Trekking the Great Wall of China, 7 days

Get up close and explore various beautiful sections of the Great Wall of China on foot.

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortification system built across the northern border of China to protect Chinese states and empires against various nomadic groups of the steppe. The walls were built from as early as 7th Century BC by the Chu State until 1878 Qing Dynasty. Most of the remaining walls we see today are from the Ming Dynasty and built about 600 years ago.

Duration : 7 days

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Itinerary

Day 1 Beijing – Huangyaguan Great Wall

Welcome to Beijing! Upon arrival, you will be met on arrival and transfer to Huangyaguan Pass in Jixian City (2 hours drive). Enjoy leisure time in the afternoon before a trip briefing about the trek tomorrow.

Meal: Dinner

Stay: Guesthouse, Jixian City

Day 2 Huangyaguan Great Wall – Taipingzhai – Qian village

This morning, trek from Huangyaguan Pass to Qian Village. The entire trekking journey will take about 6 to 7 hours. The Wall in Huangyaguan section is well reserved and repaired. Enjoy the beautiful wall waving on the back of the mountain. See the wall being gradually wilder due to the lack of reparations. Though the trek may be tough, get distracted with the beautiful mountain scenery.

Arrive at Qian Village in the afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Guesthouse, Qian Village

Trekking Distance: 15 KM approx. Trekking Hours: 6 – 7 hours est.

Day 3 Jinshanling Great Wall

Transfer to Jinshanling Great Wall. start trekking along the great wall! As you trek, be treated to spectacular views of villages below and mighty mountains in the distance. Admire the several watchtowers that dot the undulating path.

Climb a steep section of the wall known as Sky Ladder, once again appreciating the incredible views. Spend the night in a local village.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Guesthouse

Trekking Distance: 10 KM approx. Trekking Hours: 5 – 6 hours est.

Day 4 Jinshanling Great Wall – Gubeikou Great Wall

Follow one of the best-preserved sections along a high mountain ridge. Continue walking to Gubeikou Great wall.

Gubeikou is the most invasion-prone section of the wall during the Ming Dynasty. Originally built in 1378, Gubeikou was designed to assist in repelling the Mongols from the north. See the Woho (Crouching Tiger) and Panlong (Hidden Dragon) mountains and pass numerous watchtowers and garrisons, before making a diversion through dense forest to bypass a military area.

Tonight you will be camping on the great wall of Gubeikou part.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Camping, Gubeikou

Trekking Distance: 13 KM approx. Trekking Hours: 6 – 7 hours est.

Day 5 Gubeikou Great Wall – Mutianyu Great wall – Arrow Nock (Jiankou) Great Wall

Get up early and see the sunrise on the Gubeikou great wall. Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall. Head up to Mutianyu Great Wall by taking over 1,000 steps. Head west to the higher watch towers to the very western end. Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the most beautiful section of the Great Wall. In each season, it shows different charm. Today’s trek is towards Arrow Nock Great Wall.

The Arrow Nock of Great Wall is in Huairou County of Beijing, 10 KM to the west of the Mutianyu Great Wall. The sinister terrain is one of the most famous among the walls and the best architectural wonder on our planet. This “W” shaped wall is winding, and it looks like an arrow that is on the fully bent bow, with the collapsed ridge opening as its arrow nock, hence its name.

The Arrow Nock Great Wall has been often seen in postcards and pictorials. The landscape of Arrow Nock of Great Wall is much better than the Simatai, and the backdrop of the mountain is grand and sheer. It has always been an attraction for photography lovers.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: Guesthouse

Trekking Distance: 10 KM approx. Trekking Hours: 5 – 6 hours est.

Day 6 Remnant Badaling Great Wall (Wild Great Wall at Shixiaguan)

Transfer to Remnant Badaling Great Wall which is about 2 hour’s drive.

Start the trek from Shixiaguan Great Wall (Stone Gorge Pass Great Wall) or the Remnant Badaling Great Wall, one of the well-preserved section of “Wild Great Wall” around Beijing

After the trek, transfer back to Beijing.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Stay: hotel, Beijing

Trekking Distance: 8 KM approx. Trekking Hours: 5 hours est.

Day 7 Depart Beijing

Rest and relax until check out time. Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.

Meal: Breakfast

Inclusions

~ Return airport transfer from/to Beijing Airport;

~ 4 nights guesthouse stay;

~ 1 night hotel stay;

~ 1 night camping (including sleeping tents, sleeping bag, sleeping mats and bed sheets);

~ 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches; 6 dinners;

~ necessary transportation as required;

~ English/Mandarin-Speaking Trekking Guide;

~ necessary admission/monument fees as required.

Exclusions

~ air/rail travel to Beijing, China;

~ visa arrangement, if required;

~ comprehensive personal travel insurance;

~ tipping for Trekking Guide and Driver;

~ any expenses of personal nature;

~ anything not specified in the itinerary and inclusion.

Important Notes

~ A non-refundable deposit, 30% of the trip price, is required at the time of booking. If the actual trip price increases by more than 10% than the featured price, hikers may withdraw, and the deposit will be fully refunded.

~ Full or balance payment is 60 days prior to departure.

~ Only book your air ticket to China when you have been informed to do so.

~ Group size: ideally, minimum 2 hikers to go.

~ Should you require a visa to enter China, it is your responsibility to obtain such document before departure. Check your entry requirement and apply for your visa HERE if you require.

~ Every effort is made to ensure the trip and included experiences take place during the ideal time or period of the year, however certain sights are subject to weather conditions and seasonal variations that are not within the control of Travel Wander. Although you may get to see and/or experience, we cannot guarantee the sightings.

~ Provision of meals during the trip showcases local authenticity, cuisine and food culture of the places we are visiting. All food allergies and dietary restrictions must be disclosed to Travel Wander at the time of booking. We will use reasonable efforts to accommodate special requirements or requests, but this is not always possible given the nature of the destinations visited and availability of options. We cannot guarantee that dietary needs or restrictions can be accommodated. Travel Wander is not liable for failure to accommodate or fulfil such requests. Meal supplementary charges may be imposed to meet your dietary needs.

~ Trip grading is an indication of the difficulty of the activities included. Preparation and engaging in regular exercise to maintain good physical condition and active lifestyle prior to the trip will be most beneficial in ensuring you have full enjoyment of the trip. We are glad to discuss your concerns and answer your queries.

~ Our utmost priority is always the safety of the hikers. Therefore inclusion of the itinerary may be altered due (not limited) to bad weather, local conditions, accommodation book out, the skill levels of the hikers and/or other unexpected circumstances beyond our control. We reserve the right to make changes necessary and there will be no refund should you decide to discontinue with the trip.

~ Because hiking requires a certain level of cardio and stamina exertion, it may not be suitable for hikers with chronic and/or acute disease. Please consider your physical condition before booking. Hikers must ensure they are medically and physically able to walk/hike.

~ Purchasing comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended. See HERE for details.

~ By making a payment to Travel Wander LLP, you (and on behalf of the rest of travelling companions) acknowledge that you have read, understood and agree to Travel Wander’s Booking Conditions and Other Important Information: Cancellation and Amendment, Modes of Payment, Privacy Policy, Indemnity Policy, and Terms & Conditions.

Activity	Hiking
Country	China
Hiking Grade	Grade 3 – Intermediate
Season	04 – April, 05 – May, 09 – September, 10 – October

Trekking the Great Wall of China, 7 days