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Wildlife / Golden monkey tour
Private wildlife tour
A day and a half with one wild troop, in the valleys north and east of Chengdu where golden snub-nosed monkeys are resident, uncollared and accustomed to being found — the shortest trip we run, and the surest.
Ask about this itineraryGolden snub-nosed monkeys in the wild · the tour runs late August to March
the first afternoon, then a full morning
both are working monkey valleys
the months this tour runs
with two more days at Tangjiahe reserve
Why this route
This is the shortest trip we run, and it is short because it can be. The monkey valleys at Pingwu and Jiuzhai are among the few places in China where a single species can be planned for with real confidence: troops here hold their ground, and the sightings come at distances a camera can use.
The drive out is a large half-day, which is exactly why the trip is two days rather than one — arriving early in the afternoon puts the first session with the troop on Day 01 itself, and Day 02 stays with the monkeys into the early afternoon before the road home.
Which of the two grounds you visit is settled when your dates are fixed. Both are valleys where the monkeys are resident; the hotels near both are simple, and we say so up front rather than after you arrive.
The route
Out of Chengdu on the morning of Day 01, back by the evening of Day 02. One valley, one hotel, one troop.
Day by day
One night, one valley. The driving is half of Day 01 and all of the way home on Day 02 — the monkeys get what is left, which is most of the daylight.
Chengdu → Pingwu / Jiuzhai
The valley is far into the mountains, and the drive from Chengdu takes a large half-day. You arrive early in the afternoon and go straight up — no hotel detour, no long lunch — to where the troop is working.
The rest of the day stays with the monkeys, into the late afternoon. It is short walking on their ground rather than a hike of your own, and the evening ends at the hotel near the valley, where you sleep the night.
Pingwu / Jiuzhai → Chengdu
A full morning in the deep mountains with the troop — the longest single session of the trip, and the one most photographs come from. The monkeys decide where it happens; the day follows them.
At around two in the afternoon the road back to Chengdu takes over. The tour ends in the city in the evening.
Species odds
Most of our routes are built around a forest that keeps its secrets. This one is built around the exception.
Pingwu or Jiuzhai · a day and a half on the ground
The high chance is the reason the trip exists: troops here are resident and used to being found, at close range and in the open, which is rare for an animal this spectacular almost anywhere else in China.
High means expected on this itinerary, not guaranteed — the troop decides where the morning happens, and the day follows.
What's included
A short list for the shortest trip. The left column is arranged before you leave; the right column is either yours or a question we are glad to answer.
Arranged and paid for before you arrive.
A wildlife guide, both days
English-speaking, with you from the Chengdu pickup to the drop-off.
Admissions and tickets
Entry wherever the monkeys are being watched.
Private transfers
Chengdu door to door — your own vehicle for the trip.
One night, breakfast included
Twin share near the valley. The hotels are simple; they are also the best available.
Arrangement and logistics
Permits, local coordination and the plan itself.
Yours, or yours to ask us about.
Meals beyond breakfast
Lunches and dinners are yours; the choices near the valley are simple.
Tips for guide and driver
Optional, at your discretion at the end of the trip.
Single room supplement
A room to yourself is quoted with the booking, not added at the hotel.
Getting to and from Chengdu
Flights and trains are yours to book.
Personal expenses
Everything from laundry to extra snacks.
Ask about any line above and we will answer it in writing, with a price where there is one.
Enquiry
Tell us your dates, your group size and whether the five-day version with Tangjiahe interests you. We will come back with which valley is working this season and a written outline with a price.
Read next: The Sichuan mammal tour · Watching without disturbing · A day and a half with the troop · Pandas and passes: both halves of Sichuan · The quiet months: winter work
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