner celebration • Campfire storytelling • Hiking

Enquiry
Enquiry / Booking Form

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Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 01 / Singapore – Kunming
Arrive in Kunming; explore Kunming and environs.
Overnight in Kunming.

Day 02 / Kunming – Dali
Morning Transfer to the airport for your flight.
Fly Kunming/Dali
CZ 3481 1050/1140 – Tue/Thu/Sat
Or MU 5987 0725/0800 – Daily

Arrive in Dali, explore Dali Old Town.
Overnight in Dali Landscape Hotel (B/L/D)

Day 03 / Dali
Cable car up to Cangshan Mountain, boat ride on Erhai Lake to local Bai villages.
Overnight in Dali Landscape Hotel (B/L/D)

Day 04 / Dali – Shizhong – Shaxi
Early morning drive (3 hrs) to Jianchuan Shibaoshan Grottoes, hike to Shaxi village, if it is a Friday, explore local market.
Overnight in Shaxi Local Guesthouse (B/L/D)

Day 05 / Tea & Horse Caravan Trail
Start hiking along Tea & Horse Caravan Trail, hike (5-6 hrs) to Mapingguan village, with picnic lunch en route, campfire storytelling.
Overnight in Mapingguan village homestay (B/L/D)

Day 06 / Tea & Horse Caravan Trail – Lijiang
Hike (2-3 hrs) to Misha village, visit Misha and Jue Lin Temple, drive (4-5 hrs) to and overnight in Lijiang.
Overnight Sanhe Hotel (B/L/D)

Day 07 / Lijiang
Early morning stroll through Lijiang Old Town’s lanes and local market, breakfast and refresh at hotel, hike near Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, ethnic Naxi minority village dinner party, return to Lijiang.
Overnight in Sanhe Hotel (B/L/D)

Day 08 / Lijiang – Kunming – Singapore
Transfer to Airport for flight.
Fly Lijiang/Kunming MU 5759 0835/0930 – Daily
Kunming/Singapore MI 913 1310/1715 – Thu/Sat
OR Lijiang/Kunming CZ 4392 1300/1400 – Daily
Kunming/Singapore MI 915 1615/2030 – Tue
N/A (B)

Tour Cost

Tour Cost
Prices per person in SGD Dollars

  • SGD $2,360 Twin
  • SGD $308 Single Room Supplement

Validity

  • Apr 01 – Oct 31, 2011

Inclusions

Inclusions

  • Return international economy class airfare on Silkair “Q” Class: SIN/KMG/SIN
  • 2 domestic economy class airfares on China Eastern/China Southern with taxes (Kunming/Dali and Lijiang/Kunming);
  • 07-nights accommodation based on twin/double room with daily breakfast;
  • Lunches and/or dinners at local finest restaurants for the land tour;
  • Admission charges where applicable as shown in the tour description;
  • Private A/C car for land transportation;
  • Professional private guide & driver for the land tour;
  • Two bottles of mineral water per person per day;
  • Service charges for baggage handling between airport and hotel;
  • Domestic travel insurance inside China;
  • Government taxes & Service charge;

Exclusions

  • International airport taxes, war risk insurance and fuel surcharges (approximately S$302 for MI per person, payable to Eco Adventures at ticket issuance, and subject to change);
  • China Visa and application fees, where applicable;
  • Travel insurance;
  • Beverage in the restaurants where meals are included;
  • Personal expenses such as phone calls, Internet access, laundry, bar bills;
  • Tips & gratuities to guide and driver;

Validity

  • Apr 01 – Oct 31, 2011