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

Yunnan Himalaya
Foothills
Into the Tibetan north
Eight days beyond the standard Yunnan circuit - follow the headwaters of the mighty Yangtze and Mekong rivers into the Meili Snow Mountain range for sunrise view of the sacred Tibetan Mount Kawagebo (6,740m), the habitat of the critically endangered Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey in White Horse Mountains, off-the-beaten path hike in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains with forest patrol members and visit hidden Naxi, Yi, Lisu and Tibetan ethnic villages most travelers never reach.
Yunnan Himalaya
Foothills
Into the Tibetan north
Eight days beyond the standard Yunnan circuit - follow the headwaters of the mighty Yangtze and Mekong rivers into the Meili Snow Mountain range for sunrise view of the sacred Tibetan Mount Kawagebo (6,740m), the habitat of the critically endangered Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey in White Horse Mountains, off-the-beaten path hike in the Jade Dragon Snow Mountains with forest patrol members and visit hidden Naxi, Yi, Lisu and Tibetan ethnic villages most travelers never reach.
Tour Overview

What's Special
Deep Tibetan north of Yunnan
View of Kawagebo (6,740m) - Yunnan's highest peak

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

Locations
Lijiang to Dêqên Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
From 2,400m (Lijiang) to 4,000m (Dêqên) - gradual acclimatization

Activity Level
Moderate to Challenging
Daily walking 5-10 km at altitudes between 2400-3600m
Tour Highlights

Golden Shine of Yunnan's highest peak
Kawagebo Sunrise

Yunnan's two wildest river turns
Two Great River Bends

The pilgrimage key to Meili
Crystal Stupa Qudengge
Tour Itinerary
- We start your journey with a pickup in Lijiang (Airport or Train Station) and transfer to your boutique Naxi courtyard guesthouse. 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 for a quick introduction of the region. Then we stroll through the ancient cobblestone alleys of Dayan Old Town and lively Zhongyi Market. We finish the day with a traditional Naxi feast.
- Drive to the Wenhai Nature Reserve, stop for a cup of tea in a Naxi minority conservationist home. Continue the journey to Yi minority village chiefs place for a home-cooked lunch and then hike the hidden trails of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Nature Reserve - off the rope-line, away from the cable car crowds, with local forest rangers telling stories of biodiversity and conservation along the way. Return to Lijiang for a dinner in Old Town.
- Morning stop at Lashi Wetlands of International Importance - dawn crane flight, waterfowl, Black Drongo roosts. Continue north toward Shangri-La. Visit 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 in Shangri-La.
- Visit the magnificent Songzanlin Monastery - the 'Little Potala Palace', a major centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Drive north via Benzilan to the dramatic Great Bend of Golden Sand River. 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 view of Kawagebo (6,740m) - Yunnan's highest peak. A clear-morning alpine glow that stays with you for years. Late-morning stop at Qudengge, a small 200-year-old crystal stupa 5 km south of Deqin - where pilgrims collect the key to Meili's inner kora, white-washed walls, prayer wheels spinning. Continue south to Cizhong Village on the Mekong - the 100-year-old French Catholic church, still active, surrounded by old vineyards. Walk along the Mekong. Traditional dinner paired with local Cizhong wine. Overnight in Cizhong.
- Follow the Mekong River to Tacheng in the Weixi highlands. Afternoon: visit a smallholder farm where the native Chinese honey bee - still forages on wild rhododendron and vitex at 2,500m. Sample honey that tastes like the flowers and the cold of the valley. Take a leisurely walk across Lisu minority’s village forest to the sacred water source before a home cooked diner with the locals. Overnight in Tacheng.
- Early departure to the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey National Park. Trek into the habitat to observe the critically endangered Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkeys (fewer than 4,000 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 in the evening for a farewell dinner at a Naxi courtyard restaurant.
- Free time in Lijiang Old Town, then private transfer to the airport or train station at the time of your choice.
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, All Accommodation (3-4 star hotels and traditional guesthouses), All Meals (B/L/D), Private Transportation, All Entrance Fees, Outdoor Travel Insurance.
Not Included
International Flights to/from Lijiang, Personal Expenses, Voluntary Gratuities
Meeting Point
Pickup: Lijiang Sanyi Airport (LJG) ,Train Station or anywhere else in Lijiang Valley | 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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