The Great Wall trek itinerary

Day one

22 October 2011 – flights from the UK to Beijing.

Day two

Beijing

Arriving at Beijing airport, we transfer by coach 50 kilometres northeast of Beijing, to the hotel. This is situated in the middle of the famous Juyong circuit and means we are ideally positioned for our first day’s trek tomorrow. We have the rest of the day free to relax before our evening meal and briefing from the guides, who will be with us for the rest of the week.

Day three

Badalang and Juyong 10.5 kilometres (seven hours trekking)

After breakfast we transfer to the Badaling section of the Wall. Badaling Great Wall, together with Juyong Pass, forms a complete set of ancient double defensive works. After lunch we make our way to the Juyong Pass. Juyong was constructed in the fifth century and was rebuilt a thousand or so years later by the Ming Dynasty. It is considered to be one of the most strategically important parts of the wall because of its link with Beijing. These two sections today are a tough warm-up for our first day on the wall as it is steep in places. From the high points of the Wall the views of misty mountains fade far into the distance.

Day four

Mutianyu and the 1000 steps, eight kilometres (five hours trekking)

After another early start we transfer through stunning rural countryside to Mutianyu; one of the first sections of the Great Wall to be recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. We trek up 1000 large, steep steps to reach the entrance gate of the Great Wall and then continue to tower 14 and back. We stop for our packed lunch at the highest point of the today’s challenge, at 767 metres. At the far eastern end of our trek we have the option to try the ‘luge’– 1000 feet from top to bottom!

Day five

Black Dragon Pool park, 13 kilometres (seven hours trekking)

After breakfast we travel to Black Dragon Pool Park, where we spend the day trekking through the park. Today’s trek is steep in places and at times very tough going, but punctuated with stunning scenery. We have our packed lunch at a waterfall and then for the afternoon continue over the pass for the final long descent to the end of the day.

Day six

The Simitai Wild Wall six kilometres (three hours trekking)

Today we have a well earned free morning before leaving the hotel, bound for Simitai. Our walk is a short distance up to the Simitai Wild Wall where there are incredible views of amazing watchtowers. Dinner tonight will be a buffet at our Simitai Lodge Hotel in an open courtyard with a wonderful view of the Great Wall towering above.

Day seven

Jinshanling 13 kilometres (six hours trekking)

The last day of the Challenge! We trek for around five hours from Simitai to Jinshanling with a packed lunch on the way. A wonderful day of trekking in which around 25 towers are visited including some beautiful sections that have been left as ruins. Emotions run high as the group takes its final steps off the Wall and the challenge comes to an end.

Day eight

The Forbidden City

Breakfast is followed by a visit to Tiananmen Square, a city tour of the Forbidden City and a walking tour of Olympic Park. If time permits, then we will transfer to the Silk Market for shopping before dinner. In the evening we enjoy a celebratory dinner at an excellent local restaurant and after a night of good celebrations we return to our Beijing Hotel.

Day nine

30 October 2011 – return flights to the UK

This is a complicated itinerary and could be subject to change. All our tour and travel arrangements are made by our tour operators Action Challenge.