SCYTS-022: 12-DAY TAKIN WATCHING TOUR

Although a seldom seen animal, tracks and signs are commonly found in anywhere between 1500 and 3500m.They travel in herds and very nimble climing a hill as well as a goat. If they are disturbed, they usually crashed into the undergrowth; on the other hand if you approach an unsuspecting takin too closely they are quite likely to charge-so take care as they have been known to kill people.

The Wolong Takin belongs to the Sichuan subspecies, other members of the same species being found as far west as Bhutan. The local form is attractive and a soft pale brown. Their horns are thick and curled back but the general
impression of the face is soft and moose- like. They are browsers and can eat an incredible variety of herbs as well as the leaves of trees and shrubs.
Saplings are often bent over and broken in the course of feeding.

The more overgrown areas such as abandoned farmland or where regeneration
after logging is taking place seem to suit them well. They may also seen on grassland slopes in late spring in herbs of thirty or more. In the denser
forest it is more usual to see small herbs of six to eight animals.

Mating takes place in August when the herbs are high up on the alpine meadows
or in the rhododendron zone near the tree line (3000m). During the rutting
season, there is some competition between river rival males. Young maybe seen with their mothers in April. In May you may witness the rather extraordinary sight of one female looking after a group of several young calves while they rest of the herd make up for winter loss in weight by grazing the new grass.

Takin used to be hunted, shot and snared but are now fully protected and seem to be re-establishing themselves rather well; enjoying the protection that the reserve offers.

Day 1:Arrive Chengdu from Hong Kong or other places.  Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan Province-the most populace province in China. Chengdu has a history of more than 2,500 years.And it is one of the four most famous historic cities in China. In ancient times, Chengdu was the capital of the Kingdom of Silkworms,and about 2500 years, this kingdom was named Shu. In Western Han Dynasty, about 2000 years' ago, because every family in Chengdu produce Brocade,Chengdu was also named the City of Brocade. In Tang Dynastery of about 800 years' ago, people in every corner of Chengdu planted Hibiscus trees, so Chengdu was also named the City of Hibiscus since then. The first official school was founded in Chengdu in 156 B.C. In Song Dynasty of about 600 years' ago, the people of Chengdu began to use paper currency named Jiaozi. Even now Chengdu is still the cultural, economical and trade center of Southwest part of China.
                                           Overnight at Chengdu Hotel
Day 2: Drive to Wolong Nature Reserve (165km):(Admire the beautiful
landscapes; visit the  Panda Breeding center and the Wolong Nature Museum.)                          Overnight at Wolong Hotel
Day 3-Day 4:(Bus and trekking) Try to watch takin in Wuyipeng Panda Observation House areas and Chou Shui Gou ( Hot Spring Valley) areas. 
                             Overnight at the Panda Observation House
Day 5- Day 6: (Drive and trekking) Drive to Silver Plant Valley, then walk to Hot Spring Pool areas and try to watch takins there.
                                           Camping on the grassland
Day 7-Day 8:Try to watch takins on the grassland in the vicinity of Hot Spring Pool areas.               Camping on the grassland
Day 9- Day 10:Walk back to Silver Valley, and then take a bus to Wolong
Mountain Villa Hotel for overnight.
                                             Overnight at Wolong Hotel
Day11:Drive back to Chengdu. Visit the 2,200 year old Dujiangyan Irrigation
      System.                                Overnight at Chengdu Hotel                    
Day12:Lerave Chengdu for Hong Kong or other places.   End of tour

Notes:1. The best time to watch takins is April, May, September and October.
      2. During this tour you will walk a lot (for about 5 days.)