June 12 to June 29, 2017 | USD 4450 PP

This pioneering expedition will attempt to make the first commercial crossing of the northern Gaoligong mountains that divide the upper Nujiang and Dulong Valleys, and straddle the borders of Tibet, Burma and Yunnan. Covered in large swaths of rhododendron and old-growth forest, the jagged peaks and lush glacial valleys are a treasure trove of biodiversity and the epicenter of plant endemism in the region. It is estimated that this unique microclimate is home to over 300 plant species found nowhere else on earth.

The pristine wilderness holds out the enticing prospect of discovering new or hybrid plant varieties; and so, to add botanical gravitas, we have invited Simon Crutchley, Senior Horticulturalist at the Royal Botanical Gardens in Edinburgh (who oversees the garden's Chinese and Himalayan collection) to join the trip and help us with our sole botanical objective: to correctly identify and record the marvelous plants and their wild habitats. No wild seed will officially be collected in accordance with the Nagoya protocol.

Please also note that the terrain is challenging and very difficult in parts. En route, particularly before we break out at higher altitudes into sub-alpine forests and meadows, we will follow seldom-used Lisu hunting tracks through thick forest covered in greybeard lichen. We will also need to scramble over the sprawling root systems of giant evergreens, wade through small rivers and cross a number of slippery log bridges. To be clear, this is an intrepid expedition into 'undiscovered' and remote territory and is not a trek for armchair enthusiasts. You need to be physically and emotionally prepared for a formidable adventure in the spirit of George Forrest and Frank Kingdon Ward.

1. Trek into the most spectacular botanical biosphere in Asia and be part of the first expeditionary team to traverse the upper Nujiang and Dulong River Valleys.
   
2. Explore pristine mountain wilderness, promordial rhododendron forests and lush 'Alpine' valleys; all with the real prospect of identifying and recording new varieties of flower.
   
3. Participate in a real fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants adventure, conceived and planned in the audacious spirit of the intrepid plant-hunters of old.
   

Below is a brief daily summary. If you are interested in more detailed information about the route please email us privately.

You can also enjoy a birds-eye view of the region using this latest Google Earth update by clicking on the image below (only works in Chrome for now)  

1. Altitude: the maximum altitude is likely to be approximately 4000m when crossing two high mountain passes en route.
2. Temperatures: typically range from 10 to 25 degrees Celsius during the day and can fall to just above freezing at night. 
3. Duration: the trip is 18 days in total with approximately 10/11 days of actual trekking and exploration.
4. Difficulty: the trip will be very challenging and exploratory. So you need to be physically fit, flexible and mentally strong.
5. Support: medium-level support so a little tent-work may be required. All luggage and equipment will be carried by Lisu porters.
6. Food: mainly Chinese/Asian cooked by our expedition cook although we do try to include some pasta, cheese, yogurt etc.
7. Vegetarians: we can accomodate vegetarians no problem and have done so many times before.
   
8. Accomodation: is in local hotels and lodges, rustic farmhouses and camping in tents.
9. Wash: we will wash in the crystal-clear rivers and streams when the sun is out.
   
10. Toilet: we can either nip behind a bush or use the toilet tent.
11. Communication: for most of the trek there is no phone signal but we carry a two-way satellite email and texting device.
12. First Aid: we carry a comprehensive medical kit including Diamox and Dexamethazone for the treatment of altitude sickness.
13. Equipment: we will provide all camping equipment. Please refer to our typical kit list for a guide to suitable trekking gear.
    
14. Insurance: all guests must have a travel insurance policy that includes emergency medical evacuation.
    
15. Flights: the trip begins and ends in Baoshan (IATA: BSD). All guests must arrive in Baoshan by the evening of June 12, 2017.

Check out a video slide-show of our previous - and slightly shorter - botanical expedition in the region, in May/June 2015

Gordon

Gordon Bailey is a previous New Zealand Rhododendron Association President and the Chairman of the Pukeiti Rhododendron Trust and collaborated with us on a pioneering plant-hunting expedition in northern Yunnan in 2015.

I joined Whistling Arrow's Rhododendron Explorer trek in May / June 2015 and found it be be extremely well organised and managed. We discovered very remote parts probably not explored since the great plant explorers were in this area in the late 1800's and early 1900's.

The pristine plants were just fantastic! Whistling Arrow prepared an exceptionally well laid plan for this adventure with everything you could think of - good tents, good food, good people and good times.

'Plant Hunting' Expedition | Western China