From China to Laos: Exploring the Ancient Tea Horse Road

Transport

Transfer (Chengdu Airport, China - Chengdu, China)

Optional Activities

Explore Chengdu at own pace

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Transport

Transfer (Chengdu, China - Chengdu Airport, China), Flight (Chengdu, China - Lijiang, China), Transfer (Lijiang Airport, China - Lijiang, China)

Included Activities

Visit Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base Explore People's Park Domestic flight Chengdu to Lijiang (1 hour 40 minutes)

Optional Activities

Take tea in a teahouse and learn Mahjong or Chinese chess Watch locals painting water calligraphy

Landmarks

Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Research Base People's Park

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Transport

Transfer (Lijiang, China - Shuhe village, China), Transfer (Shuhe village, China - Tiger Leaping Gorge, China), Transfer (Tiger Leaping Gorge, China - Lijiang, China)

Included Activities

Sunrise viewing at Black Dragon Pool with view of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Visit Shuhe village Trek through Tiger Leaping Gorge (4-5 hours)

Landmarks

Black Dragon Pool Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Shuhe village Tiger Leaping Gorge

Meals

Breakfast

Transport

Transfer (Lijiang, China - Shaxi, China)

Included Activities

Visit Sidengjie historic square Walk red-rock lanes and cross arched stone bridge Visit Xinjiao Temple

Optional Activities

Lunch at traditional spot once frequented by merchants (own expense)

Landmarks

Sidengjie Xinjiao Temple

Meals

Breakfast, Snack Lunch

Transport

Transfer (Shaxi, China - Shilong Village, China)

Included Activities

Visit Baoxiang Temple Visit Shilong Village and observe smoked bacon production Hike through Shibaoshan area (approximately 1 hour)

Optional Activities

Engage with local residents in Shilong Village

Landmarks

Baoxiang Temple Shilong Village Shibaoshan (Stone Treasure Mountain)

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Transport

Transfer (Shaxi, China - Dali, China)

Included Activities

Explore old city and Bai dwelling area Try tie-dye at Zhoucheng Visit Three Pagodas

Landmarks

Three Pagodas

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Transport

Transfer (Dali, China - Dali Train Station, China), Train (Dali, China - Kunming, China), Transfer (Kunming Train Station, China - West Hill, Kunming, China)

Included Activities

Visit Xizhou morning markets High-speed train to Kunming (2 hours 20 minutes) Visit Dragon Gate on West Hill

Optional Activities

Hire a bicycle and cycle along Erhai Lake (payable locally)

Landmarks

Xizhou markets Erhai Lake Dragon Gate Dianchi Lake

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Transport

Transfer (Kunming, China - Black Stone Forest, China), Transfer (Black Stone Forest, China - Kunming Train Station, China), Train (Kunming, China - Pu'er, China)

Included Activities

Visit Black Stone Forest VIP train service to Pu'er (approximately 3 hours)

Landmarks

Black Stone Forest

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Transport

Transfer (Wengji Village, China - Nuogan Village, China)

Included Activities

Trek along Chashitang section of ancient Tea and Horse Road Visit Wengji Village and explore Jinuo people's community Visit Nuogan Village and explore Dai people's community

Landmarks

Chashitang section of Tea and Horse Road Wengji Village Nuogan Village Jingmai Mountain

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at restaurant in village)

Transport

Transfer (Jingmai, China - Guangmangshan Tea Plantation, China), Transfer (Guangmangshan Tea Plantation, China - Xishuangbanna, China)

Included Activities

Hand-pluck tea leaves at Guangmangshan Tea Plantation Observe tea leaf processing Participate in traditional tea ceremony

Landmarks

Guangmangshan Tea Plantation

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch

Included Activities

Visit General Buddha Temple and speak with monks Explore Manting Park Visit Dai village and observe daily life Visit starry night market in Dai village

Landmarks

General Buddha Temple Manting Park

Meals

Dinner (Laos feast served family-style with bamboo soup, sausages and dips, sticky rice, herbed fish in banana leaf, lemongrass-stuffed chicken, pumpkin with kaffir lime and ginger, and sweet Laos confections)

Transport

Transfer (Xishuangbanna, China - Xishuangbanna Train Station, China), Train (Xishuangbanna, China - Mohan, China), Train (Boten, Laos - Luang Prabang, Laos), Transfer (Luang Prabang Train Station, Laos - Luang Prabang, Laos)

Included Activities

Train journey from Xishuangbanna to Luang Prabang (2.5 hours) Custom clearance at Mohan Laos immigration at Boten

Optional Activities

Explore Luang Prabang on foot or by Jumbo (local transport)

Meals

Breakfast

Transport

Transfer (Luang Prabang, Laos - Pak Ou Caves, Laos), Sailing (Luang Prabang, Laos - Pak Ou Caves, Laos), Transfer (Pak Ou Caves, Laos - Luang Prabang, Laos)

Included Activities

Guided tour of Wat Sene Visit Wat Xiengthong Visit National Museum (former Royal Palace) Visit Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre 2-hour Mekong River cruise upstream Visit Pak Ou Caves Visit Night Market

Optional Activities

Climb Mount Phousi to view sacred gilded stupa and sunset views of city and Mekong River

Landmarks

Wat Sene Wat Xiengthong National Museum (former Royal Palace) Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre Pak Ou Caves Mount Phousi Night Market Mekong River

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at restaurant with views of rice farm)

Transport

transfer (Luang Prabang, Laos - Luang Prabang Airport, Laos)

Included Activities

Participate in daily morning alms collection ritual with monks Visit community-based rice farm Learn about bamboo weaving, blacksmithing and sugarcane processing Tour organic garden Visit Kuang Si Waterfall Visit Ban Na Oun Hmong village Visit Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre

Optional Activities

Try farming activities at rice farm Watch farm from traditional Lao rice house balcony Swim in Kuang Si Waterfall turquoise pools Walk forest paths at Kuang Si Waterfall Visit bear sanctuary near Kuang Si Waterfall

Landmarks

Kuang Si Waterfall Ban Na Oun Ock Pop Tok