Tropical plants and elephant habitat
Wild Elephant Valley and the Chinese Academy of Sciences tropical botanical garden focus on Xishuangbanna's forest habitats and plant diversity. Wildlife activity varies.
Rainforest Villas | 5 Days in Xishuangbanna with One Shared Rainforest Activity
Price on request
Overview
This 5-day, 4-night route is based in Xishuangbanna, combining Wild Elephant Valley, the botanical garden, Dai cultural sites and a day of rainforest trekking on Jinuo Mountain with stays at a villa hotel and in Gaozhuang. It suits friends and family looking for tropical nature and local culture who can handle rainforest terrain and walking; the trekking day is a shared-group activity.
Highlights
Dai culture in gardens and temples
The Dai Garden, Manting Park and the Grand Buddhist Temple showcase Xishuangbanna's Dai culture, while a speedboat ride from the border pier and afternoon tea add variety. See the service notes for costs and conditions.
A dedicated Jinuo rainforest day
Spend a full day hiking the Jinuo Mountain rainforest with a guided shared group, unlike the private-vehicle days elsewhere on the trip.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Xishuangbanna | Pickup and Free Time
Travel independently to Xishuangbanna Airport, then transfer to your hotel for check-in and free time. All three meals are at your own expense today. Staff will contact you in advance to confirm arrival time and the meeting point.
Day 2Wild Elephant Valley and Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden
After breakfast, spend about three hours at Wild Elephant Valley, exploring rainforest, elephant education activities and the butterfly garden. Wild elephant sightings depend on natural conditions. Enjoy a fruit-themed Elephant Meal for lunch, then visit the west section of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, for about three hours. Its CNY 50 per-person electric shuttle is included. Dinner is at your own expense. Stay at the rainforest villa hotel with pool.
Stops: Wild Elephant Valley · Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden; west section
Day 3Dai Garden, Border-Pier Speedboat, Manting, Zongfo Temple and Afternoon Tea
After breakfast, spend about three hours in the Dai Garden, with the CNY 60 per-person return electric shuttle included and a complimentary water-splashing costume experience. Lunch is a water-splashing-themed meal. The Golden Triangle speedboat from a border pier (a CNY 399 per-person activity) is included; confirm the exact route, operation and scope when booking. Spend about 2.5 hours in the Manting Royal Garden and visit Zongfo Temple, followed by afternoon tea. Dinner is at your own expense. Stay at a Gaozhuang hotel with a pool.
Stops: Dai Garden · Golden Triangle speedboat from a border pier; included, confirm route when booking · Manting Royal Garden · Zongfo Temple · Afternoon tea
Day 4Jinuo Mountain Rainforest Trek | Shared Activity
After breakfast, meet at the agreed location for a Jinuo Mountain rainforest trek led by a professional leader. Activities include rainforest observation, stream walking and instructor-led climbing; confirm the route, duration and available activities before departure. Enjoy a Jinuo rainforest lunch, then return to the city hotel. Today's trek is a shared-group activity. You may explore Gaozhuang Xishuangjing independently in the evening. Dinner and free-time transport are at your own expense.
Stops: Jinuo Mountain rainforest trek; shared group · Gaozhuang Xishuangjing; free time
Day 5Depart Xishuangbanna
After breakfast, transfer to the airport according to your departure time. Lunch and dinner are at your own expense. No additional hotel night is included.
Included and not included
Included
- Four nights: two in a rainforest villa hotel with pool and two in a Gaozhuang hotel with pool. Confirm room type and pool opening times when booking.
- Four breakfasts and three themed lunches: the Elephant Meal, a water-splashing feast and a rainforest meal. Afternoon tea is included on Day 3.
- Local driver-guide, with a separate guide for groups of more than eight; confirm the exact threshold when booking. Day 4 is a shared rainforest trek led by a professional trek leader.
- Main admission to the listed attractions, the botanical garden west-section shuttle, the Dai Garden return shuttle and the Day 3 Golden Triangle speedboat are included. This does not include crossing an international border.
Not included
- Optional cultural song-and-dance evening, large Lancang River cruise and Dai Show/Dai Mei performances cost CNY 280 per person each; choose activities and times separately when booking.
- Single-room supplement, meals not listed, transport during free time and personal expenses. Rubber boots can be bought locally for about CNY 30 a pair.
Cost and booking conditions
Day 4 rainforest trekking is a shared activity. Confirm the exact route, duration, age restrictions and participation requirements before booking.
Confirm before booking whether the included and extra-cost speedboats use the same route, whether either crosses a border, and the actual pier and applicable conditions, to avoid duplicate charges.
Explore other itineraries
Browse all itineraries
Slow Journey | Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La and Lugu Lake in 10 Days
10 days · Price on request
Slow Journey | Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Lugu Lake in 8 Days
8 days · Price on request
Slow Journey | Kunming, Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La in 8 Days
8 days · Price on request
Create your ideal China trip
Tell us where you want to go, your dates and interests — a specialist designs a private itinerary for you, free of charge.
Start customizing