Day 1: Arrive in Chengdu (~500m).

On the first day of the tour, a private guide or driver will meet you upon arrival at either Chengdu Shuangliu Airport or Tianfu International Airport. You will then be transferred to a downtown hotel for an overnight stay. If you arrive early, we will enjoy a relaxing birding session at a nearby park close to the hotel.

Overnight: Chengdu   Meals: D

Day 2: Chengdu  to  Yibin (4hrs, ~500m).

Before beginning our long drive to Yibin, we will make a short visit to the Chengdu Botanical Garden. Known as one of the best urban birding spots in the city, the garden boasts a rich diversity of flora and high forest coverage. It offers excellent opportunities to observe a variety of urban and resident bird species, such as the Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Chinese Bulbul, White-browed Laughingthrush, Red-billed Leiothrix, Japanese White-eye, Chinese Blackbird, Chinese Grosbeak, Collared Finchbill, Long-tailed Shrike, Fork-tailed Sunbird, and Hoopoe.

Overnight: Yibin Longhua Town     Meals: BLD

Day 3: Yibin (500-1600m).

We will spend the full day at several birding hides in Yibin. Tanshi Village, located in a beautiful low-altitude forest, has become a prime birding destination in recent years. With support from the local government, residents have built multiple well-maintained hides, providing food and water to attract birds for birders and photographers. These hides have become a sanctuary for several rare and elusive species that are difficult to observe in the wild, including the Sichuan Partridge, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Temminck's Tragopan, Emei Shan Liocichla, Red-billed Leiothrix, Golden Parrotbill, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Rusty Laughingthrush, and Red-billed Blue Magpie.

Overnight: Yibin Longhua Town     Meals: BLD

Day 4: Yibin to Wawu MT. (4hrs, 500-1900m).

This morning, we'll have a final opportunity to search for any key species we may have missed before heading to Wawu Mountain.

Overnight: Wawu Mountain     Meals: BLD

Day 5: Wawu MT. (1900-2600m).

Wawu Mountain is not only a popular tourist destination but also an unmissable birding hotspot in China, renowned for its incredible diversity of parrotbills, fulvettas, laughingthrushes, and warblers. In addition to its rich birdlife, Wawu is currently one of the best places to search for Red Pandas in the wild. We will spend a full day exploring different elevations of the mountain in search of target species such as Temminck’s Tragopan, Himalayan Owl, Emei Shan Liocichla, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Grey-hooded Fulvetta, Ashy-throated Parrotbill, Grey-hooded Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Golden Parrotbill, Great Parrotbill, Three-toed Parrotbill, Brown Parrotbill, Red-winged Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Elliot's Laughingthrush, Hwamei, Hodgson's Treecreeper, Sichuan Treecreeper, Sichuan Thrush, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Lesser Cuckoo, Himalayan Cuckoo, White-throated Needletail, Darjeeling Woodpecker, Eurasian Three-toed Woodpecker, Vinaceous Rosefinch, Sharpe's Rosefinch, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Red Crossbill, Rufous-vented Tit, Grey-crested Tit, Coal Tit, Spotted Bush Warbler, Yellow-bellied Bush Warbler, Aberrant Bush Warbler, Ashy-throated Warbler, Buff-barred Warbler, Hume's Leaf Warbler, Sichuan Leaf Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Large-billed Leaf Warbler, Claudia's Leaf Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, Buff-throated Warbler, Bianchi's Warbler, Martens's Warbler, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, White-browed Bush Robin, Golden Bush Robin, and many more.

Overnight: Wawu Mountain     Meals: BLD

Day 6: Wawu MT. to Luding (5hrs, 1900-2800m).

This morning, we'll have a final chance to search for any key species we may still be missing before driving to Luding.

Overnight: Luding     Meals: BLD

Day 7: Luding to Hailuogou (4hrs,1300-2800m).

