The Wild Side of China: A Nature Odyssey

Limited To 12 Travelers

A very important feature of our China adventure is the limited group size, as nature expeditions are best experienced with a small group of travelers.

Trip price includes: Accommodations, services of Nat Hab's professional Expedition Leader(s) and local guides, all meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on final day, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, still camera fees, airport transfers on Day 1 and final day, passage aboard the bullet train from Xi'an to Guangyuan, all activities and entrance fees, all taxes, permits and service fees.

Travel to and from the start and end point of your trip, some alcoholic beverages, some gratuities, passport and visa fees, optional activities, items of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry and internet, etc.), required medical evacuation insurance, optional travel protection insurance.

Moderate
In order to participate in this trip, you must be able to walk unassisted (without the use of walking aids) at a steady pace for a minimum of two miles over uneven terrain. On a couple of these active days we will be at altitudes exceeding 10,000 feet above sea level. Our itinerary involves daily walks or hikes of varied lengths over pavement, boardwalks and dirt forest trails that can be muddy, slippery and uneven with roots and rocks (note that all walks can be more difficult to navigate during inclement weather). Some activities involve walking up and down hills, including our visits to the panda bases and the golden monkey nature reserve. Our excursions in the Rilong area may require climbing multiple sets of stairs, many without handrails. The trip also involves several walking transfers through crowded train stations, many very early morning starts and long, full days of activities with little down time, all of which can be tiring. Some drives between locations are long (6-7 hours or longer depending on local conditions) and occur on winding roads that are often somewhat rough.

Among many travelers, China tends to be known more for its history and culture than its nature. But we focus on the natural treasures most visitors miss, including an in-depth experience with the pandas of Sichuan province and a remote, rarely visited wildlife reserve where wild giant pandas live and breed, as well as a host of other rare animals and birds. Expedition Leader Brad Josephs, who helped create our itinerary, made this comment about it: “This itinerary trades time spent in polluted air, traffic, crowds and airports for beautiful, pristine mountain country. But we don’t always have 5-star restaurants or services, and English-speaking locals and hotel staff do not exist in many areas. Parts of the trip are more rustic, but the nature rewards are so worth it!”

That said, however, it's important to note that there is a fundamental difference between the wildlife experience in China and what you would experience on a typical African safari, for instance. Terrain here is heavily forested, and while wildlife abounds in natural areas, animals are not always easy to see or photograph. Many are expertly camouflaged or hidden within the vegetation, making them challenging to spot. To date, we have never seen a giant panda in the wild, as they are exceptionally elusive. But rangers have seen them, and we have seen signs of them, including chewed bamboo and scat. Guests should not come to China expecting to see wild pandas, but it is exhilarating nonetheless to know we are in their midst. Weather can also affect wildlife sightings, and when it is inclement, animals may be more likely to take cover in the deep forest. However, our itinerary is carefully designed to capitalize on the very best opportunities to see rare Chinese wildlife, maximizing your chances. Our seasoned Expedition Leaders and local guides are experts at locating wildlife—and we encourage our guests to understand that the privilege of stepping into a wild, untouched world inside China is a reward in itself.

We do have multiple opportunities to see giant pandas up close, though—a highlight of our trip. These encounters occur not in the wild, but at China's panda research bases where the pandas live within a constructed setting that contains or mimics elements of their natural habitat. While the environment is more zoo-like, it provides a rare chance for hours of observing many pandas at close range, a privilege very few people get to enjoy. It's a moving opportunity not available anywhere else but Sichuan.

Mandatory Insurance

Arrive in Xi'an by 9 am on Day 1 in order to participate in activities beginning at 11:30 am. You are free to depart Chengdu anytime on the final day. We recommend Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) for your departure flights.

We can best serve you if our Natural Habitat Adventures Travel Desk makes your reservations, as our staff is intimately familiar with the special requirements of these programs and can arrange the most efficient travel. Please call us at 800-543-8917. Note that while we offer you the best possible rates available to us on airfare and additional nights' accommodations, you may find special web rates or better fares online.