Tiger Leaping Gorge

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Lijiang - Tiger Leaping Gorge - Lijiang
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights
Price:
from £ 230.- per person

Trek along the rim of one of the world’s deepest gorges, with dizzying views over snow-capped mountains and the distant waters below every step of the way. It’s not a hike for the faint-hearted but it’s filled with unbelievable reward. You’ll spend two days trekking through dramatic Tiger Leaping Gorge, staying at a hiking guesthouse in halfway along. If you've got an appetite for adventure and a pair of sturdy legs, you’re in for a breathtaking treat.

Day 1 – Lijiang – Tiger Leaping Gorge

This morning you’ll leave Lijiang and take the public bus to Qiaotou. Here, you’ll begin your guided trek uphill, so be prepared for a hearty climb. Eventually, you’ll reach the tip of the gorge at a height of 2,660 metres with gorgeous views spreading out in every direction. You’ll walk along the top of the gorge and follow the scenic ’28 bend’ path to your guesthouse with the river snaking below you.

You’ll stay in a Naxi guesthouse named Halfway Lodge. It’s a simple, humble place with huge heart, surrounded by flowers and creeping green plants. There’s a veranda overlooking the gorge and there are blankets at the ready to keep away the chill. Here in the gorge, the skies are unbelievably clear and you can see the entire Milky Way swirl through the sky.

Days 2-3 – Tiger Leaping Gorge – Lijiang

Today you’ll lace up your walking boots again and head back into the gorge. It’s far less challenging than yesterday, as the path slowly descends. On the way, you’ll pass a rushing waterfall and breathe in the crisp, fresh air of the mountains. Eventually, you’ll reach the road and take a minibus to Qiaotou where you’ll catch the public bus back to Lijiang, a scenic trip past forests, snowy peaks and glaciers. You’ll return to the same hotel in Lijiang for one more night for a well-deserved rest and continue on your journey the following day.