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3 Day Dragon's Backbone Hike
Highlights: Longsheng
Trip start: Longsheng
Trip end: Guilin
Price Range from $519pp (4ppl), from $630pp (2ppl) *
* USD per person, double occupancy. Custom designed personal tour. Prices subject to change.

National Geographic Adventure Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth '98.33 Client Satisfaction Rating'

Winner National Geographic 'Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth'
2008 & 2009

Trip Summary
Map of Itinerary
Expand [+]

Located 2 ½ hours northeast of Guilin and one of the first areas to be settled in southern China, Longsheng offers a stunning combination of scenery and rural culture in an accessible village to village walking trip. Longsheng is an area of forested highlands and miles of rice terraces that line the hilltops. It has taken 18 generations to build these beautiful landscapes by the local Yao, Dong and Zhuang people. The Yao people retreated from the west 500 years ago and are one of the most colourful in China known for their traditional clothes and coned hair. The Zhuang people are the largest minority in China and share a cultural and ancestral heritage with both Han and groups such as far away as northern Thailand.

By trekking away from the roads you experience the countryside and communities like the locals, as a pedestrian. The trek begins with a short walk up from the end of the road to a traditional building converted into a small hotel near the Yao village of Dazhai. From Dazhai we travel about 18 kilometres (11 miles) overland through forests and farms to a guesthouse near the Zhuang village of Ping’An. On the third day after taking some time to explore Ping’An we walk down the mountain to the waiting car for a transfer back to Guilin or Yangshuo.

This itinerary is not for everyone but for outdoor enthusiasts and those seeking to experience the rural China of past it is ideal.

This private guided tour is full board and includes transfers from Guilin, luggage storage and provision of a comfortable day pack for the duration of the walk - comfortable shoes/clothing are required.

Day Activities Hotel
Day 1
Longsheng
  • Kensington Cares *
  • Longsheng: Trek Day 1 - Van/Driver
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Local Guesthouse Dazhai (B,L,D)
Day 2
Longsheng
  • Trek Day 2 - Guide
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Local Guesthouse Pingan (B,L,D)
Day 3
Longsheng - Guilin
  • Trek Day 3 - Van/Driver/Guide
  • Lunch
Depart 
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, 1/2d = Half Day, Al = All Inclusive

Trip Options
This itinerary is designed as an active intrepid extension to any of our China tours visiting the Guilin/Yangshuo area. Upgrade is available the 2nd night to the luxurious boutique hotel Li An Lodge near Ping'An village.

Itinerary

Day 1
Longsheng
Kensington Tours donates a portion of our proceeds to our charitable initiative www.kensingtoncares.com which supports education-based initiatives in disadvantaged communities. Depart from Guilin for by Private car to begin your Private guided multi-day trek through the minority villages and highland rice terraces of the Longsheng region. This includes all meals, admissions and guiding around the Longsheng area en route to your guesthouse. Commence your first night with a stay in a village guesthouse in the Yao minority village of Dazhai.
Enjoy a fine and eclectic mix of fare. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). The local guesthouses are actually staying in the local style building which, perched hillside are typcially made entirely of wood with no nails. Accommodation is basic but clean and hygenic. Dazhai village is rural pedestrian access Yao area. Part of the Sino-Tibetan Miao-Yao ethno linguistic group, the Yao minority is one of the most colorful in China known for their traditional clothes. The spectacularly terraced rice paddies 90km northwest of Guilin cling impossibly to sheer hillsides. The most famous section is called "Dragon's Backbone", with the terraced rice paddies like the shining scales of the dragon down the steep slopes. Lush bamboo groves and small hillside villages show off the rich culture of the Zhuang and Yao people.


Longsheng
Longsheng
rice terraces of the Longsheng
rice terraces of the Longsheng
Hotel Environs
Hotel Environs

Day 2
Longsheng
Travel overland with your private guide from the Yao village of Dazhai through forests and valley's of rice terraces to the Zhuang village of Ping'An. Basic Accommodation. Breakfast Lunch and Dinner included this day. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Enjoy dinner (included in tour price). The local guesthouses are actually staying in the local style building perched hillside and typically made entirely of wood with no nails. Accommodation is basic but clean and hygenic with bathrooms, great local food and attentive friendly service. Ping'An is a walking access only village of the Zhuang people.


Longsheng rice paddies
Longsheng rice paddies
Looking down at Ping'An Village
Looking down at Ping'An Village

Day 3
Longsheng - Guilin
Trek completion from the village of Ping'An to your car where for a private drive back to Guilin. This include breakfast, lunch and touring while making your way from your guesthouse back to the van. This day can finish back in Guilin/Yangshuo or at the airport for travel on to your next destination. Enjoy lunch (included in tour price). Depart from Guilin International airport - end of itinerary.
Guilin is situated in the northeast of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on the west bank of the Li River. Its name means "forest of Sweet Osmanthus", owing to the large number of fragrant Sweet Osmanthus trees located in the city. The city has long been renowned for its unique scenery.


Guilin
Guilin
Longsheng
Longsheng

Trip Includes
All ground transport in a private car with driver - Guaranteed departure - Airport transfers as per the itinerary - Fullboard accommodation - Specialized and personalized services - All park and reserve entrance fees to include local government taxes - Service of an English speaking professional driver/guide

Trip Excludes
Laundry - Tips - Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages including mineral water - International airfare - Visas - Optional activities/extras - Vacation insurance (purchase at www.kensingtontours.com/insurance.cfm )

Trip Terms & Conditions

  • Your deposit is due immediately on booking (30% of program price). The balance is due 90 days prior to departure. We accept payment via credit card, certified check, wire transfer or money order.
  • The price shown is per person, and does not include international air fare to/from the trip start point
  • Cost increases in currency exchange, government fees, taxes, surcharges or hotel/lodge tariff increases between quote date and start date are payable by the client.
  • We will exercise best efforts to book hotels per the itinerary, however, in busy seasons and with client bookings made within 90 days of tour date we may be forced to offer substitutes. We will endeavour to confirm final hotel bookings as soon as possible.
  • Cancellations 90 days or more prior to departure will receive full refund less any non-refundable paid fees (e.g. non-refundable cruise or hotel deposits). 60-89 days will be subject to loss of deposit. 30-59 days will be subject to loss of 50% of program price. 29 days or less will be subject to 100% of program price.
  • Payment of the program price constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out at www.kensingtontours.com/terms.cfm