China has always held a fascination for birders. It is home to over 1200 species including 60 endemics, most of which are found in the south central province of Sichuan, surrounded by spectacular scenery, on the edge of the Tibetan plateau. Culturally fascinating, with an interesting blend of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism, this rich cultural tapestry and wealth of natural resources has often led the Chinese to refer to Sichuan as the Heavenly Kingdom. The combination of famed Sichuan cuisine, magnificent mountain scenery and an abundance of interesting birds, make this a truly mouth-watering region to visit.

Day 1: Chengdu. After arrival in Chengdu, we visit some nearby parkland where small flocks of chattering Vinous-throated Parrotbills and White-browed Laughinghtrushes are bold and even tame at times.

Day 2: Chengdu to Wolong reserve. We travel north to the renowned Wolong Nature Reserve, haunt of the incredibly rare Giant Panda. The steep slopes surrounding our hotel are home to the secretive Golden Pheasant and the strange Slaty Bunting. Other gems include the endemic Barred and Giant Laughinghtrushes and two elusive babblers: Chinese Babax and Rufous-tailed Babbler. We will also keep an eye out for noisy, distinctive Collared Finchbills, Fire-capped Tits, and White-collared Yuhinas.

Days 3-5: Wolong Panda Reserve. Over the next three days , we visit number of new areas in Wolong reserve. Giant Panda do still occur in the bamboo forests (as do Red Pandas), although they are famously shy creatures that are rarely seen, so we would be extremely fortunate to see one. The incomparable Temminck's Tragopan also lurks in the bamboo. The beauty of the vivid red, intricately-patterned, plumage of the male is unquestionable although this bird is as scarce as it is beautiful. The stunning Firethroat is another highly sought-after bird of the area, as are Koklass Pheasant, Scaly-breasted and Pygmy Wren-Babblers, White-browed Bush Robins, and Long-tailed Thrushes. In areas of bamboo within the forest we shall keep a special look out for endemic Three-toed Parrotbills, tiny Fulvous Parrotbills, and enormous Great Parrotbills. Wuyipeng is also the home of Mountain Hawk-Eagle, White-backed and Three-toed Woodpeckers, brilliant red Rufous-bellied Niltavas, Spotted Nutcrackers, Spotted Laughinghthrushes, unobtrusive Green Shrike-babblers, Stripe-throated Fulvettas, beautiful Grey-headed Bullfinches, and two endemic tits: Sooty and Pere David's. Overnights in Wolong reserve.

Days 6-7: Balang Shan Pass. We have a couple of days to get to know the bizarre montane avifauna of the pass at Balang Shan, on the edge of Wolong reserve. If lucky we shall enjoy unhindered views across snow-capped peaks and a sighting of the endemic Chinese Monal. We also seek White-eared Pheasants feeding along the edge of the rhododendron scrub, and Verreaux's Monal-Partridge, Spectacled Parrotbill, Chinese Fulvetta, and Songar Tit. The 15,200 ft (4600 m) high Balang Shan Pass may reveal Beautiful, Dark-breasted, or Common Rosefinches, and the wonderful White-tailed Rubythroat. Wheeling flocks of Snow Pigeons, a Lammergeier or a Himalayan Griffon may appear in the sky, and the beautiful Blue-fronted Redstart and boldly-patterned Kessler's Thrush. On the pass, alongside the fluttering Buddhist prayer flags we may encounter the gorgeous Grandala feeding amongst the boulders.

Days 8-10: Wawu Shan. Heading south from Wolong we reach the temperate and subtropical forests on Wawu Shan, or 'Roof Tile Mountain'. Wawu Shan is a key site within the Central Sichuan Mountains and is particularly good for parrotbills, with Fulvous, Ashy-throated, Brown, Golden, and the extremely scarce Grey-hooded all possible. The mountain has a mind-blowing 17 Phylloscopus warblers, as well as the endemic Sichuan Treecreeper, described in 2003. It also holds Darjeeling Woodpecker, Long-tailed Minivet, Elliot's Laughingthrush, Black-faced Laughingthrush, Stripe-throated Yuhina, the stunning Golden Bush Robin, Slaty-Blue Flycatcher, and Dark-breasted Rosefinch. Both Gould's Shortwing and the gorgeous Lady Amherst's Pheasant have been recorded, but they are both very shy birds.

Day 11: Emei Shan. Today we arrive at Emei Shan, and we have a chance to see Brown-rumped Minivet, Vivid and Fujian Niltavas, Brown-breasted Flycatcher, Dusky Fulvetta, and Ashy-throated Parrotbill.

Days 12-13: Emei Shan. Emei Shan is one of four sacred Buddhist mountains in China and is dotted with atmospheric monasteries and temples. This status has fortunately preserved much of the forest, where we shall search for the endemic Emei Shan Liocichla and Emei Leaf-Warbler. The highly-sought after and elusive Purple Cochoa, the delightful Bar-winged Wren-Babbler and Moustached Laughingthrush, and the beautiful brightly-coloured Golden-breasted Fulvetta are further potential highlights.

Day 14: Emei Shan to Chengdu. After a final morning on Emei Shan we return to Chengdu or join the extension to northern Sichuan.

Tibetan Plateau Extension

This extension takes in the stunning upland Tibetan Plateau and scenically incredible Jiuzhaigou. Here we seek the charismatic Hume's Groundpecker, the powerfully built Tibetan Lark, and White-rumped and Rufous-necked Snowfinches. If lucky, we may encounter small parties of regal Black-necked Cranes. Jiuzhaigou is justly famed for its stunning mountain scenery interspersed with beautiful scenic lakes, dramatic waterfalls and small colourful Tibetan settlements. The star attraction is the stunning Rufous-headed Robin, whose tiny world range is centred on this park, but Jiuzhaigou is also home to Great Laughingthrush, Severtzov's Grouse, Verreaux's Monal Partridge, the rare, secretive Sichuan Jay, and Chinese Thrush.

Tour info:

CLIMATE: Cool to chilly, and damp in the mountains. Snow is possible at Balang Shan. Warm and humid in the lowlands of Chengdu and the southern Shans.

DIFFICULTY: Mostly moderate, occasionally difficult. A few of the hikes are strenuous.

ACCOMMODATION: Moderate to very good except for Wuyipeng, which is basic and has shared bathrooms.