Into the Source of Three Rivers: Your Exclusive Expedition to the Sanjiangyuan
All-Star Lineup of Flagship Species
Carnivores: Snow leopard, lynx, Pallas's cat, wolf, Tibetan fox
Ungulates (Hoofed mammals): Przewalski's gazelle, goitered gazelle, Tibetan gazelle, Tibetan antelope, wild ass, wild yak
Birds: Black-necked crane, upland buzzard, saker falcon, Himalayan vulture, bearded vulture, ruddy shelduck, bar-headed goose
Highly Likely to Spot: Tibetan brown bear, mountain weasel
Three-River-Source National Park in Qinghai is situated on the world’s 'Third Pole,' the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Here, we will embark on a journey through the Danxia Canyon of the Yellow River, trek amidst interesting rock formations among the bare rocks of the high mountains, and follow the route of King Gesar along the shores of Gyaring and Ngoring Lakes, which are the source of the Yellow River.
The core of cultural outdoors exploration is venturing into unconventional travel destinations, immersing ourselves both in the local environment and in the local culture. As we follow the Yellow River to its source, we will find ourselves in places where Tibetan culture is preserved in its purest form.
Duration 8 days
Type Small-group travel
Level
Theme Safari, Habitat & Life
Group size 3 to 14 people
All day: Gather on arrival day and proceed to the hotel for check-in
Night: Enjoy a delicious dinner and pre-trip meeting. During the evening pre-trip meeting, we will provide information about the trip, as well as advice for first-timers to high altitudes
Accommodation : Hilton Garden Inn (or similar)
Meal : (On Own); Supper (Welcome Dinner)
Reference Hotel Pictures
Target species: Przewalski's gazelle, goitered gazelle
Habitat: Semi-arid open grassland, sparse scrubland and lakes and wetlands.
Itinerary: In the morning, we will go to the north shore of Qinghai Lake to look for Przewalski's gazelle, and in the afternoon, we will go to Quanji Township to observe the Huangshui fish migration and look for goitered gazelle.
Altitude: 2,200–2,800 m
Target Mammals: Przewalski's Gazelle
Target Birds: Brown-headed Gull
Target Other Animals: Qinghai Lake naked carp
Transport: Toyota (4-5 hours)
Accommodation : hote (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Feature Lunch)
Altitude Gains & Losses : 100 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Target Species: Goitered Gazelle, Tibetan Fox, Red Deer
Habitat: Alpine grasslands and meadows
Itinerary: Morning: Hike through Tianjun Stone Forest for close observation of rock formations with varied shapes and unique textures. Experience the thrill of tracking wildlife while deepening your understanding of species-habitat relationships. Afternoon: Proceed to the prime wildlife viewing area of this expedition. Scout for herbivores along the route during transit.
Important Notice: Due to restrictions at the conservation station, foreign travelers are required to stay overnight in Xiangride Town in the evening. Please note that this will add 4 hours of daily driving time.
Target Mammals: Tibetan Fox, Goitered Gazelle
Transport: Toyota (5-6 hours)
Accommodation : protection station (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Simple Meal); Supper (Simple Meal)
Reference Hotel Pictures
Target species: Snow leopard, lynx, rabbit
Habitat: Highland mountains, river valleys, riverine thickets
Itinerary: All day squatting for Felidate
Target Mammals: Grey Wolf, Bharal, Himalayan Marmot, Woolly hare, Snow Leopard, Eurasian Lynx, white-lipped deer, Pallas's cat
Transport: Toyota (3-3.5 hours)
Accommodation : protection station (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Feature Lunch); Supper (Simple Meal)
Trekking Distance : 3 kilometers
Trekking Time : 1-2 hours
Altitude Gains & Losses : 100 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Target Species: Snow Leopard, Pallas's Cat, Eurasian Lynx
Itinerary
Morning: Conduct a targeted search based on previous days' observations to fill species gaps. Operate flexibly between Dulan County or the Dulan-Maduo border area，Focus on carnivore tracking (predator species) and scanning for raptors/large ungulates.
Afternoon: Transfer to Golmud City for expedition culmination
Target Mammals: Goa, Snow Leopard, Eurasian Lynx, Pallas's cat
Transport: Toyota (2-2.5 hours)
Accommodation : Atour Hotel (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Simple Meal)
Altitude Gains & Losses : 100 meters
Reference Hotel Pictures
Target Species: Tibetan Antelope (Pantholops hodgsonii), Tibetan Wild Ass (Equus kiang)
Habitat: Alpine deserts, grasslands, meadows; saline lakes and river systems
Itinerary: Expedition into the Hoh Xil UNESCO World Heritage Site，Monitor potential migration corridors；Visit Sonam Dargye Protection Station，Pay tribute to anti-poaching martyrs at memorial site.
Altitude: 4000–4500 m
Target Mammals: Grey Wolf, Tibetan Fox, Goa, Wild Yak, Kiang, Tibetan Antelope
Transport: Toyota (6-7 hours)
Accommodation : KUNLUN (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Simple Meal)
Trekking Distance : 1 kilometers
Trekking Time : 1-2 hours
Reference Hotel Pictures
Target Species: Black-necked crane, ruddy shelduck, bar-headed goose
Habitat: Alpine wetlands, alpine meadows
Itinerary: Head to the Yushu area in the morning, and observe waterbirds at Longbao Wetland in the afternoon. Visit the Snow Leopard Camp, enjoy the final snow leopard stakeout, and wrap up with a camp closing and summary session.
Target Mammals: Grey Wolf, Tibetan Fox, Bharal, Snow Leopard
Target Birds: Black-necked Crane, Ruddy Shelduck
Transport: Toyota (7-8 hours)
Accommodation : Nomad's camp (or similar)
Meal : Breakfast; Lunch (Simple Meal); Supper (Simple Meal)
Trekking Distance : 1 kilometers
Reference Hotel Pictures
Morning: One group drop-off at 10:00 a.m.
Transport: Toyota (2.5-3 hours)
Accommodation : Own arrangement
Meal : Breakfast
Trekking Distance : 1 kilometers
Trekking Time : 1-2 hours
