Tour Leader: Nigel Redman
Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD3,300 * GBP2,634 * EUR3,167 * AUD5,304
Can be linked with: China - Sichuan Birding I 2026
Tour Leader: Nigel Redman
Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*
Tour price (Per person): USD3,300 * GBP2,634 * EUR3,167 * AUD5,304
Can be linked with: China - Sichuan Birding II 2026
Located in south-western China, Yunnan Province has recorded over 770 bird species, including several species that are restricted to this tiny area of southern China, neighbouring northern Myanmar, and remote north-east India, ranking first in China in terms of total bird species. Yunnan has a varied climate ranging from warm, subtropical forests in the hills and lowlands to cool temperate forests in the higher mountains. Highlights include Giant and Yunnan Nuthatches, Red-tailed and Blue-winged Laughingthrushes, superb Scarlet-faced Liocichla, Chinese Babax, Chinese and Black-breasted Thrushes, Rusty-capped, Yellow-throated, Spectacled and Yunnan Fulvetta, Grey-headed and Brown-winged Parrotbills, Black-headed Greenfinch, Black-headed and Beautiful Sibia, Chinese Blue Flycatcher, Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler, Godlewski’s Bunting, Black-bibbed Tit and with much luck the very rare White-speckled Laughingthrush and Mrs. Hume’s Pheasant.
Yunnan & Giant Nuthatches; Red-tailed, Blue-winged & Elliott's Laughingthrushes; Chinese Babax; Scarlet-faced Liocichla; Chinese & Black-breasted Thrushes; Rusty-capped, Yellow-throated, Spectacled & Yunnan Fulvettas; Grey-headed & Brown-winged Parrotbills; Black-headed Greenfinch; Beautiful & Black-headed Sibias; Chinese Blue Flycatcher; Black-streaked & Streak-breasted Scimitar Babblers; Godlewski’s & Yellow-throated Buntings; Black-bibbed Tit; Black-browed Bushtit; Collared Grosbeak; Russet, Brown & Aberrant Bush Warblers; White-collared Yuhina; Bar-throated Minla; Rufous-throated & Hill Partridges; Mountain Bamboo Partridge; Pin-tailed & Wedge-tailed Green Pigeons; Grey-headed Bullfinch; Fire-capped Tit; Vivid & Fujian Niltavas; Yellow-bellied Flowerpecker; slim chances for Mrs. Hume's Pheasant; Cachar Wedge-billed Babbler; White-speckled Laughingthrush.
Coniferous (mostly pine) & broad-leaved forest, bamboo, secondary forest, wetlands (open water & reedbeds), scrub, open fields
Warm to mild, cooler in the higher lying areas
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader
Moderate to brisk paced tour. Not suited for dedicated photographers; inexperienced birders; or anyone with mobility or health challenges. Many early mornings & long days.
Good to comfortable.
Moderate. Several rare/difficult species, many low-density species require repeat searches.
spectacular scenery, seldom-visited forests and mountains
Good to very good, some purpose-built hides.
David Hoddinott is an outstanding leader. Always conscious of the need to ensure that everyone sees each bird, he does, rightly, expect concentration and a positive approach throughout. This is the second time that I have travelled with David and I hope that I have the opportunity again in the future. Thank you.
Glen Valentine is an incredible guide and has real talent. We very much appreciate him and always find his tours fun and so rewarding with great birds, great views even in freezing conditions. Any tour with Glen is a guaranteed success and a good time. Daniel Danckwerts will be a great asset to RBT and contributed to the success of the tour. He is also personable and has a great sense of humour. He wasn't all that slow with his scope either and we all saw some fine birds through his scope. We are never surprised at the excellence of RBT guides.
As usual, Glen Valentine was fantastic. I have travelled with him before and it never ceases to amaze me how he can hear and spot birds so effectively. And his enthusiasm is contagious. You know that he has seen any given bird on previous trips but it's as though he is seeing it for the first time with you! Daniel Danckwerts was also on the tour "learning the ropes". Very knowledgeable and a good asset to have on the tour. A superb spotter! All in all, this was a fantastic trip. I would recommend it to anyone.
David Hoddinott was an excellent bird guide, finding and identifying birds at amazing speed and ease. He had researched the field well, and knew where to find the birds. He also had researched the literature and was versed in all the newest taxonomic changes. He was very patient in assuring that all the participants got on the bird.
Paul Varney, was very well prepared, despite not having birdied much in China before he had studied the likely birds at each place and particularly he had leaner the calls, so vital in identifying almost identical leaf warblers. He was calm and flexible when logistical issues arose. I would happily tour with him again.
China - Sichuan Birding II 2024 - June 2024
China - Yunnan Extension II 2024 - June 2024
China - Sichuan Birding III 2024 - June 2024
China - Sichuan Birding I 2024 - May 2024
China - Yunnan Extension I 2024 - May 2024
China - Qinghai Extension 2024 - April 2024
China - Highlights 2024 - April 2024
China - Sichuan Birding 2019 - May 2019
China - Highlights: Qinghai Extension 2019 - May 2019
China - Highlights 2019 - May 2019
China - Sichuan Birding II 2018 - May 2018
China - Sichuan Birding I 2018 - May 2018
China - Southeast in Spring 2018 - April 2018
China - Reeves's Pheasant & Crested Ibis Extension 2018 - April 2018
China - Sichuan Birding 2017 - May 2017
China - Yunnan Extension 2017 - May 2017
China - Tibetan Plateau & Beidaihe 2016 - September 2016
China - Lhasa Birding & Cultural Extension 2016 - September 2016