CHINA - Pheasants and red panda TOUR

9th - 23rd April 2027

Really excited to be going back to China in 2027!
A destination that probably wasn’t on your radar of top places to go. But once you see some of the birds we are targeting I think you will agree that it’s pretty spectacular!

Our 2027 tour will include Red Panda, Cabot’s Tragopan and Elliot’s Pheasant as well as most of the species we saw in 2025, such as Lady Amherst’s, Golden, Silver, and Ring-necked Pheasants. Chinese Monal, Temminck’s Tragopan, Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys, Himalayan Macaque, and Takin will also be back on the agenda!
We will also have an optional extension to see Reeve’s Pheasant and Mandarin Duck

$8990 USD per person*

*Twin share
Single Supplement $980USD
(Also note the prices are in US dollars.)

Reeves Pheasant Extension : $1950USD* (twin share. min 3 guests. Price will rise slightly for 2)
Single Supplement $140USD

Tour cost includes:
All accommodation, main meals, drinking water, internal flights during main tour, overland transport, travel permits, entrance fees, and guide fees.

Tour cost excludes:
Flights before and after the tour start/end, flights to extension location, visa, travel insurance, tips to tour leaders, laundry, drinks and other items of a personal nature

Itinerary

Day 1 - April 9 : Arrive in Fuzhou (FOC), then transfer to Jian’ou for overnight
Overnight: Jian'ou Town

Day 2 - April 10 : Full day hide photography for Cabot's Tragopan
Overnight: Jian'ou

Day 3 - April 11 : Another morning session for Cabot’s Tragopan then drive to Sanming
Overnight: Sanming

Day 4 - April 12 : Morning hide session for Elliot's Pheasant and possibly other species, then take the afternoon flight from Sanming to Chengdu before driving to Pingshan (3hrs)
Overnight: Pingshan

Day 5 - April 13 : Full day hide session at Pingshan for Lady Amherst’s, & Silver Pheasants, plus Chinese Bamboo Partridge, and Temminck's Tragopan
Overnight: Pingshan

Day 6 - April 14 : Almost a full day for the same targets again including Buffy Laughingthrush, White-browed Laughingthrush, Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler, then head to Mt. Wawushan
Overnight: Wawushan

Day 7 - April 15 : Full day Red Panda tracking & hide photography plus mountain forest species such as fulvettas and babblers
Overnight: Wawushan

Day 8 - April 16 : Half day for Red panda again, then drive to Kangding
Overnight: Kangding

Day 9 - April 17 : Kangding Lady Amherst's and Ring-necked Pheasant, Elliot’s Laughingthrush, then drive to high elevation Chinese Monal homestay. Afternoon chance of Chinese Monal
Overnight: Homestay (elevation approx 3200m)

Day 10 - April 18 : Dawn and Dusk sessions for the Chinese Monal, then drive back to Kangding for overnight
Overnight: Kangding

Day 11 - April 19 : Long drive from Kangding to Golden pheasant site(5-6hrs) then photographing Golden Pheasant in the afternoon.
Overnight: Dujiangyan

Day 12 - April 20 : Morning visit to the Giant Panda Breeding Centre (enclosure) in Dujiangyan, 5 hrs drive to Tangjiahe, explore in the afternoon for Takin, Snowy Bunting and evening for Tawny Fish-Owl
Overnight: Tangjiahe

Day 13 - April 21 : Full day Tangjiahe for Takin, Himalayan Macaque as well as forest bird species before driving to Golden Snub-nosed Monkey site,
Overnight: Shuijingzhen

Day 14 - April 22 : Golden Snub-nosed Monkey in the morning plus some local birding, then back to Chengdu airport hotel
Overnight:Chengdu airport hotel

Day 15 - April 23 : Departure
OR
Extension for the Reeve's Pheasant
Fly to Wuhan
Overnight at the Guesthouse near the site

Day 16 - April 24 : Full day hide session for the Reeve's pheasant and Mandarin Duck
Overnight at the Guesthouse near the site

Day 17 - April 25 : Half day birding opportunity, then drive back to Wuhan Airport.
Departure or Overnight: Wuhan Airport (flight dependant - flights leaving around 7:30-8:30pm to Sydney would be fine)

Day 18 - April 26: Departure from Wuhan (WUH)

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Alot of this tour will be photographing from hides, however there are some moderate walks involved, including some at altitude.

chinese monal location - approx 3800m elevation

Respecting locals

We are passionate about giving more respect to our invaluable local guides and agents, leading to responsible ecotourism and conservation.
It is fantastic to witness small villages and families making a living from caring for the wildlife and taking tourists like us to see them.

CAMERA SKILL
We pride ourselves on helping everyone get more from whatever camera you have, and increasing your skills regardless of your experience.
You definitely don't need to be an expert photographer with a super telephoto lens to enjoy this tour. Obviously the longer the lens the better for birds, however whatever camera you have there is no doubt that you will still learn a lot and have great fun doing it!
This tour will incorporate a mix of static hide-based sessions, as well as some roadside walking.

Walking difficulty:
Easy to Moderate. Some areas are at higher elevations between 3000-4000m. Our highest accommodation is approximately 3200m.
Some walks involve a large number of steps. Depending on the weather there may be some walking on snow or slippery tracks so good boots are essential. If you aren’t as steady on your feet as you might like, then some lightweight hiking poles are always recommended.
We will never leave anyone behind! It doesn’t matter if you are slow. We are patient and will make sure you get there :)

Accommodation:
Comfortable hotels or guesthouses throughout