Track Yunnan snub-nosed monkeys with a local conservation guide
NebulaTripPRIVATE JOURNEYS · CHINA
01 / The High Country
Three Parallel Rivers
Songtsam · Northwest YunnanSongzanlin Monastery · Shangri-La, Diqing, Yunnan
THE JOURNEY
Snow mountains at first light. Wine made in a Catholic Tibetan village. A road that follows the old Tea Horse route into the clouds.
A high-altitude passage through river valleys, sacred peaks and small Tibetan communities — held together by the quiet hospitality of Songtsam.
“The landscape feels immense. The journey feels deeply personal.”
- LENGTH
- 9 days / 8 nights
- ROUTE
- Lijiang → Tacheng → Cizhong → Meili → Shangri-La
- WHEN TO GO
- March–May · September–November
- STYLE
- Private, unhurried, altitude-aware
EXPERIENCE
Defining moments
along the route.
Share a kitchen and make tofu with a family in the Yangtze valley
Taste highland wines in Cizhong, where vines arrived with French missionaries
Wake to the first light on Kawagebo from Songtsam Meili
THE ROUTE
Unhurried,
chapter by chapter.
Every departure is private. We refine room category, dining, access and the daily rhythm around the people travelling.
Arrival in Lijiang
Meet your private driver at Lijiang airport and settle into the lodge at approximately 2,400 metres. With an early arrival, visit the Dongba Academy for Naxi writing, zodiac woodblock printing and tea before a welcome dinner.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Lijiang · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Dinner
Old Lijiang & Tiger Leaping Gorge
Walk Dayan Old Town and Zhongyi Market in the quieter morning hours. In the afternoon, follow an adjustable section of Tiger Leaping Gorge from Chama Guesthouse toward Zhongtu Inn, with the distance tailored to weather and walking ability.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Lijiang · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
First Bend of the Yangtze to Tacheng
Drive via Shigu and the First Bend of the Yangtze to Tacheng, approximately four hours with stops. Cross terraced fields and a village landscape before joining a Tibetan family in Hada village to make soy milk and tofu.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Tacheng · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Golden monkeys & Cizhong wine
Enter the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey reserve with a conservation guide; sightings remain natural and unforced. Continue about four hours to Cizhong, arriving for a five-course dinner paired with five wines from the Shangri-La highlands.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Cizhong · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Vineyards, cellar & village church
Walk through Rizui vineyard and visit the Cizhong Wine Experience Centre for its cellar and a guided tasting. Continue on foot to Cizhong's Catholic church; attendance at a service is possible only when the local schedule allows.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Cizhong · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Cizhong to sacred Meili
Drive approximately 90 minutes toward Meili and keep the afternoon gentle for altitude adjustment. Take a forest walk, then visit a Tibetan family to print prayer flags from traditional wooden blocks.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Lodge Meili · Deluxe Room · approx. 3,600 m
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Kawagebo, Dongzhulin & Niding forest
Rise for Kawagebo at first light, weather permitting, then join a Sang incense offering near Feilai Temple. Visit Dongzhulin Monastery and Moon Bay, walk in Niding forest and picnic seasonally before continuing via Napa Lake to Shangri-La.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Linka Shangri-La · Deluxe Room · approx. 3,300 m
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Songzanlin & a private afternoon
Visit Songzanlin Monastery with time to understand its ritual and monastic life. In the afternoon, choose either guided horse handling, riding and archery, or a private walk through Dukezong Old Town followed by tea.
- OVERNIGHT
- Songtsam Linka Shangri-La · Deluxe Room
- MEALS
- Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner
Departure from Shangri-La
Private transfer to Diqing Shangri-La airport, normally around 25 minutes. For a later flight, a visit to the Songtsam Museum may be arranged subject to opening hours and final timing.
- OVERNIGHT
- No overnight stay
- MEALS
- Breakfast
STAY
Where the landscape
continues indoors.
- Songtsam Lodge Lijiang · 2 nights · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Lodge Tacheng · 1 night · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Lodge Cizhong · 2 nights · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Lodge Meili · 1 night · Deluxe Room
- Songtsam Linka Shangri-La · 2 nights · Deluxe Room
THE JOURNEY IN IMAGES
Light, texture
and life along the way.
Songtsam · Northwest Yunnan