Yunnan
Classic Yunnan: Kunming to Shangri-La
Kunming · Lijiang · Shangri-La · Dali
Next: March 2027Max 20Flights incl.
From, per person
NZ$2,990
New for 2027
Yunnan: Lijiang, Lugu Lake & Dali
Kunming · Lijiang · Lugu Lake · Dali
From, per person
NZ$2,890
Duration10 days
Group sizeMax 20
FlightsIncluded from AKL
GuideEnglish-speaking
Activity levelEasy
Overview
A slower Yunnan journey to a remote mountain lake
Yunnan at an easy pace. As well as Lijiang and Dali, this trip travels deep into the mountains to Lugu Lake, home of the Mosuo people, with a bonfire evening in the village and a canoe crossing to Liwubi Island. A free day in Lijiang leaves time to explore on your own.
Two nights by Lugu Lake with a Mosuo bonfire evening
Dugout canoe to Liwubi Island
A free day in Lijiang Old Town
Horse cart ride through Xizhou's rice fields
Tie-dye workshop in Zhoucheng
Itinerary
Day by day
- DAY1
Check in at Auckland International Airport and board your flight to China, connecting to your first destination. Our team will be in touch before departure with your flight details and pre-departure information.
Meals: Not includedOvernight: On board - DAY2
Arrive in Kunming and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free; Nanping Street and the Jinma Biji Archway are good places for a first taste of Yunnan's famous crossing-the-bridge noodles.
Meals: Not includedOvernight: Kunming, 4-star hotel - DAY3
Take the high-speed train to Lijiang and continue to Yuhu Village beneath Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, once home to the explorer and botanist Joseph Rock.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerOvernight: Lijiang, 4-star hotel - DAY4
A free day to enjoy Lijiang at your own pace. Wander the lanes of the Old Town, climb Lion Hill for views over the rooftops, or head to the quieter village of Shuhe for coffee and craft shops.
Meals: BreakfastOvernight: Lijiang, 4-star hotel - DAY5
Drive into the mountains to Lugu Lake, a high-altitude lake on the Yunnan–Sichuan border and home of the Mosuo people, one of the last matrilineal societies in the world. In the evening, join the villagers for a traditional bonfire with singing and dancing.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerOvernight: Lugu Lake, lakeside hotel - DAY6
Cross the lake by traditional Mosuo dugout canoe to Liwubi Island. Return to Lijiang in the afternoon for an evening in the Old Town.
Meals: Breakfast, LunchOvernight: Lijiang, 4-star hotel - DAY7
Travel to Dali and visit the Three Pagodas, then explore Xizhou, a Bai village of historic courtyard houses, by horse cart through the rice paddies.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerOvernight: Dali, 4-star hotel - DAY8
Follow the shore of Erhai Lake to the S-bend at Panxi and the village of Zhoucheng, where you'll try the Bai craft of tie-dyeing. Finish in Dali Old Town.
Meals: Breakfast, LunchOvernight: Dali, 4-star hotel - DAY9
Enjoy a final breakfast before a private transfer to the airport for your flight home to Auckland.
Meals: BreakfastOvernight: On board - DAY10
Arrive back in Auckland, with plenty of stories to tell.
Meals: Not included
What's included
- Return economy flights from Auckland, including taxes
- All domestic flights and high-speed trains shown in the itinerary
- 4-star hotels, twin share (5-star where stated)
- Daily breakfast and the meals listed in the itinerary
- English-speaking local guides throughout
- Private coach and airport transfers
- Entrance fees for all sightseeing listed
- Small group of no more than 20 travellers
Not included
- Chinese visa (New Zealand passport holders currently travel visa-free for up to 30 days)
- Travel insurance (required)
- Single supplement
- Optional activities and meals not listed
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses
Dates & prices
Per person, twin share. Includes return flights from Auckland.
- 25 Mar 2027Returns 3 Apr 2027GuaranteedNZ$2,890Select
- 29 Apr 2027Returns 8 May 2027AvailableNZ$2,890Select
- 27 May 2027Returns 5 Jun 2027AvailableNZ$2,890Select
- 23 Sep 2027Returns 2 Oct 2027AvailableNZ$3,090Select
- 28 Oct 2027Returns 6 Nov 2027GuaranteedNZ$3,090Select
- 18 Nov 2027Returns 27 Nov 2027AvailableNZ$3,090Select
Combine with
You might also like
Guizhou · Yunnan
Guizhou & Yunnan Explorer
Guiyang · Xijiang · Kunming · Lijiang · Lugu Lake · Dali
Next: May 2027Max 20Flights incl.
From, per person
NZ$4,490
Beijing & Xi'an · Yunnan
Grand China: Beijing, Xi'an & Yunnan
Beijing · Datong · Xi'an · Kunming · Lijiang · Shangri-La · Dali
Next: April 2027Max 20Flights incl.
From, per person
NZ$5,490