We introduce the scenery alongside the history and stories cherished by local people, rather than treating it simply as a backdrop. We plan with care for both time at each destination and time spent travelling.
Choose your preferred departure date. We will confirm whether arrangements are available.
Enquire about this itineraryYunnan–Tibet Tea Horse Road · 10 days
Tour codeSNOWLAND TRAVEL-011
Travel overland from Yunnan to Tibet through changing cultures. Discover Shangri-La’s monasteries and views of Meili Snow Mountain. Go beyond the sights to learn about local history and everyday life.

What matters on this journey.
We introduce temples, architecture and natural sights with attention to regional cultural differences. We respect religious events and daily routines, and do not enter places solely to take photographs.
We avoid packing the itinerary merely to fit a fixed number of days, adjusting it to the weather and site opening conditions. On days involving walks, we check distances and physical condition beforehand.
We are Snowland Travel, a Tibetan-run travel company. In Tibetan cultural regions, we value local perspectives; in areas such as Fujian and the Great Wall, we work with local partners to thoughtfully introduce each region’s history and culture.
Departures & prices
| 出発日 | 2027: arranged around your preferred dates. Please enquire about fixed departure dates and tour operation status. |
|---|---|
| Duration & start/end points | 現地10日間/麗江到着 → 林芝出発 |
| Recommended season | Please contact us to discuss your preferred travel period. |
| Quotation basis | An illustrative locally starting and ending itinerary based on 6 participants sharing twin rooms. These are not confirmed minimum operating or advertised group numbers. |
Per person: a system-generated indicative estimate (prepared 29 October 2026 / subject to confirmation). We will provide a formal written price once hotels, group size, season, transport, permits, admission fees and other details are confirmed. Flights to and from Japan are not included.
Assumed scope of the indicative price
The estimate assumes local transport and guide arrangements in the itinerary, listed accommodation and meals, and standard sightseeing admission. Routes including the Qinghai–Tibet Railway assume a train from Xining to Lhasa; Ngari flight and Nepal routes also include the itinerary’s flight sectors in the estimate.
International return flights, travel insurance, personal shopping and drinks, additional visits, tips, porters, horses, special pilgrimage transport and single-room supplements will be checked separately. Special arrangements in remote areas and sectors requiring permits will be specified in the confirmed quotation. This text does not establish final contract terms.
Day-by-day journey
This is a sample itinerary starting and ending locally. International travel days from Japan or elsewhere are not included. Where the images do not establish the duration or full route, the itinerary has been developed as Snowland Travel’s own illustrative model.
| 日程 | Route | Visits & activities | Planned overnight | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1日目 | Lijiang arrival | Meet at the airport or station, transfer to the hotel and rest; review the onward plan. | Lijiang / locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Dinner |
| 2日目 | Lijiang → Tiger Leaping Gorge → Shangri-La | View the Jinsha from maintained gorge viewpoints, then Shangri-La for a short old-town walk and rest. | Shangri-La / locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 3日目 | Shangri-La stay | Combine Songzanlin, seasonal Napa wetlands and Dukezong for interests/weather. | Shangri-La / locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 4日目 | Shangri-La → Benzilan → Deqin | View the Jinsha bend and Dongzhulin; follow main roads towards Feilai for Meili views. | Deqin / Feilai Temple area; locally rated four-star or comparable hotel, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 5日目 | Deqin → Yanjing → Markam | Allow morning peaks, then enter Tibet via accessible Yanjing saltfields/villages towards Mangkang. | Markam / available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 6日目 | Markam → Zogang | Travel between plateau/valleys using operating roads/tunnels, with safe Dongda-area viewpoints. | Zogang / available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 7日目 | Zogang → Bamda → Baxoi | Cross Bangda/Nujiang mountain roads, observing safe passage and stopping rules on bends. | Baxoi / available local hotel; standard to be confirmed | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 8日目 | Baxoi → Ranwu Lake → Bomi | Travel via Ranwu shores into forested Bomi; lake colour and mountain views depend on weather. | Bomi / locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 9日目 | Bomi → Lulang → Nyingchi | Continue through Lulang/Sejila forest roads to Nyingchi; Namcha Barwa views are weather-dependent. | Nyingchi / locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation | Breakfast, lunch & dinner |
| 10日目 | Nyingchi departure | Transfer for your departure after breakfast; very early departures may have a snack or no breakfast. | no overnight stay | Breakfast |
Travel order, stops, vehicles and trains may be adjusted according to bookings and local conditions. In-flight meals depend on airline operations and will be checked separately from the meals listed in the table.
