Our journey begins in Xishuangbanna, where we arrive in Jinghong and settle into a riverside hotel with distinct Dai architectural charm.  After checking in, we take in the lively streets and enjoy a welcome dinner featuring local Dai flavors.  The next morning, we set out for Menglun Town, hiking through Yinchang Mountain’s rainforest valleys to observe orchids thriving in their natural habitat—some clinging to tree trunks, others nestled among rocks, each displaying unique adaptations to the tropical environment.

From Menglun, we travel deeper into the region, exploring Yiwu Nature Reserve’s protected forests.  Here, we spot orchids growing high in the canopy and on fallen logs, noting how their distribution varies across different host trees.  The following day, we trek through Bubang Village’s dipterocarp forests, where sunlight filters through the trees, illuminating orchids with fringed petals and others that cleverly mimic bamboo stems.  Along the way, we study how these plants interact with their surroundings.

Our route then leads us to Guanlei Town, where we hike along limestone cliffs near the Nanla River.  We observe orchids that bloom in the afternoon, attracting pollinators, and document their flowering patterns.  Later, we visit the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, wandering through its eastern rainforest section and joining a guided night walk to witness the forest’s after-dark activity.  The next morning, we explore the garden’s western trails before returning to Jinghong, stopping at Dai Minority Park and Manting Park to appreciate local traditions and serene landscapes.

The final days immerse us in Xishuangbanna’s cultural and ecological highlights.  We join the Dai Water-Splashing Festival, participating in rituals and sharing in the festive atmosphere.  Later, we journey to Wild Elephant Valley, where elevated walkways allow us to observe wild Asian elephants and the orchids that grow within their habitat.  On our last morning, we browse Jinghong’s markets for tropical fruits and handicrafts before departing, concluding our exploration of this biodiverse and culturally rich region.

Trip Highlights:

1.Dai Cultural Welcome: Experience Jinghong’s riverside charm with traditional Dai architecture and a vibrant welcome dinner featuring zesty local flavors.

2.Rainforest Orchid Safari: Trek through lush valley jungles to spot rare orchids clinging to ancient trees and hidden streams, including night-blooming varieties.

3.Canopy Secrets of Yiwu: Explore a protected rainforest reserve to find orchids thriving high on tree branches and fallen logs, revealing nature’s vertical gardens.

4.Limestone Cliff Adventures: Hike along dramatic river gorges where orchids bloom on rocky outcrops, adapting to sun-drenched cliffs and trickling waterfalls.

5.Botanical Garden Spectacle: Marvel at rare orchid displays and pristine rainforest trails in Asia’s premier tropical garden, followed by a magical nighttime jungle walk.

6.Dai New Year Festivities: Join water-splashing rituals and temple ceremonies during the vibrant festival, savoring festive treats like purple sticky rice in banana leaves.

7.Wild Elephant Valley Mysteries: Walk elevated pathways through elephant habitats, discovering orchids with unique survival tricks—some even bearing marks from passing giants.

The cost includes the following:

The cost does not include the following:

D1: Arrival in Xishuangbanna. Meals: D

Upon arrival, airport transfer will be arranged according to your flight schedule. Check in at the hotel and take in the charming Dai-style architecture and vibrant street scenes along the way. If time permits, enjoy some leisure time near the hotel to soak up the relaxed local atmosphere. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be served, offering an authentic taste of Dai cuisine.

Overnight: Chufan Riverside Hotel

D2: Jinghong to Menglun Town. Meals: BLD

After breakfast, depart for Menglun Town. Upon arrival, embark on a hiking adventure through Yinchang Mountain's valley rainforest in search of tropical orchids. Look for species like the spiral-petaled Bulbophyllum andersonii, clustered Bulbophyllum odoratissimum, streamside-growing Cheirostylis yunnanensis, night-blooming Dendrobium thyrsiflorum, photosynthetic Eria pannea, and pink-purple Pinalia obvia. Observe how these orchids interact with the rainforest ecosystem and marvel at the unique adaptations of tropical flora.

Overnight: Yunmeiting Hotel

D3: Menglun Town to Yiwu Township. Meals: BLD

Travel to Yiwu Township within Mengla County's Yiwu Nature Reserve. Trek through the protected area to spot epiphytic orchids such as Dendrobium wardianum growing on high tree canopies and Dendrobium cariniferum found on fallen logs. Compare their distribution patterns across different host trees while admiring the reserve's lush tropical vegetation.

Overnight: Yiyuan Inn

D4: Yiwu Township to Bubang Village. Meals: BLD

Journey to Bubang Village and hike through nearby dipterocarp forests to discover Dendrobium fimbriatum with fringed petals, often growing on sunlit tree trunks, and Dendrobium salaccense which mimics bamboo stems, entwined among bamboo clusters. Study these species' remarkable survival strategies through close observation.

Overnight: Atlantis Resort Hotel

D5: Bubang to Guanlei Town. Meals: BLD

Head to Guanlei Town, stopping for a hike along limestone cliffs near the Nanla River tributaries to find Dendrobium devonianum with serrated petal edges and Dendrobium thyrsiflorum which blooms in the afternoon to attract bumblebee pollinators. Document their flowering habits and pollination mechanisms to deepen your understanding of orchid ecology.

Overnight: Yueman Business Hotel

D6: Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden. Meals: BLD

Transfer to Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden and check in at the on-site King Lotus Hotel. Visit the annual Orchid Exhibition in the morning to admire rare orchid varieties. In the afternoon, explore the garden's eastern section, trekking through pristine rainforest landscapes. Join a guided night walk to experience the rainforest's nocturnal ecosystem.

Overnight: King Lotus Hotel

D7: Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden to Jinghong. Meals: BLD

Continue exploring the garden's western section in the morning, marveling at its diverse tropical flora. After lunch, return to Jinghong with a stop at Dai Minority Park to appreciate traditional Dai architecture and Buddhist culture. Stroll through Manting Park in the evening, enjoying the serenity of Dai-style gardens.

Overnight: Chufan Riverside Hotel

D8: Jinghong Water-Splashing Festival. Meals: BLD

Immerse yourself in the Dai New Year celebrations. Participate in sacred water-fetching rituals, Buddha-bathing ceremonies, and the exuberant water-splashing festivities. Savor holiday specialties like purple sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves while joining locals in their joyful traditions.

Overnight: Chufan Riverside Hotel

D9: Jinghong to Wild Elephant Valley. Meals: BLD

Drive to Wild Elephant Valley and hike along elevated observation walkways to trace wild Asian elephants' activities. Search for orchids thriving in elephant habitats, including Eulophia spectabilis, Eulophia zollingeri, a leafless species relying entirely on fungi, and Phaius magniflorus, often bearing elephant bite marks on its leaves. Study their distribution to uncover potential ecological ties with elephants.

Overnight: Chufan Riverside Hotel

D10: Departure from Xishuangbanna. Meals: BL

After breakfast, enjoy free time to visit local markets for tropical fruits or handicrafts as souvenirs. Airport transfer will be arranged based on your flight schedule, concluding this unforgettable journey through Xishuangbanna's natural and cultural wonders.

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.