SICHUAN 2008
AGS TOUR TO SICHUAN
8th – 28th June 2008
Maximum Group Size: 14
Tour Leader: Dr Phillip Cribb
Tour Managers: Wenqing Perner and Dr Holger Perner
Full Tour Price (London – London): £ 2880.00
Single room supplement: £ 345.00
AGS Expeditions Limited is delighted to offer this botanical tour to Sichuan, China, which will be led by Dr Phillip Cribb.
For anyone with an interest in Orchidaceae, Dr Phillip Cribb needs little introduction. His is the author of several books on this subject and, of particular relevance to this tour, was the author or co-author of monographs on the genera Cypripedium and Pleione. He has now retired from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, but continues to travel to China to study its orchids and other flora.
Wenqing Perner lives in Chengdu, where she runs a travel company, specialising in botanical tours. Her husband, Holger, will accompany part of the tour where his local knowledge of the best sites for plants will be invaluable.
A generally good level of fitness will be required for this tour. As a rough guide, an ability to undertake a day’s walking in the hills in the United Kingdom should suffice.
This 21 day tour will concentrate on the many orchids to be found in Sichuan, but other plants will not be ignored. Species of Cypripedium that may be seen are Cyp. tibeticum, Cyp. calcicolum, Cyp. franchetii, Cyp. flavum, Cyp. bardolphianum, Cyp. guttatum. Cyp sichuanense, Cyp. micranthum, Cyp. palangshanense, Cyp. wardii and probably Cyp. shanxiense.
A small selection of other orchids we hope to see on the tour includes Pleione bulbocodioides, Phaius delavayi, Epipactis mairei, Calanthe tricarinata, Cal. brevicornu, Cal. alpina, Oreorchis nana, Oreorchis oligantha, Oreorchis fargesii, Oreorchis patens, Oreorchis foliosa var. indica, Calypso bulbosa var. speciosa in late flower, Aceratorchis tschiliensis, Amitostigma monanthum, Amitostigma basifoliatum, Coeloglossum viride, Corallorhiza trifida, Neottia arcuata, Neottia listeroides, Galearis wardii, and several other species in flower, others just in bud or already in fruit.
The spectrum of non-orchidaceous plants we will be seen in flower on the tour is enormous. Genera with many species in the region are Primula, Meconopsis, Pedicularis, Incarvillea, Corydalis, Leontopodium, Paris, Roscoea as well as many others!
Additionally we will meet several ethnic groups and their cultures (Tibetans, Qiang, Han, and Hui) and especially will see the local differences of Tibetan buildings.
The Full Tour Price includes all tour travel including international flights from London to Chengdu via Amsterdam;
All accommodation in double/twin-bedded rooms in comfortable hotels with ensuite facilities where available;
All meals;
The services of the Tour Leader and Tour Managers;
All coach travel within China and the driver’s tip;
All entrance fees; and
All soft drinks.
Not included in the price are visas, travel insurance, personal expenses such alcoholic drinks and souvenirs and laundry.