Accommodation & meals
Local four-star hotels are the standard in cities.
Twin rooms for two are the standard. Hotels are selected after checking location, cleanliness, private bathrooms, hot water and suitability for rest. “Four-star” refers to local Chinese standards, which differ from Japanese hotel classifications. Equivalent-class hotels or properties without official star certification will be disclosed before booking.
Four-star hotels may be unavailable in remote areas. We identify these sections in the itinerary and individually check bathrooms, heating, electricity and hot water at available hotels. Overnight trains and basic pilgrimage accommodation are outside the four-star standard. If you require four-star hotels throughout, we will discuss changes to destinations, overnight stops and duration.
| Lijiang | Lijiang / locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation |
|---|---|
| 香格里拉 | Shangri-La / locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation |
| Deqin & Feilai Temple area | Deqin / Feilai Temple area; locally rated four-star or comparable hotel, subject to confirmation |
| 芒康 | Markam / available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| 左貢 | Zogang / available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| 八宿 | Baxoi / available local hotel; standard to be confirmed |
| 波密 | Bomi / locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation |
| Nyingchi | Nyingchi / locally rated four-star or comparable standard, subject to confirmation |
Hotel names will be provided in the final itinerary before departure, after confirming reservations, operation and acceptance of foreign travellers. No specific hotel reservation has been confirmed at present. Single rooms depend on supplements and availability, and may not be obtainable in remote areas.
Meals are also a chance to discover the region.
Enjoy regional differences through Bai cuisine in Dali, Naxi food culture in Lijiang and Tibetan flavours in Shangri-La. Meals are based on rice or noodles, vegetables, eggs, meat and hot soup, with dishes such as mushrooms and momo. Mushroom varieties and service follow each restaurant’s management practices.
Meals in the sample itinerary: 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches and 9 dinners. The plan includes the onboard train meals and packed meals shown in the table.
Breakfast is generally a hotel buffet or set meal, with light meals on early departure days. Lunch is planned at a local restaurant or as a packed meal; dinner at a hotel or town restaurant. Meals are simpler in remote areas and along pilgrimage routes. Please discuss food dislikes, vegetarian needs and allergies in advance so we can check feasibility and any additional conditions.
Information and travel preparations
10 days locally, from arrival in Lijiang to departure from Nyingchi. An extension to Lhasa can be arranged with additional days. The Tibet section will operate after confirming the required permits and approved route for foreign travellers.
Local arrival, departure and participation requirements
Trips generally start and end locally; arrival and departure times and transfer coverage will be confirmed. An additional overnight stay should be considered when connecting to an international flight after long-distance travel on the final day. For routes involving walking or pilgrimage, please review distances, elevation changes and accommodation conditions and consult us.
Passports, visas and regional travel permits
Visa and permit requirements vary by nationality, destinations and method of entry. For foreign travellers visiting the Tibet Autonomous Region, the travel company will confirm and arrange the required procedures and approved route. Travel onward to Nepal requires separate checks of entry conditions and border or flight operations.
Clothing, altitude and weather preparations
Prepare warm layers, rain gear and comfortable walking shoes appropriate to the season and altitude. At high elevations, allow time for travel and rest. If your condition changes, tell your guide instead of prioritising the schedule. Please consult a medical professional before joining if you have existing conditions or health concerns.
Respect for photography subjects, temples and nature
Obtain consent before photographing people and follow photography rules inside temples. We value travel that does not disrupt religious rituals or residents’ lives and leaves plants and stones in place. At historic sites, we use areas that are open and maintained for visitors.
From enquiry to confirmation
The process is: consultation → itinerary and formal quotation → review of conditions → booking → arrangements → final itinerary. Please confirm payment, cancellation and change terms, hotel names and included services in writing before booking.
Let’s build a journey around your interests.
Photography, temples, handicrafts, food and nature observation. Alongside visiting the sights, Snowland Travel offers time to get to know each place.
Discuss this route →Land of Snow · Journeys of the Heart
Estimate by party size and stays
Sights along the journey

All tour prices exclude return flights between your point of origin and the local tour meeting and departure points. Air tickets are arranged and paid for separately.