We will spend the morning birding on Erlang Mountain, the first major highland along the national highway connecting Chengdu to Lhasa. Since the completion of the Erlang Mountain tunnel, the old mountain pass road has become a peaceful and productive route for birding. In the dense forest, we’ll search for several rare and sought-after species, including the elegant Lady Amherst's Pheasant, the dazzling Firethroat, and the endemic Rufous-tailed Babbler. Other target species may include Lesser Cuckoo, Southern Nutcracker, Yellow-browed Tit, Coal Tit, Cinereous Tit, Yellow-bellied Tit, Black-browed Bushtit, Yellow-streaked Warbler, Buff-throated Warbler, Grey-crowned Warbler, Martens's Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Kloss's Leaf Warbler, White-browed Fulvetta, Chestnut-flanked White-eye, Streak-breasted and Black-streaked Scimitar-Babblers, Chinese Babax, Black-faced and Barred Laughingthrushes, Chestnut and Chinese Thrushes, White-tailed and Golden Bush Robins, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Mrs. Gould's Sunbird, White-winged Grosbeak, Dark-rumped, Sharpe's, and Vinaceous Rosefinches, Yellow-throated Bunting, and Black-headed Greenfinch. After exploring the mountain, we’ll continue with a scenic four-hour drive to Hailuogou. 

Overnight: Hailuogou     Meals: BLD

Day 8: Hailuogou (2800-3500m).

Hailuogou located at the transitional zone from Qinghai Tibet Plateau to Sichuan basin, it is covering 350 hectares at the east slope of Mount Gongga (7,556m, the highest mountain in Sichuan Province).. Hailuogou Glacier Park is the only glacier forest park within China. Preserving the precious modern marine time glacier at low altitude, being the largest scaled and most beautiful among those at the same latitude. We will spend one full day here at different elevation searching for the highlight birds like Temminck's Tragopan, Rufous-bellied Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Necklaced Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Fantail, Fire-capped Tit, Pere David's Tit, Scaly-breasted Cupwing, Chestnut-headed Tesia, Golden-breasted Fulvetta, Rufous-vented Yuhina, Chestnut-vented Nuthatch, Hodgson's Treecreeper, Sichuan Treecreeper, Himalayan Shortwing, Blue-fronted Robin, Snowy-browed Flycatcher, Sapphire Flycatcher, etc.

Overnight: Hailuogou     Meals: BLD

Day 9: Hailuogou to Labahe (3.5hrs, 2800-1800m).

We will spend the golden morning hours birding in Hailuogou in search of our target species before continuing our drive to Labahe.

Overnight: Labahe     Meals: BLD

Day 10: Labahe (1800-2600m).

Nestled deep within the Hengduan Mountain range, Labahe is a vital wild panda habitat and one of the best places in China to search for the elusive Red Panda. Its mixed alpine forest and dense bamboo understory provide ideal conditions for this species, though spotting one still requires patience and persistence. Beyond its mammal highlights, Labahe is also an outstanding birding destination. We'll walk along paved roads, carefully scanning both sides and the surrounding rugged slopes for birdlife. Among the many species we may encounter are Lady Amherst's Pheasant, Brown Parrotbill, Fulvous Parrotbill, Speckled Wood Pigeon, Yellow-browed Tit, Fire-capped Tit, Coal Tit, Père David's Tit, Black-browed Bushtit, Chestnut-crowned, Grey-sided, Brown, Aberrant, and Yellowish-bellied Bush Warblers, Ashy-throated Warbler, Sichuan Leaf Warbler, Grey-hooded and Golden-breasted Fulvettas, Stripe-throated Yuhina, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Rufous-gorgeted and Ferruginous Flycatchers, Golden Bush Robin, Brown Dipper, White-throated Dipper, Little Forktail, White-crowned Forktail, and Slaty Bunting.

Overnight: Labahe     Meals: BLD

Day 11: Labahe to Wolong (4.5hrs, 1800-1600m).

We will spend the morning in Labahe to search for any target species we may still need, then embark on a roughly four-and-a-half-hour drive to Wolong. At the lower elevations, we will bird for species such as Golden Pheasant, Chinese Leaf Warbler, Sichuan Leaf Warbler, Martens's Warbler, Brownish-flanked Bush Warbler, White-collared Yuhina, Chinese Babax, Chestnut Thrush, Verditer Flycatcher, Slaty Bunting, Yellow-throated Bunting, and more.

Overnight: Wolong     Meals: BLD

Day 12: Balang Mountain (1600-3800m).

