TOUR YUNNAN
YUNNAN
Date: 27th October-7th November 2027
4.790 €
The tour begins in the city of Mangshi, a popular destination for Chinese tourists and a great place to unwind after a long flight. Very little mammal watching can be expected but perhaps, the common and widespread Indian Giant Flying Squirrel if we are lucky
The next day we will visit the Shan Langur reserve, where a troop of these endangered primates usually give great views. There is also a chance for Black Giant Squirrel here. Afterwards, we will carry on towards the border with Myanmar to one of the very few accessible places to watch the iconic Skywalker Gibbon (most of the population is in Myanmar and virtually inaccessible). We can stay in a lovely spa hotel reminiscent of a Japanese onsen.
A big day is ahead, hopefully starting early with the Gibbons showing well and singing their hearts out. We then drive to the famous Hornbill Valley, where we will stay for two nights as there is a superb selection of mammals waiting for us, like Anderson’s Squirrel, Phayre’s Squirrel, Himalayan Striped Squirrel, Asian Red-cheeked Squirrel, Black Giant Squirrel, Yunnan Giant Flying Squirrel, Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel, Particolored Flying Squirrel, Bengal Slow Loris, Northern Red Muntjac, Northern Palm Civet and Northern Treeshrew.
Full day at the valley visiting several locations. Night at Hornbill Valley
This morning we say goodbye to Hornbill Valley and drive to the mountains near Tengchong. The real action begins after dark: tonight, we search for the Indochinese Spotted Flying Squirrel, nowadays considered different to the one in the Greater Sundas. Night in Tengchong.
Today we head into the Gaoligong Mountains, making our way to the area around Pianma. After dark, the search begins for two flying squirrels: Gray-headed Giant Flying Squirrel and Yunnan Giant Flying Squirrel, both of which we have good chances of finding. And if fortune truly smiles on us, we might even stumble upon the elusive Forrest’s Pika or the seldom-seen Mount Gaoligong Flying Squirrel. Night in Pianma.
Pianma-Dulongjiang offer some of the most exciting bits of the trip, with real chances of seeing the extremely rare Himalayan Takin, Eastern Red Panda and Nujiang Giant Flying Squirrel. Night near Dulongjiang
Note: We’ll stay in the Dulongjiang area on both Day 8 and 9 - the itinerary simply moves back and forth between the Takin site and the Shortridge’s Langur site, so there is no long-distance travel on these two days. The long drive happens on Day 10, when we leave Dulongjiang for the Shangri-la Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey area; given the distance involved, we will not be seeing the monkeys on that day. The Shangri-La section is a bonus part of the itinerary.
Obviously, the main target here will be the langur, until recently a near-mythical primate thought impossible to see, along with our last chance for the Takin and perhaps, if we are lucky, Eastern Red Panda and Nujiang. After the final search, we will drive to Gongshan for the night.
Today is one of the most scenic days of the entire trip. Our drive crosses three great watersheds: from the Salween (Nujiang), over the upper Mekong, and on to the upper Yangtze, passing two or three spectacular snow-capped peaks along the way. If time allows, we will stop in the river valleys of the upper Yangtze to look for Dwarf Blue Sheep - a strikingly distinctive morph of Blue Sheep, though not a species in its own right - along with Glover’s Pika and whatever else the mountains have in store for us. Night near Shangri-La
We spend the morning exploring the wetlands and mountains around Shangri-La. Besides a spectacular array of waterbirds, we have good chances of finding Perny’s Long-nosed Squirrel and the endearing Tufted Deer. In the afternoon, we drive to the Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey national park, perfectly positioned for tomorrow’s grand finale. Night near the park.
This morning is devoted to enjoying the legendary Yunnan Snub-nosed Monkey. With a very restricted range and a tiny population, this is one of the best mammals of the trip and one of the coolest days for sure! Visits are limited to the morning hours, so after our unforgettable encounter we hit the road to the old city of Dali, where we will have another chance for Pallas’s Squirrel. Night in Dali.
Information about the tour
This tour is a relaxed but unstoppable journey through the beautiful and enigmatic province of Yunnan. A carefully crafted itinerary with the best knowledge available to offer a unique mammal watching experience with maximum comfort.
Accommodation
Mostly fine hotels with few exceptions like at the Hornbill Valley where we will stay at rather basic homestays.
Walking difficulty
Expected number of species
Tour cost includes ✅
All accomodation, ground transportation, internal flights within the tour, main meals, snacks, non alcoholic drinks, Tips to ground staff, drivers and local guides, permits, entrance fees and guide fees.
Tour cost excludes ❌
Flights before and after the tour start\end, visa, travel insurance, laundry, alcoholic drinks, tips to tour leaders and other items of a personal nature
