From$506/person
Book Now

NatGeo's Forever Walk Ecotour

Four hikers walk across a wide golden meadow towards distant mountains
Three-day EcoTour

NatGeo's Forever
Walk

Three days on Paul Salopek's trail

Three days on Paul Salopek's slow-travel trail — a stretch of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain corridor we walked together for the iconic National Geographic documentary "The Forever Walk: China": remote hamlets, alpine meadows, a quiet slice of the old Tea & Horse Road. Join the guides featured in the documentary: Mr. Lukasz, Mr. He and Mr. Lu to guide you through the biodiversity and cultures of this unforgettable trail. You'll come home with a slower pulse and new, long-lasting friendships.

KEY DETAILS

EcoTour Overview

What's Special

Paul Salopek's National Geographic trail

Walk the same path as Paul Salopek documented for NatGeo

Duration

Three Days

Day 1: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM | Day 2: Full Day | Day 3: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Location

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain & Wenhai

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Nature Reserve | Altitudes 2,400-3,250m

Activity Level

High

Walking: Up to 18 km per day

Unique Experiences Await

EcoTour Highlights

Forever Walk trail scenic view

National Geographic Documentation

Forever Walk Trail

Walk a renowned section of the "Forever Walk: China" trail, as documented by National Geographic. Immerse yourself in the very landscapes and cultural encounters that captivated the world.
Paul Salopek's walking path documentary

Pulitzer Prize Walk

Paul Salopek's Path

Follow a part of Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Salopek's epic global walk. Reflect on humanity and our planet as you trace his path through nature and culture of Yunnan.
Wenhai Wetlands scenic view

Biodiversity Discovery

Wenhai Wetlands

Discover the remarkable biodiversity of Wenhai Wetlands alongside a local conservationist. Learn about unique species and delicate ecosystems.
DETAILED SCHEDULE

EcoTour Itinerary

Day One

Ascent to Alpine Lake

Morning

Morning

Depart from your Lijiang hotel and hike to Wenhai Wetlands. Follow the exact path of 'Forever Walk: China' trail as documented by National Geographic.

Afternoon

Afternoon

Explore biodiversity of Wenhai Wetlands alongside local conservationists. Learn about unique species and delicate ecosystems.

Evening

Evening

Arrive at your overnight village stay in Wenhai. Share authentic dinner with local Naxi families and gather around a cozy bonfire.

Day Two

Caves and Villages

Morning

Morning

After breakfast, set out to uncover the mysteries of Tiger Cave.

Afternoon

Afternoon

After a lunch in village fish farm, embark on a trek through charming minority villages and tranquil hamlets. Observe diverse architectural styles and local traditions.

Evening

Evening

Arrive in Runangu Yi minority village for your second overnight stay. Immerse yourself in Yi culture and engage with welcoming villagers.

Day Three

Into the Wilderness

Morning

Morning

Venture into the wilderness of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Nature Reserve with a local forest ranger. Trek through ancient primeval forests filled with abundant species of flora, fauna and fungi. Arrive in yak meadow with spectacular panoramic views of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Afternoon

Afternoon

Continue the ascent to a mountain top shrouded in local legends, enjoy the stories and views on the highest peaks of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Begin your scenic descent to Runangu village and return back to Lijiang by car.

Evening

Evening

Celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner, sharing stories and reflections on your transformative experience along the Forever Walk trail. After the dinner, arrive back at your hotel with memories of walking in the footsteps of Paul Salopek.

Transparent Pricing

EcoTour Costs

For groups of 1 person or more than 6 people Contact us

What's Included

English-Speaking Coordinator/Guide (Lukasz Madrzynski), Local Guides, Traditional Local Food (Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners), Accommodation (2 Nights), Private Transportation, Outdoor Travel Insurance.

Not Included

Personal Expenses (Souvenirs, etc.), Voluntary Gratuities for the Coordinators/Guides

Meeting Point

Pickup: 9:00 AM at your Lijiang hotel | Return: Approximately 8:00 PM to your Lijiang hotel

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question to reveal the answer

OUR REVIEWS

What Our Customers Say

TripAdvisor

Excellent real experience with great company

I spent a fantastic day with Lukasz and his local friends Mr Lu and Mr He - Following a scenic drive, with a lakeside stop to hang out with some yaks, and a delicious home cooked meal at Mr Lu's house, we set out on a trek into the hills that didn't disappoint, with the jewel in the crown being the end point of an open pasture with just brilliant views out over Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Not a single person in sight and feeling at one with nature, this was exactly the experience I was hoping for and Lukasz helped deliver, with good humour, and excellent company. An experience I won't be forgetting and a top highlight of my three week trip to China.

