The Caravan Liotard

Shangri-La – Alpine Camps – Sacred Lake Aboudje

4 Days / 3 Nights

$ 2,800 USD

Walking the Last Living Caravan of the Himalayas

This is not a journey of travel.
This is a journey of passage.
Inspired by the legendary Tea Horse Road, this expedition recreates the spirit of early explorers and traditional caravans that once crossed the foothills of the Himalayas. In collaboration with Mission Liotard, the experience brings travelers into one of the last remaining regions where horse caravans, alpine trails, and nomadic cultures still shape the rhythm of life.
Following the footsteps of botanists, explorers, and Tibetan traders, travelers walk alongside a working horse caravan carrying expedition tents, supplies, and traditional gear through remote valleys of Shangri-La. From rhododendron forests to high-altitude alpine lakes above 4,200 meters, each step reveals landscapes untouched by modern civilization.
At night, the expedition transforms into a living heritage camp. Bell tents are set up in the wilderness, equipped with carpets, lanterns, wooden furniture, warm bedding, and expedition-style comfort. Around the fire, stories, food, and silence merge under a sky untouched by light pollution.
This is an immersion into the art of traveling slowly, historically, and meaningfully — where movement itself becomes culture.

Highlights

Start: Shangri-La

End: Shangri-La

Airports & Travel details

Relive the Living Horse Caravan of Tea Horse Road

Walk alongside a traditional horse caravan, where horses carry expedition tents, supplies, and essential equipment through ancient trails once used by Tea Horse Road traders. Experience the rhythm of slow travel as it was practiced for centuries in the Himalayan foothills.

Itinerary Summary

4 Days / 3 Nights

Activity Level 8

Expedition Bell Tents & Wilderness Camps

Private Trip

Day 1: Shangri-La – Dabosi Valley Entrance

Dabosi Valley & Tea Horse Road Caravan Camp
Begin your expedition in Shangri-La, the gateway to the Himalayas. After meeting your expedition team and horse caravan crew, depart toward the remote Dabosi Valley, following ancient trails once used by traders of the Tea Horse Road.
The landscape gradually shifts from highland town to open valley and rhododendron forest. Along the way, observe how the horse caravan moves as a living system — carrying expedition tents, cooking equipment, and daily essentials.
Arrive at your first wilderness campsite, where Bell tents are already set up by the team. As evening falls, gather around the fire to experience your first night in the Himalayas, surrounded by silence, stars, and mountain air.

Day 2: Dabosi Valley – Alpine Grasslands Crossing

Rhododendron Forest & Nomadic Valley Trails
Today is a full immersion into the heart of Dabosi Valley.
Walk alongside the horse caravan through dense rhododendron forests and open alpine meadows. This region is still inhabited by Tibetan pastoral communities whose way of life remains closely connected to the land.
Stop for breaks in natural clearings where the landscape opens toward distant snow peaks. The rhythm of the caravan defines the pace of the day — slow, steady, and deeply connected to terrain and altitude.
Arrive at a new expedition campsite in the high valley. As night falls, experience wilderness dining and campfire gathering inside your Bell tent camp.

Day 3: Alpine Ascent – Sacred Lake Route

High Mountain Pass & Sacred Lake Aboudje
Today is the most demanding and most rewarding stage of the expedition.
Leave the valley floor and begin ascending toward the high-altitude region above 4,200 meters. The environment transforms dramatically — forests disappear, replaced by rocky terrain, snow ridges, and vast open silence.
Follow the caravan trail toward the sacred alpine lake area, a place considered spiritually significant by local Tibetan communities.
Upon arrival, take time to rest, reflect, and absorb the immense stillness of the high Himalayas. Weather and conditions permitting, experience one of the most iconic views of the expedition: a sacred lake surrounded by untouched mountain peaks.
Return toward the upper campsite for the night.

