New Tour Follows In The Footsteps Of The Plant Hunters

Online, November 28, 2011 (Newswire.com) - In keeping with a move towards touring holidays that provide unique and in-depth travel experiences for its clients, Journeys of Distinction has introduced a new tour of China's Yunnan Province for 2012 that follows in the footsteps of the early 20th Century plant hunters.
Designed specifically for those looking for a little excitement, culture and adventure, the refreshingly different tour will appeal to garden and plant enthusiasts, photographers, nature lovers, walkers and historians, and enables participants to really experience rural Chinese life and trace the origins of today's common plant species.

The tour explores the rural and lesser known Yunnan Province and Zhongdian (Shangri La) and follows a journey of discovery to learn how the 19th and early 20th Century plant hunters, such as Joseph Rock in the 1920's (who travelled with his own silver place setting and an Abercrombie & Fitch canvas bath), changed the face of western horticulture, introducing now familiar plant species such as the rhododendron, peony and mountain ash.

The 14 day tour starts in Shanghai, with a visit to the UNESCO listed Classical Gardens of Suzhou, to the towering rocks of the 'Stone Forest' at Kunming and on to Lijiang, with its ancient cobbled streets and rich culture, and a visit to Joseph Rock's home. The journey continues to Shangri-La, home to rhododendrons, azaleas and a multitude of life, including 30 nationalities of people, pigs, yaks and ponies and where a visit to a Tibetan family includes a taste of yak butter tea.

The tour was planned and researched by Journeys of Distinction's managing director, Karen Gee, who said "This is one of the most amazing and innovative tours we have ever offered. In researching the itinerary I was bowled over by the extremes of culture and climate and some of the most awe-inspiring sights, sounds and tastes that I experienced. Having established a comfortable yet fairly challenging itinerary for our guests, with the highest quality accommodation throughout, we are now in a position to offer it on our inaugural departure on 25 May 2012 and on two further departure dates in 2012".

This 14 day luxury tour departs in May and September 2012 and costs from £3799, including return flights, luxury hotel accommodation, some meals, local guides, air conditioned road travel, and a tour manager to accompany from the UK. There is also the opportunity to do a three day extension to Tibet. The tour with this extension costs just £4,999 on the inaugural departure of 25 May and £5,395 on the 7 September departure
Contact 0161 491 7616 or visit www.jod.uk.com.

Plant Hunters itinerary
http://www.jod.uk.com/en/pages/footsteps-of-the-plant-hunters.aspx