DAYS 6-12: YANGTZE
RIVER
For 7 days we float through the immense Great Bend Canyon with some of the world's highest vertical river cliffs .
In a number of places the water is bank to bank between sheer walls rising over a vertical high. Cirrus clouds have actually
been seen passing over a canyon wall on one side and crashing into the wall on the other
side. The rapids are also on a grand scale with waves reaching as high as 20 feet. (It is
possible to walk around the largest rapids for people not wishing to run them.) When the
massive walls taper, we hike up marvelous side streams and visit a 1,000 year old stone
Tibetan village. The whitewater is similar to that which is found on the Grand Canyon.
Each day has a few major rapids with many smaller ones. Some of the most impressive
whitewater comes on the final day. After passing under a small road bridge, our first exit
point in nearly a week, the Yangtze vents its final fury pulsing through a canyon
containing 8 major rapids in close succession. The immense proportions of these drops rank
them with anything found on the Futaleufu or the Zambezi. Class 4 clients may get out at
the bridge and transfer back to Lijiang. They will reunite with those running the final
Class 5 canyon at dinner that evening.
DAY 13: LIJIANG / KUNMING
In the morning we transfer to the airport for the short flight back to Kunming.
The afternoon is free. In the evening we attend a wonderful Chinese cultural dinner with
acrobats, jugglers and singers. The night is spent in a 4 star hotel.
DAY 14-15 KUNMING / HONG
KONG / U.S.
In the morning we fly to Hong Kong where we spend the night. The next day we fly to the
United States.
OPTION: If you
are interested in seeing Beijing or other parts of China before of after the trip, it can
easily be arranged through our Chinese partner. Please see Beijing description of the
Upper Yangtze expedition.
Day
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