Our Qinghai extension showcases China’s seemingly endless and scenically spectacular Tibetan Plateau. We explore some of north-eastern Tibet’s most pristine and remote regions for its many breeding residents and northern migrants. Targets include the superb Blue Eared Pheasant, Chinese Grouse, elegant, Black-necked Crane, Gansu Leaf Warbler, Ground Tit, Mongolian Lark, numerous rosefinches, an assortment of snowfinches, as well as the unique and beautiful Przevalski's Finch (placed in its own monotypic family).

Top Birds

Przevalski’s Finch (Pink-tailed Bunting); Blue Eared Pheasant; Daurian Partridge; Chinese (Severtzov’s) Grouse; Black-necked Crane; Rufous-necked, White-rumped, Tibetan, Black-winged & Pere David’s Snowfinches; Pale Rosefinch; Elliot’s & Plain (Pere David’s) Laughingthrushes; Gansu & Alpine Leaf Warblers; Bar-headed Goose; Pallas’s Gull; Saker Falcon; Golden Eagle; Bearded Vulture; Godlewski’s Bunting; Grey-capped Greenfinch; Chinese & Przevalski’s Nuthatches; Crested & White-browed (Severtzov’s) Tit-warblers; Ground Tit (Hume’s Groundpecker); Brown & Robin Accentors; Wallcreeper; Smoky Warbler; Hume’s Short-toed, Crested, Horned & Tibetan Larks; Mongolian Finch; Guldenstadt’s Redstart.

Top Mammals

Daurian & Black-lipped Pikas; Red & Tibetan Foxes; Tibetan Roe Deer, Himalayan Marmot.

Habitats Covered

mountains, forest, grassland, lakes

Expected Climate

temperate to cool conditions, but can be very cold

Max Group Size

10 with 1 Rockjumper leader & local birding leader

Tour Pace & Walking

moderate pace and walking

Accommodation

basic but comfortable

Ease of Birding

mostly unchallenging with some tricky species

Photographic Opportunities

good to excellent

What our clients say about us

David Hoddinott
JG, China 2018

David Hoddinott was an excellent bird guide, finding and identifying birds at amazing speed and ease. He had researched the field well, and knew where to find the birds. He also had researched the literature and was versed in all the newest taxonomic changes. He was very patient in assuring that all the participants got on the bird.

Daniel Danckwerts
MN, China 2018

Glen Valentine is an incredible guide and has real talent. We very much appreciate him and always find his tours fun and so rewarding with great birds, great views even in freezing conditions. Any tour with Glen is a guaranteed success and a good time. Daniel Danckwerts will be a great asset to RBT and contributed to the success of the tour. He is also personable and has a great sense of humour. He wasn't all that slow with his scope either and we all saw some fine birds through his scope. We are never surprised at the excellence of RBT guides.

Glen Valentine
PK, China 2018

As usual, Glen Valentine was fantastic. I have travelled with him before and it never ceases to amaze me how he can hear and spot birds so effectively. And his enthusiasm is contagious. You know that he has seen any given bird on previous trips but it's as though he is seeing it for the first time with you! Daniel Danckwerts was also on the tour "learning the ropes". Very knowledgeable and a good asset to have on the tour. A superb spotter! All in all, this was a fantastic trip. I would recommend it to anyone.

Glen Valentine
MN, China 2018

Glen Valentine is an incredible guide and has real talent. We very much appreciate him and always find his tours fun and so rewarding with great birds, great views even in freezing conditions. Any tour with Glen is a guaranteed success and a good time. Daniel Danckwerts will be a great asset to RBT and contributed to the success of the tour. He is also personable and has a great sense of humour. He wasn't all that slow with his scope either and we all saw some fine birds through his scope. We are never surprised at the excellence of RBT guides.

Daniel Danckwerts
PK, China 2018

As usual, Glen Valentine was fantastic. I have travelled with him before and it never ceases to amaze me how he can hear and spot birds so effectively. And his enthusiasm is contagious. You know that he has seen any given bird on previous trips but it's as though he is seeing it for the first time with you! Daniel Danckwerts was also on the tour "learning the ropes". Very knowledgeable and a good asset to have on the tour. A superb spotter! All in all, this was a fantastic trip. I would recommend it to anyone.

China - Qinghai Extension 2024

23 Apr 2024 - 28 Apr 2024 (6 days)

USD2,595 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Paul Varney

Tour price (Per person): USD2,595 * GBP2,120 * EUR2,439 * AUD4,030

Single Supplement: USD240 * GBP196 * EUR226 * AUD373

Flight costs: USD280 * GBP229 * EUR263 * AUD435

China - Qinghai Extension 2025

22 Apr 2025 - 27 Apr 2025 (6 days)

USD3,000 - Spaces Available

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Tour Leader: Erik Forsyth

Pricing notes : *Prices are estimated and dates may change*

Tour price (Per person): USD3,000 * GBP2,451 * EUR2,820 * AUD4,659

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