We will spend the entire day birding at one of China’s most fascinating sites—Balang Mountain. As the first high peak rising between the Sichuan Basin and the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Balang Mountain marks an important ethnic boundary and, due to its varied topography, supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Our focus will be on alpine species such as Chinese Monal, White-eared Pheasant, Chestnut-throated Partridge, and Blood Pheasant, alongside other remarkable birds including Firethroat, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Himalayan Vulture, Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture)., Golden Eagle, Himalayan Buzzard, Red-billed Chough, Snow Pigeon, Chinese Fulvetta, Streaked Rosefinch, Dark-breasted Rosefinch, Dark-rumped Rosefinch, Crimson-browed Finch, Common Rosefinch, Himalayan Beautiful Rosefinch, Pink-rumped Rosefinch, Kessler's Thrush (White-backed Thrush)., Sichuan Thrush, Grey-backed Shrike, Himalayan Bluetail, Rufous-vented Tit, Sichuan Tit, Asian House Martin, Alpine Leaf Warbler, Giant Laughingthrush, Collared Grosbeak, Rufous-breasted Accentor, Blue-fronted Redstart, and White-throated Redstart.

Overnight: Wolong     Meals: BLD

Day 13: Wolong to Maerkang (5.5hrs, 1600-4100-2700m).

We will spend the morning on Balang Mountain to continue searching for our target species. Afterwards, we’ll drive approximately four hours to Maerkang, birding along the way with chances to spot species such as Wallcreeper and Chinese Long-tailed Rosefinch.

Overnight: Maerkang     Meals: BLD

Day 14: Mengbi MT. (2700-4100m).

Mengbi Mountain, located between Xiaojin County and Maerkang, is another important birding site on this trip. Its significant elevation range, well-preserved virgin forest, abundant flowering plants, and low human disturbance have made it a true paradise for birds, including endemic species such as the Chestnut-throated Partridge (Verreaux's Partridge) and the rare Sichuan Jay.

In the early morning, we will drive to the mountain’s summit at 3,900 meters and then either walk or drive slowly down, searching for birds along the way. We will spend the entire day birding at various elevations, targeting endemic and fascinating species including White-eared Pheasant, Blood Pheasant, Crested Tit-Warbler, Chinese Fulvetta, the range-restricted Crimson-browed Finch, Three-banded Rosefinch, Pink-rumped Rosefinch, Streaked Rosefinch, White-throated Needletail, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Himalayan Buzzard, Long-tailed Thrush, Przevalski's Nuthatch, Himalayan Bluetail, Slaty-backed Flycatcher, Goldcrest, Rufous-vented Tit, Grey-crested Tit, Hodgson’s Treecreeper, White-winged Grosbeak, Collared Grosbeak, Grey-headed Bullfinch, Maroon-backed Accentor, Hume's Warbler, Sichuan Leaf Warbler, Buff-barred Warbler, Red Crossbill, Plain Mountain Finch, Tibetan Serin, and more.

Overnight: Maerkang     Meals: BLD

Day 15: Maerkang to Ruoergai (6hrs, 2700-3500m).

We will spend the morning in Maerkang to continue searching for our target species. Afterwards, we’ll embark on approximately a six-hour drive to Ruoergai, making several stops along the way to look for birds such as Ruddy Shelduck, Black-necked Crane, Tibetan Partridge, Upland Buzzard, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, White-browed Tit, Pink-tailed Rosefinch (Przevalski's Pinktail), Robin Accentor, Giant Grey Shrike, Azure-winged Magpie, Daurian Jackdaw, and more.

Overnight: Ruoergai     Meals: BLD

Day 16: Ruoergai (~3500m).

Ruoergai Marshlands, located in the eastern Tibetan Plateau, form the largest high-altitude marsh area in the world. Situated at around 3,500 meters above sea level, the marshes cover approximately 2,600 square kilometers.

We will spend the day exploring diverse habitats in search of birds. In the morning, we’ll focus on the mountain’s virgin forests at the edge of the plateau, which provide excellent habitat for forest species such as the rare Chinese Grouse, Blue Eared Pheasant, elusive Black Woodpecker, Chinese Nuthatch, Plain Laughingthrush (Père David's Laughingthrush), Elliot's Laughingthrush, Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrush (Sukatschev's Laughingthrush), Sichuan Tit, White-browed Tit Warbler, Crested Tit-Warbler, Dusky Warbler, and Slaty-backed Flycatcher.

