In Search of Crested Ibis Tour 7 Days

 

Tour Introduction

The Crested Ibis is a species whose ill-fortunes have been closely linked to its extraordinarily beautiful appearance. Throughout much of the last century it was systematically hunted for its long white breeding plumes, which were used to decorate women's hats. As a consequence of this pressure, and the widespread destruction of forest and wetland habitats, the species declined to a population numbered in single figures. It formerly occurred across south-east Siberia, in China from Zhejiang and south Shaanxi Provinces up to North Korea, and it was also once found widely in Japan. During the winter, the ibises migrated south to the island of Hainan off southern China, and to Taiwan, Korea and the Japanese islands of Ryukyu. This extensive range gradually contracted as hunting intensified and the region's enormous human population absorbed wetlands and forests for agricultural purposes. By 1917, it had ceased to breed in Russia and it was thought to be extinct in China by the 1960s. Although it held out longer in Japan and, indeed, came to be known as the 'Japanese' Crested Ibis, its numbers there continued to dwindle. By 1976 the eight ibises held in captivity on Sado Island seemed to represent the lion's share of the world population, and even these had consistently failed to breed. The last five birds in Japanwere captured in 1980. Since 1969 there has been a captive breeding project on the Japanese island of Sado, supported by the WWF. Fortunately as the Japanese birds slid towards extinction a previously unknown population of Crested Ibis was discovered in China, in the Qinling Mountain, in southern Shaanxi province, at the very edge of its former range in May of 1981 which immediately draws great concern from all over the world. This population continued to expand until by 1988 there were 34 in the wild and a further six held in captivity. A gradual recovery has continued, although this has been adversely affected by crows and other predators that feed on the bird's eggs. Currently the population of the species has increased at considerable scale to over 300, of which 155 are of wild population, and 145 are of captive feeding. The remaining wild population occurs in patches of pine forest at around 1,200m and in adjacent rice-paddies, ponds and rivers.

 

Besides Crested Ibis, this In Search of Crested Ibis tour enables us to see other interesting birds such as Long-billed Plover, Crested Kingfisher, Forest Wagtail, Swinhoe's Minivet, Chinese Blackbird, Eastern Crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Grey-capped Greenfinch, Red-billed Starling and Meadow Bunting, Golden Pheasant and Temminck's Tragopan. Two extremely rare and highly sought after chats - Rufous-headed Robin and Black-throated Robin can also be found on our way from Xian to Yangxian County when we drive through the Qinling Mountains, which have received little coverage from western birders.

Day 1: Arrival in Xian, Meet & Greet at Airport, Transfer to Hotel

Meals Included: No meals available

Accommodation: Skytel Hotel Xian or similar

 

Our GCT representative will meet you at the airport and assists you to your hotel. Relax during the remainder of the afternoon and evening to recover from the jet lag.

Day 2: Drive to Changqing Nature Reserve

Meals Included: Breakfast & lunch

Accommodation: local government guest house

Drive for 6 hours to Changqing Nature Reserve. We will drive through the Qinling Mountains where there are recent reports of Blood Pheasant and Temminck's Tragopan. The Qinling Mountain, which has received little coverage from western birders, contains the type localities for two extremely rare and highly sought after chats - Rufous-headed Robin and Black-throated Robin. Long-billed Plover, Crested Kingfisher, Forest Wagtail, Swinhoe's Minivet, Chinese Blackbird, Eastern Crowned Warbler, Yellow-rumped Flycatcher, Grey-capped Greenfinch, Red-billed Starling and Meadow Bunting are among the birds that we are going to see. 

Day 3: Watching Crested Ibis at Changqing Nature Reserve, Drive to Yangxian

Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

Accommodation: local government guest house

 

We will spend the whole morning watching Crested Ibis. After lunch we will drive to Yangxian County and continue watching Crested Ibis in the rice fields.

Day 4: Crested Ibis Breeding Center, Drive Back to Xian

Meals Included: Breakfast & lunch

Accommodation: Skytel Hotel Xian or similar

 

We will visit the Crested Ibis Breeding Center in the morning. This center was established in 1983 and located about three kilometers north Yangxian county. An extensive captive breeding program, using both artificial and natural incubation, was established at this centre, and was highly successful. In addition to the captive breeding program, breeding was also encouraged and monitored in the wild. Today it is estimated that some 700 or more Crested Ibis individuals are located in the wild. After lunch we will drive back to Xian. 

