This 10-day journey is designed for nature lovers and botanical enthusiasts, offering an unforgettable exploration of Shangri-La’s high-altitude landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Starting in the heart of Shangri-La, the tour will take you to stunning locations such as Shika Snow Mountain and Baima Snow Mountain, where you’ll have unparalleled opportunities to observe a wide range of rare alpine plants, including several species of the iconic Meconopsis. Each day will take you through unique ecosystems, from glacial lakes to vast alpine meadows, where you'll discover rare flowers, rhododendrons, and many endemic species.

Beyond the breathtaking natural scenery, this adventure provides an immersive cultural experience. You’ll visit significant cultural landmarks like Feilai Temple and explore ancient Tibetan villages, offering a deeper connection to the local way of life. In these remote villages nestled in the Hengduan Mountains, you’ll engage with local Tibetan communities, learning about their traditions, spirituality, and the profound influence of Tibetan Buddhism. These cultural encounters will enrich your journey, blending the botanical exploration with meaningful cultural interactions.

Highlights of the trip include hiking through the hidden valleys of snow-capped mountains, traversing the majestic canyons of Balagezong National Park, and experiencing the awe-inspiring phenomenon of the "Golden Mountain" at Meili Snow Mountain, where the snow-covered peaks glow in the golden light of sunrise.

Throughout the journey, your accommodations are thoughtfully selected to combine comfort with nature. You’ll stay in eco-friendly lodges and traditional Tibetan-style hotels, allowing you to relax in serene environments that reflect the raw beauty of the landscapes around you. Whether you're resting in a cozy mountain lodge or a charming Tibetan guesthouse, you'll find harmony between comfort and immersion in nature.

This adventure is not just for plant enthusiasts—it's perfect for those seeking a balance of natural wonder and cultural discovery. You’ll come away with a deeper appreciation of the Tibetan highlands’ rich biodiversity and the traditions of its people, making this an enriching and transformative experience.

The cost includes the following:

The cost does not include the following:

D1 Arrival in Shangri-La. Meals: D

Upon arrival at Diqing Shangri-La Airport, our staff will greet you and assist with your transfer to the hotel. Spend the afternoon acclimating to the altitude of 3,200 meters by leisurely exploring the ancient city. Visit Guishan Park to see the world's largest prayer wheel and immerse yourself in the tranquil Tibetan atmosphere. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner featuring authentic Tibetan cuisine and traditional performances.

Overnight: Highland Villa Shangri-La Hotel (beside Napa Sea) or similar

D2 Exploration of Bigu Tianchi. Meals: BLD

After breakfast, we'll journey to Bigu Tianchi, a pristine glacial lake nestled among snow-capped mountains. Hike around the lake, capturing views of yaks and horses grazing peacefully. In the afternoon, return via the Napa Sea Nature Reserve, home to migratory birds like black-necked cranes.（Today's Species:Meconopsis sulphurea,Meconopsis pseudointegrifolia,Meconopsis racemosa,Lilium apertum,Cypripedium tibeticum ,Incarvillea zhongdianensis,Rhododendron phaeochrysum,Rhododendron nivale,Rhododendron wardii,Primula amethystina,Lilium souliei and Cassiope selaginoides）

Overnight: Highland Villa Shangri-La Hotel (beside Napa Sea) or similar

D3 Botanical Investigation of Shika Snow Mountain. Meals: BLD

Ascend Shika Snow Mountain by cable car to 4,300 meters. Explore alpine meadows and visit Lingxi Lake, surrounded by blooming rhododendrons. In the afternoon, continue to Yala Qingbo Pasture to experience pastoral highland life.（Today's Species:Meconopsis rudis ,Meconopsis pseudovenusta,Meconopsis lancifolia,Meconopsis racemosa,Meconopsis horridula,Meconopsis integrifolia,Meconopsis pseudointegrifolia,Megacodon stylophorus,Diapensia purpurea,Oxygraphis kamchatica,Cassiope pectinata,Primula amethystina,Rhododendron saluenense,Paraquilegia microphylla,Pinguicula alpina,Shangrilaia nana,Primula nivalis,Primula sikkimensis,Cypripedium tibeticum,Solms-laubachia zhongdianensis,Cypripedium flavum and Paraquilegia microphylla）

Overnight: Highland Villa Shangri-La Hotel (beside Napa Sea) or similar

D4 Xianggelila Gao Mountain Botanical Garden—Baima Snow Mountain—Deqin. Meals: BLD

Visit the Xianggelila Gao Mountain Botanical Garden to learn about the region's rich plant life. After lunch, drive over Baima Snow Mountain, enjoying dramatic views and observing rare species. Arrive in Deqin and, weather permitting, witness the stunning sunset over Meili Snow Mountain.（Today's Species:Meconopsis pseudointegrifolia,Meconopsis rudis,Meconopsis betonicifolia,Cypripedium flavum,Rhododendron proteoides,Lilium lophophorum,Cassiope pectinata,Solms-laubachia linearifolia,Polygonatum hookeri and Corydalis pachycentra）

