Introduction:

Tibetan Buddhists believe that one walk around the God Mountain in a circle can be forgiven for some sins, and purify one’s soul. Every accomplishment of pilgrimage across the God Mountain means you are one more step near the heaven; the pilgrimage across the God Mountains is a trip only pious and brave people can achieve, a way linking to the heaven in one’s dream, as well as an adventurous journey unforgettable in one’s whole life. To the hikers, the journey also gives them a good memory of Tibetan people’s wild songs, which reverberated through the mountains.

Kawa Karpo (also known as Meili in Chinese) snow capped Mountain is located on the border of Deqin County in Yunnan Province and Chayu County in Tibet. It is situated in the world famous “Three rivers flowing into one” (Jinsha River, Lanchuang River, Nv River) region. The climate is perpendicular: one moment it snows or rains and the next moment it turns to be sunny. Not only can you find the spectacular beauty of Tibet but also elegant scenery of southern Yangzi River.  

There are thirteen mountains here 6000 meters above sea level. The highest peak, Kawa Karpo Peak, 6740 meters, is the sacred place where the Tibetan Buddhists pay homage to. It says in the tales that the Kawa Karpo Peak is the guardian god of Jiajuba, branch of Ningma sect.

For the last 700 years and more, millions of pilgrims have crossed miles and miles to pray to this god mountain. You can still see the original path.

Let’s take a journey along this sacred path to witness with our own eyes the charm of this holy mountain and feel the meaning of our life.

Itinerary:

D0：Arrive Kunming in the evening. Overnight in hotel.

D1: Kunming - Shangri-la – Deqin (3250m)

Take morning flight from Kunming to Shangri-la. After arrival visit Songzanlin Monastery, a typical Lama monastery located at the foot of Mt. Foping, four kilometers north of Shangri-la County. The architectural style of the building has a resemblance of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

After lunch take four hours drive (186km) to Deqin town. Overnight in hotel.

D2: Deqin (3250m) – Yongjiu village (2480m)

In the morning we will drive 50km to Yangza village (1960M) where we will leave the coach trekking three hours to Yongjiu village (2480M). There we will meet our chef, stablemen and lovely horses. Those horses will carry our gears the whole trek. Overnight camp.

D3: Yongjiu village（2480m）--Yongxi Tong (3300m) 

We will trek eight hours today to reach Yongxi Tong (3300m). Overnight camp.

Yongxi Tong is a smooth pasture located at foot of Dujila snow capped mountain. With its beautiful natural scenery, Yongxi Tong attracts nearby Tibetan people to come here to feed their cattle and stay for the whole summer.

D4: Yongxi Tong (3300m) —Duokala Pass (4480m) – Zishu Tong (3600m)

With amazing sceneries alongside we will take five hours ascending to Duokala Pass (4480m), the border of Tibet. After three hours descending we will camp at Zishu Tong, a village at the foot of the mountain.  
 

D5: Zishu Tong (3600m) – Quna Tang (2460m)

We will have seven hours trek today. In the end of today’s trek we will climb over a mountain pass where everyone will leave a small piece of his belongings for the God. We will camp in Quna Tang (2460m).

D6: Quna Tang (2460m) - Arbing Village (2230m)

We will have ten hours trek today. On the way we will climb over Xinkang La pass (3740m) which requires quite tough time and efforts to walk through the circling mountain. We will camp at Arbing Village (2230m), the first village we see on the trip, with refreshing and memorable scenery.

D7: Arbing Village (2230m)—Quzhu Village (1760m)

Today’s five hours trek is easy. Not much up and down hiking along Shequ River. We will see Shequ River merging into Nu River. At Kawa Gebo we will enjoy a hot spring break. Overnight camp at Quzhu Village (1760m).

D8: Quzhu Village (1760m)—Zhana Village (1910m)

Today we will have 6 hours trek along Nu River. Not much change in the altitude. Overnight camp at Zhana Village (1910m).

D9: Zhana Village (1910m)—Longna Village (2500m)

Today we will trek 2 hours only to offer us a half day to rest in Longna village.
Overnight Camp (2500m)

D10: Longna Village (2500m)—Gebu Village (2340m)

After a leisure day, our trek will get more strenuous. We will trek eight hours day. Firstly, we will ascend 800M to conquer a mountain pass of 3,300M. The downhill trail is almost zigzagging among the marshland. We will have lunch in the beautiful village surrounded with highland barley at the foot of the other side of the pass. The trail along the river will lead us to Gebu village where we settle down overnight. Overnight Camp (2340m).

D11: Gebu Village (2340m) – Doku Village (2480m)

It is the hardest day on our trek. We will trek eleven hours day. We will climb over two mountain passes today with height of 3700m and 4100m. Then, we descend down to the river valley and crossing the river for Doku Village on the riverside.
Overnight Camp (2480m).

D12: Doku Village (2480m) – Laide Village (3090m)  

Today is like a rest day for us with a short trek about three hours. We will also have time to admire the backside of Kawa Karpo which is magnificent scenery. Overnight Camp (3090m)

D13: Laide Village (3090m) - Zhaxi Pasture (3460m)

We will trek eight hours today. We will ascend 1290m to the first mountain pass then downhill and climb up to Suola Pass (4815m), the second Mountain Pass we will across today. In late afternoon, we get to Zhaxi Pasture closed to the border of Yunnan. Overnight Camp (3460m).

Day 14: Zhaxi Pasture - Deqin (3250m)

The rocky trail is the last tribulation on this trek to us. Today, we descend about four hours, 1310m to Meilishi (Literally means Meili Stone) where we pray in the prayer hall and meet our vehicle. Then we drive back Deqin where we can take a hot water shower and enjoy a lush dinner. Overnight hotel in Deqin (3250m).

D15: Deqin – Lijiang

We will drive 386km today from Deqin to Lijiang, the World Culture Heritage. Overnight in hotel.
 
D16: Lijiang

Full day sightseeing and resting in Lijiang. Overnight in hotel.

D17: Take a morning flight to Kunming, then connect your flight home. Adventure ends.

Trip Cost

The cost of each trip will normally cover the following:
> All land transportation
> All domestic air transport and transfers as stated in the itinerary and airport departure tax
> All services of trip leaders and local guides
> All scheduled meals and accommodation
> All entry fees

YANA trips do not include:
> Food other than breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and beverages other than tea, coffee, or soft drinks at meals arranged by YANA
> Travel and medical insurance
> Gratuities to leaders or guides
> Excursions other than those specified in trips
> Private snacks and drinks