Yunnan Himalaya Foothills — Meili, Kawagebo & the Snub-nosed Monkey

Yunnan Himalaya
Foothills
Meili Snow Mountain, off the beaten path
A focused 7-day Lijiang-based dive into the heart of Northwest Yunnan. The classic Old Town and Black Dragon Pond opening. The hidden Jade Dragon trail behind the rope-line. The legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge. North to Meili Snow Mountain for the first light on Kawagebo (6,740m). The Great Bend of the Yangtze. A real chance at the rare Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey in its only habitat. Plus Cizhong's Catholic church, the Dongzhulin Monastery, a Himalayan bee farm, and a Lisu bonfire party.
Yunnan Himalaya
Foothills
Meili Snow Mountain, off the beaten path
A focused 7-day Lijiang-based dive into the heart of Northwest Yunnan. The classic Old Town and Black Dragon Pond opening. The hidden Jade Dragon trail behind the rope-line. The legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge. North to Meili Snow Mountain for the first light on Kawagebo (6,740m). The Great Bend of the Yangtze. A real chance at the rare Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey in its only habitat. Plus Cizhong's Catholic church, the Dongzhulin Monastery, a Himalayan bee farm, and a Lisu bonfire party.
Tour Overview

Headline Target
Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey
Critically endangered primate, found only in NW Yunnan - observed in their natural Baima Snow Mountain habitat

Duration
Seven Days
Day 1: 10 AM to 9 PM | Days 2-6: 8 AM to 9 PM | Day 7: 9 AM to 2 PM

Locations
Lijiang - Wenhai - Hutiao - Shangri-La - Deqin - Cizhong - Tacheng - Lijiang
From 2,400m (Lijiang) to 6,740m (Kawagebo) - gradual acclimatization

Activity Level
Moderate
Daily walking 5-10 km, plus Meili viewing treks at altitude
Tour Highlights

