Exploring Shangri-la and the Ancient Tibetan Tea Trail

Revive the tradition of caravan travel! Join our exploration of this beautiful and historic region. Follow forgotten trails and learn about the history and culture from experts.


Tea & Horse Caravan Trail



This unique journey follows one of the loveliest and most significant stretches of the historic Tea & Horse Caravan Trail, which for more than 1,000 years connected China with India via Tibet and Burma. From the ancient market town of Shuhe, where Tibetan traders onces gathered to meet caravans from the south, you will trek south for 12 days along forgotten paths once trod by traders, Buddhist mystics, Christian missionaries and rebels and revolutionaries of all stripes. After resting halfway in the extraordinary caravanserai at Shaxi, you will follow the hidden trail used by Kublai Khan's army to surprise and destroy the Bai kingdom of Dali, ending your adventure in a beautiful and historic Bai town overlooking the calm waters of Erhai Lake. Accompanied by a full caravan of mules and muleteers, this is an unforgettable adventure through the culture, history and modern diversity of China's southwest.

Starting point: Lijiang

Finishing point: Xizhou/Dali

2011 Dates: March 26-April 9

Click here for more details...


The Long March



The Long March was one of the epic adventures of the 20th century. Chairman Mao and a ragged band of revolutionaries marched more than 4,000 miles across China, fighting against impossible odds in an environment that grew more hostile the further they went. This is an exclusive opportunity to explore the most celebrated stretch of this thrilling trek, guided by the West's leading expert on the history and geography of the Long March. From the Great Snow Mountains of western Sichuan Province across the infamous Grasslands, a vast region of prairies, swamps and bogs more than 3,400 meters above sea level on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and finally to the stunning valleys of Lawa and Baozuo, this is a true exploration not only of history, but also of a country and culture rarely seen by outsiders.

Starting point: Chengdu

Finishing point: Lanzhou

2010 Dates: July 17-August 3; September 4-21

2011 Dates: September 3-20

Click here for more details...


Three Parallel Rivers Caravan Trek



Explore the ancient trading route that connected Tibet and Burma with southwest China, crossing the three great river valleys of the Salween, Mekong and Yangtze. This journey follows the intrepid traders whose caravans traversed this region for centuries, taking salt, tea and sugar from Yunnan towards Tibet and Burma, and bringing jade, silver jewelry, textiles and other finished goods back. This is among the most remote parts of China, a tapestry of peoples and cultures, from Lisu to Nu and even rare congregations of Tibetan Catholics.

Starting point: Shangri-la

Finishing point: Dali

2011 Dates: May 14-31

Click here for more details...


Beyond Rock: Four Rivers Expedition



American botanist-adventurer Joseph Rock first introduced the famous "Three Parallel Rivers" region to the West through an expedition in 1925, which he presented in National Geographic Magazine the following year. This expedition will go beyond Rock: after retracing his route exactly to the point where he turned back above the Salween River, we will attempt to continue west over the giant Gaoligong mountain range and all the way to the Dulong River, the little-known "fourth river' that runs parallel to the Salween for 70 km before turning into Burma and flowing into the Irawaddy. Beginning in the heartland of the Naxi people, we will pass through the country of the Lisu, the unique Tibetan Catholic communities of the Biluo mountain range, the Christian villages of the Nu people of the Salween valley, finally reaching the region of the Drung, one of China's least-known peoples. This fantastic journey is a first-time exploration and a true adventure.

Starting point: Lijiang

Finishing point: Dali

Dates: October 13-30, 2010

Click here for more details...


Tea Trail to the Yangtze



Join us for a first-time exploration. This spur of the ancient Tea & Horse Trail starts in Dali, but unlike the main route it bypasses Lijiang and heads straight for the Jinsha/Yangtze River, where it pauses at the old town of Shigu, which sits on the celebrated First Bend in the Yangtze. We will begin this mini-expedition on market day in the caravan town of Shaxi, about halfway between Dali and the Jinsha. In the old days, caravans rested and resupplied here, and also picked up cargoes of salt from the famous wells around the Shaxi valley. Once beyond Mapingguan on the 2nd day, we will enter unexplored territory, but expect to be trekking through Bai and Yi villages for a couple of days before reaching the predominantly Lisu area on and around Mt Laojun, a little-visited but highly reputed natural beauty spot. After crossing Mt Laojun, the final stretch of this trek leads along the Chongjiang River to the Naxi town of Shigu and the "First Bend". With the spring flowers in full bloom, we anticipate a colourful and adventurous journey.

Starting point: Dali

Finishing point: Lijiang

2010 Dates: April 29 - May 8

Click here for more details


Red Trail Revisited



History and adventure combine in this route, followed by the Red Army during the Long March in April 1935. Twenty thousand Reds raced from the historic town of Lijiang to the Jinsha River, which they crossed in small boats and hand-made rafts before fighting their way over the snow-covered Mt Yaha and onto the Tibetan Plateau. We will be trekking in reverse direction, beginning this richly varied journey in a broad Tibetan valley peopled by yak herders and small farmers. From the eastern foot of Mt Yaha, we ascend to a herders' camp close to the pass, 3,900 meters above sea level. Once over the mountain, the trail plunges through dense forest into the Jinsha River valley, peopled by a mixture of Naxi, Lisu and Han. Leaving our mule team at the tiny town of Shangjiang, we then raft gently downstream for a day and a half, camping one night on a lovely sandy beach, before reaching the ancient town of Shigu and the celebrated First Bend in the Yangtze, and the Jinsha becomes known further downstream. 

Starting point: Shangri-la

Finishing point: Lijiang

2010 Dates: September 30 - October 6

Click here for more details