TREKS FOR 2009

Dali-Shaxi-Lijiang Caravan Trail

April 25-May 9

TREK003

Maximum 10 people

US$3,000 (US$1,600 for Dali-Shaxi or Shaxi-Lijiang only)

BOOK NOW

 

Join us in our bid to revive the Dali-Lijiang caravan trail. We will break the journey at the wonderful town of Shaxi, so those who haven't the time or energy to go all the way are welcome to join either the first or second half of this trek.

 

Our mule team meets by the shore of Erhai Lake at the town of Xizhou (a few kilometers north of Dali). From there, we cross Mt Cangshan in a two-day trek to the ancient and little-visited town of Fengyu. Beyond that is a fairly gentle hike to Shaxi, probably via the historic salt well at Qiaohou, which we expect to occupy another three days. We reach Shaxi in time for the weekly market, and will also watch a private show by some of the area's traditional musicians.

 

From Shaxi we anticipate another five-day trek to our destination by Lashi Lake. On the way, we will pass Jianhu Lake and, weather permitting, enjoy fabulous views of the Jinsha River valley and the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. After a night camping by the shore of Lashi Lake, we say goodbye to the mules and board our private bus for the short drive into Lijiang.

 

Be warned! While we expect it to be relatively easy, this is an expedition-style event. We have not trekked this way before, and therefore we can't guarantee where we'll sleep while on the road. We may take wrong turnings and have to put up with circumstances that are less than ideal.


Trek Details

Part 1: Dali-Shaxi

Day 1 Arrive Dali. Stay at the pretty and very cool Lazy Lodge in Dali Old Town.

Day 2 Transfer to Xizhou. Meet mule team and begin trek up Mt Cangshan. Camp.

Day 3 Trek to Fengyu. Overnight in Fengyu.

Day 4 Trek toward Heihui River. Camp or stay with local families.

Day 5 Trek through Qiaohou. Camp or stay with local families.

Day 6 Trek to Shaxi. Shower and celebrate with Bai nationality feast. Stay in historic caravan inn (supplement required, see below).

Day 7 Enjoy Shaxi Market. Free time. Evening performance of Bai traditional music.

Day 8/Day 1 Trek Part 1 ends. Trek Part 2 begins. Prepare mule team for tomorrow's departure from Shaxi.


Part 2: Shaxi-Lijiang

Day 2 Begin trek through Shaxi Valley. Camp or stay with local families.

Day 3 Trek to Jianhu Lake. Camp or stay with local families.

Day 4 Climb to top of Jinsha valley. Camp or stay with local families.

Day 5 Trek. Camp or stay with local families.

Day 6 Trek to Lashi Lake. Camp.

Day 7 Say goodbye to mule team. Walk from lakeside to roadside and board private bus to accommodation in Lijiang. Shower and celebrate.

Day 8 Trek Part 2 ends.

 

Cost of Trek Part 1 includes 1 night accommodation and evening meal in Dali, two nights and two evening meals in Shaxi, plus all food and accommodation during trek. Cost of Trek Part 2 includes 1 night accommodation and evening meal in Shaxi, 1 night accommodation and evening meal in Lijiang, plus all food and accommodation during trek.


Red Trail Revisited

May 17-23

August 16-22

Starting point: Shangri-la

Finishing point: Lijiang

TREK004/006

Maximum 8 people

US$1,700

BOOK NOW


Cross a legendary Long March mountain and raft the Jinsha River. This richly varied journey takes us from Shangri-la to Lijiang along the trail followed by the Red Army on the Long March in 1935. We take a horse team over Yaha Snow Mountain, then raft 50 kilometers down the Jinsha River to the ancient town of Shigu. Maximum 8 people on this journey.

 

We first explored this route in summer 2006, losing ourselves a number of times while crossing Yaha Snow Mountain. Very few people follow this path. On its eastern side, Mt Yaha slopes gently to a broad Tibetan valley peopled by yak herders and small farmers. On the western side, however, the trail plunges through dense forest into the Jinsha River valley - from 3,924 meters above sea level at the pass to just 1,300 meters above sea level at the riverside. The Jinsha valley is dominated by the Naxi people, the Tibetans' historic rivals for control of the Shangri-la region.

