Day 1 Arrival Kunming
Sightseeing: Kunming City Tour, the Green Lake
Special Experience:Enjoy the farewell dinner of Yunnan Flavouring food with crossing Bridge Rice Noodle and Steam Pot Chicken/Qiguoji.
You'll begin your journey to the diverse and captivating province of Yunnan from the capital city, Kunming. Upon arrival at the Kunming International Airport, your local guide will meet us. And then you will be transferred to your hotel. Visit the landmark of Kunming-the Golden Horse and Phoenix Archway, which is located at the corner of Sanshi Road and Jinbi Road. And then, you will take a leisurely stroll along the Green Lake, a charming area of teahouses and small boutiques selling handicrafts and beautiful local paintings.
Day 2 Kunming (B+L)
Sightseeing: the Stone Forest, the Flower and Bird Market
Take the morning flight to Kunming.
In the morning, you will drive 86 km to the Stone Forest. An old local saying says that 'If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.' Truly, the Stone Forest is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan.
Drive back to Kunming and visit the Jingxing Flower and Bird Market. After dinner, you will have an option to enjoy the large-scale dance drama "Dynamic Yunnan" which has been an outstanding innovation on the Chinese stage in recent years directed by Yang Liping. Primitive, unsophisticated folk dances and a fresh artistic concept converge in the programme, giving audiences a unique "Yunnan Impression." Sixty-two drums and 120 masks of strong ethnic characteristics are incorporated in the performance.
-- Kunming is the capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, a primarily agricultural province of 45 million. Kunming has a population of five million and is located in one of the world's most geographically, ethnically, biologically and linguistically diverse regions. Situated at 1,900 meters (6,233ft) above sea level and 25° north of the Equator it has a rather unique and pleasant climate for a Chinese city.
Day 3 Kunming - Shangri La (B+L)
Sightseeing: the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the Bita Lake & Shudu Lake, Dukezong Ancient Town and the Guishan Park
Optional Special Experience:Taste the butter oil and Tibetan snack with Tibetan dance and song in a Tibetan family
Take the morning flight to Shangri-La, you'll visit the Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan. The Songzanlin Monastery is often called the little Potala Palace because of its traditional Tibetan architectural style. In 1679 the fifth Dalai Lama chose the monastery’s location by divination and it quickly became the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan.
And lunch you'll go and visit the tranquil Bita Lake & Shudu Lake located in Pudacuo National Park 30KM away from the downtown. Pudacuo qualifies as a natural wonderland according to any standard. It contains endemic species of fish found no where else in the world, rare and beautiful orchids, black-necked cranes, and taxus yunnanensis, a yew whose extracts are indispensable to the creation of many cancer-treating drugs. Nestled in the mountains of Southwest China, the park is an integral part of the Three Parallel Rivers Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Chinas most popular tourist destinations.
Walk around Dukezong Ancient Town in the late afternoon; climb up to the top of Guishan Hill and visit the largerst prayer whell of the world as well as the panoramic view of Shangri-La and Dukezong Ancient Town. Taste the butter oil and Tibetan snack with Tibetan dance and song in a Tibetan family.
Day 4 Shangri La-Tiger Leaping Gorge-Lijiang(B+L)
Sightseeing: the First Bend of the Yangtze River, Shigu Town, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Lijiang Old Town
Optional Special Experience:Enjoy Naxi Orchestral and Show in Lijiang Ancient Town at night
From Shangri-La, you'll drive about 100KM to the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world. With 34 rapids of the Yangtze River, it is called the Jinsha in this area because you can find gold in the river. Afternoon, you'll head for Shangri La, the former Zhongdian. Upon arrival in Shangri La, you will have entered the Tibetan cultural area and a landscape of barley fields and yaks scattered in the valleys.
After lunch continue the driving 50KM more to visit the First Bend on the Yangtze River with imposing gorge scenery, and the Iron Chain Bridge in the Stone Drum town. The town of Stone Drum got its name from a large, cylindrical, marble tablet shaped like a drum. The scenery is magnificent as the road running through the Lijiang valley which is filled with wheat fields and drying haystacks.