We are a couple from Thailand

Our first trip to China was a wonderful experience. The price was reasonable, the accommodations were comfortable, and having a car to take us around made everything unforgettable. A big thank you to Lynne for helping us with everything we needed — truly superb.

Amazing

We had the great pleasure of experiencing this tour with Lukasz and Lynne in early Spring. It was rather cold but very worth while. Amazing views of the countryside villages and neatly tilled fields. We did some birdwatching from the lakeside and viewed yaks and goats grazing on the slopes above. We had a delicious lunch at one of the villages. (All food in Yunnan was delicious) It was exciting to have this opportunity to explore this unique off the beaten track area with such helpful and knowledgeable guides.

Local, genuine and ethical experience in Lijiang

My wife and I had the pleasure of being guided by Lynne and Lukas in the best of authentic Lijiang. Local, genuine culture meeting local villagers, walk in natural hills, guided walk through Lijiang's amazing streets and markets with everything covered and no hidden (negative) surprises or cost. All this while having meaningful and informed discussions. Thoroughly recommend this for anybody who want to experience the real Lijiang while making a positive impact as eco tourist.

Fantastic Experience with Cloud Mountain Eco Tours

We had an unforgettable time with Cloud Mountain Eco Tours, thanks to our amazing guide Lukas. He was incredibly friendly and connected with the kids right away. Lukas has a wonderful way of explaining things to children and made the whole experience exciting and engaging for all of us. The highlight was definitely seeing the monkeys up close and enjoying a warm, authentic dinner with a local family. Lukas is incredibly knowledgeable about the local nature. A truly special adventure for families. Highly recommended!

Magical landscape of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

Really awesome and memorable day out in some magical landscapes around the foothills of Jade Dragon Snow mountain. It was a great opportunity to take my parents and a friend visiting from NZ to see some of the natural beauty of Yunnan, as well as some ethnic diversity. I absolutely love the aesthetic and charm of the villages. It was a rather cold day in March, but that seemed to add to the mystique of the landscape. Lukas and Lynne are great hosts, with an intimate knowledge of the places, people and biodiversity. Highly recommended! The meals with the locals were also incredible.

We saw the beautiful snub nosed monkey

Lukas is the man, his seemly endless knowledge and enthusiasm for nature is amazing. It was a privilege to have him share his love of this wonderful part of the world with us. Thank you Lukas

Unforgettable experience with wonderful people

I had the pleasure of participating on a trip with Lukas as part of a student group. We had an unforgettable experience getting up close to the endangered Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, hiking through pristine forests, and eating home-cooked meals with local families. Lukas and Lynne are wonderful guides with extensive knowledge about the region's culture, history and wildlife. I highly recommend Cloud Mountain, especially if you like traveling at your own pace, going off the beaten path, and getting an authentic, personalized experience.

The real deal

It's an experience on a completely different level than anything that you'd be able to put together on your own, and so worth it! The views are simply breathtaking, the trail is totally manageable and the best part is the company. Lukas has so much knowledge about Yunnan, its people and nature, he feels at home there and makes you feel the same too. If you have a chance to make this trip, do it. We've been all around Yunnan and this trip is ontop of our list!

Meeting the endangered black-snub nosed monkeys

I went on a solo trip in February arranged by my guide, Lukas, a Biologist/Conservationist into the Baima Snow Mountain National Park. With his vast knowledge of the local area, he took me first to the Lashi Wetlands and spotted over a dozen species of birds. Finally, made it to Tacheng, a reserve within Baima Snow Mountain where we spent a night in a cozy log cabin. The next morning, after a simple breakfast we went up to 3,000 metres and finally glimpsed the incredible endangered Black Snub-Nosed Monkeys. It was an amazing trip!

Unforgettable

We took a one-day tour with Lukas to explore a few places in Lijiang, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the start, Lukas was incredibly thoughtful in tailoring the tour to suit our preferences and needs. One of the highlights was having lunch at a local family's home. After lunch, we went on a hike in the mountains, where we had the chance to enjoy some fresh air and a truly breathtaking view. The landscape was absolutely stunning. We would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Lijiang!

Swipe to see more reviews

START YOUR ADVENTURE

Ready to Join the Forever Walk?