 

This route was followed by the Red Army during the Long March in late April 1935. We'll be moving in reverse direction, completing the journey by rafting down the Jinsha to the historic town of Shigu.


Trek Details

Day 1 Arrive Shangri-la. Orientation meeting. Shangri-la is 3,280 meters above sea level, and so the air is relatively thin and many visitors feel ill at first.

Day 2 Visit the Red Army Museum in the Old Town, where Ed will introduce the extraordinary background to the upcomingjourney (Ed was a consultant to this museum during its construction in 2006-7). Then proceed to the historic Songzanlin Lamasery. Lunch in Shangri-la, then transfer to Xiao Zhongdian by private bus and make short trek to base camp.

Day 3 Head up the east slope of Mt Yaha, which took care of many Reds coming the other way in April 1935. They either collapsed from exhaustion and altitude sickness, or drank the poisoned "yellow tea" water. We'll camp close to the pass on a glorious pasture where wemight also impose on the herders for a few restorative cups of yak-butter tea. This point is about 3,900 meters above sea level.

Day 4 Trek to the riverside village of Shangjiang, where after lunch we say goodbye to the horse team and board a raft tohead downstream along China's mightiest river. Tonight's campsite is on a beach in the middle of the river.

Day 5 Back onto the raft and we complete our journey at the historic town of Shigu, where Kubla Khan's Mongol horde crossed the Jinsha on inflated pig-bladders. Dine in Shigu, then transfer to Lijiang by private bus.

Day 6 Journey ends.

For pictures and diaries from previous journeys along this route, click:

http://redrocktrek.com/blog/?p=3

http://redrocktrek.com/blog/?p=4


Three Rivers Expedition

June 3-17

Starting point: Shangri-la

Finishing point: Dali

EXP003

Maximum 6 people

US$1,800

BOOK NOW


Our second attempt to find a viable route across the three great rivers of the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween along the Tea & Horse Caravan Trail. As late as the 1950s, caravans trekked this way from China into Tibet and Burma. This was one of the ancient world's great highways for the exchange of goods and cultures. We will pass through a richly varied landscape of different peoples, languages and religions, from Tibetan Buddhists to Lisu Christians.

 

The 2008 expedition was diverted by an unexpected colony of golden monkeys (see Blog http://redrocktrek.com/blog/?p=9 for details of that journey); this time, we will have the relevant permits so hopefully there will be no hidden obstacles of the bureaucratic or simian sort.

 

Once again, however, we are stepping somewhat into the unknown. Conditions are unpredictable and we may have to change direction en route to adapt. It's a long journey and timings are approximate. If the road is good and everyone is fit, we may take a day less; alternatively, it may take slightly longer (though I have made a conservative estimate in the itinerary). It's essential you have some flexibility at the end in case bad weather slows us and arrive late to Dali. We will not compromise safety in order to meet the timetable. We expect to trek in the region of 150 kilometers, so only those with relevant experience should apply.


Trek Details

Day 1 Arrive Shangri-la. Orientation meeting. Shangri-la is 3,280 meters above sea level, and so the air is relatively thin and many visitors feel ill at first.

Day 2 Transfer to Xiao Zhongdian. Meet mule team (1) and begin trek. Camp.

Day 3 Trek toward pass into Jinsha (Yangtze) River valley. Camp

Day 4 Continue trek. Camp.

Day 5 Reach Jinsha river. Overnight in Tacheng. Shower and say goodbye to mule team (1).

Day 6 To avoid trekking all day along a main road, we now transfer by bus to another town called Tacheng, where we meet mule team (2). Begin trek along Lapu River. Camp or stay in local houses.

Day 7 Trek into Baima mountain range. Camp.

Day 8 Continue trek. Camp.

Day 9 Trek to Mekong. Camp or stay in local houses.

Day 10 Begin trek toward Nu (Salween) River. Camp.