Critically endangered primate
Snub-nosed Monkeys in the Wild

6,740m peak, first light
Kawagebo Sunrise

First Bend + Three Parallel Rivers
Great Bend of the Yangtze
Tour Itinerary
- Pickup at Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG) or your Old Town hotel, transfer to your boutique Naxi courtyard hotel. Afternoon at Black Dragon Pond Park with the iconic Moon-Embracing Pavilion and stunning views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, plus the Dongba Museum next door - Naxi pictographs and culture. Stroll through the lively Zhongyi Market and the cobblestone streets of Dayan Old Town. Welcome dinner.
- Drive to the Wenhai area on the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain plateau. Trek into the hidden trails of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Nature Reserve - off the rope-line, away from the cable car crowds. Villages and Naxi minority hamlets with a resident local guide, birdwatching and nature photography along the way. Return to Lijiang, dinner in Old Town.
- Morning at Lashi Wetlands - dawn crane flight, waterfowl, Black Drongo roosts. Continue north toward Shangri-La. 4-km hike through the legendary Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiaoxia) - one of the deepest river canyons on Earth. Arrive in mystical Shangri-La. Dukezong Old Town - the spiritual heart of Tibetan Yunnan. Dinner and overnight.
- Visit the magnificent Songzanlin Monastery - the 'Little Potala Palace', a major centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Drive north via Benzilan to the dramatic Jinsha River Bend (the First Great Bend of the Yangtze). Visit the peaceful Dongzhulin Monastery. Arrive in Deqin - the gateway town to Meili Snow Mountain. Dinner and overnight in the snow-capped mountain setting.
- Pre-dawn departure to the Feilai Monastery viewpoint for sunrise on Kawagebo (6,740m) - Yunnan's highest peak. A clear-morning alpine glow that stays with you for years. Visit Cizhong Village on the Mekong River - the 100-year-old French Catholic church, still active, surrounded by Lisu-minority vineyards. Walk along the Mekong. Traditional dinner paired with local Cizhong wine. Overnight in Cizhong or drive back to Deqin.
- Early departure to the Weixi-Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey National Park. Trek into the habitat with a local conservation ranger to observe the critically endangered Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkeys (fewer than 3,000 in the world). Lunch at a local rainbow trout farm, then visit the Baima Snow Mountain Nature Conservation Bureau for insights into the conservation work. Drive south along the Yangtze, witness the dramatic First Bend of the Yangtze, arrive in Lijiang. Farewell dinner at a Naxi courtyard restaurant in Lijiang Old Town.
- Optional: explore more of Lijiang Old Town or Black Dragon Pond Park, OR drive to Tacheng (additional half-day add-on). Afternoon in Tacheng: visit a local Himalayan bee farm - learn about the indigenous giant honeybee (Apis dorsata laboriosa) and sample prized high-altitude honey. Traditional Tibetan bonfire and Reba dance performance - colorful, ancient, and wonderfully un-touristy. Transfer back to Lijiang for final overnight.
Tour Cost
For groups of 1 person or more than 6 people Contact us
What's Included
Lead Coordinator (Lynne Lyu or Lukasz Madrzynski), Local Guides at each stop (Naxi, Tibetan, Lisu), All Accommodation (3-4 star hotels and traditional guesthouses), All Meals (B/L/D), Private Transportation, All Park + Reserve Entrance Fees, Conservation Bureau + Snub-nosed Monkey Park + Feilai Viewpoint access, Outdoor Travel Insurance.
Not Included
International Flights to/from Lijiang, Personal Expenses, Voluntary Gratuities, Optional Tacheng half-day add-on
Meeting Point
Pickup: 10 AM at Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG) | Return: 9 PM at Lijiang Sanyi Airport
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Our Customers Say
Excellent real experience with great company
I spent a fantastic day with Lukasz and his local friends Mr Lu and Mr He - Following a scenic drive, with a lakeside stop to hang out with some yaks, and a delicious home cooked meal at Mr Lu's house, we set out on a trek into the hills that didn't disappoint, with the jewel in the crown being the end point of an open pasture with just brilliant views out over Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Not a single person in sight and feeling at one with nature, this was exactly the experience I was hoping for and Lukasz helped deliver, with good humour, and excellent company. An experience I won't be forgetting and a top highlight of my three week trip to China.
We are a couple from Thailand
Our first trip to China was a wonderful experience. The price was reasonable, the accommodations were comfortable, and having a car to take us around made everything unforgettable. A big thank you to Lynne for helping us with everything we needed — truly superb.
Amazing
We had the great pleasure of experiencing this tour with Lukasz and Lynne in early Spring. It was rather cold but very worth while. Amazing views of the countryside villages and neatly tilled fields. We did some birdwatching from the lakeside and viewed yaks and goats grazing on the slopes above. We had a delicious lunch at one of the villages. (All food in Yunnan was delicious) It was exciting to have this opportunity to explore this unique off the beaten track area with such helpful and knowledgeable guides.
Local, genuine and ethical experience in Lijiang
My wife and I had the pleasure of being guided by Lynne and Lukas in the best of authentic Lijiang. Local, genuine culture meeting local villagers, walk in natural hills, guided walk through Lijiang's amazing streets and markets with everything covered and no hidden (negative) surprises or cost. All this while having meaningful and informed discussions. Thoroughly recommend this for anybody who want to experience the real Lijiang while making a positive impact as eco tourist.
Fantastic Experience with Cloud Mountain Eco Tours
We had an unforgettable time with Cloud Mountain Eco Tours, thanks to our amazing guide Lukas. He was incredibly friendly and connected with the kids right away. Lukas has a wonderful way of explaining things to children and made the whole experience exciting and engaging for all of us. The highlight was definitely seeing the monkeys up close and enjoying a warm, authentic dinner with a local family. Lukas is incredibly knowledgeable about the local nature. A truly special adventure for families. Highly recommended!
Magical landscape of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Really awesome and memorable day out in some magical landscapes around the foothills of Jade Dragon Snow mountain. It was a great opportunity to take my parents and a friend visiting from NZ to see some of the natural beauty of Yunnan, as well as some ethnic diversity. I absolutely love the aesthetic and charm of the villages. It was a rather cold day in March, but that seemed to add to the mystique of the landscape. Lukas and Lynne are great hosts, with an intimate knowledge of the places, people and biodiversity. Highly recommended! The meals with the locals were also incredible.
We saw the beautiful snub nosed monkey
Lukas is the man, his seemly endless knowledge and enthusiasm for nature is amazing. It was a privilege to have him share his love of this wonderful part of the world with us. Thank you Lukas
Unforgettable experience with wonderful people
I had the pleasure of participating on a trip with Lukas as part of a student group. We had an unforgettable experience getting up close to the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, hiking through pristine forests, and eating home-cooked meals with local families. Lukas and Lynne are wonderful guides with extensive knowledge about the region's culture, history and wildlife. I highly recommend Cloud Mountain, especially if you like traveling at your own pace, going off the beaten path, and getting an authentic, personalized experience.
The real deal
It's an experience on a completely different level than anything that you'd be able to put together on your own, and so worth it! The views are simply breathtaking, the trail is totally manageable and the best part is the company. Lukas has so much knowledge about Yunnan, its people and nature, he feels at home there and makes you feel the same too. If you have a chance to make this trip, do it. We've been all around Yunnan and this trip is ontop of our list!
Meeting the endangered black-snub nosed monkeys
I went on a solo trip in February arranged by my guide, Lukas, a Biologist/Conservationist into the Baima Snow Mountain National Park. With his vast knowledge of the local area, he took me first to the Lashi Wetlands and spotted over a dozen species of birds. Finally, made it to Tacheng, a reserve within Baima Snow Mountain where we spent a night in a cozy log cabin. The next morning, after a simple breakfast we went up to 3,000 metres and finally glimpsed the incredible endangered Black Snub-Nosed Monkeys. It was an amazing trip!
Unforgettable
We took a one-day tour with Lukas to explore a few places in Lijiang, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the start, Lukas was incredibly thoughtful in tailoring the tour to suit our preferences and needs. One of the highlights was having lunch at a local family's home. After lunch, we went on a hike in the mountains, where we had the chance to enjoy some fresh air and a truly breathtaking view. The landscape was absolutely stunning. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Lijiang!
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