9-Day Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Hiking Tour
Overview
Quick Answer
This nine-day Yubeng hiking tour approaches Meili Snow Mountain gradually through Lijiang, Shangri-La and Feilaisi before three days on village trails. Separate days are reserved for the Sacred Waterfall and Ice Lake, with a Ninong exit and realistic road returns instead of compressing the trek into a short transfer package.
Best for: travelers comparing Yubeng hiking options who want transparent daily walking, altitude, lodging and access notes before requesting a quote.
Tour Highlights
- Approach Yubeng gradually through Shangri-La and Feilaisi for better altitude pacing.
- Hike separate full days to the Sacred Waterfall and Ice Lake beneath Meili Snow Mountain.
- Stay in both the wider Yubeng village area and use the Ninong route for a point-to-point experience.
- Keep road transfers and trekking days separate so the itinerary remains readable and realistic.
Your Route Map
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Route | Main plan |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Lijiang | Trek Briefing and Equipment Check | Arrive in Lijiang and meet the local team. |
| Day 2 | Lijiang to Shangri-La | Gradual Altitude Gain | Travel to Shangri-La at roughly 3,200 m. |
| Day 3 | Shangri-La to Feilaisi | First Views of Meili Snow Mountain | Drive through the upper Lancang River region to Feilaisi near Deqin, around 3,300 m. |
| Day 4 | Feilaisi to Yubeng | Enter the Village Valley | Drive to the operating Yubeng access point. |
| Day 5 | Sacred Waterfall Hike | Forest and Pilgrimage Valley | Walk from Lower Yubeng toward the Sacred Waterfall valley, usually 10–14 km round trip and about 5–7 hours. |
| Day 6 | Ice Lake Hike | High-Alpine Day beneath Kawagarbo | Start early for the Ice Lake route, one of the most demanding days of the Yubeng trek. |
| Day 7 | Yubeng to Ninong | Gorge Exit and Drive to Shangri-La | Exit Yubeng via the Ninong side, using the legal walking and transport arrangement operating for the date. |
| Day 8 | Shangri-La to Lijiang | Recovery and Scenic Return | Return to Lijiang by private vehicle, with a short stop chosen around road time and current access. |
| Day 9 | Depart Lijiang | Flexible Onward Connection | Transfer to Lijiang airport or railway station according to the confirmed departure. |
Tour at a Glance
| Travel style | Private guided mountain and village trek |
|---|---|
| Walking | Three main hiking days plus village access/exit walking; daily distance varies with current transport rules |
| Highest planned point | Ice Lake area, approximately 3,800–3,900 m |
| Accommodation | Hotels in Lijiang, Shangri-La and Feilaisi; simple guesthouses in Yubeng |
| Best time | April–June and September–November |
| Difficulty | Challenging; altitude, repeated climbs, simple lodging and weather-dependent access |
Is This Hiking Tour Right for You?
9-Day Meili Snow Mountain and Yubeng Hiking Tour is designed for active travelers who understand that mountain weather, local operating rules and altitude can change the final trail. Distances and elevations are planning ranges, not a promise that every viewpoint or summit will be reached. Your guide can shorten or reroute a day when safety requires it.
Related Hiking Tours and Planning Guides
Customize This Private Hiking Tour
Share your dates, hiking experience, preferred hotel level and tolerance for simple mountain lodging through Plan My Trip. We will reconfirm guides, local transport, trail access, pack support and the bad-weather alternative before pricing the departure.
Photograph by Kevin Poh; available on Wikimedia Commons; under CC BY 2.0. Cropped and resized for web use.
Daily Itinerary
Arrive in Lijiang and meet the local team. check footwear, rain protection, daypack capacity and luggage arrangements. Keep the first evening easy; Lijiang is already above 2,400 m, and the route climbs further over the next two days.
Travel to Shangri-La at roughly 3,200 m. Use the afternoon for a gentle walk and rest rather than hard exercise. The exact sightseeing stop is chosen around road time and altitude response, keeping the day focused on gradual ascent.
Drive through the upper Lancang River region to Feilaisi near Deqin, around 3,300 m. Stop at legal viewpoints as weather allows and sleep facing the Meili Snow Mountain range. Pack only what is needed in Yubeng; the main luggage transfer plan is confirmed locally.
Drive to the operating Yubeng access point. Depending on current transport rules, use the designated shuttle for part of the approach and walk the remaining trail toward Upper or Lower Yubeng. The guide confirms the exact distance for the date; expect an active half or full day and simple guesthouse accommodation.
Walk from Lower Yubeng toward the Sacred Waterfall valley, usually 10–14 km round trip and about 5–7 hours. The path climbs through forest and open ground, with snow or mud possible early and late in the season. Respect local religious customs and return to the village before dark.
Start early for the Ice Lake route, one of the most demanding days of the Yubeng trek. Allow roughly 14–18 km and 7–9 hours depending on the guesthouse location and open trail. The highest point is around 3,800–3,900 m. Turn back for storms, snow, significant altitude symptoms or a slow group pace.
Exit Yubeng via the Ninong side, using the legal walking and transport arrangement operating for the date. The trail can be hot and exposed at lower elevation, so start early and carry adequate water. Meet the vehicle and continue to Shangri-La for a hotel night and hot shower.
Return to Lijiang by private vehicle, with a short stop chosen around road time and current access. Keep the evening free for recovery, laundry and a relaxed meal. This separate return day avoids combining the Ninong exit with a very long drive to Lijiang.
Transfer to Lijiang airport or railway station according to the confirmed departure. If continuing elsewhere in Yunnan, the trip can connect with Dali, Tiger Leaping Gorge or another private route, but avoid an unnecessarily tight morning connection after the mountain drive.
What's Included & Excluded
Included
- Private English-speaking guide for the confirmed hiking days
- Private or locally required transport shown in the final itinerary
- Accommodation shown in the confirmed proposal
- Entrance fees, permits and local support specifically listed for the departure
- Pack support or camp services only where stated in the final quote
Not Included
- International and domestic flights or trains not listed
- Travel insurance, visas and personal medical costs
- Unlisted meals, drinks, tips and optional activities
- Personal hiking clothing and equipment unless the quote states otherwise
- Costs caused by weather, road closure, evacuation or itinerary changes outside the included services
