Overview
This trip stretches from the lowland rainforests to the cool tea mountains of southern Yunnan, China’s most ecologically and culturally diverse province. We will explore the ancient tea forests of the region and learn about the unique tea cultivation cultures of the local ethnic groups such as the Dai, Bulang and Hani people. We will also have the opportunity to witness herds of Asian elephants marching through the wilderness, along with the rest of Yunnan’s captivating flora and fauna.
Highlights
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Itinerary
Pick-up time: depending on your time of arrival
Begin your Yunnan trip to the diverse landscapes of China’s most spectacular province in the provincial capital of Kunming.
One of our English-speaking tour guides and a professional driver will transfer you directly to your hotel, giving you plenty of time to recover from a long flight.
Meals
–
Transportation
Car
Altitude
1900m
Traveltime
Kunming Changshui Airport → Kunming centre: 1hrs
Kunming Train Station → Kunming centre: 15 minutes
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slightly slippery
Morning
You will travel by train to Jinghong, the capital of Xishuangbanna.
Afternoon
Your driver will pick you up and drive you to the Dai Ethnic Park, where you can learn about the history of the Dai kingdom and the thriving culture of the Dai people. See traditional pagodas and bamboo houses, and enjoy the unique ethnic dances and blessing songs.
Afternoon
Then visit the huge Tropical Botanical Garden to appreciate nature at its most spectacular. The 9 km² expanse is divided into 35 gardens with distinct themes and focuses, such as the Rare Flower Garden which contains 243 species of unusual plants. For example, the ‘miracle berry’ which makes sour foods taste sweet, and the ‘dancing grass’ which moves to music. You will be taken to your hotel in Jinghong in the evening.
Pick-up time:
Around 08:30
Drop-off time:
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
570 m
Traveltime
3.5 hrs (472 km)
1 hr (43 km)
Additional information
- Please dress appropriately for the weather and take precautions against the heat.
Morning
In the morning you will travel by car to Wild Elephant Valley. You will have the whole day to explore this reserve, maximising our chance to witness the wild elephants marching through the rainforest. The herds stride uninterrupted as you watch them from designated areas, including an observation tower with a panoramic view of the valley. The elephants will be most active at dawn and dusk when they are looking for food and water.
The valley has other attractions, such as the butterfly park, Asian Elephant museum and a rainforest sightseeing cable car. Bison, gibbons, macaques and peacocks can also be spotted around the reserve, as well as over 280 species of bird.
Then, drive to Pu’er.
Pick-up time:
Around 09:00
Drop-off time:
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
747-1055 m
Traveltime
2 hrs (400 km)
Additional information
- Please dress appropriately for the weather and take precautions against the heat.
Morning
You will check out from your hotel in the morning, and our driver will take you to Sun River National Forest Park where you can explore Yunnan’s native flora and fauna. With a forest coverage rate of 94.5%, this protected park serves as a natural habitat for nearly 1000 plant species and around 200 wild mammal and bird species.
Afternoon
After an afternoon of admiring the wildlife and plantlife, we will take a well-earned trip to Meizi Coffee Manor to taste their selection of high-altitude boutique coffees grown on site. From there, you will be taken to your next hotel near Jingmai Mountain, and rest in the evening.
Pick-up time:
Around 09:00
Drop-off time:
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1302 m
Traveltime
1.5 hrs (44 km)
Additional information
- Please dress appropriately for the weather and take precautions against the heat.
Morning
This day consists of a tea-focused roadtrip, starting with a drive up Jingmai Mountain to learn about how tea has been traditionally cultivated in these ancient mountain forests for over 1800 years by the local minority populations, who live in traditional thatched wooden houses. The optimum weather conditions in this region paired with the art of cultivation developed by the Bulang and Dai people is what creates deep floral flavour, which tea lovers from far and wide come here to taste.
Afternoon
Then it’s off to the neighbouring county of Menghai, a key production and trading centre for Pu’erh white and red tea – most notably the aged Pu’erh and white teas which have undergone years of fermentation to develop a uniquely rich, sweet and mellow aroma.
Afterwards, we will return to Jinghong and spend the evening wandering the vibrant city. You cannot miss the food stalls, bars and live music at the Mekong Starlight Night Market, grouped around the landmark of an illuminated pagoda.
Pick-up time:
Around 09:00
Drop-off time:
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1300 m – 2000 m
Traveltime
3 hrs (135 km)
Additional information
- Please dress appropriately for the weather and take precautions against the heat.
