A great way to experience the grandeur of one
of the deepest canyons in the world is to traverse it on foot.
On this two-day guided trek, we enjoy incredible views of the gorge,
skirt waterfalls cascading down to the Jingsha River 700 feet below,
and pass through remote villages of the Naxi people who inhabit
the area.
We drive from Lijiang to the town of Qiaotou, where the trek
begins. The trail winds upward, rewarding us with increasingly
spectacular views. Then, after two hours hiking, we arrive at
the Naxi Family Guesthouse, where we stop for lunch against a
stunning backdrop. After lunch, we continue along the trail and
reach the “28 bends,” a series of steep switchbacks
that take us to the highest point on the trail—an elevation
of nearly 9,000 feet. A few more hours of hiking along a trail
carved out of the mountain brings us to our accommodations for
the night: The Tea Horse Guesthouse. Here, we relax with warm
food, cold beer and the camaraderie of fellow trekkers from around
the world.
In the morning, following breakfast, we set out again, watching
the peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain catch the morning sunlight.
The trail descends toward the river, and after about five hours
of hiking we arrive at our endpoint, Tina’s Guesthouse,
where we savor a well-deserved lunch by the Jingsha River. After
lunch, we are transferred back to Lijiang.
Best time: March thru October.
Length of time: This package adds one night to our Yunnan
Explorer tour.
What’s included: English-speaking guide, transportation
to and from trailhead, accommodation, meals during the hike.
Minimum: two persons.
