Rhododendrons of Yunnan - China Special

China has the richest repository of Rhododendron, surely the most glamorous of all flowering woody plants. This new tour focuses on areas with these wonderful trees and shrubs as well as including many of the other iconic Chinese woodland and alpine plants from Arisaema to Primula, Chionocharis hookeri and orchids such as Cypripedium. 

Day 1                      Arrival into China, Dali (24 May)

Arrival into the lakeside city of Dali. Overnight Dali.

Day 2                      Cangshan (25 May)

A cable car will take up to 4000 metres, where there are extensive rhododendron shrubberies including R. taliense, R. lacteum and smaller species such as R. impeditum and stunning red R. haematodes. Plenty of other flora too such as Primula bryophila, Megacarpea delavayi and Pegaeophyton scapiflorum. Overnight Dali.

Days 3-6              Hengduan Shan area (to be finalised) (26-29 May)

From Dali we will traverse to this large mountain region and spend three days exploring this rich area. Itinerary to be confirmed.

Day 7                      To Shangri-La (30 May)

The areas surrounding the town are rich in rhododendrons (e.g. R. decorum) and orchids, especially Cypripedium. Overnight Shangri-La (3300m).

Day 8                   Tianbaoshan (31 May)

An excellent area for Rhododendron wardii and Daphne retusa and for those we a head for scree it is home to stands of Cypripedium flavum, Meconopsis pseudovenusta and Fritillaria delavayi. Overnight Shangri-La.

Day 9                   Tianchi Hai (1 June)

This high elevation lake has several rhododendron species ranging for the flamboyant R. phaeochrysum to dwarf R. telmateium and more fine stands of R. wardii that grow with drifts of Primula sikkmensis and P. secundiflora. Overnight Shangri-La.

Day 10                  Da Xue Shan (2 June)

Many rhododendron species, including R. agnniphum, R. primuliflorum, R. oreotrephes and good alpine plants. Overnight Xiancheng.

Day 11                   High passes near Daocheng (3 June)

Extensive shrubberies of smaller species and alpines on high passes. Overnight Xiancheng.

Days 12-13        Baima Shan (4-5 June)

Superb area with huge shrubberies both on the lower slopes and alpine areas. one side is limestone, the other granite so there is great variety in the flora. Also, some standout alpines such as Chionocharis hookeri, Paraquilegia microphylla, Primula zambalensis and Spongiocarpella purpurea.  Overnight Benzilan.

Day 14                   Baima Shan to Shangri-La (6 June)

More time on the lower slopes, depending on which areas are flowering well, then return to Shangri-La.

Day 15                   Shika Shan (7 June)

Limestone mountain to the south of Shangri-La, where a cable car takes us up to 4200 metres and walk back down via rhododendron shrubberies and silver fir forest (tbc). If unavailable we will visit other good areas nearby.

Day 16                   Flights (8 June)

Return flights from Shangri-La airport via regional hubs.