Drive 60KM more to Lijiang. Explore Lijiang Ancient Town at night. After dinner, you will have an option to attend the Naxi Orchestral and Show in Lijiang Ancient Town.
Day 5 Lijiang-Jade Dragon Snow Mountain-Lijiang(B+L)
Sightseeing: Yulong Snow Mountain, the Yak Meadow, Baisha Village, Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum
Optional Special Experience:Enjoy Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show in the outdoors theater of Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M)
Enjoy the sunrise of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the early morning, then drive about 30KM to Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M), from Ganhaizi Meadow Parking Lot, you will change the sightseeing bus to take the chairlift for visiting the Yak Meadow(3700M), Spruce Meadow(3200M) or Glacier Park(4506M). The cableway will be arranged according to the weather condition and your request.
On the way back, take a visit to visit Baishui River or White Water River, which is well-known as the "Little Jiuzhaigou". The water of Baishuihe River is from the Glacier Park of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain,so that it is extremely clean and crystal. You will have an option to enjoy the Impression Lijiang Ethnic Show directed by Zhang Yimou in the outdoors theater of Ganhaizi Meadow(3100M). In the afternoon, you'll stroll through Baisha Village, which is an enchanting traditional Yunnan village; you’ll head for the scenic Black Dragon Pool and the Dongba Museum to explore the rich Naxi minority culture.
--Jade Dragon Snow Mountain stretches a length of 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a width of 20 kilometers (13 miles). Looking from Lijiang Old Town in the south which is 15 kilometers (nine miles) away, the snow-covered and fog-enlaced mountain resembles a jade dragon lying in the clouds, hence, the name Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The highest peak named Fan Peak (Shanzidou in Chinese) which is about 5596 meters above sea level. There are three cable cars in the mountain, the fist to the Glacier Park (4500M),the second to Spruce Meadow(3200M),the third to Yak Meadow(3700M).
Day 6 Lijiang-Dali by private van(B+L)
Sightseeing: Xizhou Town, Zhoucheng Village,Dali Ancient Town, City Wall , the Foreigner Street, Erhai Lake
Special Experience:Taste the Bai Three-Course Tea and enjoy Tea Art with ethnic dance and music in Xizhou
After breakfast, travel (200 km - 4 hrs) south on the old road to the ancient city of Dali. Dali, a historically and culturally famous city of China, is renowned for her historical interest. If this day happens to fall on a Monday you will call in at Shaping for a visit to the colorful Bai market.
Before Dali Ancient Town, you will visit Xizhou Ancient Town to fully appreciate Bai-style architecture, taste their fragrant three-course tea and explore their distinctive culture. Drive 10 KM more to visit Zhoucheng Town, where you will experience how Bai people make the Tie-Dyed Cloth in the work shop. You will be free in Dali Ancient Town and explore the local ethnic life in the late afternoon as well as enjoy the panoramic view of Erhai Lake from the City Wall of Dali Ancient Town.
--Dali Ancient Town
History of Dali Ancient Town can be dates back to 1382 during the Ming Dynasty and it has been listed among the top historic cities of China.The town's layout was uniform, with five main streets from south to north and eight main streets from east to west, while marketplaces were neatly arranged within the town, which has remained unchanged to this date. Besides the Bai houses, the houses with gray-green roof tiles, peculiar workshops, temples, schools and churches with antique flavor are scattered.
Day 7 Dali - XishuangBanna (B+L)
Sightseeing: the Three Pagodas in Chongshen Monastery, Xishuang Banna Virgin Forest
In the morning, you will visit the Three Pagodas in Chongshen Temple, which is a typical historical symbol of Yunnan. It is also one of the oldest sublime architecture in South China. Take the noon flight to Jinghong City of XishuangBanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture.
After landing, you will visit XishuangBanna Virgin Forest located 8KM away from JInghong City.
