7 Days Hiking Tour for Pilgrimage to Mt. Meli
Tucked away at the foot of Mt. Kawagebo, one of Tibet's most sacred mountains is the stunningly beautiful and isolated village of Yubeng. With the exception of the occasional mountain climbing expedition and Buddhists on a pilgrimage to the mountain and sacred waterfall a half-day's walk away, Yubeng is rarely visited by outsiders. The villagers' timeless way of life - herding yak, plowing the fields and fetching water from the nearby glacier stream - has changed little over the centuries. This trip starts from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, and takes us to the northwestern part of the province on the Tibetan Plateau. We follow the same trail that pilgrims take on their way to Mt. Kawagebo.
| Day | Program | Stay in | Meals |
| D1 | Arrive in Kunming, which is known as Spring City, meet at airport and transfer to your hotel. If have time, you could tour Yunnan Ethnic Village Park and Yunnan Minorities Museum. Welcoming dinner with Crossing Bridge Rice Noodle. | Kunming | D |
| D2 | We will take an early flight to Zhongdian, a small town on the Tibetan Plateau. At 3,300 m (10,000 ft) above sea level, Zhongdian is much cooler than Kunming. We will start driving northwest towards Mt. Kawagebo. On the way, we will stop at Songzanlin Monastery, the largest monastery in Yunnan. We will also take a short half-hour hike to visit a Tibetan nunnery. Although severely damaged during the Culture Revolution, the nunnery has since been restored in the original style. On the way to Mt. Kawagebo we will pass over Baima Snow Mountain. At 4,200 m (12,600 ft), it is one of the most important bio-diversity sites for the Great Rivers Project sponsored by the Nature Conservancy. We will arrive at the town of Deqin (3,500 m/10,500 ft) late in the evening. | Deqin | B+L+D |
| D3 | Early in the morning we will take a two-hour drive alongside the Mekong River to the trailhead. Today's hike will be strenuous - we will climb from 2,500 m (7,500 ft) to over 3,500 m (10,500 ft) at the pass - but will bring you through beautiful, pristine alpine forest. After a picnic at the summit (where there may still be snow in early spring), we will descend to the isolated village of Yubeng. We will spend the night in a small lodge. | Yubeng | B+L+D |
| D4 | Weather permitting, we'll wake up to a clear view of the Mt. Kawagebo glacier. After breakfast we will hike to the waterfall, from which Yubeng's name originated. Buddhists on a pilgrimage to the area circumambulate the waterfall 13 times with the belief that this act will erase all sins from this life. In the early afternoon we'll head back to the village lodge, visiting sacred sites along the way. | Yubeng | B+L+D |
| D5 | Today we retrace our way back to the trailhead. Today's hike will include some tough, steep passes. Our car will meet us at the foot of the mountain, and drive us back to Deqin. | Deqin | B+L+D |
| D6 | We will spend the morning visiting a local Tibetan school. Started and run by an illiterate Tibetan entrepreneur, Ah Niu, the school's aim is to preserve Tibetan culture and to pass its traditions on to the next generation. We will take the rest of the day to drive back to Shangri-la (Zhongdian). | Shangri-la | B+L+D |
| D7 | We will board an early flight back to Kunming. End of trip. | B |
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more than 10 persons: US$/person 6-9 persons: US$/person 2-5 persons: US$/person 1 person: US$ Single Room Supplement: US$/person |
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1. Stay in 4 star hotels. 2. Using minibus when travel and all transfer to hotels. 3. Three standard meals each day (daily buffet breakfast in the hotel). 4. Domestic air fare and airport tax
within Yunnan. 5. The ticket of the main gate for all the scenic spots. 6. English speaking guide (local tour guide). 7. The tour insurance USD36,000 per person. |
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1. International air fare and airport tax. Transportation fee for you to arrive or leave Kunming. 2. All air insurance. 3. Tips to guides and drivers. 4. Single Room Supplement. 5. Personal expenses. |
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1. For child younger than 11 who share one room with parents, the quotation is only 50% of the above price. 2. The price is not available for three
Chinese Public Holidays: |
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