Basecamp Travel | Adventurous and beautiful trekkings in China, Yunnan

"Walk on foot, see with eyes, experience with heart" is not just a slogan but a philosophy that says a lot about who we are.

Besides of trekkings we take care for you in several ways. Like professional guiding, tickets for transport and entertainment, hotel reservation, pick up service, boat-, car- and bicycle tours. Even car rental with driver and English speaking guide is possible ... follow the links in the right screen part >>>

About trekkings: we only put those trekkings in our program in which we are good and we guarantee for the lowest price. But mentioned trekkings are not the only trekkings we offer. We also can organize trekkings in the mountains near Dali. Which trekking you choose, we always promise you an experience you never forget.

If you have questions or you are interested, contact us. We will approach you in short time but always within 12 hours.

Yunnan is noted for a very high level of ethnic diversity. It has the highest number of ethnic groups among all

provinces and autonomous regions in China. Among the country's 56 ethnic groups, 25 are found in Yunnan.

Some 38 percent of the province's population are members of minorities including the Yi, Bai, Hani, Zhuang, Dai,

Miao, Lisu, Hui, Lahu, Va, Naxi, Yao, Tibetan, Jingpo, Blang, Pumi, Nu, Achang, Jino, Mongolian, Drung, Manchu, Shui and Bouyei.

Some groups, such as the Mosuo, who are officially recognised as part of the Naxi, have in the past claimed official status as a national minority, and are now recognised with the status of Mosuo people.

The Naxi, in particular, use the Dongba script, which is the only ideographic writing system in use in the world today. The Dongba script was mainly used to provide the Dongba priests with instructions on how to carry out their rituals.

Yunnan have a rich Fauna and Flora and the province is famous because of her nice weather whole year around.

That's why you can travel in Yunnan the whole year around, however in wintertime in the higher parts it can be very cold.

Basecamp Travel welcomes you

General information about the trekkings

Before you go

Health & travel tips

Vaccine

Vaccines are not recommended when travelling in this area.

Normally it is advisable to take vaccines against Polio, Hepatitis A and Diphtheria. Please contact your doctor or vaccination clinic for advice and decisions on vaccines.

The time

China time is 6 hours later than West-European (GMT+01.00: Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Madrid, Paris, Stockholm) summertime and 7 hours later than standard time.

The language

The main language in China is Han Chinese. Besides Han Chinese in Yunnan and Sichuan province the minorities

use many other languages. English is not very common.

Making pictures

Remember to ask people before you photograph them.

Money

In Lijiang it’s easy to withdraw money from an ATM using Visa or other plastic. On trekking this is not possible. Be prepared you have besides Chinese money also some cash in euro's or US dollar. We advise to use a money belt for your passport, tickets, credit cards and money. Put it in a plastic bag first.

On your trip

Group size

Our trekkings are based on a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 16 participants. In cases there are less than 6 participants it is possible we do not provide a western tour leader, as long as we are confident that local staff are competent to look after the group.

Baggage on trek

While on trek we must restrict you to 8 to 10 kg of personal gear. Gear not needed on trek can normally be left in the guesthouse.

On-trek service

On several treks your gear is either carried for you by pack animals or porters, or transported by vehicle each day. All you have to carry is what you need for the day.

When camping perhaps you will asked to help with setting up camp, food preparation, etc.

Food

All food is provided (3 meals per day, including several picnic lunches. Depending on the area, provisions are based on fresh local (Naxi, Pumi, and so on) food. Local breakfast is normally provided in guesthouses.

How to book

Confirmation

After agreement of the departure date we send you a confirmation form by e-mail. After filling it, you send the form to Basecamp Travel by e-mail. And that's it. We can go, after payment off course.

Terms of payment

First payment of 50% of the total price must be paid within 2 days after agreement of the departure date.

Rest payment must be paid 15 days before agreed departure date.

We don't send reminders.

Terms of cancellation

In case you cancel your trekking, you must pay the following costs:

- By cancellation between 30 days and 15 days before the agreed departure date: 25% of the price.

- By cancellation between 14 days and the agreed departure date: 100% of the price.

- If you are not at the meeting point on the departure date and time or you cancel your trekking on the way, you

must pay 100% of the price.

Departure date

Basecamp Travel has chosen not to stipulate fixed departure dates in advance, but to continue the trekking if the minimum number of participants has been reached around the same desired departure date.

We discuss mutually over the effective departure date, where we expect, however, some flexibility. Basecamp Travel eventually decides what the departure date is going to be and this date will communicated to the participants. If participants agree with the date then, after payment of the trekking, we can take off.

Here you see guaranteed departure dates.

Holidays

On and around the following three Chinese Public Holidays, many Chinese tourists are travelling. Prices of accommodation and transportation are perhaps higher (30-50%) than normal. Higher prices are calculated.

1. Chinese Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) which takes place in late January or early February (calculated by

moon calendar), The things people do at Spring Festival.

2. Labour Day: May 1-7th.

3. National Day: October 1-7th

Risks, insurance and safety

At booking this trekking you choose for an adventurous trekking. We emphasise that every adventure brings a certain risk with itself, travelling and certainly a trekking without risks does not exist. Basecamp Travel does as much as possible to offer security and safety.

That does not mean that you yourself carry no responsibility. The areas where we travel around is only to a limited extent provided with medical supplies. The tour-leader has a First Aid-kit available. Also technical supplies, such as communication resources, are not always available.

Participants take into account that altitude sickness can be a serious problem. If you feel sick, become dizzy or get a headache, you must stop and drink a lot of water. If the problem remains, then go to a lower altitude as fast as possible. It is also thinkable that you have charge of oxygen shortage on this altitude.

It is a condition of joining the trekking that you must be insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation if necessary). We also strongly recommend that you take out cancellation insurance.

China is socially a safe country. The mountainous area where we travel around can be characterised as very safe.