An incredible botanical and scenic journey across north-west China, crossing many flower-rich passes, vast grasslands and high lakes under the constant gaze of majestic shans. Beginning in Chengdu our journey continues north-west across the Qinghai to the vast lake of Qinghai Hu within touching distance of the old Silk Road.
An 18 day tour with Chris Gardner
THIS ITINERARY WILL BE FULLY UPDATED IN JULY.
Day 1 Arrive Chengdu (28 June)
Upon arrival in the huge metropolis we’ll transfer to a comfortable hotel.
Day 2 To Wolong
Heading west we reach the edge of the Tibetan Plateau and climb into very verdant valleys swathed in forests and harbouring roses, lilies and some choice corydalis. Overnight Wolong.
Day 3 Wolong area
The day will spent at modest altitudes as we acclimatise. Stands of Cardiocrinum giganteum, Pedicularis rex, primulas and valleys with dainty ice-blue Corydalis flexuosa. Overnight Wolong.
Day 4 Balang Shan
A quite superb high pass which heaves with Cypripedium tibeticum, Omphalogramma viola-grandis, Primula melanops, P. sikkimensis, Meconopsis integrifolia and a multitude of alpine plants. Today we'll explore the lower slopes. Overnight Rilong.
Day 5 Xiling Xue Shan
An exciting new high pass was visited in 2019, where we encountered some fascinating new primulas, as well as both Saussurea medusa and S. quercifolia, Androsace brachystegia, Potentilla biflora, incredible displays of Meconopsis integrifolia and much more. An area to be explored more fully. Overnight Rilong.
Day 6 Balang Shan II
Time will be spent looking at the higher slopes now that we are better acclimatised. Overnight Rilong.
Day 7 To Barkam
We will visit Jianjin Shan to look for the black meconopsis that grows there and then continue north along a deep valley, hopefully finding the stunning coppery form of Caltha palustris and Lilium davidii along the way. Overnight Barkam.
Day 8 To Jigzhi
Flowery grasslands all the way with swirls of Aster, the wrinkled leaves of Phlomis rotata, Caragana, Anemone, spidery Cremanthodium brunneopilosum and plentiful Pedicularis for which there is nowhere quite as rich or confusing as Sichuan. expect to see all manner of colour and forms of these unique (uncultivatable) plants. Overnight Jigzhi (3627 metres).
Day 9 Stone Mountain
The dramatic saw tooth ridge of Golog Shan becomes accessible across the tundra as we skirt alpine tarns and head for the lower slopes of this striking granite hulk. Here we will see the most stunning purple bowls of Meconopsis lancifolium imaginable along with Primula limbata, P. woodwardii, lovely blue forms of Anemone demissa filling the rock terraces and much more. Overnight Jigzhi.
Days 10-13 Anyemaqen Shan
We will explore some back roads around Golog Shan and then complete our journey to Maqen where we will spend three full days exploring the surrounding high passes and spectacular Lakeland. Here high moraines have the rare endemic Desideria baoigoinensis, the purple stars of Sassaurea wellbyi, deep blue Meconopsis horrida, flowery mounds of Androsace mairiae, diminutive Iris potaninii, slopes filled with Incarvillea compacta and much more. Some areas we will be visiting for the first, including hidden valleys filled with blue poppies and orange saxifrages, as well as the spectacular lakelands, the huge mirrored discs personifying by the vastness of the region. Overnight Maqen (3700 metres).
Day 14 Serxu
Remote Serxu lies on the edge of the vast plateau grasslands. Seldom visited monasteries are tucked away in the hills on the edge of Anyemaqen Shan, close to where we transition with the vaunted mountains of northern Sichuan. Stands of Iris farreri dot the stony flats and tumbling masses of Clematis tangutica cast lemon peel flowers across the rocks. Overnight Serxu at 4200 metres.
Day 15 To Dege
A traditional Tibetan printing press is still in operation at Dege and to reach it we cross the rugged and plant rich Chola Shan. Chionocharis hookeri may still be in flower, easily accessed rightly beside the road at 4800 metres. But, there is much more with wonderful flora such as; Androsace marie, Anemone rupestris, Primula , Corydalis dasyptera and Meconopsis racemosa all the way and some sublime raw landscapes. Overnight Dege (3260 metres).
Day 16 To Ganze
After a visit to the printing press in the morning we will recross the Chola Shan and make our way across the grasslands to Ganze. Various stops in the grasslands and hills will find fine-rayed Aster diplostephioides, Spiranthes chinensis, some superb Pedicularis and blue Salvia wardii, with superb views across idyllic mountain lakes framed by soaring peaks. Overnight Ganze.
Day 17 Shalui Shan
Another impressive mountain area is accessed by a winding pass road where handsome Corydalis scaberula and Cremantodium decaisnei colour the scree with the fine-nerved bells of Codonopsis nervosa, dwarf Aconitum tanguticum and the bizarre rosettes of Soroseris gillii in the grassland. A spectacular location to complete our tour. Overnight Ganze.
Day 18 To Flights (15 July)
An internal flight from Ganze arrives into Chengdu for international connections.