Day 5: Xian, Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses, Tri-color Ceramic Workshop, Big Wild Goose Pagoda

Meals Included: Breakfast & lunch

Accommodation: Skytel Hotel Xian or similar

Optional Tour: Tang Dynasty dance & music performance with dumplings banquet dinner

After breakfast at hotel we will drive for about 45 minutes to the Eighth Wonder of the World, the Terra Cotta Warriors & Horses. This is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world with three exhibition halls, the largest of which is 180 meters by 60 meters, housing the continuing excavation of an army of 8,000 terra-cotta soldiers and horses that guard the tomb of Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of the unified China. It is a stunning exhibition of ancient artifacts that is well laid out and easy to view. Back to the city in the afternoon, we will visit the Tang Dynasty constructed Big Wild Goose Pagoda which is located inside a Buddhist temple. The Pagoda was built in 652 by the Tang Dynasty Monk Xuanzhuang who went to India looking for the truth of Buddhism and as a result he brought back over 600 volumes of Buddhist scriptures from India and this pagoda was hence constructed to store those scriptures. 

In Search of Crested Ibis Tour 7 Days Tour Prices

 

From Dec 01 to Feb 28, 2014

2 pax: double occupancy USD798pp, single occupancy USD908pp

3-5pax: double occupancy USD748pp, single occupancy USD858pp

6-9pax: double occupancy USD698pp, single occupancy USD808pp

Over 10pax: double occupancy USD648pp, single occupancy USD758pp

Departure Dates: Upon request at your time of convenience

 

From Mar 01 to Nov 30, 2014

2 pax: double occupancy USD898pp, single occupancy USD1058pp

3-5pax: double occupancy USD848pp, single occupancy USD1008pp

6-9pax: double occupancy USD798pp, single occupancy USD958pp

Over 10pax: double occupancy USD748pp, single occupancy USD908pp

Departure Dates: Upon request at your time of convenience

 

Minimum of two persons are required at the time of booking

 

Pricing Policy

The prices are based on per person, twin sharing basis

Infants (under 2 years of age) traveling with parents: free of charge

Child (2 to 12 years of age) sharing a bed: 80% of the adult price

Child (2 to 12 years of age) sharing no bed: 60% of the adult price

Tour Inclusions

Hotel accommodations with daily Buffet Breakfast at hotel

Meals as specified (B for breakfast, L for lunch and D for dinner at local restaurants)

Private air-conditioned car/van/coach for land transportation

Experienced English language speaking tour guide

All admission tickets to sightseeing places

All government taxes

Tour Exclusions

Optional tour & Insurance

International flights

Gratuities to service staffs (please refer to Travel Information)

Expenditure of a personal nature, such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, etc

Reservation

For reservation, please send an email to info@GrandChinaTravel.com. Please inform us: the tour code; the number of travelers; your name as appeared in passport; your passport number; the date of arrival in China and your international flight number. For details of payment, please read our Terms & Conditions.

In Search of Crested Ibis Tour 7 Days Optional Tours

 

Day 5: Tang Dynasty Dance & Music Performance with Dumplings Banquet Dinner, USD40 per person

Tang Dynasty Music and Dance Show integrates a program of several interpretations of  music, singing and dancing depicting the typical style, landscapes, traditions and costumes  of the Tang Dynasty. The Provincial Song and Dance Ensemble has had about 7,000  performances during the past 20 years recreating the amazing culture and history of the  prosperous Tang Dynasty for over 5 million visitors.

 

  

Xian Skytel Hotel

Add: No. 32, South Main Street, Beilin District, Xian, China

Tell: +86-29-87632222

 

Xian Skytel Hotel lies in the center of the ancient capital city, Xian. Famous tourist attractions such as Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Great Mosque and City Wall are nearby. Featuring 170 comfortable guestrooms and suites, the 8-story Skytel Hotel Xian is fully equipped with the latest facilities. In-room amenities include slippers, hair dryer, TV, telephone, mini bar, desk, safe and free internet access. For both business and leisure travelers, Xian Skytel Hotel is a good starting point to discover the beauty of Xian.

 

    

 

Note: Grand China Travel is using above mentioned hotels for our regular tour packages. Shall you have special request for staying at hotels of your choice or hotels located at a specific area, please feel free to contact our professional tour consultant at info@grandchinatravel.com.