Red Rock is now in its fifth year of a long-term project to map and reconnect ancient caravan trails in Southwest China.

Join us to explore and enjoy the history, culture and sheer natural beauty of these unique pathways...

Haba to Shangri-la

September 29-October 10, 2012

US$1,800

This is our current favourite route, a wonderful trek following a key section of the ancient Tea & Horse Trail where it ascends the Tibetan Plateau for the first time. From the spectacular depths of Tiger Leaping Gorge, past snow-capped Mt. Haba and over the tremendous crest of Mt. Tianbao, this is a dramatic and diverse journey, climaxing as our mule caravan descends directly into the heart of Shangri-la's old market town.

Click here to learn more...

Mt. Gawagapu Explorer

August 4-20, 2012

US$2,900

This is a genuine first-time adventure in a border region inhabited by a fascinating collection of peoples: Tibetan, Nu, Lisu and Drung. The influence of French missionaries, who settled in the Nu and Lancang river valleys from the 1860s to 1950, is still strong, with highly unusual Tibetan Catholic communities holding fast to their faith.

Participants must be in good physical condition and mentally prepared for a challenging environment. You will find no mobile reception, internet access or even electricity while we are on the mountain, where we are likely to meet no one but hunters who still use wooden crossbows and bamboo arrows, sometimes poisoned with aconite.

Click here to learn more...

Xizhou to Shaxi Tea Horse Trek

7-9 Days, Available June, July and September 2012

US$1,400-1,750

We rate this as our finest short route: an accessible yet challenging trek between two keys points of the old Tea and Horse Trail, taking in probably the best highland scenery south of the Tibetan Plateau.

Beginning on the Dali plain overlooking Erhai Lake, we cross Mt. Cangshan and the stunning Fengyu bazi to the shore of Lake Cibi, which we cross by boat to reach the foot of the final mountain range before Shaxi. A two-day hike along a little-used trail takes us past isolated homesteads belonging to members of the Yi ethnic group, before we trek down to the valley and into the remarkable old Bai town of Shaxi: possibly the best-preserved example of a Tea and Horse Trail caravanserai in Yunnan. This trek can be done as a 7-day or 9-day journey.

Click here to learn more...

Summer shorts 2012

Available to order June, July and September 2012

For those passing through our part of northwest Yunnan this summer, we've designed a couple of short treks that can be put together at relatively short notice. From an easy two-day hike along the South Silk Road to a testing three-day adventure across the giant Cangshan range, click here to learn more...

Coming in 2013...

Wild Walk in Old China

March 29 - April 14, 2013

In tandem with award-winning adventure travel specialists Wild Frontiers, we'll be tackling a classic, 100-mile section of the Tea & Horse Trail between Lijiang and Xizhou (Dali). Click here to learn more, and watch out for the forthcoming blog (late April) on 2012's recce trip along this route.