Explore China Expedition

What’s Included

A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to, and during, your expedition.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. You can find guidance on all of these on your personal Traveller Gateway once you sign up.

International flights
Expedition Leader
Comprehensive travel insurance
All meals
Unlimited drinking water
All accommodation mentioned in the itinerary
All activities mentioned in the itinerary
Entrance fees for all sights mentioned in the itinerary
All transfers mentioned are in private vehicles
Local Expedition Guides
Project costs and management
24 hour support throughout expedition

Day	Activities	More details
Day 1	Arrival and Kung Fu Lesson	On arrival at the airport you will be greeted by our local guides and transferred to your accommodation. After your expedition briefing and a delicious lunch you will head to into the city to the Chengdu Peoples’ Park to meet a Kung Fu Master who will share his skills on the principals of Kung Fu. You will then travel to Dujiangyan by coach and check in to your hotel before enjoying a welcome banquet dinner.
Day 2	Dujiangyan Panda Valley Centre and Dam	You will spend today volunteering with the teams who care for pandas at the Dujiangyan Panda Valley Centre. The centre was set up to assist with breeding programmes, wilderness training and the eventual release of giant pandas into the wild. You will be assisting with the day to day care of the pandas, including cleaning enclosures, preparing food, feeding the pandas and observing and recording behaviour and health. After spending time with the Pandas you will then visit the Dujiangyan Dam to learn about its fascinating history and ingenious construction.
Day 3	Dujiangyan Panda Center and Jiezi Ancient Town	Enjoy more time at the Dujiangyan Panda Valley Centre to continue with helping the rangers care and feed the pandas, along with any tasks that help preserve their natural habitat. In the late afternoon, transfer to the enchanting Jiezi Ancient Town, where excitement awaits in the form of a scavenger hunt. Armed with a list of riddles and challenges, you and your team will explore the town’s winding streets, unearthing its fascinating history as you solve clever puzzles and search for hidden symbols.
Day 4	Hiking in Yaoji	Following a 6-hour coach trip to Yaoji, you will check into the traditional Tibetan guesthouse that will be home for the next couple of days. The afternoon will be spent hiking (2-3 hours) through Yaoji to a Tibetan Stupa.
Day 5	Agricultural work	Today you will be getting your hands dirty while helping local farmers with their agricultural work including harvesting, planting and watering vegetables. Lunch will be at the farmer’s house whilst learning about the community. The afternoon will be spent exploring the surrounding community and paying a visit to the local temple. After dinner, enjoy a traditional performance by the local Tibetan villagers whilst sitting around a camp fire.
Days 6	Chengdu	Following your return to Chengdu by coach you will have the afternoon free to souvenir shop in one of Chengdu’s oldest streets, enabling you to absorb some ancient Chinese charm. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to try a traditional Sichuan Hotpot for dinner – a bubbling broth in which you dip strips of meat.
Day 7	Cultural exchange at a local school	Migrant schools are based throughout China and are for the children of working families who have immigrated to the big city. Today you will have the opportunity to spend the morning with the local students. Normally the visiting schools will prepare a performance (song/dance/poem), games and basic English lessons in advance. In the afternoon, you will head to the Chengdu’s most stunning and historic Buddhist sanctuary before visiting the iconic Wide and Narrow Alley before enjoying your final night in China.
Day 8	Departure	Make your way to the airport for your departure home.