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Secrets of Southwest China (Yunnan & Sichuan)

17 days Fully Inclusive Go Beyond Group Tour

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Secrets of Southwest China (Yunnan & Sichuan)

As two of the most fascinating, diverse and colourful provinces in China, Yunnan and Sichuan are utopias of wonder, from the lofty peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain to the colourful calcite pools of Huanglong, to the lovable nature of the Giant Panda.

  • Fully Inclusive
    Touring with Guides and entrance fees
  • Included Meals
    Breakfasts: 14 , Lunches: 13 , Dinners: 14
  • Flights
    International flights and current taxes
  • Accommodation
    14 nights in 4 star accommodation
  • Group Tour
    Max Group Size: 18
  • Physical Rating 4
    A good level of fitness is required as you can expect to be walking, or taking part in a physical activity like cycling, for longer periods of time on several days throughout the tour, and may be required to tackle some more challenging terrain.
    Learn More
    Extended walking. Physical activities on challenging terrain.
OFFER
Go Beyond Group Tour
17 DAYS
From $8,680PP
Kunming (2N) - Dali (2N) - Lijiang (3N) - Chengdu (1N) - Emeishan (2N) - Nine Villages Valley (2N) - Chengdu (2N)
Check Availability

Tour Highlights

Our Secrets of Southwest China (Yunnan & Sichuan) tour will see you exploring the most iconic sites, delving into deep-rooted culture and dining on delicious cuisine and thoroughly researched to bring you a range of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, many of which are entirely exclusive to us.

Day by Day Itinerary

Kunming (2N) - Dali (2N) - Lijiang (3N) - Chengdu (1N) - Emeishan (2N) - Nine Villages Valley (2N) - Chengdu (2N)
  • Days 1-2
    Fly Overnight To Kunming
    Dinner
    Days 1-2: Fly Overnight To Kunming

    Fly to the relaxed city of Kunming. Depending on your time of arrival, the rest of the day is yours to start soaking up the local culture.

    Dinner
  • Day 3
    Stone Forest
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 3: Stone Forest

    Spend the morning meandering through the formations of the UNESCO-listed Stone Forest, where towering limestone pillars stand tree-like in a fascinating illusion of woodland. Return to Kunming and in the evening, sample the local delicacy, Across the Bridge Noodles. Tonight, there is also the option to see a colourful showcase of Yunnan’s performing arts.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 4
    Discover Dali
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 4: Discover Dali

    Travel to Dali, a charming town that offers a peek at the China of times-gone-by. Begin your tour by exploring the fascinating old quarter and lively market to soak up the local atmosphere. Next, visit the age-old Three Pagodas and later this evening, take a stroll down Foreigners' Street.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 5
    Erhai Cruise
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 5: Erhai Cruise

    Spend the morning cruising the mirror-like waters of Erhai Lake, admiring the spectacular scenery provided by the Cang Mountains. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to further explore the area.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 6
    Travel To Lijiang
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 6: Travel To Lijiang

    This morning, explore Xizhou Village, where you can mingle with traditionally-dressed Naxi women, and browse its lively local market. Drive to Lijiang, set in the foothills of the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Visit the Black Dragon Pool, where there are wonderful views of the mountains.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 7
    Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 7: Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

    A magnificent mountain, the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain comprises several peaks, the tallest of which soars 5,500 metres. Taking a cable car, explore one of the beautiful high meadows and enjoy the amazing vistas. On the way back to Lijiang, visit Baisha old town to view the fascinating frescoes painted during the Ming Dynasty followed by a visit to the Embroidery School.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 8
    Tiger Leaping Gorge
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 8: Tiger Leaping Gorge

    Journey to the 3,000-metre-deep Tiger Leaping Gorge. With its backdrop of snow capped mountains, it is one of China's most extraordinary sights with spectacular and breathtaking views. Return to Lijiang and explore the old quarter; the quintessential Chinese 'old town' and wander the jumble of cobbled streets, traditional wooden buildings and rustic stone bridges.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 9
    Fly to Chengdu
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 9: Fly to Chengdu

    Fly to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province. In the evening, wander the night food markets with your local guide on hand to recommend the most delicious Sichuanese snacks!

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 10
    Leshan Grand Buddha
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 10: Leshan Grand Buddha

    Travel to Leshan to visit the Grand Buddha. The 71-metre Buddha is carved into a hillside overlooking the confluence of the Dadu and Min rivers. Completed in the year 803, it is said that the Buddha's presence has calmed the turbulent waters of the river. A short boat trip will give you an even better perspective. Later, continue to Mount Emei, or Emeishan, the cradle of the Buddhist religion in China with the first temple built on its peak in the 1st century.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 11
    Explore Mount Emeishan
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 11: Explore Mount Emeishan

    Take a cable car to the summit and admire the striking and diverse natural beauty of the mountain and surrounding landscape. Spend the day soaking up the ambience and exploring.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 12
    Jiuzhaigou National Park (Nine Villages Valley)
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 12: Jiuzhaigou National Park (Nine Villages Valley)

    Transfer to Chengdu for your flight to Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou National Park).

