Deep in the Minshan Mountains of Sichuan province, clear rivers course through deep gorges, and lush forests shelter some of the world's most endangered wildlife. This is the last wild habitat of the giant panda, which subsists on the bamboo protected within a network of remote nature reserves. Supported by WWF, these little-visited wilderness enclaves also harbor rare moon bears, golden snub-nosed monkeys, shaggy takin, Chinese goral, blue sheep and exquisite birds, including the golden pheasant. Enjoy multiple close-up visits with pandas at research and breeding bases, and search for endearing red pandas in Labahe Nature Reserve. Discover a side of China few travelers experience on our unique itinerary, carefully crafted to reveal Chinese nature at its most entrancing.
Trip Highlights
Visit Three Panda Research & Breeding Bases
Watch and photograph giant pandas at close range on extended visits to three world-renowned panda research centers—each offering a unique setting and experience
Exclusive Permits to Access a Remote Wild Panda Reserve
Explore a virtually unvisited national wildlife sanctuary where highly elusive wild pandas live and breed freely—we don't expect to see them, but other rare species are on view
Close Encounters with Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys
Get close-up photos of endangered golden snub-nosed monkeys, charming blue-faced primates found only in a small area of temperate forest in central China
Go to Photo Expedition Trip
We Show You the Natural Side of China Most Visitors Never See
Google “China tours” and you’ll find plenty that will take you to Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Yet virtually no one offers nature adventures, and no one else takes you to the remote, rarely visited wildlife reserves that we do. Nat Hab holds special permits that grant us access into a nature sanctuary that few Westerners—and very few local tourists—ever see. When you visit China with us, leave behind crowds, traffic and polluted city air for wild mountain terrain.
See Giant Pandas Up Close on Visits to Three Different Sites
Compare China itineraries—we don't think you'll find another that offers this in-depth panda immersion, with unhurried visits to three different panda research bases: Dujiangyan Panda Base, which focuses on rescuing injured and ill wild pandas and disease control; the newly rebuilt Gengda Wolong Panda Center, which integrates scientific research, captive breeding and reintroduction of pandas into the wild; and Dujiangyan Panda Valley, a new facility that is both a panda research and breeding base and a center for conservation education.Exclusive Access to Search for Pandas & Other Rare Wildlife
This is a genuine Nat Hab privilege: We have secured special permits to visit remote sectors of a totally untouristed nature reserve deep within the Minshan Mountains, a global biodiversity hotspot that's home to some of the world’s most endangered wildlife. We'll search for giant pandas and moon bears that inhabit the park, though we won't expect to see them, as both are highly elusive. We have better chances to find other rare Chinese animals like takin, goral, serow and golden pheasant, within a completely natural habitat that few tourists have ever laid eyes on—and only a handful of Westerners (mostly other Nat Hab travelers). The terrain is steep and heavily forested, and animals are often sheltered, camouflaged or seen at a distance—but just being in their midst in such a quiet, wild place is a moving experience.Get Close to Golden Snub-Nosed Monkeys
Visit a golden monkey nature reserve where we're sure to have close-up encounters with a habituated family group of these entertaining primates. It's a rare opportunity to see and photograph this endangered species that is endemic to a very limited part of central and southwest China.Our Small Groups Go Places Larger Groups Can't
Because we limit this trip to approximately 12 guests, we’re able to take you where larger bus tours cannot go, including a remote national park where we have exclusive permits to search for wild pandas (though they are exceptionally elusive and rarely seen).Travel with Two Guides for Exceptional Expertise
Our China trips benefit from the leadership of two guides: a native English-speaking Nat Hab Expedition Leader accompanied by a warm and hospitable Chinese naturalist guide who is highly trained in natural history and interpretation, not to mention being our cultural and linguistic "go-between." It's an optimal combination of interpretive guiding, cultural knowledge and personalized attention.Experience Traditional Tibetan Culture
Our travels include an overland traverse along the edge of the vast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, where small villages, prayer flags and chortens dot the landscape. Learn more about the deeply traditional Tibetan Buddhist culture, which offers a dramatic counterpoint to the urban setting of Chengdu.Savor Outstanding Sichuan Cuisine
While nature may be your primary interest, food lovers will be thrilled by the culinary delights this trip offers. Sichuan is famed for its piquant cuisine, and we get to sample a wide selection of restaurants and dishes, with items carefully chosen by our local guide to appeal to Western palates. Since food is typically served family-style at a large round table, multiple tastes and dietary preferences can be catered for at every meal (though be sure to make special needs known to us ahead of time). And you won't be eating only in hotels or touristy restaurants: we choose locations popular with local people, for a truly authentic Chinese dining experience that Western visitors will also enjoy.A Rare Opportunity to Volunteer with Panda Care When Conditions Permit
At Dujiangyan Panda Base, we may have an optional opportunity to help with aspects of the pandas' care. This could involve preparing their food or other tasks that place us directly into the daily activities of the pandas' caregivers at this research base. Please note that this volunteer opportunity is intermittent and depends on the pandas' situation at the time, and it will not always be available.Our Accommodations Offer the Best in Location and Comfort
From a 5-star luxury hotel in Chengdu to a quiet mountain inn where other travelers are few, our comfortable lodgings place you in close proximity to famous Chinese landmarks and remote and wild natural settings. Each offers a regional experience of China with plenty of amenities.Travel with Expert Expedition Leaders
Our Nat Hab Expedition Leaders are outstanding North American naturalist guides who are passionate about China and its wildlife. In addition, you’ll travel with a Chinese tour guide who is a nature expert, ensuring an optimal balance of scientific knowledge, authentic cultural insight and attentive personal service. Furthermore, our Expedition Leaders have the benefit of additional training and resources from WWF's renowned scientists and researchers. See Expedition Leader bios and traveler comments regarding the quality of our leaders.Our Quality-Value Guarantee Ensures Your Outstanding China Tour
With Natural Habitat Adventures, you receive our exclusive guarantee that clearly states that we will meet the high expectations we set forth in our promotional materials. To our knowledge, this is the most ambitious guarantee made by any adventure travel company. Read our important promise.Feel Good About Your Carbon-Neutral Journey
We care deeply about our planet, as we know you do. When you travel with us, the carbon emissions from your trip are 100% offset—including your round-trip flights from home. Natural Habitat Adventures has been the world’s first carbon-neutral travel company since 2007.Natural Habitat Adventures Is WWF's Travel Partner
Because of our commitment to environmentally friendly travel, as well as the exceptional quality of our small-group nature adventures, World Wildlife Fund, the world’s leading environmental conservation organization, has named Natural Habitat Adventures its worldwide travel partner—a designation that makes us exceedingly proud!
