If you know anything about Lost Plate, you know that you’ll never go hungry. All meals are included on this trip. You can expect simple yet hearty breakfasts, plus lunches and dinners that offer a huge variety of dishes in large quantities. We often visit families and restaurants that specialize in one type of cuisine or dish, and there’s a reason why we visit every single place. We promise the food will be the highlight of your trip!

Dinners include beer. Non-alcoholic options such as tea, mineral water, and soft drinks will always be available. Drinks like soda water and cocktails will not be available at the restaurants we visit.

All of our tours have been designed to accommodate vegetarian diets. It is, however, important to note that this region of Yunnan relies heavily on cured pork. Meals are typically eaten in restaurants or homes that specialize in one type of cuisine, so please note that there will not always be direct substitutes for everything we eat. There are also a couple hotpot meals where only meat broth is available. We will make sure you have other dishes to eat, but guests who are able to eat veggies from meat broth will have more variety.

Please let us know when paying your deposit if you have any special dietary requirements.

We’ve rated this trip at a level of 2 out of 4, and there is no strenuous activity required during this trip. There is one hike and one bike ride during this trip, and they are both optional.

The altitude on this trip ranges between 2000m to 2500m above sea level, and you will likely notice shortness of breath when doing activities for the first day or two.

In general, you should expect to be on your feet every day. The duration is often your choice.

Bus journeys will typically not last more than 2 hours, and many times are much shorter. Road conditions inside Tiger Leaping Gorge are currently under construction so you should expect a bumpy and dusty ride.

Yes, children are welcome to join this trip. Shorter bus journeys, ample free time, and comfortable accommodations make this trip one of our more child-friendly itineraries. We ask that groups with children exercise their own judgement and contact us with any questions. Due to the schedule each day, it is important that we stay on time and there may not always be an opportunity for you to take breaks or go back to your hotel for rest.

Due to limited capacities on our trips, discounts are not generally provided for children. Contact us with any questions or concerns and we will assess each situation individually.

Flights to and from Yunnan are not included. This gives you the flexibility to arrive and depart when you would like, on the flights or trains of your choice.

This trip starts in Dali (airport code DLU) and ends in Lijiang (LJG), both of which are well connected throughout China.

Yes! Feel free to arrive a couple days early to acclimate, and/or stay late and spend some more time in/around Dali or Lijiang. We are able to pass on our special hotel rates to you so you don’t need to switch hotels as well. Just let us know your dates and we will check rates and availability for you.

Please note that airport pickup and drop-offs to/from the airport are not available for those that arrive before our itinerary starts or depart after it ends.a

The minimum number of guests for this trip is 4, and the maximum is 10. All of our trips guarantee a small, intimate group for your pleasure and enjoyment – no big busses and tour guides waving flags here.

Your trip will have one Lost Plate trip leader with you the entire time, one local guide for all or part of the trip, and one driver/vehicle that stays with us for the entire trip.

All of our guides and trip leaders are employees of Lost Plate and trained by our founder. We do not outsource staff like other travel companies.

We do not cross any international borders during this trip and your China visa will be enough for the entire trip. You will not need any special permit for this trip.

This area of Yunnan is characterized by comfortable winters and mild (not too hot) summers. The high elevation means that the sun is very strong all year long and the weather can change fast, especially in Winter. We will provide you with a detailed forecast and packing tips for your specific trip.

Temperatures in autumn/winter/spring will usually range between 5-15c during the day, and can often feel much warmer when in the sun. Near/below freezing is likely at night. This is dry season so rain and snow is rare but can happen.

Summers are wet and rainy with daytime temps that range between 20-30c. It can feel warmer when in the sun. While it is rainy season, most days provide plenty of opportunity to get out and see the sights without rain but you should always prepare for a shower. The benefit is that the comfy temps provide a nice relief from most of China in the summer.

Yes! All of our trips are available for private groups or families, depending on date availability. Pricing will vary for groups under 8 people, but we always make sure they are reasonable. Groups of 8 or more can enjoy our published price for public tours. Contact us with your request and we’ll let you know specific details and pricing. 

• Transportation / flight tickets to Dali and away from Lijiang.
• Shopping and activities during your free time.
• While basic travel insurance will be provided by Lost Plate, coverage is not all-encompassing. Each guest should obtain their own health and travel coverage.

Our trips are in high demand and have limited spots. Deposits are non-refundable for any reason, including sickness, unless the trip is cancelled by Lost Plate due to the minimum number not being met. Full payment for the trip is required 14 days before arrival in Dali and is not refundable if you need to cancel.