Laojun's Wild Heart Ecotour

Wild Heart of Lijiang
Primeval Yunnan Forests and Minority Cultures
Two days in the Laojun Mountains, far from the Lijiang crowds. We start at Lashi Wetlands at dawn, stand at the First Bend of the Yangtze, visit traditional Naxi, Bai, Pumi and Lisu minority villages, then join a Lisu bonfire dance in the evening and a forest walk at night. Day two is a bird watching station visit and a primeval forest trek to grasslands overlooking the highest peaks of Laojun Mountains. You'll leave with a slower pulse and mountain stories to tell.
Wild Heart of Lijiang
Primeval Yunnan Forests and Minority Cultures
Two days in the Laojun Mountains, far from the Lijiang crowds. We start at Lashi Wetlands at dawn, stand at the First Bend of the Yangtze, visit traditional Naxi, Bai, Pumi and Lisu minority villages, then join a Lisu bonfire dance in the evening and a forest walk at night. Day two is a bird watching station visit and a primeval forest trek to grasslands overlooking the highest peaks of Laojun Mountains. You'll leave with a slower pulse and mountain stories to tell.
EcoTour Overview

What's Special
Deep into Ancient Mountains
Biodiversity and Minority Cultures Haven

Duration
Two Days
Day 1: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Day 2: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Location
Laojun Mountains
Laojun Mountains UNESCO Natural Heritage Site | Altitudes 2,400-3,100m

Activity Level
Moderate
Hiking: No more than 8-9 km per day
EcoTour Highlights

First Bend of the Yangtze
Panoramic Views

Lisu Bonfire Dance
Cultural Exchange

Primeval Forest
Night Walk
EcoTour Itinerary
Day One
Into the Wild

Morning
Begin with a pickup from your Lijiang hotel and head to the breathtaking Lashi Wetlands and watch elegant waterbirds glide across mirror-still waters as the sun paints the wetlands in golden hues. Stand in awe at the legendary First Bend of the Yangtze River.

Afternoon
Discover the vibrant market of Shigu Town, steeped in Tang dynasty history, Naxi heritage and revolutionary stories. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of the Bai minority at Taohua village. Admire ancient white pagodas, cross historic stone bridges, and feel the warm hospitality of local villagers. Arrive at your overnight destination deep in the mountain forests to learn infrared camera techniques and contribute to vital biodiversity monitoring.

Evening
Savor authentic local cuisine before connecting with Lisu traditions through an enchanting bonfire dance and music experience. Create lasting memories as you join in festivities around the warm bonfire. Take a short stroll into the wild primeval forest at night, hear nocturnal animals and observe rare insects that come out during cool nights. Finally, settle into your comfortable mountain retreat.
Day Two
Rare Birds, Old Forests and Mountain Views

Morning
Awaken with birdsong and venture into pristine forests at a local bird watching station. Learn from passionate conservationists as you spot some of the world's rarest birds in their natural habitat. Follow a crystal-clear stream into ancient forests. Spot beautiful endemic flowers, medicinal plants and curious mushrooms along the leisurely path. Arrive at alpine meadows with panoramic views of the Laojun Mountains.

Afternoon
After a hearty local BBQ lunch it's time for a desert. A few spoonfuls of pure honey produced by the laborious Himalayan bees from countless species of wild flowers in these primeval forests. Take a peek into the traditional beehives and learn about the vital role the bees play in preserving this rich ecosystem. Before heading back to Lijiang, pay your last respect to the majestically sacred Dragon Spruce tree that stands as a local symbol of natures resilience.

Evening
Conclude your journey with a feast of Lijiang specialties in an Old Town restaurant before returning to your hotel full of wild memories.
EcoTour Costs
For groups of 1 person or more than 6 people Contact us
What's Included
English-Speaking Coordinator/Guide (Lynne Lyu or Lukasz Madrzynski), Local Guides, Traditional Local Food (Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners), Comfortable Accommodation in Lisu minority Guesthouse, 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
Frequently Asked Questions
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What Our Customers Say
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!
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