We Know Because We Go! | Book with a 5-Star Team,| Trusted by 10,000+ Divers
Join Bluewater in 2026 for a rare chance to search for wild pandas in Sichuan, China, on an adventurous wildlife tour through remote mountain habitats.
Group Trip
Off the Beaten Track
Great for Non-divers
Embark on an 8-night Wild Panda Expedition through the remote mountains of Sichuan Province, China, for a rare chance to search for giant pandas in their natural habitat. This overland journey takes travelers deep into less-developed regions, where sightings of wild pandas—while not guaranteed—offer an unforgettable experience for wildlife enthusiasts. Along the way, guests may also encounter red pandas, Tibetan macaques, sambar deer, and other elusive species.
Temperature in the mountains is around 0-5C at the lowest and 10-20C at the highest. In Chengdu city, it can be above 20C. A separate clothing list and packing list will be provided.Â
The following gear is recommended:
Camera (with lens 600 or above) and tripod binoculars (or scope) - 10*42 minimum.
The mountain lodge is simple but modern with ensuite bathrooms. Electricity is available 24-hours and guests can charge phones and cameras, no problem. There is internet and cell reception available after Chengdu, and the only time you may not have reception or internet is when you go into the mountains searching for pandas.
Double-occupancy
$3,800
per person
Single-occupancy
$4,250
Tim grew up in tiny Singapore, where driving for more than an hour meant you would need a passport. Traveling was always his passion, but Tim became addicted to dive travel soon after he got scuba certified in Malaysia. As his diving addiction grew, Tim eventually became a Staff Instructor with PADI and an Instructor Trainer with SDI. After getting his instructor certification, Tim spent time teaching scuba in Malaysia and Vietnam.
Tim serves as General Manager and COO at Bluewater Travel and is the company's most seasoned trip leader. With a portfolio of leading over 30 group trips, his extensive expertise encompasses a variety of popular dive destinations such as the Galapagos, Raja Ampat, French Polynesia, Fiji, the Red Sea, Palau, Maldives, among others. His travels have taken him across all seven continents and allowed him to dive in all five oceans—the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Arctic, and Antarctic.
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