Meili East Slope · 5-Day Trek

Meili East Slope (Kawagarbo), Yunnan · 5 days / 4 nights · Challenging (4/5) · camping · max ~4,000 m · $204/day · $1,020 total per person

Chase the golden crown of Kawagarbo — five days deep in Meili's untamed eastern wilderness.

DAY 1 — Lijiang → Shangri-La → Feilai Temple / Meili Snow Mountain → Village Camp Early morning assembly in Lijiang. Board chartered minibus through Shangri-La toward Deqin. Stop at Feilai Temple — the world-famous viewpoint facing the full thirteen-peak panorama of Meili Snow Mountain, with Kawagarbo (6740 m) reigning supreme over the horizon. Take in the grandeur before descending the canyon… DAY 2 — Dawn viewpoint → Village Camp → Nanmu Pasture Rise before dawn for the short walk to the village sunrise viewpoint. Meili Snow Mountain's Golden Summit glows crimson in first light — a sight that alone makes the journey worthwhile. Return to camp for breakfast, then set off for Nanmu Pasture. The trail climbs gently through ancient spruce and fir forest,… DAY 3 — Nanmu Pasture → ridge trail → Kila Meadow → Bongge Ridge Camp The most challenging and rewarding day. Leave the last trees behind and climb steadily across open tundra slopes toward Bongge Ridge. Above the snowline the panorama opens dramatically — Kawagarbo's north face dominates the western sky while a sea of lesser ranges stretches east. Pass through the Kila flower… DAY 4 — Bongge Ridge → snowfields → descent → Temple Village → Feilai Temple Hotel An early start to catch alpenglow on Kawagarbo from Bongge Ridge — arguably the single most dramatic viewpoint of the entire route. Then descend through snow and talus into upper forest zones. The long descent threads through rhododendron groves and bamboo forest, eventually reaching the road at Temple Village.… DAY 5 — Feilai Temple → Shangri-La → Lijiang Morning at leisure at Feilai Temple — one last sunrise over Meili Snow Mountain if conditions allow. After breakfast, board the chartered vehicle for the scenic drive south through Deqin and Shangri-La back to Lijiang. Tour concludes on arrival in Lijiang. After five days on the mountain, your group has become a… Price: $188 /day /person ($936 in total).

Where in China

📍 Yunnan Province · Deqin, Meili Snow Mountain, southwest China

Highlights

• Meili Snow Mountain — A sacred Tibetan peak massif crowned by Kawagarbo (6740 m) — the highest unclimbed peak in Yunnan and one of the most revered mountains in Tibetan Buddhism. The golden sunrise over the thirteen peaks is a sight travelers travel thousands of miles to witness. You must see it once in your life.
• Meili East Slope — The hidden back side of Meili Snow Mountain — the spiritual heartland of Kawagarbo. Far fewer visitors than the west-facing Yubeng Valley, yet equally stunning: ancient forest, sweeping alpine meadows, and towering snow walls at every turn. This is where Meili's real magic lives.
• Nanmu Pasture — A vast highland pasture at 3400 m ringed by old-growth spruce and Tibetan farmland. Yaks graze in meadows alive with wildflowers while snow peaks frame every horizon. One of the finest star-gazing spots on the route.
• Caterpillar Fungus Meadows — In late May and June, these high-altitude meadows come alive with local Tibetan villagers harvesting the prized caterpillar fungus (cordyceps sinensis). Walking through offers a rare glimpse of traditional highland livelihoods unchanged for generations.
• Bongge Ridge Camp — At 4000–4360 m, Bongge Ridge places you face-to-face with the snowy core of Kawagarbo. Sunrise from the ridge — golden light igniting the glacier while valleys far below remain in shadow — is the defining moment of this trek.
• Feilai Temple Viewpoint — The classic postcard viewpoint for Meili Snow Mountain: an open terrace facing the full thirteen-peak panorama across the Lancang River gorge. Sunrises and sunsets here are world-class, and the view is accessible to all.

Day by day

What's included

• D1 hotel accommodation (standard double room shared)
• D2–D4 tent camp accommodation (sleeping bag and moisture-proof mat provided per person)
• D2–D5 meals as per itinerary (all breakfasts, lunches, and dinners listed as included)
• Full horse-team logistics carrying all group equipment on trail sections
• Professional licensed mountain guide throughout the tour
• Emergency oxygen cylinders
• First-aid kit and medical emergency supplies
• Walkie-talkies for group communication

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