Pheasants of Sichuan … and monkeys!

20 - 31 March 2025

Flock Wildlife & ornis birding expeditions

11 days/10 nights

Really excited to once again bring a joint Flock Wildlife Tours/Ornis Birding Expeditions tour.
This time to a destination that probably wasn’t on your radar of top places to go. But once you see some of the birds we are targeting I think you will agree that it’s pretty spectacular! Ornis has run bird tours to China already this year, with entry and visa not posing any problems to Australian citizens in 2025.

Not only will you have Dave’s expert photography guidance, but you will also have Josh’s keen eyes and ears and experience guiding in this region, plus a fantastic local guide (who set up the hides) to help make everything run smoothly.
A combination you won’t find anywhere else that will ensure you get the absolute best from this tour!

Proposed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Chengdu

Day 2: Early departure, full day in Pingshan hide.

Day 3: Full day in Pingshan hide.

Day 4: Drive to Xinduqiao near Kangding for overnight.

Day 5: White-eared pheasant and blood pheasant in the morning. And afternoon to the Chinese monal area for overnight in local Guesthouse

Day 6: Full day Chinese Monal, overnight in Local guesthouse

Day 7: Full day for Chinese Monal overnight in Kangding

Day 8: Morning for Lady Amherst's and Common pheasants (snow mountain background), long drive to Tangjiahe, overnight inside the Tangjiahe reserve

Day 9-10: Tangjiahe for Golden Snub-nosed Monkey and Takin, plus of course more birds such as Little Forktail and Brown Dipper.

Day 11: Morning in Tangjiahe reserve, Golden pheasant in the afternoon, Back to Chengdu for late evening flights or overnight at airport.

*itinerary subject to change. we always aim for the best experiences based on the latest on the ground intel

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PINGSHAN HIDE (TWO NIGHTS)
We will have two sessions to enjoy this phenomenal new site, where we can photograph Lady Amherst’s Pheasant, Silver Pheasant, Temminck’s Tragopan, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, and the rare Sichuan Partridge. Late March is the prime period for males to be impressing females, so we will be crossing our fingers in hope of witnessing a jaw-dropping display of either Lady Amherst’s Pheasant or Temminck’s Tragopan. The feeding area is also frequented by the endemic Emeishan Liocicla, plus Red-billed Leiothrix, Red-winged Laughingthrush, Elliot’s Laughingthrush, Rusty Laughingthrush, Chinese Babax, and Streak-breasted Scimitar Babbler. With some luck, several other species can be seen passing in the bamboo behind the hide, including Golden Parrotbill and Golden-breasted Fulvetta.

KANGDING AREA (FOUR NIGHTS)
We will explore the open mountain slopes in search of two very special endemics - the stunning duo of White-eared Pheasant and Blood Pheasant. No hides this time, but with some persistence they should allow close approach. We can also search out the spectacular Giant Laughingthrush, along with Robin Accentor, White-backed Thrush, and White-browed Rosefinch.
We stand good chances to locate some of the most fantastic Phasianidae, including Chinese Monal, Snow Partridge, and Tibetan Snowcock. Some exciting passerines include Chinese Rubythroat, Grandala, Golden Bush Robin, Brandt’s and Plain Mountain Finches, White-browed Tit-Warbler, Alpine Accentor, Dark-breasted and Red-fronted Rosefinches. Other birds should include Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, Snow Pigeon and Alpine Chough.

WENCHUAN HIDE (ONE NIGHT)
This is arguably the best place in the world to photograph the stunning Golden Pheasant which visits every day, and again we might be lucky enough at this time of year to see him display!

GOLDEN SNUB-NOSED MONKEY (THREE NIGHTS)
North of Chengdu, there is a special reserve which protects a large area of habitat for this spectacular endangered primate. One family group in particular is wild but habituated, and a day spent in their company can allow for some truly intimate and exciting photos. We will also take the time to do some drives in the nearby Tangjiahe Nature Reserve where the weird Sichuan Takin can be seen, along with various other species of mammals and birds like Brown Dipper, Little Forktail, White-capped Redstart, Black-faced Laughingthrush, and more.

Respecting locals

Just like us, Ornis Birding Expeditions are passionate about giving more respect to our invaluable local guides and agents, leading to responsible ecotourism and conservation.

CAMERA SKILL
We pride ourselves on helping everyone get more from whatever camera you have, and increasing your skills regardless of your experience.
You definitely don't need to be an expert photographer with a super telephoto lens to enjoy this tour. Obviously the longer the lens the better for birds, however whatever camera you have there is no doubt that you will still learn a lot and have great fun doing it!
This tour will incorporate a mix of static hide-based sessions, as well as some roadside walking.

Walking difficulty:
Fairly easy, although note some areas are at higher elevations

Accommodation:
Comfortable hotels throughout

$7950 USD per person*

*Twin share
(Also note the prices are in US dollars.)

Tour cost includes:
All accommodation, main meals, drinking water, internal flights (as stated in itinerary), overland transport, tips to local drivers and guides, travel permits, entrance fees, and guide fees.

Tour cost excludes:
Flights before and after the tour start/end, visa, travel insurance, tips to tour leaders, laundry, drinks and other items of a personal nature