Education - South of the Clouds (Yunnan)

Day 1 | 2

Arrive in Dali • Enter a world of traditional handicrafts and Bai architecture as you stroll along the cobbled streets of Dali Old Town • Fly past swaying reeds and fertile farmland as you set out by bicycle to find minority villages dotting the lakeside • Witness a private cormorant fishing demonstration, where fishermen work alongside their winged compatriots as they have for centuries
Day 3

Be an intrepid explorer and hike along the towering ravines jutting out over Tiger Leaping Gorge, one of the world's deepest and most exhilarating river canyons • Spend the night beneath the Milky Way at a local guesthouse, which hosts stunning views of the mountain range
Day 4

Be transported through scenic mountain roads to Tacheng in search of the illusive snub-nosed monkey • Partake in student-led discussion on topics, such as animal conservation methods and the relationship between animal and man • Get to know the people behind the Lisu Center, an organization that promotes the preservation of local minority culture
Day 5

Rise and shine to witness snub-nosed monkeys in their natural habitat at a national park • Get to know local youth by participating in a school exchange at an elementary school outside of Shangri-la • Get your hands messy with clay at a Nixi-style black pottery workshop
Day 6 | 7

Follow the narrow winding lanes of Shangri-la Old Town, passing by white stupas and outdoor markets • Study under a calligraphy master the flowing lines and dots that make up the Tibetan alphabet • Wander through the gilded pillars and incense-filled rooms of Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan lamasery in Yunnan • Share a farewell meal with a local Tibetan family, and expect yak to be on the menu! • Finish off the trip with a Tibetan-style dance party at a local home