• Destinations
    1. Qinghai
    2. Sichuan
    3. Yunnan
    4. Hainan
    5. Guangxi
    6. Ji Lin
  • National Parks
    1. Giant Panda National Park
    2. Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park
    3. Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park
    4. Sanjiangyuan National Park
  • Way to Travel
    1. National parks in China
    2. Rafting
  • About Great Wild China
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    Departing from Chengdu, venture deep into the Sichuan sector of the Giant Panda National Park, traversing the pristine forests of Tangjiahe and Labahe. In this low-altitude wildlife haven known as "China's Serengeti," track the trails of golden snub-nosed monkeys and red pandas, and experience nocturnal wildlife behavioral surveys.
    Entering the Lancang River Basin of the Sanjiangyuan National Park, passing through the Longbao Wetland, known as the "Hometown of Black-necked Cranes," head to Haxiu and Angsai, two premier snow leopard observation sites. Guided by expert leaders, follow in the footsteps of snow leopards and leopards. Along the upper Lancang River in Zaduo, visit local Tibetan pastoralists, immersing ourselves in their authentic lifestyle and hearing their stories of coexistence with snow leopards.
    Spanning Sichuan and Qinghai provinces, this 14-day natural history expedition takes us from the lush basins to the majestic alpine plateaus. It is a journey through time and terrain, offering two distinct worlds in one unforgettable trip.

    Duration 14 days

    Type Small-group travel

    Level Level 1

    Theme Natural Museum, Habitat & Life, National parks in China

    Group size 4 to 11 people

    Itinerary

    Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu

    Arrival at Chengdu Airport with arranged transfers and hotel check-in. Welcome dinner in the evening to introduce the trip's species highlights and go over safety guidelines.

    Transport: Coaster (0.5-1 hour)

    Accommodation : Mingyushangya Hotel (or similar)

    Meal : (On Own); Supper (Welcome Dinner)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Chengdu Minyoun Shangya Hotel is located on Linjiang West Road in Wuhou District, near Renmin South Road and adjacent to the Chunxi business hub, offering convenient transportation access. As a high-end business hotel wholly invested and developed by the Minyoun Group, the hotel features a variety of luxurious, comfortable, and tastefully designed guest rooms. It is a serene retreat where you can enjoy breathtaking views and a sense of tranquil seclusion.

    Day 2: Chengdu - Tangjiahe

    Theme Activities: Giant Panda Habitat Exploration, Tracking Animal Trails, and Nocturnal Wildlife Behavior Survey
    Morning: Transfer to Tangjiahe Nature Reserve.
    Afternoon: Visit the Tangjiahe Museum for an introduction to the reserve.
    Evening: Night observation in Tangjiahe.
     
    Evening Highlights:
    How thrilling is a night exploration in Tangjiahe? Shine your flashlight into the forest, and you'll be greeted by countless glowing eyes. Led by expert guides, we will investigate the nocturnal habits of local wildlife. Masked palm civets, otters, leopard cats, and countless other creatures of the night are waiting to be discovered in the mountains.

    Transport: Coaster (2-2.5 hours)

    Accommodation : Forest Oxygen (or similar)

    Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Chinese Meal); Supper (Chinese Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Forest Oxygen Hotel is a four-star scale built and decorated a comprehensive tourist resort hotel integrating guest rooms, catering, conference affairs, leisure and recreation, and protected area viewing.

    Day 3: Tangjiahe

    Thematic Activity: Giant Pandas and Associated Species
    All Day: Forest patrol; identification of animal tracks and scat; hiking along trails within the Tangjiahe Nature Reserve; vehicular wildlife survey along the park road.
    Target Species: Mainland serow, Indian muntjac, Tibetan macaque, Chinese goral, wild boar, Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey, and Asian black bear.

     

    Transport: Coaster (2-2.5 hours)

    Accommodation : Forest Oxygen (or similar)

    Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Chinese Meal); Supper (Chinese Meal)

    Trekking Distance : 2 kilometers

    Trekking Time : 2-3 hours

    Altitude Gains & Losses : 300 meters

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Forest Oxygen Hotel is a four-star scale built and decorated a comprehensive tourist resort hotel integrating guest rooms, catering, conference affairs, leisure and recreation, and protected area viewing.

    Day 4: Tangjiahe - Labahe

    Morning: Final wildlife observation in Tangjiahe to complete the species checklist.
    Afternoon: Transfer to Labahe Nature Reserve.
    Evening: Night observation in Labahe.
    Target Species: Red-and-white flying squirrel, complex-toothed flying squirrel, orange lesser flying squirrel, sambar deer, mainland serow, and ferret badger.

    Transport: Coaster (4-5 hours)

    Accommodation : blue crystal hotel (or similar)

    Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Chinese Meal); Supper (Chinese Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Located within the Laba River Scenic Area, the hotel offers convenient access to a renowned destination in the former Xikang region. The scenic area is celebrated for its rich forest landscapes, diverse natural scenery, and unique cultural heritage.

    Day 5: Labahe

    All Day: Search for wildlife within Labahe Nature Reserve, including red pandas, forest musk deer, Chinese gorals, and Lady Amherst's pheasants.

    Transport: Coaster (1.5-2 hours)

    Accommodation : blue crystal hotel (or similar)

    Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Chinese Meal); Supper (Chinese Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Located within the Laba River Scenic Area, the hotel offers convenient access to a renowned destination in the former Xikang region. The scenic area is celebrated for its rich forest landscapes, diverse natural scenery, and unique cultural heritage.

