Our journey begins in Baoshan, gateway to Yunnan's wild western frontier. After arrival, sample fiery local cuisine before traveling along the roaring Nujiang River. Marvel at dramatic landscapes including towering cliffs and an abandoned mountain village before reaching our hillside retreat in Laomudeng.

We enter the mystical Dulong Valley, where mist-shrouded forests hide nature's rarest treasures. Search for exotic orchids clinging to mossy cliffs and vibrant wildflowers blooming along mountain streams. Spend evenings in cozy wooden lodges, listening to the sounds of the wilderness.

The adventure continues in Bingzhongluo, where emerald rivers carve through towering gorges. Walk ancient tea caravan trails past blooming magnolias and swaying palms. Visit hidden villages where colorful prayer flags flutter above terraced fields of golden crops.

Ascend into Gaoligong's primordial rainforests, where delicate orchids decorate ancient trees. Discover hidden hot springs nestled among lush ferns, then search for rare mountain blooms in the mystical cloud forests.

Our final days bring us to Tengchong's volcanic landscapes. Wander through steaming geothermal fields and timeless villages before finding our last floral treasures - brilliant wildflowers glowing in the mountain sunlight. Depart with memories of Yunnan's breathtaking beauty.

Trip Highlights:

1.Scenery in Nujiang River Gorge: Drive along the roaring Nujiang River, stopping at dramatic viewpoints like Tiger Leaping Rock, where the river crashes through sheer cliffs.

2.Exploring the Ghost Village of Zhiziluo: Wander through the hauntingly beautiful abandoned village of Zhiziluo, frozen in time since the 1980s, with its retro architecture and misty mountain backdrop.

3.Remote Wilderness of Dulong Valley: Trek into the pristine Dulong Valley, home to rare orchids and untouched forests along crystal-clear streams.

4.Ancient Tea Horse Trail & Peach Blossom Island: Walk historic sections of the Tea Horse Trail in Bingzhongluo, then visit the idyllic "Peach Blossom Island", a terraced village surrounded by emerald gorges.

5.Gaoligong Mountain’s Rainforests & Hot Springs: Hike through lush Gaoligong rainforests, discovering hidden waterfalls and exotic flora, then soak in natural hot springs.

6.Tengchong’s Volcanic Wonders: Explore bubbling geothermal fields, volcanic craters, and lava formations in Tengchong, where steam rises from the earth amid rolling hills.

7.Alpine Wildflower Discovery: Hunt for rare blooms in Tengchong’s mountains and browse a local medicinal herb market, celebrating Yunnan’s botanical riches.

The cost includes the following:

The cost does not include the following:

D1: Arrival in Baoshan. Meals: D

Arrive in Baoshan, Yunnan's western gateway nestled between the Gaoligong and Nu Mountains. Check into Baoshan Guanfang Hotel, its courtyard shaded by century-old camphor trees. At the welcome dinner, savor fire-seared beef cooked over pine embers and sour bamboo shoots pickled with wild Zanthoxylum peppers. Retire early to the hum of cicadas—tomorrow begins your journey into the "Grand Canyon of the East." 

Overnight: Baoshan Guanfang Hotel

D2: Along the Nujiang River. Meals: BLD

Trace the roaring Nujiang through vertiginous gorges where Tibetan prayer flags snap in the wind. At Tiger Leaping Rock, watch rapids churn beneath 3,000m cliffs. The ghost village of Zhiziluo reveals crumbling Mao-era slogans under Juglans sigillata walnut trees. Arrive in Laomudeng as twilight gilds the Biluo Snow Mountain; your wooden guesthouse's hearth crackles with Quercus acorn charcoal. 

Overnight: Laomudeng 150 Inn

D3: Into Dulong Valley. Meals: BLD

Enter Dulong Valley via vertigo-inducing switchbacks. Along mossy streams, spot Coelogyne occultata's snow-white clusters and Agapetes interdicta's lantern-shaped blooms—a species once thought extinct. A Lisu guide demonstrates how Platanthera chiloglossa's sticky sap traps insects. At dusk, mist envelops your lodge; through the fog, Lilium basilissum glows like suspended lamps. 

