Lijiang Tiger Leaping Gorge + Laoyaoshan 2-Day Trek (2-7 people small group)

Tiger Leaping Gorge is the star of this two-day trek, but the route pairs its famous canyon scenery with a quieter walk over Laoyaoshan. You hike about 10 kilometers each day, sleep at a guesthouse above the gorge, and travel in a small vehicle with a group capped at seven.

I like the contrast between the two walks: day one follows a classic high trail, while day two crosses pasture and forest toward views of Haba and Yulong Snow Mountains. I also like the practical touches, especially the included local guides, a simple breakfast, and afternoon tea at Half-Way Inn. The trade-off is that these are long hiking days, and the second route climbs to around 3,740 meters.

At a glance

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• Two distinct hikes: About 10 kilometers on each day, with roughly six hours of walking planned per route.
• Small group, small vehicle: Groups run from two to seven people, with vehicle size matched to the group.
• A night above the gorge: The guesthouse is selected from several listed options, rather than guaranteed as one named inn.
• Tea with a view: Afternoon tea at Half-Way Inn is included, one serving per person.
• A high second day: The Laoyaoshan route reaches a listed ridge elevation of about 3,740 meters.
• Bring money for meals: Only breakfast is included, and it is simple: noodles or rice noodles with an egg.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Tours In Lijiang

Two days, two different mountain walks

This trip is a compact way to get out of Lijiang and onto two trails without arranging separate transport, lodging, guide services, and entrance access yourself. It is not a casual sightseeing loop. Expect a full day on foot, a night in a mountain guesthouse, then another substantial hike before returning to town.

The first day takes you from Lijiang toward Tiger Leaping Gorge and the Naxi Yage trailhead. From there, you walk the high trail to a mid-way guesthouse. The second day starts near Walnut Garden and follows the Laoyaoshan route toward Xinyaoshan before the drive back to Lijiang.

The group size matters here. With two to seven people, the trip should feel less like a convoy than a large coach tour, and the vehicle is sized to the group: a five-seat car for two or three people, a seven-seat vehicle for four or five, and a nine-seat vehicle for six or seven. You avoid arranging transfers between the trailheads yourself, though the drive still takes time.

Day one: the high trail above Tiger Leaping Gorge

The first morning begins with pickup in Lijiang. The exact departure point and time are confirmed by the guide the evening before; the listed window is 7:30 to 9:00, with the day’s schedule beginning at 7:30. Keep your phone available so you can receive the details.

The drive passes through Tiger Leaping Gorge on the way to Naxi Yage, where the hike starts. The tour includes the gorge admission ticket, but the schedule does not include a stop at the Tiger Leaping Gorge viewing platform. That is worth understanding before you book: you get the canyon region as part of the route, not a dedicated sightseeing visit to its main viewing area.

From Naxi Yage, you walk about 10 kilometers to the mid-way guesthouse. The planned gain is around 470 meters, with elevations listed from roughly 2,200 to 2,670 meters. The estimated walking time is about six hours, so think of this as a proper trekking day, not a short stroll with a few photo stops.

The reward is the high trail’s changing view of canyon, river, and snow-covered peaks. The route is known for bringing these elements together, and the steady climb gives you time to take in the scale of the gorge. Your guide can help keep the group moving at a sensible pace, but your comfort will depend on being prepared to walk for several hours.

At the end of the hike, you stay at one of several reference guesthouses, including Teacher Zhang’s Inn, Taoyuan Inn, Lantingxuan Inn, Yuxueju Inn, Achangjiao Homestay, or Meixia Mountain Villa. The specific accommodation is not guaranteed in advance, so ask which property is planned if you have particular lodging needs.

Afternoon tea at Half-Way Inn is included, one serving per person. The stop is a welcome pause after the trail, and the inn’s balcony is a draw for its mountain views. It gives the first day a more relaxed ending, though you should not mistake tea for dinner. Main meals and other drinks are not included.

Day two: pasture paths and high ground at Laoyaoshan

Breakfast is provided at the guesthouse. Keep expectations modest: it is described as a bowl of noodles or rice noodles with one egg. It is useful fuel before setting off, but you may want to bring extra snacks if you usually eat more before a long hike.

The second day begins around Walnut Garden and heads over Laoyaoshan toward Xinyaoshan. The walk is also about 10 kilometers, with approximately 359 meters of ascent and 570 meters of descent listed. The route description gives elevations rising from about 3,381 meters to a ridge around 3,740 meters, before descending toward Zhongcun at about 3,170 meters.