    Day 6: Labahe - Chengdu - Yushu

    Morning: Transfer from Labahe to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport.
    Afternoon: Flight from Chengdu to Yushu.
    Evening: Check in to the hotel in Yushu. Evening city walk along the local river channels to search for otters.
    Accommodation altitude: 3,700m

    Transport: Coaster (3-3.5 hours)

    Accommodation : Vienna International (or similar)

    Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Simple Meal); Supper (Chinese Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Day 7: Yushu - LongBao Wetland - Haxiu

    Today's Theme: Wildlife Observation at Haxiu
    Target Species: Snow leopard, blue sheep, Tibetan partridge, white eared pheasant, and bearded vulture.
    Primary Habitat: Mid-to-high elevation valleys, alpine meadows, and shrublands.
    Morning: En route to the Snow Leopard Camp via Longbao.
    Afternoon: Stakeout for snow leopards and other wildlife. Our observation schedule will strictly align with the natural rhythms of the animals: we will depart at sunrise, observe until midday for lunch, rest in the afternoon, and resume our stakeout at dusk before returning after sunset.
    Accommodation altitude: 4,200m

    Transport: off-road vehicle (1-1.5 hours)

    Accommodation : Haxiu Snow Leopard Camp (or similar)

    Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Chinese Meal); Supper (Camp Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Day 8: Haxiu

    Today's Theme: Wildlife Observation at Haxiu
    Target Species: Snow leopard, Tibetan fox, blue sheep, wolf, and alpine musk deer.
    Primary Habitat: High-altitude grasslands, valleys, and forests.
    Early Morning: Continuous stakeout for felines.
    Midday: Return to camp for lunch, with opportunities for snow leopard observation at this location.
    Afternoon: Continuous stakeout for felines.
    Accommodation altitude: 4,200m
     
    Note: At each observation site, we have a local spotter monitoring the area and communicating in real time with our trip leader. Through the intelligence provided by these spotters, we have built a real-time snow leopard information network. Our daily wildlife observation activities will be dynamically adjusted based on this real-time information to ensure the best possible experience. Therefore, the specific observation points and daily schedules may be subject to change.

     
     

     

     

    Transport: off-road vehicle (2.5-3 hours)

    Accommodation : Haxiu Snow Leopard Camp (or similar)

    Meal : (Camp Meal); Lunch (Camp Meal); Supper (Camp Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Day 9: Haxiu

    Today's Theme: Wildlife Observation at Haxiu
    Target Species: Snow leopard, Tibetan fox, blue sheep, wolf, and alpine musk deer.
    Primary Habitat: High-altitude grasslands, valleys, and forests.
    Early Morning: Continuous stakeout for felines.
    Midday: Return to camp for lunch, with opportunities for snow leopard observation at this location.
    Afternoon: Continuous stakeout for felines.
     
    Note: At each observation site, we have a local spotter monitoring the area and communicating in real time with our trip leader. Through the intelligence provided by these spotters, we have built a real-time snow leopard information network. Our daily wildlife observation activities will be dynamically adjusted based on this real-time information to ensure the best possible experience. Therefore, the specific observation points and daily schedules may be subject to change.

    Transport: off-road vehicle (0.5 hour)

    Accommodation : Haxiu Snow Leopard Camp (or similar)

    Meal : (Camp Meal); Lunch (Camp Meal); Supper (Camp Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Day 10: Haxiu - Zadoi

    Morning: Final opportunity for snow leopard observation.
    Afternoon: Transfer from Haxiu Camp to Zaduo. While crossing the Batang Grassland, we will search for wildlife such as Tibetan gazelles and Tibetan wild asses (kiangs).
    Accommodation altitude: 4,200m
     
     

     

     

    Transport: off-road vehicle (4-5 hours)

    Accommodation : Zadoi Hotel (or similar)

    Meal : (Camp Meal); Lunch (Camp Meal); Supper (Chinese Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Zadoi Hotel is situated on Tangfan Avenue in the bustling New Town area, the hub of business, culture, shopping, and tourism. With over 60 rooms, each eco-friendly and oxygen-enriched, the hotel guarantees a comfortable and convenient stay for your high-altitude adventure. So, whether you're road-weary or just looking for some modern comfort, Zadoi Hotel has you covered.

    Day 11: Zadoi - Angse: The Valley of Big Cats - Angsai Snowleopard Camp

    Morning: Enter the Angsai Valley.
    Afternoon: The unique alpine valley landscape here supports a distinct species diversity. We will search for white-lipped deer and alpine musk deer.
    Accommodation altitude: 4,200m

    Transport: off-road vehicle (2-2.5 hours)

    Accommodation : Nomad camp (or similar)

    Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Simple Meal); Supper (Simple Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Day 12: Angsai Snowleopard Camp - Angse: The Valley of Big Cats

    All Day: Search for snow leopards and leopards within the Angsai Valley.
    Accommodation altitude: 4,200m

    Transport: off-road vehicle (1.5-2 hours)

    Accommodation : Nomad camp (or similar)

    Meal : (Simple Meal); Lunch (Simple Meal); Supper (Simple Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Day 13: Angsai Snowleopard Camp - Yushu

    Morning: Final wildlife observation in Angsai.
    Afternoon: Return to downtown Yushu.
    Accommodation altitude: 3,700m

    Transport: off-road vehicle (4-5 hours)

    Accommodation : Vienna International (or similar)

    Meal : (Simple Meal); Lunch (Chinese Meal); Supper (Chinese Meal)

    Reference Hotel Pictures

    Day 14: Yushu; Departure or Extension Program

    All Day: Transfer to Yushu Airport based on flight schedule.

    Transport: off-road vehicle (0.5 hour)

    Accommodation : Own arrangement

    Meal : Breakfast

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