Overnight: Dulong River Skyland Hotel

D4: Bingzhongluo Exploration. Meals: BLD

Walk the Tea Horse Trail's vertiginous flagstones, passing mule caravans laden with Camellia sinensis tea bricks. On Peach Blossom Island, Rhododendron xanthostephanum blazes gold beneath peach orchards. Villagers harvest Paris polyphylla's starry rhizomes—used in anti-inflammatory poultices. Sunset illuminates Dendrobium hookerianum orchids clinging to cliffs above the Nujiang's jade waters. 

Overnight: Dulong River Skyland Hotel

D6: Gaoligong to Tengchong. Meals: BLD

Descend Gaoligong's eastern slopes past Nu villages where indigo vats simmer with Persicaria tinctoria. At a roadside stall, taste wild honey from Rhododendron delavayi forests. In Tengchong, wander geothermal fields where turquoise pools steam through sulfur-crusted vents. At Hilton Garden Inn, soak in spring-fed pools as Phyllostachys bamboo sways against volcanic silhouettes. 

Overnight: Hilton Garden Inn Nujiang

D7: Tengchong's Volcanic Landscapes. Meals: BLD

Explore Dayingshan Volcanic Park, where Coelogyne leucantha orchids cling to basalt crevices, their ivory blooms contrasting with obsidian rocks. At Rehai Geothermal Valley, steam rises from Myrmechis pumila colonies thriving in sulfur-rich mud. A Bai elder demonstrates weaving Pholidota articulata's velvety leaves into rain capes. Ascend to Beihai Wetland, where Bulleyia yunnanensis's lavender spikes emerge from peat moss. Sunset paints the Great Volcanic Fissure crimson, echoing Coelogyne corymbosa's amber-throated flowers. 

Overnight: Lingzhi Boutique Inn

D8: Final Floral Discoveries. Meals: BLD

Trek Yunfeng Mountain's alpine meadows, where Corybas himalaicus's helmet-shaped blooms hide in moss, and Cryptochilus luteus mimics golden lichen. At Heshun Ancient Town Market, vendors display Calanthe herbacea roots used in bone salves and Pinalia spicata's dried pseudobulbs for cough syrup. A forager shares how Corybas sinii's nectar lures Himalayan moths. Your farewell dinner features wild Calanthe puberula petals candied in honey—a sweet epilogue to nine days tracing nature's clandestine poetry. 

Overnight: Tengchong Guanfang Hotel 

D9: Departure. Meals: BL

Enjoy a leisurely morning in Tengchong before transferring to the airport for your onward journey, taking unforgettable memories of Yunnan's wild beauty with you.

We will arrange one of our WildFloraTour experts for this trip based on the focus of this trip. All our experts have rich experiences of guiding tours in this region. The following are some of our best local guides for your references.

Cory Li      WildFloraTour plant expert

Cory Li,co-founder, and general manager of WildFloraTour is a super fan of nature, especially for flowers. His passion for nature grows from the beauty of greens in the little boys' eyes. As a native of Sichuan Chengdu, he has spent a lot of time exploring nature in the mountains nearby his hometown. During his study at Sichuan University, he began to take lots of outdoor activities like hiking and mountain climbing and started to study knowledge about flora by himself. After graduation, he even spent more time in the wild than office exploring wildflowers in Sichuan and nearby provinces with other nature lovers and photographed about two thousand wildflower species. He even found several new distributions of some endemic species and even some new species of plants along with some other nature lovers. He loves to share his findings and stories behind the photos with other nature lovers on the internet and became a “flora idol” in southwest China. He never expected becoming famous out of this, he just enjoys sharing the beauty of those lovely flowers with others.

