11 Days from $3,590 USD / person
Secrets of the Southwest
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 – 3
International Arrival
Your guide will accompany you from Kunming airport to your hotel in a private vehicle
2 Nights
Kunming
Kunming has the distinction of being one of the country’s most liveable cities with its pleasant climate and laid back vibe. Given the peaceful co-existence of the traditional with the modern here, there are plenty of attractions and activities to suit all types of travelers. While the many museums and landmarks beckon history buffs, ancient temples provide a dose of spirituality. Sprawling parks and tranquil lakes that are home to numerous exotic bird species complete the picture postcard image! Home to the ethnic Yi people, it is common to come upon members of the group dressed in their traditional garb peddling handicrafts and participating in cultural performances. With a smattering of craft breweries and hip bars, there is no dearth of places to unwind at as night falls. Being well-connected to the rest of the country makes this city of eternal spring, as it is also called, the perfect base to explore Yunnan region. A little over an hour’s drive from the city is the Shilin stone forest known for its hauntingly beautiful natural stone pillar formations as well as Jiuxiang Scenic Area with its dam and scenic karst caves.
Hotel options
Intercontinental Kunming – Opt 1
Room
Superior Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
International
Day 3 – 6
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to Kunming train station in a private vehicle
Board your train from Kunming to Lijiang (Duration: 3-4 hrs)
Your guide will meet you at Lijiang train station and accompany you to your hotel in a private vehicle
3 Nights
Lijiang
Lijiang in China’s Yunnan province is home to historical sites, snow-capped mountains, majestic canyons, lakes, and the Naxi and other ethnic minority groups. A commercial center of the 1300s, its UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town is a fascinating mosaic of cobblestone streets, an orderly system of canals and the Central Market Square with shops and restaurants. Must-visit sites include the Baisha village of the Naxi people with its relics and rice murals, the Shuhe Ancient Town along the Tea Horse Road as well as the scenic Black Dragon Pool. Enjoy stunning views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain whether you choose to hike up the mountain or take a cable car ride to its lofty heights!
Hotel options
The Bivou – Opt 1
Room
Garden Yard Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Boutique
Day 6 – 9
Drive from Lijiang to Shangri-la (180 km, 3.5 hrs)
3 Nights
Shangri-la (Zhongdian)
The Shangri-La (or Zhōngdiàn) of today may have very little to do with James Hilton’s 1930s bestseller, but the name still fires a traveler’s imagination. An isolated Tibetan world of Buddhist monasteries, it has preserved humanity’s wisdom and knowledge for thousands of generations. Present-day Shangri-La is the seat of the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, clearly divided into a modern Chinese city and the old Tibetan quarter. Zhōngdiàn (Gyalthang in Tibetan) is surrounded by the majestic Himalayas, glacial lakes, high altitude grasslands and major Tibetan monasteries. The Pudacuo National Park and Bashitai Terrace are worth a visit between sips of buttered tea or barley beer, while the Napa and Shudu lakes are a photographer’s delight. If you’re out hunting for old Tibet, the Buddhist Songzanlin Monastery and Dukezong Old Town won’t disappoint.
Hotel options
Arro Khampa Shangri-la – Opt 1
Room
Queen Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Boutique
Day 9 – 11
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to Shangri-la airport in a private vehicle
Board your flight from Diqing/Shangri-la to Chengdu (Flight duration: 1-2 hrs).
Your guide will accompany you from Chengdu airport to your hotel in a private vehicle
2 Nights
Chengdu
The capital of the Sichuan province, Chengdu, in the foothills of the Himalayas, is renowned for its giant pandas, flavorful cuisine – it is a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy – and a laid back vibe. The city is a mix of downtown skyscrapers and well preserved ancient neighborhoods. View endangered giant pandas roam freely in bamboo forests – their natural habitat – at the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. The Wide and Narrow Alleys and courtyards in the Qingyang District – one of Chengdu’s historical and cultural reserves – invite you to explore a variety of restaurants and street food, pubs, old lodges, teahouses, and souvenir stores selling the famous Shu brocade and Shu embroidered works. History buffs will love museums such as the Jinsha Site Museum and Sanxingdui Museum, which showcase relics from 3000 years ago, and the picturesque parklands that house historic sites.
