Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Xi An, China
Everyone should plan to arrive at any convenient time on the Monday. You will be met at the Xi An airport and transferred to our hotel where you can freshen-up and relax. We will enjoy a Welcome Dinner at our Hotel this evening.
Overnight at Grand New World Hotel (L,D)

Day 2: Xi An city tour
Today we have full day to explore the City and surrounds with a guided tour to the Shaanxi History Museum and the Wild Goose Pagoda in the morning. In the afternoon we will visit the famed Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum, with visits to Pit 1, Pit 2 and Pit 3, and the Chariot Museum. We will drive back to Xi An in the later afternoon and enjoy a dumpling banquet at a restaurant looking out on the old city walls.
Overnight at Grand New World Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 3: Xi An to Foping Reserve Station
After breakfast we will drive to Foping National Nature Reserve, this reserve located on the south side of the Qinling Mountains has the highest density of wild Giant Pandas ever recorded. We plan to spend almost a week here, tracking wild Pandas each day, with the hope of encountering Giant Pandas in-the-wild. We have specifically chosen times of the year when the Pandas come down to lower elevations, and this should make the Pandas easier to track.

Once we reach the end of the road we must walk into the Station and porters will carry our luggage. The path into the station is an easy walk, but is 8km (5 miles) so everyone should be in good physical condition as some days the tracking may be quite difficult. Indeed, if you wish to join this trip you should be able to walk up and down sometimes slippery terrain, the trails can be quite steep and scrambling up or down steep slopes may be necessary.
Overnight at Foping Reserve Station (B,L,D)

Day 4-8: Foping Nature Reserve / Panda tracking
Each day we plan to go out in the Reserve with our team of trackers and guides in search of wild Giant Pandas and of course some of the other wildlife found in the area, such as Golden Takin, Asiatic Black Bear, the elusive Golden snub-nosed monkeys and a wealth of birdlife, including Crested Ibis, pheasants and tragopans. Indeed the Foping National Nature Reserve has recorded some 68 mammal species, 217 species of birds, 38 species of reptiles, 15 species of fishes and over 1,250 species of insects.
You should be able and willing to carry a small day-pack with you, that contains your camera, binoculars, rain gear, bottled water, and your boxed lunch, to allow us maximum time out in the reserve.
Overnight's at Foping Reserve Station (B,L,D)

Day 9: Foping Nature Reserve to Xi An
After breakfast today we say farewell to the station that has been our home for almost a week and walk back out of the reserve to our waiting vehicle. Then we will drive the several hours back to Xi An and civilization! Tonight we enjoy dinner back at the Grand New World Hotel where we first began our adventure.
Overnight at Grand New World Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 10: Xi An
Today we spend a relaxed day exploring the Muslim Quarter of the old town which is conveniently located just a short stroll behind our hotel. We will wander the market stalls, food vendors and other stores as we travel back through time, and can envision this area during the grand trade days of the great Silk Route, which began here. This is our best chance to pick-up gifts and souvenirs before we begin our journey homewards tomorrow.
Overnight at Grand New World Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 11: Xi An to Beijing and the Great Wall
This morning we suggest you book an early flight from Xi An to Beijing so we may spend the afternoon visiting the Great Wall of China. We will walk along some restored sections of the Great Wall and then transfer to our comfortable hotel in the bustling city of Beijing for our farewell dinner.
Overnight at Soluxe Courtyard Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 12: Beijing headed home
This morning head for the International airport and flights home.

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