Ke Huang      WildFloraTour plant expert

Huang Ke, who graduated with a master's degree from Sichuan University, joined a local NGO after graduation, dedicating himself to environmental protection and biological resource surveys. Through years of study and fieldwork, he has gained a profound understanding of the diverse animals and plants in Southwest China. His work has taken him to remote forests, high-altitude meadows, and pristine river valleys, where he has documented rare species and contributed valuable ecological data.In addition to his field research, Huang Ke actively participated in the editing of several nature-related books, including the "Wild Bird Cartoon Guide" series, Between the Forest and the Sea, Picture of Giant Pandas, and Chengdu Nature Notes, which aim to enhance public awareness of biodiversity and conservation. His botanical research has also led to the discovery and publication of new plant species, such as Primula xilingensis and Primula meishanensis, enriching scientific knowledge of China’s flora. His passion for nature continues to drive his efforts in research, conservation, and education.

Ray      WildFloraTour plant expert

Ray graduated from Leshan Normal University, majoring in plant science. As an expert at WildFlora, Ray is responsible for the daily operations of WildFloraTour. He possesses a profound passion for nature, which prompted him to resign from his job in his hometown of Deyang and relocate to Chengdu to pursue his dreams and join WildFloraTour. Having specialized in botanical studies during his university years, Ray has acquired a distinct advantage in his work, affording him opportunities to discover endemic species and make thrilling new findings. Additionally, Ray is an avid photographer who captures the ephemeral beauty of nature, preserving invaluable moments that inspire others to appreciate the wonders of the natural world. At WildFloraTour, he collaborates with a team of plant specialists to design customized tours that cater to the individual interests of each traveler who has keen interests in plants. Whether it involves botanical exploration, cultural immersion, or wildlife safaris, Ray and his team strive to provide a comprehensive and immersive experience that fosters a deeper connection with nature.

Bella      WildFloraTour bird and mammal expert

Bella, the director of AlpineBirding, was graduated from Sichuan Agricultural University with a Bachelor's Degree. She joined AlpineBirding in early 2016 and became the director of AlpineBirding in 2018. She was born and grown up in a Bai ethnic family in Yunnan Province which boasts of the largest number of bird species in China. Her interests toward birds started with her observation of a Long-tailed Minivet in her mom’s garden at a very young age. As she grows up, the interests and love toward birds become stronger and stronger. Because of that, she found AlpineBirding before graduation and joined the company for further learning of birds. Bella has guided a number of birding trips in cooperation with AlpineBirding guide in the past years, her passion, readiness to help and detail-oriented attitude have won her lots of praise from our clients. She takes great pride in the work she is doing, now she is ready to help you plan your best birding trip in China in cooperation with her colleagues.

Karen       WildFloraTour logistic expert

Karen Lin is a native of Chengdu, Sichuan province. She loves and knows the culture of her hometown well, such as ancient Shu civilization, folk customs and ancient Chinese poetry.She has over 14 years' experience in foreign affairs service and tourism. She is familiar with the whole process of group operation. She is always good at thinking and full of ideas, and always gives the guests a warm experience with the special attention and consideration.Karen loves birds and enjoys go out for birding with the team, sometimes, she works as assistant for the group. She likes nature and is good at parent-child natural activities and education. In addition, she has long devoted herself to public welfare, especially caring for the elderly and disabled people, environmental protection, and reading promotion. She organizes and participates in a number of related volunteer work. She is a passionate and intelligent member of our team.

Philip      WildFloraTour culture and bird expert

As a half Kangba Tibetan, Philip is the founder of WildfloraTour and is native of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. He has a deep love for his Kangba Tibetan heritage and the land where he was born and raised. Philip's career has gone from mining technician to teacher, to translator, and finally to a guide and tour operator. Along the way, Philip discovered his passion and love for helping tourists understand the beauty and history of his people and homeland. Philip is known for his ability to plan and execute unique and exciting adventure trips exploring the sights off the usual tourist routes. He is active, open-minded, and adventurous and always ready to share interesting and useful information with his clients. As a travel professional working in this field for more than 15 years, Philip believes travel is an art and a process of learning and discovery. Each trip is a unique artistic work created with knowledge and expertise based on the resources available and the interests and tastes of travelers. To help more people to understand the unique resources in panda habitats and neighboring areas, he established Wildflora to bring his educational fun-filled tours to more people eager to explore and learn about China. Besides, Philip is an active and knowledgeable birder and a dedicated photographer.

Besides, one of WildFloraTour's local guides in Southeast China will participate in this trip to ensure a high-end traveling experience.