Trip Highlights
Why this journey works
- Hike the classic high trail with luggage transferred separately.
- Cross the 28 Bends at your own pace with a private guide.
- Sleep in a mountain guesthouse overlooking the gorge walls.
- Keep a road-based fallback for rain, trail closures or different abilities.
Who This Trip Is For
A good fit if you are…
- Active travelers comfortable with sustained uphill walking.
- Couples or friends wanting a supported hike without a large group.
- Photographers who value sunrise and late-afternoon mountain light.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
5 days · Lijiang · Qiaotou · Tiger Leaping Gorge
Arrive in Lijiang
Gear check, briefing and a light old-town or Baisha walk.
Lijiang culture and acclimatization
Explore Baisha and Shuhe, then finish trail preparation with your guide.
Qiaotou to the high trail
Drive to the trailhead and hike through Naxi villages and the 28 Bends to a mountain guesthouse.
High trail to Tina’s area
Continue above the gorge, descend toward the road and choose a lower-gorge extension if conditions permit.
Return to Lijiang or continue north
Private transfer to Lijiang; alternatively continue toward Shangri-La with a customized onward plan.
Practical Planning
Stay, transport and season
Where to stay
- Lijiang: Shuhe or accessible old-town edge
- Gorge: locally run trail guesthouse with private room where available
How you travel
Private trailhead and exit transfers; main luggage travels by vehicle while you carry a daypack.
When to go
Best in March to May and September to November. Summer rain and winter cold can change trail access and comfort.
Included / Not Included
What the proposal will make clear
Included
- Private English-speaking guide on touring days
- Private vehicle and driver as described
- Reserved rail tickets or internal flights explicitly listed in the final proposal
- Accommodation with breakfast at the confirmed standard
- Entrance tickets and listed activities in the final itinerary
- Arrival and departure transfers within the planned route
Not included
- International and domestic travel not specifically listed
- Lunches and dinners unless confirmed in the proposal
- Personal expenses, optional shows and activities
- Travel insurance and medical costs
- Tips at the traveler’s discretion
- Costs caused by force majeure or traveler-requested changes
Customization
Make this trip yours
FAQ
Before you choose this trip
How difficult is the high trail?
Expect several hours of uneven mountain walking and a sustained ascent. We discuss recent fitness and adjust the route accordingly.
What happens if the trail closes?
Your guide switches to safe road-accessible viewpoints or rearranges the route; safety and official local guidance take priority.
Do I carry all my luggage?
No. Main luggage transfers by vehicle. You carry water, layers and personal essentials in a daypack.
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