Overnight: Deqin Tengyue Meili Snow Mountain Resort or similar

D5 Botanical Investigation of Baima Snow Mountain. Meals: BLD

Rise early to catch the "Golden Mountain" phenomenon as sunlight illuminates Meili Snow Mountain's summit. After breakfast, explore Baima Snow Mountain at 4,800 meters, observing resilient alpine plants. Enjoy a picnic amidst stunning scenery and continue your botanical exploration in the afternoon.（Today's Species:Meconopsis integrifolia,Meconopsis pseudointegrifolia,Meconopsis rudis,Saussurea leucoma,Saussurea obvallata,Lilium lophophorum,Rhodiola fastigiata,Corydalis hemidicentra,Primula chionantha,Pleione bulbocodioides and Cassiope selaginoides）

Overnight: Deqin Tengyue Meili Snow Mountain Resort or similar

D6 Feilai Temple—Benzilan—Balagezong Botanical Investigation. Meals: BLD

Visit Feilai Temple for panoramic mountain views. Drive to Benzilan along ancient caravan routes, experiencing the natural beauty of the Hengduan Mountains. Enter Balagezong National Park to explore majestic canyons and observe unique plant species. In the afternoon, visit local Tibetan villages to learn about their customs.（Today's Species:Meconopsis pseudovenusta,Solms-laubachia angustifolia,Allium forrestii,Ephedra likiangensis,Rhododendron saluenense and Cypripedium wardii）

Overnight: Shangri-La Balagezong Tibetan-style Eco-Hotel or similar

D7 Balagezong—Dilon Snow Mountain—Wudi Lake. Meals: BLD

Depart for Dilon Snow Mountain, ascending to a 4,700-meter pass. Explore alpine habitats rich in rare plants. Proceed to Wudi Lake, a secluded alpine lake ideal for relaxation. Enjoy a picnic by the lake and optional activities like hiking or birdwatching.（Today's Species:Meconopsis lancifolia,Meconopsis integrifolia,Primula chionantha,Solms-laubachia linearifolia,Rheum nobile,Gentiana arethusae and Rhodiola kirilowii）

Overnight: Shangri-La Wudi Lake Secret Campsite or similar

D8 Wudi Lake—Hongshan Botanical Investigation. Meals: BLD

Explore the Hongshan area, hiking through meadows adorned with blooming alpine flowers. Enjoy photography and nature appreciation. In the afternoon, search for rare plants at higher altitudes.（Today's Species:Meconopsis speciosa,Meconopsis rudis,Meconopsis racemosa,Meconopsis lancifolia,Pedicularis siphonantha,Androsace rigida,Androsace delavayi,Primula dryadifolia,Primula secundiflora,Primula silaensis,Allium trifurcatum and Aquilegia rockii）

Overnight: Shangri-La Wudi Lake Secret Campsite or similar

D9 Wudi Lake—Xuejiping—Shangri-La. Meals: BLD

After breakfast, visit Xuejiping to explore and photograph rare alpine plants. Enjoy lunch amidst mountain landscapes. In the afternoon, return to Shangri-La. Enjoy free time or visit Songzanlin Monastery. In the evening, share experiences over a farewell dinner.（Today's Species:Meconopsis lancifolia,Meconopsis integrifolia,Meconopsis venusta and Mandragora caulescens）

Overnight: Shangri-La Zunshang Tibetan-style Manor Boutique Hotel or similar

D10 Shangri-La—Departure. Meals: B

After breakfast, we'll transfer you to Diqing Shangri-La Airport for your departure. We hope you carry with you precious memories from this fulfilling nature journey. Safe travels, and we hope to see you again!

We will arrange one of our best flower guides for this trip who has rich experiences of guiding tours in this region. The following are some of our best local guides for your references.

Cory Li

Cory Li, co-founder, and general manager of WildFloraTour is a super fan of nature, especially for flowers. His passion for nature grows from the beauty of greens in the little boys' eyes. As a native of Sichuan Chengdu, he has spent a lot of time exploring nature in the mountains nearby his hometown. During his study at Sichuan University, he began to take lots of outdoor activities like hiking and mountain climbing and started to study knowledge about flora by himself. After graduation, he even spent more time in the wild than office exploring wildflowers in Sichuan and nearby provinces with other nature lovers and photographed about two thousand wildflower species. He even found several new distributions of some endemic species and even some new species of plants along with some other nature lovers. He loves to share his findings and stories behind the photos with other nature lovers on the internet and became a “flora idol” in southwest China. He never expected becoming famous out of this, he just enjoys sharing the beauty of those lovely flowers with others.

Philip

As a half Kangba Tibetan, Philip is the founder of WildfloraTour and is native of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. He has a deep love for his Kangba Tibetan heritage and the land where he was born and raised. Philip's career has gone from mining technician to teacher, to translator, and finally to a guide and tour operator. Along the way, Philip discovered his passion and love for helping tourists understand the beauty and history of his people and homeland. Philip is known for his ability to plan and execute unique and exciting adventure trips exploring the sights off the usual tourist routes. He is active, open-minded, and adventurous and always ready to share interesting and useful information with his clients. As a travel professional working in this field for more than 15 years, Philip believes travel is an art and a process of learning and discovery. Each trip is a unique artistic work created with knowledge and expertise based on the resources available and the interests and tastes of travelers. To help more people to understand the unique resources in panda habitats and neighboring areas, he established Wildflora to bring his educational fun-filled tours to more people eager to explore and learn about China. Besides, Philip is an active and knowledgeable birder and a dedicated photographer.

Besides, one of WildFloraTour's local guides in Southeast China will participate in this trip to ensure a high-end traveling experience.