--Xishuangbanna Virgin Forest Park comprises 10 different scenic zones, including more than 50 sites of special interest. Xishuangbanna Virgin Forest Park includes a peacock reproduction facility, a monkey domesticating base, a large stadium devoted to ethnic activities, and a number of ethnic dwellings displaying the living habitats, the implements and the utensils unique to each ethnic group. There are some 10 ethnic minorities, here, including the Dai, the Hani, the Bulang, the Jinuo, the Lahu, the Wa, and the Yao, whereof the Dai is the largest, comprising one-third of the population.
Day 8 XishuangBanna (B+L)
Sightseeing: Galanba Morning Bazaar, Dai ethnic Village, Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden
After breakfast, transfer to visit Galanba (Olive Dam) with an elevation of 530 meters above the sea level, a small town where you will see typical Dai bamboo cabins, Dai ethnic villages, Mangting Park, tropical plants and colorful fruits. Visit the Morning Ganlanba bazaar, here you will see some ethnic people decorated colorful costume in the market.
After lunch, step cross a suspension bridge to visit Menglun Tropical Botanical Garden, which has the riches plant diversity in China.
Day 9 XishuangBanna (B+L)
Sightseeing: Wild Elephant Valley, the elephant show, the primitive raining forest, Dai ethnic village
After breakfast, drive to visit Wild Elephant Valley in Sanchahe Nature Reserve, enjoy the elephant show in the park, then take cable car to get through the primitive raining forest.
After lunch,visit Dry Dai people Village on the way back. In the late afternoon, come back to Jinghong City to try local tea in tea-house. Have Dai people' s barbecue as dinner at night.
--Wild Elephants Valley covers an area of 369 hectares by the Sancha River in Mengyang Town, and is situated 47 kilometers north of the city of Jinghong. With hills rolling gently at an altitude ranging between 747 and 1055 metres, the valley is covered by tropical rain forests, crisscrossed by rivers and streams, and teeming with such endangered species as Asian wild elephants, wild oxen, green peacocks and monkeys. In the Wild Elephants Valley, the first passenger cableway with 2,063 meters of length in the equatorial forest sends the tourists to the main scenic spot in which the wild elephants live.
Day 10 XishuangBanna-Tianda Speed Boat -Golden Triangile(B+L)
After breakfast, you will embark the Tianda Speed Boat in Jinghong Port, it will take about 8 hours cruise to Golden Triangle.
Overnight at Golden Triangle
Day 11 CHIANG SAEN – EMBARKATION (B+L)
In the afternoon, you will embark on the Mekong Sun/ Explorer, a comfortable new Laotian cruise ship. (Check-in is at 2:00 PM) Settle into your comfortable cabin and unpack for a ten-day cruise. Next is a sightseeing tour of this once-notorious region, including visits to the Golden Buddha of Sop Ruak and the new Hall of Opium. This fascinating museum, sponsored by the royal family of Thailand, gives a deep background on the history and politics of the opium trade and the health effects of opium abuse. In the evening enjoy the spacious decks, lounge on board and attend a dinnertime welcome reception.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.
Day 12 GOLDEN TRIANGLE – HUAY XAY (B+L)
The morning is spent on an excursion to Mae Sai, where you can stroll through the local market and enjoy a scenic view across the border to Burma. Afterwards, visit the Doi Tung Royal Orchid Botanical Gardens, one of the most beautiful botanical gardens of Southeast Asia. Returning to Chiang Saen port, we will take care of border formalities at Thai immigration. Today your grand voyage on the mighty Mekong River really gets going, with your departure from the Golden Triangle region between Burma, Laos and Thailand. The destination for today is the nearby Laotian town of Huay Xay on the Laotian - Thai border, where you will officially enter the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos. Your voyage then leads into northern Laos amid stunning scenery.
Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.