Morning
Take the high-speed train back to Kunming. Our tour guide and driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, we may visit the Green Lake. This popular park features a lake is filled with goldfish and lotus plants, and locals and tourists alike come here every day to hang out, play music and exercise.
It will be your last night in Yunnan, and a chance to enjoy a final evening in the City of Eternal Spring.
Pick-up time
Around 09:00
Drop-off time
17:00 – 18:00
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1900 m
Traveltime
Kunming Train Station → Kunming centre: 15 minutes
Additional information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes: surfaces can be uneven and slippery
depending on your time of depature
Pick-up from hotel and drive to Kunming airport, it’s the end of your wonderful Yunnan trip. We hope you had a great time during your Yunnan trip and hope to welcome you again!
Pick-up time
Depending on your time of departure
Drop-off time
Depending on your time of departure
Meals
Breakfast
Altitude
1900 m
Traveltime
0,5 hrs (30 km)
Accomodation
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Inclusions & Exclusions
- 6 nights of economy, comfort, superior or luxury accommodation, shared room with breakfast
- Transportation: gas, tolls, parking fees and any additional pick-ups and drop-offs
- High-speed train tickets from Kunming to Xishuangbanna and Xishuangbanna to Kunming (2nd class seats)
- Local experienced English-speaking tour guides
- Meals as listed in the itinerary: 6 breakfasts
- 2 half-liter bottles of drinking water per person per day
- Entrance tickets to the attractions listed
- Supplement for the meals for the tour guide and driver
- 24/7 English-speaking customer service
- Government taxes
- Chinese visa
- International and domestic flights
- Meals not listed in the program (lunch, dinner)
- Dynamic Yunnan Show discount tickets (please mention which category you prefer if you are interested: VVIP = USD 100, VIP = USD 77, Luxury = USD 59, Standard = USD 44, Budget = USD 33)
- Additional days caused by unexpected nature disasters, for instance, land slides or flooding.
- Single room supplement if the guest requests a private room in the hotel (If you prefer a private room or if there is no one else in your group to share with, a single room supplement will apply.
- Possible surcharges for upgrades from standard twin-bed rooms to double-bed rooms
- Personal travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips for drivers and guides (highly appreciated but not requested)
- Anything not listed in inclusions
Frequently asked questions
Depending on your intention with this tour, you may choose to visit during the dry season (November-March), when it’ll be easier to spot the elephants due to lower vegetation density. It will be unlikely to see the wild elephants during summer or early autumn when they tend to migrate north. However, if you want to catch Xishuangbanna’s famous Water-Splashing Festival, you should come in mid-April. At this time, the city streets become the venue for a huge-scale water fight to celebrate Dai new year. Bear in mind that Yunnan has its rainy season from June to September.
Most attractions on this tour will require a few hours on your feet for a full experience. There are shuttle services at the Tropical Botanical Garden, Wild Elephant Valley and Sun River National Forest Park. There is also a cable car for ease of travel at Wild Elephant Valley.
Altitudes reach between 1300-2000m on Jingmai mountain, much lower than other regions in Yunnan.
Be prepared for change in weather conditions. It’s a good idea to bring a light jacket, waterproof clothing and/or a small umbrella. Comfortable walking shoes are also recommended.
Important information
- Single Supplement. The price listed is for two people sharing one room. If you require a private room or if there is no one else in the group to share a room with, a single room supplement will apply. The single supplement fee is outlined in our price list.
- Driver and guide working hours. The daily working time for driver and tour guide during this tour is maximum 10 hours per day. Overtime working hours will be charged extra.
- Tipping drivers and tour guides is custom in China. We recommend giving 50-80 RMB (7 – 10 USD) per day to the driver and 80-130 RMB (10 – 15 USD) per day to your tour guide.
- Weather. During the summer months (June to September) Yunnan has a rainy season. It won’t be raining 24/7, but we recommend bringing a small umbrella that fits in a backpack.
- Accommodation. The hotels in the itinerary are the recommended hotels, if they are fully booked during your travel period, we will book alternative hotels in the same price/quality range. We book different hotels on request too, but a surcharge might be needed.
- Children & Accommodation. Please note that except for luxury hotels, in many hotels family rooms only have space for one child, but it could be possible to book an extra mattress in some hotels. Please contact us for more information when travelling with a family.
- Meals. Lunches at authentic, quality local restaurants are not included. Your guide can recommend quality authentic places for you. If you have preferences or dietary requirements such as vegetarian, halal, kosher, vegan or gluten-free, please tell your tour guide in advance. Your tour guide will normally not order spicy food or meat/fish with bones unless asked for.