Day 4: Return to Shangri-La

Final Descent Through Himalayan Foothills
Begin the descent back toward Shangri-La, following the same ancient caravan routes used for centuries.
The journey downward reveals a different perspective of the landscape — valleys, forests, and distant peaks gradually reappear as altitude decreases.
Arrive back in Shangri-La by afternoon, concluding the expedition with a deep sense of physical journey and historical continuity.

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High Altitude Reaction:

1. the average altitude in Yunnan is 1894 meters. Kunming: 1890 meters. Dali: 2050 meters. Lijiang: 2400 meters, Jade Dragon Mountain: 4506 meters. Shangri-La: 3280 meters. We strongly suggest our consumers thoroughly prepare for high-altitude reactions and intense ultraviolet rays. By preparing these, you can take high-altitude reaction medicines or bring some Oxygen Can before you depart.

2. If you suffer any diseases, please advise your doctor before you depart.

There are various kinds of heart disease, high blood pressure, blood diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, diseases of the respiratory system, and so on.

3. We don’t suggest our guests take showers in the first two days in a high-altitude area. If they get cold, it may easily lead to pulmonary edema and encephaloma.

4. Please don’t drink any alcohol, especially any strong liquids, since alcohol will lead to a high severe altitude reaction.

The price excludes：

1. Other personal expenses during the journey.

2. Our accommodation prices are for twin rooms (two people live in one room, with a separate bed/one bed). There will be an extra cost if consumers require a separate room for each person.

3. Chinese Visa Fees.

4. The extra expense is due to transportation delays, cancellations, wars, natural accidents, and strikes.

5. Meals (lunch and dinner)

Accommodations

We pick suitable and tasteful hotels for your requirements.

Transfer

We provide your own private and comfortable vehicle.

Guide/Driver service

Professional driver and Chinese/ English speaking guide.

Activities

All the activities listed in this program.

Local Knowledge

Our staff are locals with true love and knowledge of our hometown.

Entrance tickets for the sightseeing places listed in this program.

Tickets

Personalized Consultant Service

we provide one-on-one professional consultant service to all travelers to meet your demands.

Insurance

Travel accident insurance and Travel Agency’s Responsibility insurance.

How’s the weather? What should we wear?

Yunnan is dominated by the subtropical monsoon climate. Integrating low latitude, highland, and monsoon, the climate in Yunnan has four characteristics: first, there is a slight difference in annual temperature but a significant difference in daily temperature. Second, there is a big contrast between the rainy and dry seasons. Third, the climate alters according to the change in altitude. Fourth, the frost-free period is extended.
When you travel to Yunnan, the best advice for your wardrobe is to bring all kinds of clothes. A jacket, scarf, raincoat for the rainy season, and sunglasses are essential.

How’s the accommodation?

We believe that staying in a beautiful boutique hotel is one of the most essential parts of the journey. We strongly advise guests to choose hotels with comfortable service and tasteful design. Due to the diversity of ethnic culture, Yunnan has some extraordinary hotels that can bring you the most unforgettable memories. We offer various accommodation choices, from famous international brands to local boutique resorts.

How’s the road?

Because the significant landscape in Yunnan is mountainous, the mountain area has bumpy roads and steep slopes. Even on the expressway, there are always sharp turns. So we strongly suggest our guests fasten their seat belts before they depart.

How’s the meal?

Most hotels will provide breakfast in both American and Chinese. During the travel, we will recommend featured local dishes and street food for our consumers. We also encourage our consumers to explore the local food they like since eating is essential for a journey. Our guide will suggest a suitable restaurant to our consumers.

Design my trip

Quality Guide Of KiKi

Accommodations

Being in a beautiful boutique hotel is one of the most essential parts of a journey. We strongly advise guests to choose hotels with comfortable service and tasteful design. Due to the diversity of ethnic cultures, Yunnan has some extraordinary hotels that can bring you unforgettable memories. We offer various accommodation choices, from famous international brands to local boutique resorts.