In the afternoon, we will visit Flower Lake, where we typically enjoy better views of the elegant Black-necked Crane. We’ll walk slowly along the boardwalk, scanning for waterfowl and grassland birds such as Bar-headed Goose, Great Crested Grebe, Horned Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Tufted Duck, Northern Shoveler, Red-crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Gadwall, Eurasian Teal, Brown-cheeked Rail, Tibetan Sand Plover, Citrine Wagtail, Little Ringed Plover, White-rumped Snowfinch, Rufous-necked Snowfinch, Ground Tit, Tibetan Lark, Horned Lark, Oriental Skylark, Himalayan Vulture, Upland Buzzard, and Common Kestrel. Occasionally, more elusive species like Whooper Swan and Eurasian Bittern can be spotted at a distance.

We will also keep an eye out for plateau mammals such as the Plateau Pika, Himalayan Marmot, Tibetan Fox, and Hog Badger.

Overnight: Ruoergai     Meals: BLD

Day 17: Ruoergai to Chuanzhusi (2.5hrs, 3500-3000m).

This morning we will go to the forest to try our targets again before driving to Chuanzhusi.

Overnight: Chuanzhusi    Meals: BLD

Day 18: Chuanzhusi to Pingwu (3.5hrs, 3000-4000-850m).

Today, we will visit a nearby mountain to search for the endemic and rare Sichuan Wood Owl (Père David's Owl), as well as the elusive Tibetan Snowcock. We will also look for other species such as Grandala, Three-banded Rosefinch, Crested Tit-Warbler, White-browed Tit-Warbler, Goldcrest, Chinese Rubythroat, and more. After leaving Chuanzhusi, we will continue our drive toward Pingwu.

Overnight: Pingwu   Meals: BLD

Day 19: Pingwu to Tangjiahe (3.5hrs, 850-1500m).

We will leave early to photograph the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey and look for birds such as Sichuan Bush Warbler, Vinous-throated Parrotbill, Elliot's Laughingthrush, Mrs. Gould's Sunbird, and others. Afterward, we will drive on to Tangjiahe. Upon passing through the nature reserve entrance, we will make several stops to search for birds and wildlife along the way to our hotel inside the reserve.

Overnight: Tangjiahe     Meals: BLD

Day 20: Tangjiahe (~1500m).

Tangjiahe is one of China’s premier sites for spotting both mammals and birds. We will primarily explore the area during the early morning and late afternoon, when wildlife activity is at its peak. Expect to encounter fascinating bird species such as Golden Pheasant, Tawny Fish Owl, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Pacific Swift, Brown Dipper, Grey-capped Pygmy Woodpecker, White-backed Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Grey-headed Woodpecker, Mountain Bulbul, Brown-breasted Bulbul, Spectacled Fulvetta, Sooty Bushtit, Crested Kingfisher, Little Forktail, White-crowned Forktail, Blue Rock Thrush, Zappey’s Flycatcher, Fujian Niltava, White-collared Yuhina, Slaty Bunting, Grey-headed Canary-flycatcher, Sulphur-breasted Warbler, Chestnut-crowned Warbler, and more.

Mammal sightings here are equally rewarding. We may be lucky enough to see a Takin cross the road right in front of us. Tibetan Macaques, the elusive Yellow-throated Marten, and Reeves’ Muntjac often wander along riversides, while the Chinese Goral is usually spotted on cliffs. Species such as Chinese Serow, Tufted Deer, and Asiatic Black Bear are more secretive and require greater effort and a bit of luck to observe.

Overnight: Tangjiahe   Meals: BLD

Day 21: Tangjiahe to Chengdu (4.5hrs,1500-500m).

We will spend most of the day in Tangjiahe before driving back to the Chengdu airports in the afternoon.

Overnight: Chengdu     Meals: BLD

Day 22: Departure from Chengdu (~500m).

Walking about 5 minutes to the airport on your own to catch your departing flight from Chengdu. This marks the end of Alpine Birding’s services.

Overnight:/      Meals: B