Vietnam & China: Hanoi to Kunming by Rail

Trip Type: Explorer

11 Days
1 - 12 People

Starts From:

NZD $3,320.00 /Person

Explore rice terraces, alpine cities, Tibetan towns and plunging canyons on this 11-day adventure. Start in Hanoi’s alleyways slurping bowls of pho, then get …

Vietnam & China: Hanoi to Kunming by Rail

Explore rice terraces, alpine cities, Tibetan towns and plunging canyons on this 11-day adventure. Start in Hanoi’s alleyways slurping bowls of pho, then get to know H’mong culture on a hike through Sapa’s misty rice fields. After crossing into China, travel through the wrinkled peaks of the Hengduan Mountains on a bullet train to Shangri-La to make yak butter tea with a Tibetan family, visit a Buddhist monastery and spin one of the world’s largest prayer wheels. Hear the thunderous flow of the Jinsha River in Tiger Leaping Gorge, follow the footsteps of tea traders and learn how to write ancient Naxi Dongba characters. Wrap up in Kunming, AKA the City of Eternal Spring.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi

Day 2: Sapa

Day 3: Sapa

Day 4: Border crossing/Kunming

Day 5: Shangri-La City (3200 m/10,500 ft)

Day 6: Shangri-La City (3200 m/10,500 ft)

Day 7: Tiger Leaping Gorge

Day 8: Tiger Leaping Gorge/Lijiang

Day 9: Lijiang

Day 10: Kunming

Day 11: Kunming

Trip Inclusions

Meals

4 breakfasts and 1 dinners are included

Transport

Private Vehicle, High Speed Train

Accomodation

Hotel (9 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Sapa - Sapa Church
Sapa - Sunset Walking Tour
Sapa - Street Food BBQ Dinner
Sapa - Rice terrace hike
Shangri-La - Dukezong Old Town walking tour
Shangri-La - Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
Shangri-La - Tibetan family with lunch
Tiger Leaping Gorge - Guided trek (X2)
Lijiang - Old town walking tour
Lijiang - Naxi family visit and Dongba calligraphy writing
LIjiang - Baisha old town visit

Trip Highlights

Hike through Sapa’s famous rice terraces and get to know H’mong culture and traditions over a delicious home-cooked lunch with a local family.
Ride a high-speed train to Shangri-La City to explore the halls, murals and gardens of Ganden Sumtseling Monastery, then learn how to make yak butter tea with a Tibetan family in their home.
Hear the roaring Jinsha River as you hike through Tiger Leaping Gorge – one of the world’s deepest river canyons – where the snowy peaks of the Jade Dragon and Haba mountains rise almost vertically above the canyon.
Visit the historic towns of Lijiang and Baisha, once key stops on the Tea Horse Road, and try your hand at writing ancient Dongba characters with a Naxi family.
Experience one of the world’s best high-speed rail networks, where modern trains reach up to 350 kmh (217 mph) for comfortable and efficient travel across China.