Details
Tour Overview
Tiger Leaping Gorge is a scenic canyon on the Jinsha River, a primary tributary of the upper Yangtze River. It is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas World Heritage Site. Legend says the name comes from a hunted tiger escaping by jumping across the river at the narrowest point (25 meters (82 feet) wide), using the rock in the middle. Cutting between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain at a maximum depth of approximately 3,790 meters (12,434 feet) from river to mountain peak, Tiger Leaping Gorge is one of the deepest and most spectacular river canyons in the world. The hiking of Tiger Leaping Gorge is considered one of the best hikes in China. There are two trails through the Tiger Leaping Gorge, an upper and a lower. The lower trail is now a busy highway filled with tourist busses and trucks. To experience the best of the Tiger Leaping Gorge, the only choice is the upper trail. For those who are extremely fit and don’t make any stops, they can hike the iconic 24-kilometer upper route in full in 8-10 hours. It isn't very strenuous except for the initial part of hiking along a series of switchbacks from Naxi Guest House to Tea Horse Guest House which takes about 3 hours to hike. It is 3 hours hiking from Naxi Guest House to Tea Horse Guest House, 2 hours from Tea Horse Guest House to Half Way Guest House, 1 hour from Half Way Guest House to Waterfall Cave, 30 minutes from Waterfall Cave to Tina's Guest House. This hiking route is famous for its stunning cliff-face views. It is one of the best easily-accessible hikes in China. This private day trip of hiking the Tiger Leaping Gorge takes you to hike the best part of the upper trail of Tiger Leaping Gorge from Tea Horse Guest House to Half Way Guest House which is about 2 -3 hours hiking.
About This Tour
• Departure: Daily departing from Lijiang
• Hiking Distance: 7 - 8 kilometers
• Time Needed for Hiking: 2 - 3 hours
• Difficulty: moderately difficult
• Pickup Time: Between 07:00 and 10:00, choose a departure time most suitable for you.
• Pickup & Drop-off Place: Your accommodation in Lijiang
• Advice on Meals: Lunch is not included in this tour. We recommend having a substantial breakfast and bringing snacks in case you get hungry while sightseeing. If you'd like to experience authentic local cuisine for lunch, feel free to inform your guide, who will be happy to assist.
Tour Itinerary at a Glance
• Pickup from your accommodation in Lijiang
• Drive to Qiaotao (approximately 78 km, about 2 hours driving)
• Change to local van/car, drive to Tea Horse Guest House
• Hiking the Tiger Leaping Gorge to Half Way Guest House (2 - 3 hours)
• Visit Tiger Leaping Gorge
• Transfer back to your Accommodation in Lijiang
Tailor This Itinerary to Meet Your Needs
• If you want to customize this itinerary, contact us via WhatsApp (+86 139 1083 0737) or email (info@GrandChinaTravel.com). We'll create a tailor-made tour package just for you.
Tour Prices (US$ Per Person)
| 1 person |
2 people |
3 people |
4 people |
5 people |
6 people |
7 people |
8 people |
9 people |
10 + |
| $290 |
$178 |
$148 |
$138 |
$128 |
$118 |
$108 |
$98 |
$88 |
$80 |
Price Remark
• Prices are not valid during National Day (Oct 1-7), Chinese New Year, and Labor Day (May 1-5).
Price Inclusions
• Professional English language speaking tour guide.
• Air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver
• All admission tickets to sightseeing places
• All government taxes
Price Exclusions
• Hotel accommodation.
• Your personal expenses.
• Meals are excluded allowing you flexibility on menu.
• Travel insurance is not included. Please purchase before your trip to provide for any unforeseen circumstances.
• Gratuities to guide & driver. They are customary and would be of great encouragement and reward for quality service.
Additional Info
• Please wear trekking shoes with a good grip.
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking.
• Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately.
• The itinerary is subject to change due to traffic conditions or bad weather.
• The itinerary is flexible; changes can be made upon written request from travelers.
• IMPORTANT: It is required by the government regulations that all travellers must provide their name, gender, nationality, passport number and birthdate to their tour operator upon booking a tour. Failure to do so could result in a traveller not being able to join their tour, or for the entire group to be denied access to sites such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City. When you book this tour, please be sure to fill out all fields at checkout. Please bring your passport with you on the tour.
Cancellation Policy
• Cancellations made 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure time will receive a 100% refund.
• Cancellations made within 24 hours of the tour's start time or after the tour begins are non-refundable.
• Cancellation request will be confirmed within 2-5 business days, with refunds issued within 14 working days.
Details
Know Before You Go
• Please wear walking shoes with a good grip.
• Keep your passport with you throughout the tour; it may be needed to buy entrance tickets.
• Pickup time, guide's name, and contact information will be confirmed via WhatsApp or email.
• Your guide will be at the meeting point, holding a GoGrandChina sign with your name.
• Meals are not included; please feel free to ask your guide for recommendations.
• If you book an Airbnb, please note that door-to-door pickup and drop-off might not be provided.
• There's a 20-minute grace period for waiting. Failure to show up will result in tour cancellation & no refund.
Brief Itinerary
You will be collected from your hotel at your preferred time in the morning. Reach Qiaotao after about two hours driving, change to a local van/car to Tea Horse Guest House. Your once a lifetime hiking of the Tiger Leaping Gorge starts here at the Tea Horse Guest House. Reach Half Way Guest House after about 2 -3 hours hiking. Take a local van/car to the main highway to meet your private driver and head back to your hotel in Lijiang after visiting Tiger Leaping Gorge Scenic area.
Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking Itineary (Full Itinerary)
From the Entrance of Tiger Leaping Gorge to Naxi Guest House (approximately 2 hours)
The entrance fee of Tiger Leaping Gorge is CNY65 per person. There is about a one-kilometer walk from the entrance to the start of the trail, then it is about a two-hour uphill climb and anyone with a reasonable level of fitness can do it.
From Naxi Guest House to Tea Horse Guest House (approximately 3 hours)
The first part of the trail is a gradual climb, not too tough and a couple of quite scary bits. After about an hour, you will reach the notorious 28 bends, supposedly the steepest and hardest part of the trail. The trail here was fairly wide, catch your breath and enjoy the view. The next hour was a fairly flat wide trail through pine forests from the 28 bends to Tea Horse Guest House.
From Tea Horse Guest House to Half Way Guest House (approximately 2 -3 hours)
The first part of the trail toward Halfway Guesthouse was fairly flat and wide. It was a relatively easy stroll through pine forests and offerings of great views across the gorge.
From Half Way Guest House to Tina's Guest House (approximately 2 hours)
The walk onward from Halfway continued to be fairly flat for a while, passing by a few gentle waterfalls, then there is a steep uphill climb, then it was down to Tina's Guest House.
