Highlights
The great range of environmental conditions in Sichuan makes a fabulously plant-rich region, home to the bulk of China's endemic plants and the home of its Giant Pandas. On this exciting trip we will concentrate on seeing the endemic and near-endemic species. Although the wild mountainous terrain and torrential rivers have combined to keep the province isolated until relatively recently, today the rich diversity of habitats and a well-developed tourist infrastructure make Sichuan an appealing destination for a plant tour.
Itinerary
Arrive in Chengdu and prepare for the tour.
Stay overnight in Chengdu.
Meals included:
Leaving Chengdu we will drive south across the Chengdu Plain making tour to Mt. Wawu Shan via the city of Meishan, which is with a record of 278 species of birds. Today we will stay in a hotel located on the halfway to the top.
Stay overnight on Mt. Wawu Shan.
Meals included:
We will take cable cars to top of Mt. Wawu Shan. On the summit we will find Gray-hooded and Fulvous parrotbills and Sichuan Treecreeper. Lower down, the mountain was alive with the endemic Emei Liocichla, Golden Parrotbills, the scarce Emei Leaf-Warbler, and unforgettable Lady Amherst's Pheasants.
Stay overnight on Mt. Wawu Shan.
Meals included:
Today we drive up to Balang Shan Pass itself, which gives us a chance to explore the high pastoral flora. Here we have a chance to find the hardier alpines. Then we drive back to Rilong for the night.
Stay overnight in Rilong.
Meals included:
Today we spend 7 hours on horse to Laoniu Yuanzi, our campsite. On the way you may explore Habenaria glaucifelia, Orchidaceae (Cypripedium flavum, Cypripedium tibeticum) as well as some other alpine floras.
Stay overnight at Laoniu Yuanzi.
Meals included:
Today we head to Dahaizi Lake and Huahaizi Lake. The two lakes are typical alpine lakes. Here you can see flocks of yaks and horses drinking water by the lakes.
Stay overnight at the Laoniu Yuanzi campsite.
Meals included:
Today we return to Rilong and it gives us another chance to explore the beautiful landscape at Mt. Siguniang and its rich floras.
Stay overnight at Rilong Town.
Meals included:
We head north today up a gorgy in Qionglai Range. At Mt. Yanggong Shan Pass to discover an endemic purple Meconopsis horridula growing on the meadow nearby.
Stay overnight at Hongyuan Town.
Meals included:
We now enter the great grasslands of Eastern Tibet, which is the most beautiful part in this journey. We cross the great grassland to the town of Ruo'ergai.
Stay overnight at Ruo’ergai.
Meals included:
Heading southeast from Ruo'ergai in the morning we cross a pass and leave the grasslands. By evening we arrive at Jiuzhaigou Valle
Stay overnight at Jiuzhaigou.
Meals included:
Today we tour one of most China’s hottest scenic spot, Jiuzhaigou Valley. Jiuzhaigou Valley is a great masterpiece of nature having dreamlike scenery and abundant natural resources such as calc-sinter lake groups, waterfalls, and other waterscapes.
Stay overnight at Jiuzhaigou.
Meals included:
Leaving Jiuzhaigou Valley we go onto the 4,000m pass that takes us into Huanglong. At Pass of Xueshanliang we explore the hill slope nearby to search Meconopsis.
Stay overnight at Huanglong.
Meals included:
Today we experience China's growing park system. The great thing is that the woodlands remain ungrazed allowing species to flourish particularly orchids such as Phaius delavayi and Cypripedium spp.
Stay overnight at Huanglong.
Meals included:
Today we return to Chengdu, ending this great journey of Plant Hunting in Sichuan.
Stay overnight at Chengdu.
Meals included:
Depart Chengdu.
Meals included: Breakfast
Pricing & Accommodation
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US Dollar -
Euro -
GB Pound -
CA Dollar -
AU Dollar -
HK Dollars -
Renminbi
| Group Size | 1 person | 2-5 persons | 6-9 persons | ≥10 persons |
| Tour Cost | $ 5695 | $ 2918 | $ 1582 | $ 1235 |
* Price in every box above is for each person.
* Price is in US dollar. It may vary a little bit according to US dollar exchange rate fluctuation, car fuel price change and government tax adjustment, etc.
*The price is only for your reference and it is subject to seasons, high or low.Please send us your inquiry if you are interested.
Inclusions / Exclusions
Inclusions:
A. Personal English-speaking Guide and sometimes a local guide to help us with the local off the beaten tracks
B. Experienced Driver + comfortable Private cross-country van/bus for the driving part
C. All accommodations as specified in the itinerary
D. All meals as listed in the itinerary (B=breakfast, L=lunch, S=supper)
Exclusions:
A. Air tickets for the flights flying in and out of Chengdu
B. Gratuities, Tips to local people, the guide and driver
(Although not compulsory, if you think your guide and driver have done a good job at the end of the tour, we suggest you tip them at you own decision to show your appreciations.)
C. Other Personal Expenses.
Important Information
How to Dress (only for reference):
Sturdy walking shoes/Sport sandals
Long, loose and comfortable pants
Shirts/T-shirts
Warm clothes for Nov-April
Fleece, Jacket, hat and gloves
Umbrella or waterproof jacket in a cloudy day or rainy day
Cover for backpack or plastic bags to keep clothes dry in case of rain
What to Bring (only for reference):
Wet wipes / Moist towelettes
Sun hat, Sun block, Sunglasses
Insect Repellent
Bottled Water
Small towel
Shorts for summer months (June – September)
Camera, film and memory chip, battery
Binoculars
Pocketknife
First-aid kit (should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, re-hydration powder, extra prescription drugs you may be taking).
