The Challenge
Below is a day by day guide to the challenge that lies ahead of you!
Day 1We depart the UK for our overnight flight to Beijing.
Day 2We arrive in Beijing and then transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon there will be a chance to acclimatise and walk around the famous Tiananmen Square and see Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum and the famous Forbidden City.
Day 3We transfer to Huangyaguan. We trek along the section which begins at Taipingzhai, and then returns along the Great Wall to Huangyaguan. We stay at the reconstructed Fortress tonight!
Trekking time – approximately 3hrs
Day 4We transfer to the Gubeikou section of the Great Wall and trek to Jinshanling. Your main challenge today will be to cover some 27 watch-towers over old brick-made steps!
Trekking time – Approximately 7 – 8hrs
Day 5
We transfer for our climb from Jinshanling to Simatai. This has to be one of the most remote and beautiful areas we will visit – far from the tourist trail! A truly amazing day you’ll remember forever. We have the choice of ending the day with a heart-stopping zip wire entrance into the complex at Simatai.
Trekking time – Approximately 8 – 9hrs
Day 6
Mutinayu – climb the awesome 1,000 steps and trek the 20 battlements from the foot of the Great Wall to the top of the mountain, culminating with the ‘Heavenly Ladder’ section of this awesome man-made Wonder of the World!
Trekking time – Approximately 6 - 7hrs
Day 7
The first part of today is spent helping to repair the great Wall in the Badaling Old Section. We have secured exclusive permission from the Chinese Government to help with the reconstruction of a section of the Great Wall in this area. New bricks are carried up the 300 wooden steps and for you where a watch-tower is being repaired..
This section of the Great Wall was reconstructed in 1988 and gives you a clear indication of how the Wall would have looked in its formation. This section is very steep in parts and offers a real challenge.. This will be a long and arduous day, but VERY rewarding!
Trekking time – Approximately 7hrs
Day 8
Free day to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Beijing and all it has to offer, both modern and ancient. Why not visit the Forbidden City? In the evening we will get dressed up and celebrate our achievements at our farewell presentation dinner at Beijing’s Premier Duck Dinner Restaurant. People queue for hours to secure a table here as the food is so good.
Day 9
We transfer back to Beijing Airport for our flight back to the UK arriving the same day.
* This itinerary is correct at the time of printing. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the published itinerary, it is always subject to change due to unusual weather patterns, wildlife movements, strength of the group, and ever changing train ticketing systems