Day 13 HUAY XAY – PAK THA (B+L)
The river traffic increases as you pass through a densely populated region accessible only by water. Relax on deck, in your cabin or in the lounge and soak up the remote, isolated surroundings. Continue to Pak Tha, a small village where you will take off on a long-tail boat excursion on the Namtha River to visit a Khmu village. Upon reboarding the Mekong Sun you will continue downstream and anchor at a sand bank. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.
Day 14 PAKBENG – PAK OU – LUANG PRABANG(B+L)
Shortly after getting underway, you will arrive in Pakbeng and have a short coffee break at a lodge. Time permitting, a market visit will follow before continuing. The famous Pak Ou-caves, with thousands of small Buddha statues inside the caverns, are one highlight of the day; you will also take a short walk through the forest to a small village where you can see the traditional production of the local liquor Lao-Lao. You are also able to see working elephants in Nam Ou village. In the late afternoon you will reach Luang Prabang, the former royal capital of Laos, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will get to know some highlights of this beautiful city, incl. the famous Wat Xieng Thong temple and enjoy the unique atmosphere provided by the abundance of well-preserved French colonial architecture mingling with traditional Buddhist temples. A short climb up Phou Si-hill you will be rewarded with a panoramic sunset view over the Mekong as well as the Khan River and the surrounding mountains. In the evening, enjoy strolling along the Mekong promenade or visiting the colorful night market of the local Hmong minority. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.
Day 15 LUANG PRABANG(B+L)
Breakfast on board. Today the ship stays in Luang Prabang, while you have the full day to get to know the beauties of this UNESCO World Heritage town. During a morning guided tour you will visit National Museum, Wat Sene and many more. Apart from numerous temples, the atmosphere is enriched by neighboring French colonial architecture. After Lunch please explore City on your own. In the evening enjoy during Dinner a traditional Bazi Ceremony and watch some local Dances. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.
Day 16 LUANG PRABANG – KUANG SI (B+L)
In the early morning you will able to observe the traditional giving of alms in the streets of Luang Prabang. Breakfast on board. After a few hours of cruising downriver, you will continue by bus to the famous Kuang Si waterfall. Stop in a small village where you are able to watch production of Sa – paper. The ship then heads on southwards and pass through the Keng – Luang rapids. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.
Day 17 THA DEUA – PAK LAY - Ban donkhai (B+L)
Today you will see the ferry crossing the Mekong at Tha Deua connecting Luang Prabang Province with Sayaboury province. In the afternoon you will drop in on the small riverside community of Pak Lay, famous for its colonial architecture. After a short walk in an untouched nature you are able to explore near Ban Donkhai village a cave no many travelers have seen before. You will spend the night close to the Thai-Laotian border. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.
Day 18 WILD NATURE ALONG THE MIGHTY MEKONG(B+L)
Further south you will discover some of the most remarkable, most impressive landscapes of this still-untamed river. The landscape becomes more and more spectacular: hills covered with tropical vegetation, awe-inspiring rock formations along the river banks, and a fascinating array of fast currents and slower river parts on the river. The power of the mighty Mekong will give your cruise the feeling of a real expedition. Enjoy the beautiful views and watch nature’s wonders along the shores before you stop at a remote sandbank for the night. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.
You travel further downstream along the “mother of all waters”, as the Lao call the Mekong River. Today’s destination is the Laotian capital, Vientiane, where you will see the That Luang temple, the national symbol, as well as the picturesque Arc de Triomphe. This last evening on board will be celebrated with a farewell dinner. Overnight aboard the Mekong Sun/ Explorer.
Day 20 DISEMBARK VIENTIANE (B+L)
After breakfast you will say goodbye to your Laotian crew. Checkout and disembark. End of service.
NOTE: Every river cruise on the upper Mekong is a pioneer experience and is subject to constantly changing river conditions, including flood waters and shallows. Therefore please understand that we must reserve the right to alter the itinerary of this tour due to the logistical complexities involved. Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, local authorities and river and/or road conditions. For safety reasons and according to navigating conditions, these programs may be amended without previous notice.
Shangri-La
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