China Great Wall Trek

All the places for this event have now been filled

11 days trekking the Great Wall and exploring Beijing
May/June 2007 TBC
Sponsorship target: £3,000
Group Size:  Minimum 10  Maximum 16

CancerBACUP in China

For 4000 years and under the rule of 35 dynasties China evolved into the world’s longest continuous civilisation. To defend the growing empire a huge wall was built that zigzagged its way from east to west through the mountains north of the capital Beijing. This is the Great Wall, which is said to be visible from the moon.

Our walk along the wall is a walk through history, for 6 days we follow its snaking path to some of China’s more remote regions where village life is far removed from the hustle and bustle of modern day Beijing. The wall climbs to high mountain ridges and seems to hang like a suspension bridge between peaks, whether ruined or restored or in it’s natural un-repaired state, the wall never ceases to amaze.

Our trek finishes in the Capital Beijing that grew under the protection of the wall. Here you can visit the Forbidden City, the labyrinth of narrow streets known as the Hutongs and the vast spaces of Tiananmen Square.

Venture grading

Grade C: Strenuous

The Great Wall Trek involves 5 to 6 hours walking per day. Trekking experience is not essential but you must have a good level of fitness and you may well have to improve yours before the trek. Climate and remoteness may also play a part. You will be camping and overnighting in basic lodges. There will be full support from local staff.

The minimum recommended fitness level is progression to week 6 of the Wide World Trek Training Programme

What the cost includes

China Great Wall Trek cost includes:

• Return flights from London to Beijing including all airport taxes
• All transport, accommodation and trekking arrangements as per supplied itinerary.
• Trek Meals as indicated in the itinerary.
• Entrance fees and trail fees
• Airport taxes

Cost does not include:

• Personal expenditure
• Restaurant meals (see itinerary) allow US$100

Itinerary

Day 1: London – Beijing (overnight flight) Depart London Heathrow at 16.00 on Air France flight to Beijing via Paris.

Day 2: Arrive Beijing (1 hour 45 minutes bus ride. Eat in restaurant. Overnight in lodge) Arrive Beijing 11.30. Transfer to Wuzoulou Lodge. Free afternoon.

Day 3: Black Dragon Pool Park (4-5 hour trek. Trek meals. Overnight in lodge) First day warm-up trekking at Black Dragon Pool Park and then back to Wuzoulou Lodge.

Day 4: Wuzuolou Mountain (7-8 hour trek. Trek meals. 1 hour 30 minutes transfer to Simatai. Overnight in lodge) Full day trek up Wuzuolou Mountain, which is a difficult and long day but with plenty of opportunity to admire your spectacular surroundings. Start trekking from Wuzoulou Lodge up the mountain taking in the last part of the Great Wall built in the Ming dynasty, and then take another mountain trail down. Transfer to Simatai Lodge.

Day 5: Gubeikou – Jinshanling (30 minute bus ride to Gubeikou, 4-5 hour trek. Trek meals. Overnight in lodge) Transfer from Simatai to Gubeikou. The first part of our trek follows the undulating path along the Great Wall. After a couple of hours we head of along the twisting mountain road passing through isolated local villages until we finally reach our destination, Jinshanling Lodge.

Day 6: Jinshanling – Simatai (5 hour trek. Trek meals. Overnight in camp)  Following a hearty breakfast we start our full day of trekking along the Great Wall. In the earlier part of the day much of the wall that we trek along has been recently renovated, bringing the structure back to its former glory. But as the day wears on we start to see parts of the wall which have fallen to ruins through years of activity. The contrast gives a real sense of the history of this amazing landmark. Today’s trek has some rough and steep sections leading to our camp at the highest point on the Wall, Simatai. There we celebrate our achievement with a well deserved dinner!

Day 7: Simatai – Simatai Lodge (5-6 hour trek. Trek meals. Overnight in hotel)  We trek the Simatai East section of the wall then descend at the highest point to visit a local village and then follow an interesting loop back to Simatai Lodge. Transfer to Green Lake Hotel for one night.

Day 8: Mutianyu (4 hour trek. Trek meals) We trek the Mutianyu Great Wall section in the morning.

Day 9: Juyongguan & Bedaling (Trek meals, night in hotel) We trek the Juyongguan and Bedaling section in the morning. Transfer back to downtown Beijing. A traditional Chinese foot massage in the evening is a real treat for those trek-weary feet!

Day 10: Beijing (Eat in restaurant, night in hotel) A full day touring some of the most spectacular sights in Beijing. Including the infamous Tian’anmen Square, the political heart of China and the Forbidden City which, over five centuries, housed 23 of China’s Emperors. We also visit Coal Hill Park and Hutongs. In the evening there is the chance to sample Beijing’s nightlife.

Day 11: Beijing (Eat in restaurant, night in hotel) Take in a few more of the sights of Beijing including a visit to the Yonghe Lamasery Temple, the Temple of Heaven, which was built in the 15th century to symbolise the relationship between earth and heaven, and The Summer Palace which was built by Emperor Quianlong for his mother and took 15 years and one 7th of the nation’s revenue to build! As this is our last night in China, it seems fitting that in the evening we hold a banquet of the local speciality: Peking Duck!

Day 12: Beijing – London
We transfer to the airport first thing to catch our flight back to London.