7-Day Shangri-La, Meili Snow Mountain & Yubeng Trek

Meals: No meals
Accommodation: In Shangri-la
 

Take your international flight to Kunming (1,890 meters), the capital of Yunnan Province, and connect with a domestic flight to Shangri-La. On arrival at Shangri-La airport (3,400 meters), meet your local guide and transfer to the hotel reserved in advance.
 

Note: Shangri-la is located in the high-altitude area of China. Some tourists may get altitude sickness, which needs time to overcome. Besides, tourists should make sure they are healthy and avoid taking a cold before traveling to high-altitude area. 

Green Lake Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: In Shangri-la
 

Meet your guide in the hotel lobby and drive to Bita Lake and Shudu Lake in Pudacuo National Park. The park lies in one of the world's most biologically diverse regions: although the area represents only 0.7 percent of China's land, it contains more than 20 percent of its plant species, about one-third of its mammal and bird species, and almost 100 endangered species.
 

Continue to Songzanling Monastery, Yunnan's largest Tibetan monastery, also known as the Little Potala Palace for its traditional Tibetan architecture. Afterwards, walk through Dukezong Ancient Town, an important stop on the historic Tea Horse trade route linking Yunnan with Tibet and India. Climb Guishan Hill, also called Tortoise Hill, for a panoramic view over Shangri-La County and the old town.

Pudacuo National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: at Feilai Temple
 

Check out in the morning and drive for about 4-5 hours to Deqin County (3,400 meters). Along the way, see dense forest, clear streams in the valley, prayer flags, stupas and scattered Tibetan villages.
 

Lunch may be arranged at Benzilan, which is a small town along the Jinsha River.
 

After lunch, continue uphill to Dongzhulin Monastery, first built in 1667. Stop at the Moon Bend of Jinsha River, where the river marks the boundary between Sichuan and Yunnan, then visit Baimang Snow Mountain Nature Reserve. Weather permitting, view Baima Snow Mountain from Baimang Snow Mountain Pass.
 

Arrive at Feilai Temple in the late afternoon and watch sunset over Meili Snow Mountain from the viewing platform. The 13 white pagodas represent Meili's 13 peaks rising above 6,000 meters (19,685 feet), collectively known as the Prince's 13 Peaks.

Meili Snow Mountain

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Yubeng Village
Hiking distance and time: 14 km (7 hours)

Rise early to watch sunlight reach the snow-covered peaks, weather permitting. After check-out, drive from Feilai Temple to Ninong Village, where the trekking route begins, then hike for about 5-7 hours to Yubeng Village.
 

A picnic lunch is arranged today. Dinner is served in a traditional Tibetan living room and followed by singing and dancing with local villagers. Stay overnight in Yubeng Village.

Yubeng Village

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Yubeng Village
Hiking distance and time: 15 km ( 7 hours)
 

Watch sunrise over Mt. Kawagebo Glacier from the guesthouse in the early morning, then begin the walk to  Ice Lake of the Meili Snow Mountain.

First, hike about 3.7 km from Upper Yubeng to Xiaonong Base Camp (3,623 meters), a journey of approximately 1.5-2.5 hours. Continue through a forested valley beside the river draining from the glaciers, then hike another 2.3 km to Ice Lake (3,900 meters) at the foot of the glacier. Descend to Yubeng Village in the late afternoon.
 

Notes: The return trek takes 3 to 4 hours. The one-day excursion is only suitable for the strong hikers. Before June, the upper plateau is often covered by snow. Bring enough food with you. It may be more reasonable to do this trek in two days and overnight camp at Cuoka Pasture.

Yubeng Village

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Yubeng Village
Hiking distance and time: 12 km ( 5 hours)

Hike through the forest to the holy waterfall, where prayer flags reflect the reverence of local Tibetan communities. This route is easier and shorter than the previous day's Ice Lake trek, with early views of rugged snow-covered peaks against the highland sky.
 

Return along the same path and stay overnight in Yubeng Village.

Holy Waterfall

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 

Set out early for the walk from Yubeng back to Ninong through Ninong Canyon, then drive to Shangri-La in the afternoon.

Transfer from the hotel to Shangri-La airport for the evening departure flight.

Ninong Grand Canyon
 

Service ends