From Coffee to Tea: A Journey with Yunnan’s Ethnic Peoples
Customizable
Small Group Journeys
Suggested Length
5 days
€165 per person per day
Price From
Maximum group size 6 people
What We Love
We will start a 5-day and 4-night journey through southern Yunnan, where misty tea mountains meet tropical rainforests, and centuries-old traditions blend with the aroma of coffee and tea. This is a route that awakens all senses—rich in flavours, colours, and human connection.
You’ll wander the ancient tea forests of Jingmai Mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, where thousand-year-old trees still thrive under the care of the Bulang people. At dawn, seas of clouds drift across the ridges; by evening, the golden light falls on villages where smoke curls above bamboo houses. Here, tea is more than a drink—it is a way of life carried through generations.
In Pu’er, step into coffee estates and trace the journey of a bean from branch to cup. The fragrance of freshly roasted coffee mingles with stories of growers, offering a new perspective on Yunnan’s rising coffee culture.
Along the way, immerse yourself in the living heritage of Dai and Bulang villages: share tea in family courtyards, follow the rhythm of elephant-foot drums, and taste meals cooked with forest herbs. In the evenings, rainforest trails reveal the mysteries of Xishuangbanna’s Botanical Garden, where insects sing, trees bloom under starlight, and the tropical night comes alive.
This is not only a journey from coffee to tea, but also an encounter with the spirit of Yunnan’s people and landscapes—a timeless harmony between culture and nature.
Explore a Pu’er coffee estate and follow the bean’s journey from harvest to roasting and tasting.
Wake up to drifting clouds above Jingmai’s ancient tea forests and discover the Bulang people’s living tea heritage.
Step into Dai and Bulang villages, learn the elephant-foot drum dance, and share dinner and stories with locals.
Walk through Pu’er Sun River National Forest Park and encounter rare wildlife of the rainforest.
Savour Lao iced coffee, the Peacock Banquet, and fireside feasts that bring Yunnan’s flavours to life.
Take a night tour of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, discovering rainforest mysteries under the stars.
Highlights of the Journey
Learn the elephant-foot drum dance in a Dai village and join the rhythm of celebration.
Take a night walk in the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, following the glow of fireflies in the rainforest.
Explore the Starlight Night Market by the Lancang River and savour tropical street food.
Savour Lao iced coffee, the Peacock Banquet, and fireside feasts that capture the tropical flavours of Yunnan.
Visit a Pu’er coffee estate, tracing the journey of beans from harvest to roasting and tasting.
Spot the playful red panda in Pu’er Sun River National Forest Park.
Map & Itinerary
DAY 1:
Arrival in Jinghong · A Tropical Welcome
Pause at a cozy street café for a refreshing Lao iced coffee, paired with smooth coconut ice cream, the perfect antidote to tropical heat.
For lunch, enjoy a dazzling Peacock Banquet, where colourful dishes are arranged like a peacock’s tail, showcasing the artistry of Dai cuisine.
In the evening, stroll along the Lancang River and step into the lively Starlight Night Market. Lanterns glow, laughter fills the air, and the aromas of lemongrass-grilled fish, tropical desserts, and smoky skewers invite you to linger.
DAY 2:
Dai Traditions · Ancient Tea Forests of Jingmai
In the morning, visit a Dai family in Gasa Town. Learn the Elephant-Foot Drum dance as villagers share the rhythms of their heritage, filling the courtyard with energy and warmth.
In the afternoon, journey to Jingmai Mountain and explore Nuogan Ancient Village. Surrounded by ancient tea forests, wooden houses and bamboo fences blend seamlessly with centuries-old tea trees.
At dusk, sit down with a Blang family for a home-cooked dinner. Over steaming bowls of tea-infused dishes, hear stories of tea culture passed down for generations as the fire crackles nearby.
DAY 3:
Morning Mists · Blang Villages and the Tea Horse Road
Rise early and hike to the mountain ridges. As morning mists drift through the valleys, the scene feels like a “city in the clouds,” perfumed with the scent of wild tea.
Visit Wengji Ancient Village, where the Blang people uphold their belief in “cherishing tea as their eyes.” Wander among ancient tea groves and hear ancestral rituals that keep their traditions alive.
Share a traditional lunch inside a Blang wooden home, where laughter, conversation, and tea create a timeless atmosphere.
By evening, arrive in Pu’er. Take a leisurely walk through Tea Horse Ancient Town, where stone-paved streets and historic caravan trails still echo with the memory of jingling bells.
DAY 4:
The World of Pu’er Coffee · Secrets of the Forest
Begin the morning at a Pu’er coffee estate, following the entire journey of a single bean—from hand-picking to sun-drying, roasting, and brewing. End with a freshly ground cup, rich and aromatic, sipped under the forest sun.
In the afternoon, visit Pu’er Sun River National Forest Park, a sanctuary for rare wildlife. Spot the playful red panda, or perhaps glimpse a white rhinoceros or slow loris among the trees.
After nightfall, join a guided walk in the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden. Fireflies flicker like stars in the darkness, insects and birds create a rainforest symphony, and the night reveals the hidden mysteries of the jungle.
DAY 5:
Tropical Botanical Wonders · Farewell to Yunnan
Spend your final day exploring the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, home to an astonishing array of plants. See traveler’s palms storing water like desert oases, strangler figs entwined with their hosts, trumpet-shaped datura blossoms, and crimson-leaved cotinus.
Wander beneath towering buttress roots and giant lianas that hang like natural sky gardens.
As the journey ends, carry with you the memories of Dai hospitality, the fragrance of Blang tea, the aroma of Pu’er coffee, and the timeless rhythm of the rainforest.
Featured Stays
We’ve hand-selected a range of accommodations to suit different preferences, each offering a distinctive experience deeply connected to the local land and culture.
Guesthouse, Jingmai Mountain & Xishuangbanna
Perched high on the slopes of Jingmai Mountain, this guesthouse blends seamlessly with the surrounding ancient tea forests. Built in traditional wooden architecture, it reflects the simplicity and harmony of Bulang village life.
Evenings are often spent sharing stories around the fire, with the fragrance of freshly brewed tea lingering in the air. Waking up here means stepping out to the sight of mist drifting through centuries-old tea trees—a place where time slows down and nature sets the rhythm.
What’s Included:
Accommodation
Private driver and vehicle for the duration of the trip
All activities, experiences, and necessary equipment as outlined in the itinerary
12/7 online concierge service for assistance during your journey
Emergency rescue team on standby for safety and security
Virtual guided sightseeing explanations to enhance your cultural experience
Daily medication and oxygen supply to ensure your well-being at high altitudes
Entrance fees for all attractions listed in the itinerary
What’s Excluded:
Daily meals (We will recommend the best local restaurants based on your personal preferences)
On-site translator (Our 12/7 online guide service is available if language assistance is needed)
Additional emergency rescue expenses caused by personal circumstances
Trip Costs:
Starting from €165 per person per day
Based on boutique accommodation and a group of 4 travelers.
Room upgrades
Add €40 per room, per night for each upgrade level.
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Begin Your Unique Journey Through China.
