Trek the Great Wall of China

What’s involved:

• Day 1: Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Beijing.
• Day 2: Arrive in Beijing and check into a central hotel in time for a group dinner and hear more about the week ahead.
• Day 3: After breakfast, transfer by bus to Gubeikou and after lunch start the trek at a leisurely pace before reaching the first guesthouse. (approx. 3-4 hours walking)
• Day 4: Depart the guesthouse to explore a spectacular section of the wall, framed by distant mountains. The wall dates from the Ming Dynasty here, and this little-visited section will be one of the highlights of your trek. Return to Gubeikou tonight. (approx. 7 hours walking)
• Day 5: Trek through cornfields and farmland for a taste of true rural China before exploring this classic section of the wall, well off the beaten track, known locally as the ‘dragon standing on the beautiful golden mountain’. With broad sweeping views, it’s easy to see how the wall resembles a dragon’s back weaving its way across the land. The views are stunning and you will have hundreds of great photographic opportunities. On the evening we stay near the wall in Simitai. (approx 7 hours walking)
• Day 6: Today’s hike is along a restored section of the wall, built in the 15th century, and of great military significance. The hike descends into the Miyun county of Beijing, and return to the same guesthouse in the village of Simatai for the night. (approx 7-8 hours walking)
• Day 7: An exhilarating half-day climb below the summit of Mt Simatai, taking in two villages with stunning views of the hinterland. Unlike other sections of the wall, this area has seen little restoration and is listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch we transfer back to Beijing. (approx 4-5 hours walking)
• Day 8: Beijing – A day to explore Beijing, with visits to the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Farewell dinner tonight.
• Day 9: Transfer to the airport for the return flight to the UK,