- Wind along the breathtaking Tiger Leaping Gorge, arguably the world's deepest gorge

 - Trek through Naxi minority villages, peeking into the lives of rural Yunnan people

 - See Ganden Songzanlin Monastery - the largest in Yunnan and renowned center of Tibetan Buddhism

Spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge seems to be sliced by a sword from the heavens. The river's thunderous roar envelops you as you enter the 17-kilometer gorge, considered by many to be the deepest in the world, and certainly one of China's most awe-inspiring natural wonders. Surrounded by snow-peaked Yulong and Haba, both mountains considered sacred by local people, the gorge was carved over millennia by the surging upper reaches of the Yangtze River. Dramatic waterfalls, many more than 200 meters tall, and series of more than twenty rapids are found throughout the gorge's expansive reach. Even the origin of the gorge's name is rife with hyperbole, and follows the legend of a tiger that was sighted leaping over the gorge (at its narrowest point) in order to escape a pursuing hunter.

This journey begins in Lijiang and ends at the northern border town of Zhongdian (while in these two cities, we follow the same itinerary as our basic Yunnan tour, "South of the Clouds"). The critical highlight of this excursion however takes place in between, and focuses on making the trek through the great Tiger Leaping Gorge. After spending a night in the gorge, we move on the next day to explore (on foot) the gorge's equally interesting nearby environs - encountering remote minority villages as well as the mysterious White Water Terrace. Throughout this journey, we strive to place the gorge in its fascinating cultural and geographic context, by engaging the local natives (including Yi, Naxi, Tibetan and Muslim minority groups) in their indigenous homes located far off the beaten path, so isolated, in fact, that few manage to venture here. This tour is directed at travelers looking for a special Yunnan experience that offers rugged outdoor adventure (in some of the province's most awesome natural settings), but at the same also allows an in-depth and authentic look into the lives of Yunnan's diverse minority people, located within both the province's urban centers and most rural regions.

Featured Trip Plan:

Day 1: Arrive in Lijiang via Kunming; Naxi orchestra performance; overnight in Lijiang

Day 2: Drive to Tiger Leaping Gorge; hike lower trail, arrive at Walnut Grove; overnight in gorge

Day 3: Drive to Haba village; hike to nearby mountain communities; return & overnight in Haba village

Day 4: Hike along gorge, visit Naxi villages enroute; arrive & overnight at White Water Terrace (Baishui Tai)

Day 5: Drive to Zhongdian; Songzhanlin monastery; overnight in Zhongdian

Day 6: Depart by air to Kunming, end of journey