Education - South of the Clouds (Yunnan)

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

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

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

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

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