That elevation deserves attention. The climb is not defined only by distance: you will be walking high above sea level, where even a moderate ascent can feel harder than it would at lower elevations. Take the pace steadily, drink water, and be realistic about your fitness. Participants must be under 65, and this trip is a better fit if you are comfortable spending much of the day hiking.

Laoyaoshan offers a different mood from the gorge trail. The route is described as passing through pasture and forest, with views that can include both Haba and Yulong Snow Mountains. Those open mountain views are the point of this less-familiar walk. Conditions and visibility can affect what you see, so treat the scenery as a possibility rather than a promise of clear peaks.

Local guide services are included for both hikes. The day-two schedule also labels the hike as self-guided, so it is sensible to confirm before departure exactly how the guide will accompany or support the group on that section. That small clarification can help you know what to expect on a remote route.

After the hike, the return drive to Lijiang takes about two and a half hours. The listed arrival time in the city center is around 18:30, although the schedule also gives broader afternoon return windows. Traffic and weather can change the timing. If you are continuing your journey that evening, the stated guidance is to book flights after 20:30 and trains after 19:30.

What the small-group format buys you

A maximum of seven people is a useful middle ground. You get transport and local guiding without joining a large bus group, and the vehicle can be chosen to suit the party size. The minimum is two people; solo travelers can inquire, but a departure is not guaranteed for one person.

The small group does not mean every detail is private. You still share the vehicle, guide, and general schedule with the others, and the route has set walking distances. But a smaller party can make it easier to hear instructions and keep the day moving without the stop-and-start rhythm of a large group.

The tour supplies trekking poles for loan. Note how many you need when you book, rather than assuming there will be enough on the day. You will also want suitable walking shoes, layers for changing mountain conditions, water, and snacks. Those items are not listed as included, and the long hikes make them worth planning for.

What the price covers, and what it does not

The displayed price information gives more than one starting figure: $170.90 in the summary and from $148.65 for the two-to-seven-person car group package. Treat these as guide prices, not a final quote. Check the date and package total before paying, since the exact price can vary.

The value is mainly in bundling the moving parts. The package includes transport during the tour, admission to Tiger Leaping Gorge, local guide services for the hikes, one night at a listed reference guesthouse, breakfast, and afternoon tea. Organizing those pieces separately could take time, especially when you need to coordinate trailheads and a return drive.

You still need to budget for most food and drinks, personal expenses, and travel to and from Lijiang. The tour includes no main meals, so plan to buy lunch and dinner. There may also be a single-room surcharge if you travel alone and cannot be matched with someone to share a room. Children are counted in the passenger headcount, and the child price does not include a bed, breakfast, scenic spot tickets, or transport. For children taller than 1.4 meters, the adult price is recommended.

Who should book this trek

I would consider this trip if you want two substantial hikes and prefer to have transport, guide services, and an overnight stop arranged together. It makes particular sense if you are already based in Lijiang and want to see both the famous gorge trail and a less-familiar high mountain route without planning the logistics yourself.

It is less suited to anyone looking for a gentle sightseeing break, a dedicated stop at the gorge viewing platform, or all meals included. The two six-hour walks, high elevation on day two, and changing return time call for flexibility and reasonable fitness. If you are uneasy at altitude or have a strict onward connection, ask questions before booking.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

It is a two-day trek with about 10 kilometers of hiking planned on each day. Each hike is estimated at around six hours. The short duration shown in some tour details does not describe the full trip.

How many people are in each group?

The group size is two to seven people. One person can inquire, but the stated minimum for booking is two.

Is Tiger Leaping Gorge’s viewing platform included?

No stop at the viewing platform is planned because of limited hiking time. Admission to Tiger Leaping Gorge is included, as the route passes through the area.

What food is included?

One breakfast is included at the guesthouse. It is described as noodles or rice noodles with one egg. Lunch, dinner, and other drinks are not included.

Where does the group stay overnight?

The overnight stay is at a mid-way guesthouse selected from several listed reference properties. The specific inn is not guaranteed in advance.

How high does the Laoyaoshan hike go?

The route description lists a ridge elevation of about 3,740 meters. The hike covers roughly 10 kilometers, with around 359 meters of ascent and 570 meters of descent listed.

When will the tour return to Lijiang?

The stated arrival in Lijiang city center is around 18:30, but traffic and weather can affect the schedule. If you are taking a same-day flight, the guidance is to book after 20:30; for a train, after 19:30.

My call: Book it if you want two real hiking days, appreciate a small group, and are ready for a high route with some logistical help built in. Skip it if you need a relaxed pace, want a guaranteed gorge viewpoint stop, or cannot allow room for a late return.