Blue Skies, Fall Color and Gentians in the Himalayas (October 20 - November 3, 2020)

Join Panayoti Kelaidis, Senior Curator and Director of Outreach at Denver Botanic Gardens for this unforgettable botanical expedition to Sichuan, China’s Land of Abundance.
Day 1 (Tues, Oct 20): Arrival ~ Upon arrival to Chengdu Shuangli International Airport (CTU), you’ll be met for your transfer to the hotel. Get to know fellow travelers this evening during the Welcome Dinner.
Accommodations: Dorsett Hotel or similar
Meals: Dinner
Important Note: Arrival flights will be coordinated for the group.
Day 2 (Wed, Oct 21): Chengdu/ Jiuzhaigou ~ Morning transfer back to the airport in time for your flight to Jiuhuang (JZH). Continue to Jiuzhaigou with botanical stops along the way. Your hotel for the next two nights is conveniently located 10 minutes from Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park and close to Jiuzhaigou Scenic Area.
Accommodations: Mingren Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: Approximately 2 hrs without stops (90 km; 56 miles).
Expected Max Elevation: 3100 m (10,170 ft)
Day 3 (Thurs, Oct 22): Jiuzhaigou Valley National Park ~ Today brings a full day of exploring Jiuzhai Valley National Park (locally known as Jiuzhaigou), China’s premier national park. More than just spectacular scenery, Jiuzhai Valley National Park is home to nine Tibetan villages, over 220 bird species as well as a number of endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda, Sichuan golden monkey, the Sichuan takin and numerous orchids and rhododendrons. It is best known for its fabled blue and green lakes, spectacular waterfalls, narrow conic karst landforms and its unique wildlife. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It is located on the edge of the Tibetan Himalayan Plateau at elevations ranging between 1990 m (6529 feet) to 4764 m (15,630 feet) above sea level. Jiuzhai Valley provides spectacular scenery throughout the year making it one of China’s most treasured scenic sites.
Accommodations: Mingren Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Expected Max Elevation: 3200 m (10,500 ft)
Day 4 (Fri, Oct 23): Jiuzhaigou/ Huanglong National Scenic Reserve ~ Travel to Huanglong National Scenic Reserve with botanical stops along the way.
Accommodations: Se’ercuo Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: Approximately 2.5 hrs without stops (110 km; 70 miles).
Expected Max Elevation: 3600 m (11,811 ft)
Day 5 (Sat, Oct 24): Huanglong National Scenic Reserve ~ Full day at Huanglong National Scenic Reserve. The ‘World Wonder’ and ‘Fairy Land on Earth’ are names given to the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, which is well known for its colorful Huanglong pool, lakes, snow-clad mountains, valleys and virgin forest. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992.
Accommodations: Se’ercuo Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Expected Max Elevation: 3900 m (12,795 ft)
Day 6 (Sun, Oct 25) Huanglong / Chuanzhusi ~ Drive back to Chuanzhusi town crossing Xuebaoding Mountain (‘Snow Treasue Peak’) with time to enjoy the local flora of this high alpine environment. With a height of 5588 m (18,300 ft), Xuebaoding is higher than almost any mountain in North America.
Accommodations: Chuanzhusi International Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: 1.5 hours (50 km; 31 miles)
Expected Max Elevation: 4000 m (13,125 ft)
Day 7 (Mon, Oct 26): Chuanzhusi/ Maoxian ~ Travel to Maoxian today with visits to Songpan Ancient Town and Baishi Qiang Village. Songpan Ancient Town was originally founded in the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It was one of the most important towns on the Southern Silk Road. You’re sure to be impressed by the grand, ancient constructions that have been fairly well preserved through the centuries. You’ll also visit Baishi Qiang Village.
Accommodations: Maoxian International Hotel or Similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: 4.5 hrs (160 km; 100 miles)
Expected Max Elevation: 3000 m (5250 ft)
Day 8 (Tues, Oct 27): Maoxian/ Siguniangshan ~ Drive to Siguniangshan Town. On the way, explore plants at the top pass on the old road of Balang Shan Mountain.
Accommodations: Artistic Conception Resort Hotel or Similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: 6.5 hrs (220 km; 137 miles)
Expected Max Elevation: 4600 m (15,100 ft)
Day 9 (Wed, Oct 28): Siguniangshan Mountain Scenic Area ~ Full day visit to Mount Siguniangshan (“Four Maiden’s Mountain’) Scenic Area. Mt. Siguniangshan is famed for its steep and imposing ridges. The high meadows are gorgeous throughout the year. Hundreds of wildflowers burst forth in spring, giving way to luxuriant green trees and grass in summer. In the fall, the leaves on the trees blaze in color heralding the coming snows of winter. Because of the clear, blue sky, the thick forest, the verdant grassland, and the murmuring streams, it is sometimes known as the ‘Alps of the Orient’. You may, in fact, think you are in southern Europe.
Accommodations: Artistic Conception Resort Hotel or Similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: 30 mins each way (10 km; 6 miles)
Expected Max Elevation: 3900 m (12,795 ft)
Day 10 (Thurs, Oct 29): Siguniangshan/ Balang Shan ~ Drive back the top pass of Balang Shan for a full day of exploring.
Accommodations: Artistic Conception Resort Hotel or Similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: Approximately 1.5 hrs each way (50 km; 31 miles)
Expected Max Elevation: 4600 m (15,100 ft)
Day 11 (Fri, Oct 30): Siguniangshan/ Danba/ Bamei ~ Drive to Bamei with a botanical stop at Geda Liangzi Pass. You’ll also visit Qiang Village for its impressive watchtower at Danba. The village is known as the ‘Ancient Oriental Fortress’ because of its aged stone houses and two nine-story hexahedral watch towers.
Accommodations: Daofu Yijia Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: 5 hrs without stops (200 km; 125 miles)
Expected Max Elevation: 4000 m; 13,123 ft
Day 12 (Sat, Oct 31): Bamei/ Kangding ~ Drive to Kangding with a visit to the beautiful Tibetan monastery near Tagong. There’s also time to enjoy the flora of Zheduo Shan Mountain Pass today.
Accommodations: Kangding Gesanghua Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: 4 hrs without stops (150 km; 93 miles)
Expected Max Elevation: 4400 m (14,435 ft)
Day 13 (Sun, Nov 1): Kangding ~ Today, visit Yajiangeng Climbing Base of Ganzi Prefecture. Yajiangeng offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and hiking with gorgeous alpine landscapes. If time permits, proceed to Red Rock Scenic Spot before returning to Kanding.
Accommodations: Kangding Gesanghua Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: 4 hrs without stops (30 km; 19 miles each way)
Expected Max Elevation: 4400 m (14,435 ft)
Day 14 (Mon, Nov 2): Kangding/ Chengdu ~ Travel by highway from Kangding to Chengdu today. Share travel tales from your journey during tonight’s Farewell Dinner.
Accommodations: Dorsett Hotel or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Estimated drive time today: 6 hrs without stops (271 km; 168 miles)
Expected Max Elevation: 3200 m (10,500 ft)
Day 15 (Tues, No3): Chengdu/ Departure ~ Visit the Panda Breeding Center in Chengdu this morning. Transfer to the airport in time to connect to your flight home.
Meals: Breakfast
Important Note: Departure flights will be coordinated for the group.
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