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 13
    Jiuzhaigou National Park (Nine Villages Valley)
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 13: Jiuzhaigou National Park (Nine Villages Valley)

    Considered to be one of China's most beautiful areas, the newly reopened Nine Villages Valley is a pristine national park renowned for its rugged peaks, sapphire lakes, abundant forests, and cascading waterfalls. This natural wonder, named after nine scattered Tibetan settlements, is a World Biosphere Reserve, home to unique flora and a diverse bird population. Enjoy the day exploring in awe and serenity.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 14
    Huanglong Pools
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 14: Huanglong Pools

    Travel to Huanglong Valley, where hundreds of vivid pools in striking colours, formed by thousands of years of mineral deposit, tumble gently down through the bright green forests. The whole area is full of spectacular sights and, as it is relatively undiscovered, is a pleasure to explore. Visit Huanglong Temple before your flight to Chengdu.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Day 15
    Chengdu Panda Reserve
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Day 15: Chengdu Panda Reserve

    Visit Chengdu's famous Panda Conservation Centre to see and learn about China's celebrated bears. Later, stroll through People's Park, visit traditional teahouse and see Matchmaker's Corner where parents search for worthy suitors for their children. This evening, dine on mouthwatering Sichuanese cuisine.

    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Days 16-17
    Fly Chengdu To New Zealand
    Breakfast
    Days 16-17: Fly Chengdu To New Zealand

    Fly to New Zealand, arriving home the following day.

    Breakfast
Secrets of Southwest China (Yunnan & Sichuan) map

Download Tour Dossier & Trip Notes

Accommodation

We draw from a wide range of hotels on our holidays, each one is chosen to suit the tour you are travelling on meaning your accommodation can range from a smart business hotel in one city to a family run guesthouse in a smaller town. Here are some examples of the type of hotel you can expect to find on this tour.

Book With Confidence

When to go

City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 3
    9
    6
  • 8
  • Dali
  • 1
    14
    8
  • 14
  • Kunming
  • 2
    15
    9
  • 16
  • Lijiang
  • 7
    21
    6
  • 2
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 5
    11
    8
  • 12
  • Dali
  • 2
    16
    9
  • 23
  • Kunming
  • 4
    17
    10
  • 16
  • Lijiang
  • 8
    24
    8
  • 6
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 8
    16
    12
  • 20
  • Dali
  • 5
    19
    12
  • 28
  • Kunming
  • 6
    21
    14
  • 20
  • Lijiang
  • 13
    29
    10
  • 17
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 13
    22
    17
  • 44
  • Dali
  • 8
    21
    14
  • 24
  • Kunming
  • 10
    24
    17
  • 24
  • Lijiang
  • 18
    33
    13
  • 21
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 17
    26
    22
  • 78
  • Dali
  • 12
    24
    18
  • 66
  • Kunming
  • 14
    24
    19
  • 97
  • Lijiang
  • 21
    34
    17
  • 56
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 20
    28
    24
  • 107
  • Dali
  • 15
    24
    20
  • 178
  • Kunming
  • 17
    24
    20
  • 181
  • Lijiang
  • 23
    33
    18
  • 167
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 224
  • Dali
  • 16
    24
    20
  • 186
  • Kunming
  • 17
    24
    20
  • 202
  • Lijiang
  • 24
    32
    18
  • 242
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 22
    30
    26
  • 201
  • Dali
  • 15
    23
    19
  • 219
  • Kunming
  • 16
    24
    20
  • 204
  • Lijiang
  • 23
    32
    17
  • 207
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 19
    25
    22
  • 119
  • Dali
  • 13
    22
    18
  • 158
  • Kunming
  • 15
    23
    19
  • 119
  • Lijiang
  • 22
    31
    16
  • 161
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 15
    21
    18
  • 35
  • Dali
  • 10
    20
    15
  • 104
  • Kunming
  • 12
    20
    16
  • 79
  • Lijiang
  • 19
    30
    13
  • 70
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 10
    16
    13
  • 16
  • Dali
  • 5
    17
    11
  • 33
  • Kunming
  • 7
    18
    12
  • 42
  • Lijiang
  • 12
    27
    9
  • 16
City
Min
Average Temperate(°C)
Max
Monthly Rainfall(mm)
  • Chengdu
  • 4
    11
    8
  • 5
  • Dali
  • 2
    15
    8
  • 15
  • Kunming
  • 3
    15
    9
  • 11
  • Lijiang
  • 8
    22
    6
  • 4

Pricing & Availability

All of our tour departures include international flights and taxes in the price unless a land only option is selected

2024
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Departure: All
  • Departure: All
1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 2 Guests
  • 1 Room, 1 Guest
    Depart NZStart Date
    Return DateEnd Date
    Price
    Availability

    Additional Price Information

    • Prices include airline fuel surcharge and taxes and are subject to change. Correct as of 1 July 2024
    • Depending on airline schedules, you may depart and/or arrive on Day 2. Extra nights' accommodation (pre or post tour) or stopovers may be required at an additional cost.
    • Customary tipping amount of approximately RMB755 pp is paid locally in China.
    • Based on departures from Auckland, Wellington & Christchurch
    • Departures from other cities and flight upgrades available upon request
    • Land only (Kunming - Chengdu) 15 days from $7,880 per person, twin share
    • Single supplement from $1,350
    • Price listed is based on new bookings only

    Group Tour includes

    • International flights and current taxes (excluded if a land only option is selected)
    • Meals as stated (refer to itinerary)
    • Domestic transportation
    • Touring with guides and entrance fees
    • 4-star accommodation

    Important Information For Your Tour

    Before Booking
    Travel Protection, Booking Conditions
    and more
    Before you go
    Passports & Visas, Travel Guides & Packing Lists, Holiday FAQ’s and more

    Extensions and Stopovers

    Extend your holiday or break up your journey with one of our extensions and stopovers. Choose from city breaks or some beach time, or spend more time in your chosen destination.

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