China

Trek the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall is situated about 80kms north from the centre of Beijing. Traversing mountains, valleys and deserts, The Great Wall, known in China as The Ten Thousand Li Wall, stretches over 6300kms from east to west.  The trip telescopes history, from the modern capital through the outskirts to where donkey carts and cargo carrying bicycles share the road, past farms where nothing seems to have changed for centuries, to a harsh mountain range where nearly a million workers walled in an empire.

Day 1: London Heathrow - Beijing

Depart London Heathrow Airport early evening for your overnight scheduled economy class flight to Beijing. Total flying time approximately 10 hours.

Day2: Beijing - Simatai

Arrive into Beijing International Airport and transfer (approx 2-3 hrs) to Simatai and your lodge in the countryside. Don’t worry you will be woken up as you approach the lodge and your first glimpse of the great wall in all its glory! Once you have settled into the lodge - your home for the next 3 nights, there will be a welcome briefing followed by your first Chinese banquet!

Overnight: Lodge - Simatai.  (L,D)

Day 3: Gubeiko - Jinshanling

After breakfast transfer by coach for approx 30 minutes to the start of the trek. Today you trek from Gubeiko to Jinshanling, one of the lesser-visited areas of the Great Wall. The trail takes you through working farmland, un-restored, narrow sections of The Wall, and valleys before arriving into Jinshanling village. Today you will find many of the locals will take the opportunity to offer their bag carrying services and sell you their wares – it takes a strong person to resist their persuasions! At the end of the trek the coach will be waiting to transfer you back to the lodge for dinner, briefing and overnight.

Overnight: Lodge - Simatai  (B,L,D)

Estimated Trekking time: approx 4-5hrs

Day 4: Jinshanling – Simatai

Today you spend a full day trekking on the wall from Jinshanling back to Simatai and is an amazing day for views of the Great Wall. You transfer to the starting point at Jinshanling, where you must climb some steep steps to get onto the Wall. Once on the wall, the terrain varies throughout the day; in parts it is very steep and close to the edge, some parts are walled, some parts aren’t. There are also places where the ground is made up of loose stones and slippery gravel-but don’t worry you will have plenty of time along the way to stop and enjoy the views! The trek ends at Simatai where there is the choice to either walk back to the lodge or take a zip wire - great fun but wait until you see it to make your choice!

Overnight: Lodge – Simatai (B,L,D)

Estimated trekking time: approx  6 hrs. 

Day 5: Simatai – Gangfang Village

This morning you trek directly from the lodge toward the east section of the Great Wall at Simatai. Trek for about 2 hours straight up slopes and steps – a really tough start to the day but you will be rewarded with truly incredible views and the sense of achievement is unexplainable!  After descending from the Wall you continue the trek down the mountain side and through Gangfang village. In the afternoon the trek is much easier underfoot as you follow the road through the valley there is just one final ‘up’ at the end, before arriving back at the lodge. This evening you will transfer (approx 1.5hrs) to your new lodge in Wuzoulou - where you will be met by the sound of the Beatles (the band not bugs!) and enjoy a hearty dinner. 

 Overnight: Lodge – Wuzoulou (B,L,D)

Estimated trekking time: approx 6-7 hrs. 

Day 6: Wuzoulou Mountain

Today you climb Wuzoulou Mountain - this is the last part of the Wall area built in the Ming Dynasty. It is a fantastic day of completely different terrain, trekking through the trees and mud, rather than on the wall and steps. You have lunch at the top by the watch towers and then start our descent down a winding, more exposed route back to the lodge.  Although very different, Wuzoulou mountain is a similar height as Snowdon at an altitude 1000m. Our trek starts from 300m so you will climb approx 700m today.

Tonight rest those weary legs and celebrate your achievements with another fantastic Chinese banquet.

Overnight: Lodge –Wuzoulou (BLD)

Estimated trekking time: approx 7-8 hrs

Day 7: Black Dragon Pool Park

After breakfast transfer to the Black Dragon Pool Park.

Today’s trek begins on local trails as you ascend to the other side of the mountain. This section starts gently but there is loose rubble and rocks underfoot. The trail narrows as you ascend to the plateau at the top of the gorge and then down into the main Black Dragon Pool Park. After a leisurely lunch you continue through this beautiful national park walking over rock pools, across bridges and past waterfalls. This afternoon is mainly easy underfoot as you walk back to the main entrance/exit where the coach will be waiting to transfer you to your next lodge.

Overnight: Lodge (BLD)

Estimated trekking time: approx 5 hrs

Day 8: Mutianyu - Beijing

The final day of trekking.  After breakfast transfer to Mutianyu, a popular area of the Great Wall. The trek begins by passing through a series of market stalls (avert your eyes as there will be time to shop on the way back) as you climb the 1000 steps before reaching the Great Wall! You follow the renovated wall through the watchtowers, ending at the furthest most point - where the path can no longer be trekked. The final ascent to this point is your last challenge, with 435 very steep steps; however once at this pinnacle (known by the local guides as the stairway to heaven) the view is incredible and a perfect ending to your challenge! Retrace your steps back, returning via the market stalls before transferring (approx 3hrs) back to Beijing.

Overnight: Hotel - Beijing.  (B,L,D) 

Estimated trekking time: approx 4 hrs.

Day 9: Beijing

Today you are free to explore Beijing. Optional excursions can be booked locally. Tonight you will visit a local Peking Duck Restaurant for your Gala Dinner – a chance to celebrate your achievements over the last week.

Overnight: Hotel - Beijing.  (B,D) 

Day 10: London

Transfer to the airport for your flight back to London Heathrow Airport. You arrive back into the UK the same day.  (B) 

B = Breakfast  L= Lunch  D = Dinner

N.B This is a complicated itinerary and is subject to change. Therefore timings will be confirmed daily by the Expedition Leader Trekking duration will also vary according to group’s ability.  Flight timings/airlines are provisional.