Interested in this tour? Email us at abf2026@alpinebirding.com to learn more.
Winter here is harsh, especially during blizzards. In extreme cases, daytime temperatures can plummet to –35 degrees Celsius, with an average ranging between –15 and –20 degrees Celsius. But braving the cold rewards us with unforgettable encounters with northern species, set against the striking backdrop of bare forests and snow-covered grasslands—a true winter kingdom.
Tour Info Sheet
| Highlight Birds | Snowy Owl, Ural Owl, Northern Hawk Owl, Great Grey Owl, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Boreal Owl, Little Owl, Eurasian Pygmy Owlet, Saker Falcon, Upland Buzzard, Rough-legged Buzzard, Pere David's Snowfinch, Asian Rosy Finch, Black-billed Capercaillie, Hazel Grouse, Black Grouse, Siberian Jay, Pallas's Rosefinch, Asian Rosy Finch, Arctic Redpoll, Common Redpoll, Hawfinch, Pine Grosbeak, Two-barred Crossbill, Eurasian Siskin, Long-tailed Tit, etc. |
|---|---|
| Numbers of Species to Expect | around 50 |
| Ease of Birding | mostly easy birding with a few tricky species |
| Highlight Mammals | Corsac Fox, Red Fox, Siberian Roe Deer, Gerbil, etc. |
| Photography Opportunities | birding focused but with good photography chances |
| Habitats Covered | grasslands, boreal forests |
| Expected Climate | severe cold possible. Snow likely. Temperatures may drop to minus 20 to minus 30 degrees Celsius |
| Physical Requirements | mostly easy, demanding but optional in certain parts |
| Accommodation | comfortable |
| Transportation | off-road vehicle |
Gallery
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Booking Stutas | Price | Single Supplement | Group Size | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nov 30–Dec 7, 2026 | Open for Booking | 2,300 USD/pax | 130 USD/pax | 8-12 | Local Guide |
Itinerary
Tour Map
Guide(s)
We will arrange one of our best local guides for this trip who has rich experience of guiding tours in this region. The following are some of our best local guides in and around this area.
Shay Xie
Shay is among the first group of professional bird guides with the academic background of ornithology. He spent his childhood in a small county of Chongqing municipality where is the eastern edge of Daba mountains. Being brought up in a beautiful natural environment and surrounded by beautiful nature creatures, Shay has developed a strong interest in nature and birds since he was a small kid. Following the call from his inner heart, he chose to study ecology as his major when he was admitted to Sichuan University. The campus of Sichuan University itself is one of the most famous birding sites in Sichuan and he spent most of his afterschool time birding there. Since that time he started working as a part-time bird guide. After four years of academic study in the university and birding on the campus, he recorded many rare bird species including Blackthroat and Firethroat in Chengdu. Before he joined AlpineBirding, he worked as a professional freelancer bird guide and often participated in some special surveys on birds and mammals in southwestern China. These experiences form fields that have greatly enriched his knowledge of birds and nature. By now, he has successfully guided many avid birders from different countries including Norway, Britain, US, Russia, Sweden, Thailand, Israel, etc. Now working as a full-time bird guide in AlpineBirding, Shay will do his best to create your best birding experiences in China with his experiences, knowledge and passion.
Bella Zhang
Bella, the director of AlpineBirding, graduated from Sichuan Agricultural University with a Bachelor's Degree. She joined AlpineBirding in early 2016 and became the director of AlpineBirding in 2018. She was born and grew up in a Bai ethnic family in Yunnan Province which boasts of the largest number of bird species in China. Her interests toward birds started with her observation of a Long-tailed Minivet in her mom's garden at a very young age. As she grows up, the interests and love toward birds become stronger and stronger. Because of that, she found AlpineBirding before graduation and joined the company for further learning of birds. Bella has guided a number of birding trips in cooperation with AlpineBirding guide in the past years, her passion, readiness to help and detail-oriented attitude have won her lots of praise from our clients.
Philip He
As a half Kangba Tibetan, Philip is the main founder of AlpineBirding and is a native of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. He has a deep love for his Kangba Tibetan heritage and the land where he was born and raised. Philip's career has gone from mining technician to a teacher, then a translator, and finally to a guide and tour operator. As a professional working in this field for more than 20 years, Philip believes travel is an art and a process of sharing and discovery. Each trip is a unique artistic work created with knowledge and expertise based on the resources available and the interests and tastes of travelers. To help more people to gain a lifetime birding and traveling experience, he established AlpineBirding with the aim to bring his professional, fun-filled tours to more people who are eager to explore birds and other beautiful attractions in China.
Alice Liu
Alice is an experienced bird and wildlife guide specializing in Southwestern China, particularly Yunnan Province. Her passion for nature began at a young age, sparked by a deep interest in mammals and mushrooms. In 2008, she expanded her fascination to the world of birds and has been an avid birdwatcher ever since.After graduating with a BSc in wildlife conservation from Southwest Forestry University, Alice worked for six years in a nature reserve in Yunnan. Her extensive fieldwork experience greatly enriched her knowledge of Yunnan’s avifauna.Beyond guiding, Alice is also the founder of a local nature education organization dedicated to connecting children with the natural world through immersive outdoor experiences.
