Day 1: Depart London Heathrow for Beijing
Day 2: Beijing
Arrive Beijing late afternoon, transfer from the airport to city hotel where we can freshen up and relax. There will be a full tour briefing in the evening to explain how the trip will run and to give a general plan of events over the coming days.
Day 3: Beijing - Huangyaguan
We transfer this morning from Beijing to above Huangyaguan where we get our first glimpse of the Great Wall as it snakes along the ridgeline of the YanshanMountains. The wall is well renovated here and it disappears off on both horizons. We walk predominantly downhill along the Taipingzhai Section until we reach the small town of Huangyaguan. Here the wall crosses the road that leads to our nearby accommodation.
Approx 2 – 3 hours walking
Day 4: Huangyaguan – Mountain Village
Huangyaguan is situated in a beautiful valley in the heart of the YanshanMountains. We start our day’s walk heading up the steep renovated steps towards what appears to be a sheer cliff face. This is where we encounter "Heavens Ladder", a steep climb of over 200 steps leading us up the cliff face. Once we have caught our breath the path continues gradually up to the top of the ridge and once again the old Wall, which follows the contours of the mountain. We drop down into the neighbouring valley and clamber along the Wall as it gradually descends to the valley below. We bed down in the houses of a local village, a real cultural experience.
Approx 7 hours walking
Day 5: Mountain Village – Jinshanlin
Beyond the village where we sleep, the wall snakes its way across a wild and sweeping landscape steeped in history. Unfortunately, from here we are unable to follow the wall as it is in a state of decay and the rough old stones are loose and unstable. So, we take steep, old farmers tracks up to the wall for great photos, tracing the contours of the hills. We then descend and make our way out of the village along a valley of fertile terraces, planted with a rich variety of walnut and fruit trees, to our waiting transport that will take us to Jinshanlin.
Approx 4-5 hours walking
Day 6: Gubeiko – Jinshanlin
A quick 20-minute hop in the bus takes us to our start point just outside the village of Gubeiko. The day starts with the luxury of a gentle meander alongside an unrestored yet well-preserved section of the Wall. It appears to be of an almost brick-like construction here. This part dates back to the Qing Dynasty, the last dynasty to rule over this vast land. We wander down into the valley in order to skirt a Chinese military post before rejoining the Wall for the final stretch up and along to Jinshanlin. A short walk takes us to our simple cabins for the night.
Approx 7 – 8 hours walking
Day 7: Jinshanlin – Simatei
Today’s stunning walk on this largely restored section takes us from Jinshanlin to Simatei. Starting where we left off yesterday we head up the carefully restored steps which take us up into the mountains one final time. The scenery is superb with rolling purple hills fading into the distance. We leave the Great Wall at Simatei, enjoying the view as it clings precariously to the rock face opposite; classic scales on a dragon’s back scenery.
Approx 6 hours walking
Day 8: Simatei – Mutianyu
This morning we must first make a bus transfer from our hotel at Simatei to Mutianyu Great Wall. The trek itself starts with a 1.5 hour climb up the side of a hill for us to gain access to the Wall, which is very well restored. Once more our efforts are rewarded by stunning views as the Wall disappears off in either direction. A short but very steep climb up to the left gives great views across this section of the wall before we descend back down and continue along the wall. Further on we drop down from the Wall to our hotel at Mutianyu.
Approx 4-5 hours walking
Day 9: Mutianyu – Juyongguan
After short transfer, our final days walk takes us on a circuit of the restored wall at Juyongguan. The wall undulates across the rolling spine of hills offering spectacular views of areas where warriors once fought. We start with the easier lower half before tackling the higher more well trodden section. All too soon the trek is over and we must leave the wall and return to the twenty first century. We load up the bus and transfer to Beijing, the nation’s capital and home to over 13 million people. Our senses will be unprepared as we enter Beijing and experience its frenetic energy, quite a contrast after the natural scenery and remote tranquillity of the past few days. After checking into our hotel, we have time to freshen up before the evening celebration meal. Night in Hotel.
Approx 4-5 hours walking
Day 10: Beijing
Morning tour of Tiananmen Square and The Forbidden City. Free afternoon to explore Beijing and do some last minute shopping. Night in Hotel.
Day 11: Depart Beijing for London Heathrow
Early departure from Hotel to airport arrive UK same day, (due to time difference).