Hotel options
Buddha Zen Hotel Chengdu – Opt 1
Room
Superior Room
Meals
Breakfast
Style
Heritage
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and accompany you to Chengdu airport in a private vehicle
International Departure
Price & Inclusions
Prices are in USD and exclude international flights. This trip price is based on low season rates for accommodation and other applicable services, and may change depending on availability, currency fluctuations and number of people traveling together. For high season prices, please contact us with your exact travel dates and preferences.
Price Includes
- Accommodation and meals, as specified in the itinerary
- Activities and excursions, as specified in the itinerary
- Transportation services, as specified in the itinerary
- Your Trip Coordinator: a 24/7 point of contact supporting you during your trip
- Carbon emissions offsetting for your trip
Not Included
- Entrance fees and meals, unless mentioned in the itinerary description
- Tips and personal expenses
- Visa and tourism fees
- Travel, health, and cancellation insurance
- International airfare
What Our Guests Say
We’ve worked with Enchanting Travels on more than ten trips now………….many have been 3-5 week adventures that require tremendous attention to detail in remote parts of the world. We have never been disappointed–only incredibly delighted! Anita was amazing to work with for Sri Lanka/Southeast Asia. I had a very specific wish list and she made sure I crossed everything off of it! The itinerary was geared to our interests and the pace we prefer. Divya kept a close eye on us throughout to ensure that things went smoothly. Working with Enchanting for so many years has allowed us to build relationships that increase the quality of our experiences as time goes on. Not only do they know the best places to see throughout the world but now the bonus is that they know US! These trips keep getting better. We run out of superlatives in trying to explain just how outstanding our experiences have been since we started working with Enchanting. As long as we can drag our suitcases to an airport, we will continue to plan meaningful, life changing adventures with them. Many thanks to the entire Enchanting Team for all of the efforts in making this trip so memorable!
Carol Susan Larimore
USA
Once again we were delighted to travel with Enchanting Travels. This was our third time and destination and they didn’t disappoint. Our driver/guide was of exceptional standard proudly showing us his country with the combination of the Enchanting team in the background making it a seamless adventure. I would recommend them to one and all.
Pauline Hunter Kleeman
Australia
Enchanting Travels made our trip entirely stress free and easy. This meant we were able to enjoy the beauty of Vietnam and Cambodia. All our guides, drivers, hotel staff, and trip coordinators were so so wonderful and a pleasure to interact with- Can’t speak highly enough about this company.
Edith Isaacs
Australia
Enchanting Travels exquisitely prepared our excursion from top-to-bottom based on our initial discussions regarding our desires for our trip. From cities, sites, tours, hotels, & activities, we were immersed in our favorite style of travel: get involved in activities [culinary class, organic farming, yes – and of course care of the elephants], great knowledgeable guides, local food tasting as one priority, and trying different modes of local transport [from car, boat, bicycle, Cyclo-cross, Tuk-Tuk, Long Boat, gondola, canoe, Vespa scooter, and even a bamboo raft]. The hotels were specifically selected for their local style, and the sites were all well represented and included off-the-beaten path historical and natural treasures. The oversight of our trip via the App as well as 24/7 coordinator involvement made it totally hassle-free.
Marek Mirski
USA
Enchanting Travels and their staff put together a trip of a lifetime. We hadn’t traveled to Asia before and were nervous about what to expect or how to navigate once we were there. We also really didn’t know what we wanted to do other than a few expectations. We went to four countries with multiple hotels, flights and boat excursions. I cannot believe that the 5 week trip went off with out any hitches! Everything was so smooth and effortless. We did not worry about anything the whole time we were there. It was comforting to know that our trip coordinator was there for us if we needed her and she certainly responded quickly if we did have a need or question. The choices for hotels that Enchanting Travels recommended were superb and the guides and driver were knowledgeable and fun. I can not speak more highly of all of their services and plan on using them again for another big trip.
Candace Morton
USA
Enchanting Travels did an excellent job of planning, coordinating, and executing our trip. This was our first trip with Enchanting Travels and we would definitely recommend them and we will definitely use them again. They have an outstanding staff and listened to our needs and developed a trip within our budget. While I was skeptical about having a coordinator in another country, it worked; when we needed help addressing issues, which were minor, they were on it quickly and efficiently and effectively. This is a first rate operation.
Stephen Goldman
USA