Day 11 Continue trek into Nu valley. Camp.

Day 12 Reach Nu River. Transfer to Gongshan, shower and celebrate. Say goodbye to mule team (2).

Day 13 Drive along Nu River to Liuku, capital of the Nu River Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. The Nu is the largest undammed river in China; in this area, most of the inhabitants are Nu or Lisu, and many villages are largely Christian.

Day 14 Drive to Dali. Celebrate with Bai-style feast!

Day 15 Journey's end.


Three Rivers Trek Tour

September 3-13

October 18-28

Starting point: Dali

Finishing point: Shangri-la

TREK007/009

Maximum 8 people

US$3,000

BOOK NOW


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 is among the most remote parts of China. From our meeting point in Dali, we drive to the ancient entrepot of Binzhongluo, just a few dozen kilometers from the Tibetan and Burmese borders. This famous beauty spot is home to a tapestry of peoples and cultures, mainly Lisu and Nu; it was also the last working caravan town in China.

 

Our mule team meets us at Bingzhongluo, from where we trek for five days from the Salween to the Mekong valley and the fascinating Catholic Tibetan village of Cizhong. After resting in Cizhong and enjoying wine made from vines planted by French missionaries 100 years ago, we drive to Deqin County Town, enjoying remarkable views of the Lancang valley and, if we're lucky with the weather, Mt Kawagebo, the highest and loveliest peak in Yunnan. We stay near Feilai Temple, from where we can see Kawagebo at sunrise (weather permitting). Finally, we complete our traverse of the three rivers via Mt Baima and the famous horseshoe bend in the Jinsha River, as the Yangtze is known in this area.


Trek Details

Day 1 Arrive Dali. Orientation meeting, Bai-style evening meal and overnight in Dali Old Town.

Day 2 Drive to Liuku by private bus. Liuku is the capital of the Nu River Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, and stands on the banks of the Nu River (as the Salween is known at this point).

Day 3 Continue drive along Nu River to Bingzhongluo, via the spectacular "Moon Mountain" and the magnificent, horseshoe-shaped "first bend" in the Salween River.

Day 4 Trek to Mekong valley begins. Camp.

Day 5 Stay with local families in Tibetan Catholic village of Baihanluo

Day 6 Camp.

Day 7 Cross Mt Biluo (4,223 meters) and camp on the highest campsite of journey, 3,465 meters above sea level.

Day 8 Reach Cizhong. End of trek. Celebrate with home-cooked meal and local red wine. Overnight in guesthouse.

Day 9 Drive to Deqin County Town. Stay at Feilaisi for views (weather permitting) of Mt Kawagebo.

Day 10 Drive to Shangri-la, via Mt Baima, the first bend in the Jinsha River, and Shangqiaotou, source of the most famous wooden bowls in Tibet.

Day 11 Journey's end.


Balagezong Pilgrimage Trail

September 26-October 4

Starting and finishing point: Shangri-la

TREK008

Maximum 6 people

US$1,500

BOOK NOW


This year's toughest trek. Balagezong is the highest peak in Shangri-la County, straddling the border with Sichuan Province. It's a sacred mountain to local Tibetans. We will be following the pilgrimage trail to make a full circumambulation. The trail hardly dips below 4,000 meters above sea level; we measured the highest pass at 5,153 meters. The path is so steep in places that, for once, we can't take a mule team. Instead, gear will be carried by local porters.

 

This is a unique trek with truly spectacular scenery. It's definitely not for the faint-hearted or the unfit.

 

*Applicants for this event should provide details of their trekking experience and we reserve the right to refuse those we deem unsuitable.


Trek Details

Day 1 Arrive Shangri-la. Orientation meeting.

Day 2 Visit the historic Songzanlin Lamasery. Lunch in Shangri-la, then transfer to Balagezong Village by private bus.

Day 3-7 Trek around Balagezong. Camp each night.

Day 8 Return to Shangri-la. Shower and celebrate with Tibetan food and music.

Day 9 Check out and depart Shangri-la.