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Sign Up Now! Three Rivers ¡°Ancient Tea-Horse Caravan Road¡± Expedition
Dates: September 28 ¨C October 10 £¨approx£©
Max persons: 4 £¨Only 1 place left!£©
Cost: US$1,500
Booking code: S001
Starting point: Shangri-la
Finishing point: Lijiang
Exploring the ancient trading route from southwest China toward Burma, crossing the three great river valleys of the Yangtze, Mekong and Salween.
We plan to trek for 8-10 days, covering a distance of approx 100 km. We begin from Lake Napa just north of Shangri-la County Town, and end the trek close to Gongshan County Town, from where we will travel by bus to Lijiang.
This will take us across at least four major mountain ranges, with passes more than 4,000 meters above sea level.
We will be accompanied by a horse/mule team of at least 6 animals, plus handlers. We will change horse teams approximately mid-way.
Route Introduction
In the high mountains of southwest China¡®s Yunnan Province, three great rivers flow off the Tibetan Plateau to run roughly parallel, north to south for some 170 km. As the crow flies, the distance between the Yangtze and Mekong rivers is 66 km, while that between the Mekong and Salween rivers is less than 19 km.
The Yangtze is the third-longest river in the world, running more than 6,300 km from the Tibetan Plateau through China to the East China Sea.
The Mekong is the world¡¯s 12th longest river, running 4,350 km from the Tibetan Plateau through China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and thence into the South China Sea.
The Salween is the longest undammed river in Asia, running 2,800 km from the Tibetan Plateau through China and Burma to the Andaman Sea.
This is among the most remote parts of China. According to the United Nations, it is ¡°the area of richest biodiversity in China and may be the most biologically diverse temperate region on earth.¡± It is also home to at least 16 different peoples, including Tibetan, Naxi, Lisu and Nu.
Starting during the Tang Dynasty £¨618-907£©, a trading route began to develop between this part of southwest China and Tibet and Burma. It is known as the ¡°Tea-Horse Road¡± because tea was the main item of trade from China, while Tibetan horses were often sold in exchange. Many other goods passed along the various parts of the ¡°Tea-Horse Road¡±, however. Because of the cultural and economic importance of this trading artery, it is often referred to in English as the ¡°South Silk Road¡±.
The Tibetan part of this road is still well known and frequently explored. However, because of its remoteness and difficulty, the route towards Burma has basically been ignored. This expedition plans to follow that route as closely as possible from the Yangtze to the Salween.
VERY IMPORTANT
No one we have ever heard of has trekked this route before. We have not trekked it before, either. Conditions are unpredictable; we will have to camp and sleep wherever we can.
Everyone must therefore be prepared for discomfort and difficulty.
The river valleys are around 2,000 meters above sea level; mountain passes may be over 4,000 meters high and could have snow on them. This is a physically demanding trek. We will average 10-15km per day; depending on terrain, this will probably mean from 5 to 8 hours trekking per day.
Because this is an unexplored route, the timings are approximate. If the road is good and everyone is fit, we may take two days less; alternatively, it may take slightly longer £¨though I have made a conservative estimate in the itinerary£©. It¡¯s essential you have some flexibility at the end in case bad weather slows us and we return late to Zhongdian. We will not compromise safety in order to meet the timetable.
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Zhongdian. Rest and visit old town while acclimatizing to high altitude.
Day 2
Zhongdian to Lake Napa [drive]
Camp by shore of Lake Napa. Meet horse team.
Day 3-4
Begin expedition.
Trek to bank of Yangtze River [known as the Jinsha River at this point]
Camp or stay in local accommodation
Day 5
Trek toward Mekong River.
Camp or stay in local accommodation
Day 6
Trek toward Mekong River
Camp or stay in local accommodation
Day 7
Trek toward Mekong River
Camp or stay in local accommodation
Day 8
Reach Mekong River at Badi
Find campsite/accommodation
Day 9 -10
Mekong to Salween
Find campsite/accommodation
Day 11
End expedition in Gongshan County Town
Day 12
Bus to Lijiang
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