Hike the Great Wall of China

Today you will check into your hotel in Beijing. It is possible to arrange a private transfer from the airport to the hotel when you book, or you can make your own way there if you prefer your independence. You will have an early evening meeting with your tour guide and group to break the ice and find out any important information, before heading to a local restaurant to sample some delicious Chinese cuisine.

Today you will set out to hike the Great Wall of China. This ancient defensive wall has more than 2,300 years of history and covers over 20,000 kilometers, from lush greenery to stunning mountain scenery. You will visit the famous Jiankou, from where you will hike to Mutianyu section with your group and guide, exploring the ancient wall with its historical watch towers and beautiful mountain views. You will spend the night in a local guesthouse.

You will spend the morning hiking from Xishuiyu to Huanghuacheng. You can expect stunning views on today’s walk, with a striking contrast between ruined parts of the wall crumbling into the lake and better-preserved sections where you can still climb up to the watchtowers. You will then transfer to the old garrison town of Gubeikou to spend the afternoon walking on the beautiful Panlongshan, also known as ‘Coiling Dragon Mountain’.

You will continue to enjoy hiking on the wall near Gubeikou. This section is popularly known as the wild Great Wall as it is one of the few sections of the wall that has not been fully restored for tourists. The imperfections created by the passage of time are exactly what makes this section of the wall so famous for its wild beauty.

Today you will hike eastward from Gubeikou to Jinshanling. This section of the wall is built on mountain ridges, giving panoramic views of the Chinese countryside. Passing through Spider Valley, you will notice abandoned wells and houses before reaching one of the best viewpoints of the entire Great Wall of China. There will be steep sections of the hike today, with the potential for short stretches of scrambling.

Today you will hike at the Simatai section of the Great Wall. This breath-taking stretch of the wall follows a ridge so narrow it had to be built with the help of goats, which could carry just one brick at a time to the laborers that were working on it. In the afternoon you will continue the walk from Jinshanling to Erchu before returning to the same guesthouse as the evening before for a hearty meal and good night’s rest.

You will spend the morning hiking along Mt Simatai section, savoring the stunning views and adrenaline packed stretches of narrow wall well above the lush green foliage. You will walk through 3 different watchtowers. In the afternoon you will be driven back to Beijing to visit the Summer Palace and a relaxing free evening. Having finished the walking for the trip, you can sleep soundly and give your aching muscles a well-earned break.

Back in the capital, you will enjoy a day tour of Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park. You will spend the afternoon exploring Hutong, absorbing yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the city. After a farewell dinner of Peking Duck, a local specialty, you will settle down in your hotel for your final night of the holiday.

After an incredible week of walking the Great Wall, it is time to say goodbye to your group and tour guide. You will enjoy one final breakfast at the hotel before heading out for your onward journey. It is possible to pre-book a private transfer to the airport for a fee.