Great Wall of China | Trek China with Adventurous Ewe

Great Wall of China Trek

  • Overview
  • Map & Itinerary
  • Essential Info
  • Pics & Vids
  • Dates & Prices

Highlights

  • Centuries after its construction, China’s Great Wall remains one of humankind’s engineering marvels which carves your 5-day trekking adventure
  • At over 21,000km (13,048 miles) in length, you’ll hike 50kms of carefully selected old and restored sections of the Wall to help with the comprehension of the sheer scale and history of this impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Enjoy exploring less known unrestored sections of the Wall often without another trekker in sight
  • Discover local life on the Great Wall of China trek when staying at family-run local guesthouses and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal each evening
  • Our local guides are enthusiastic, full of knowledge and keen to share the life and history of the Wall with you
  • Exclusive to Adventurous Ewe, you can help with China’s reforestation development with a tree planting project by the Wall
  • Guided tour in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City
  • You’ll return home with a deeper understanding of life that goes on around the Wall in local villages, in China itself and be more familiar with the history of the Great Wall of China plus with a great sense of achievement having tackled thousands of steps and nearly 50kms
  • Private bubble trips available for groups over 8 people
  • Receive a complimentary Water-To-Go bottle when you depart on this trip to minimise our plastic foot- print in China!

Overview

Explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World, on the Great Wall of China Trek. Step into history as your journey takes you along this imperial masterpiece of the Northern Qi Dynasty and Ming Dynasty. Trekking carefully selected sections of the Wall to immerse yourself in the contrast of dilapidated and rebuilt stretches. Let your imagination wonder with discovering less known unrestored sections of the Wall, often without another trekker in sight, and take the time to absorb the incredible views of this engineering marvel winding its way to the horizon.

Trekking in a small group to minimise our impact on the environment plus allowing for a more authentic experience, you’ll also have the chance to learn the ways of Chinese daily life and culture in the rural and remote settings that you pass through. Staying in locally owned guesthouses and enjoying home-cooked meals with families also gives you the chance to gain a better understanding of this country from the people who call it home.

On completion of trekking adventure, and exclusive to Adventurous Ewe, take part in one of China’s reforestation developments with planting a tree near the Wall and be part of China’s Great Green Wall.

In addition to walking the Great Wall, your local Guide will also take you on fascinating tours in Beijing including the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven and Tiananmen Square. Plus you’re welcome to extend your experience and visit Xi’an to view the magnificent Terracotta Warriors.

This itinerary packs as much of China’s Great Wall, jaw-dropping rural & mountainous views, thought provoking history, meaningful trekking and rural community encounters into one big adventure.

DAY 1
Flight from UK to Beijing Capital Airport, China

Overnight flight from London UK to Beijing Capital Airport China (approx 10 – 12 hours).

On signing up for the trip, we will provide you with the recommended flights to book or alternately, we can book the flights for you through our ATOL protected Flight Agent at an additional cost. Flights are not included in your to give you the flexibility to travel from your nearest airport, use your frequent flyer points or extend your stay in China if you wish. The recommended flights for this will include airport transfers in China. There are direct flights from London and non-direct flights for all major airports across the UK. Flights are operated by Air China, KLM and Lufthansa and cost upwards £450pp economy return depending on which flights and when you book.

DAY 2
Arrive in Beijing  

Welcome to China. On arrival at Beijing Capital Airport you will have a private transfer to your lodge near Jinshanling. It’s time to relax, get to know your fellow trekking mates and organise your kit before your trek briefing. That evening enjoy your first authentic Chinese meal.

Included

Accommodation: Family run lodge twin share basis
Private transfer: From Beijing Airport to lodge
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3
Trek Jinshanling Loop

Today your trek on the Great Wall starts on an original part of this engineering marvel and is a great introduction to the days ahead. This well-known part of the Great Wall is in good condition after a lot of restoration work, and it is extremely picturesque, with large towers that are more closely-spaced than usual. Its steep, crumbling staircases and watchtowers provide a fitting introduction to the enormity of the challenge ahead. Take your mind off the endless steps and enjoy the incredible views over both China and Mongolia.

Trekking time:  Approx. 5 hours

Included

Private transfer: From local lodge to Jinshanling and return transfer to Gubeikou
Accommodation:  Local lodge, twin share basis
Meals:  Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 4
Trek Gubeikou Gateway

Today your trek on the Great Wall will take on the demanding Gubeikou section starting with a steady climb up past a number of time-worn watchtowers. The Gubeikou Great Wall has never been reconstructed. Hence, it is somewhat dilapidated but retains its original beauty. Many battles were fought here throughout the Chinese history due to its strategic location. This unrenovated section of the Wall and watchtowers will remind you of their past glory. Plus, you can enjoy the expansive views over rural China.

Trekking time:  Approx. 6 hours

Included

Transfer: From local lodge to Gubeikou and to next section
Accommodation: Local lodge, twin share basis
Meals:  Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 5
Trek Mutianyu Section

The Mutianyu Great Wall is one of the best-preserved and best-known Great Wall sections. Today you will follow the Mutianyu section of the Wall and the challenging trek down the appropriately named “Heavenly Staircase”. The day begins with a steep climb up towards the tower of Zhenbeilou; the pinnacle of your challenge.  Basking in the glory of some truly breath-taking scenery, you then begin the hike down towards Mutianyu, tackling the steep staircase that leads onto the more popular renovated section of the Wall.

Trekking time:  Approx. 5 hours

Included

Transfer:  From local lodge to Mutianyu and to next section
Accommodation:  Local lodge, twin share basis
Meals:  Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 6
Trek Huanghuacheng Section

Huanghuacheng is the only lakeside Great Wall in Beijing. From the small village of Xishuiyu, the trail meanders through thick forest to the tree-line and the start of your scramble along one of the most exciting yet challenging parts of the old Wall at Huanghuacheng. Against the spectacular backdrop of the Xishuiyu Reservoir and the surrounding mountains, you will journey along a series of overgrown sections with steep ascents and descents, before the final section of the day.

Trekking time:  Approx. 5 hours

Included

Transfer: From local lodge to Huanghuacheng and to next location 
Accommodation: Hotel, twin share basis
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 7
Badaling followed by tree planting project

Badaling Great Wall in Beijing is the best-preserved and most complete section among the various, hence the most popular. Badaling is a must-see for first-time visitors to China. Most of the preserved parts were built and reinforced during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD) to defend Beijing against the intrusion of northern Mongolians. It is built of huge bar-stones and bricks making this section easier to negotiate than some of the time worn sections.

On completion of this shorter section, you will then help with China’s reforestation development with a tree planting project by the Wall. The sense of giving back and making a difference after experiencing a 5-day journey along the Wall. 

Trekking time:  Approx. 3 hours plus tree planting

Included

Transfer:  From hotel to Badaling and to next location 
Accommodation:  Hotel, twin share basis for two nights
Meals:  Breakfast, lunch and dinner

DAY 8
Full Day City Tour of Beijing

With returning from the rural areas of China it is time to explore some of the cultural highlights of China’s historic capital, Beijing with your local Guide.

Your City Tour of Beijing includes a visit to Tiantan Park and the Temple of Heaven, where you can join the locals as they enjoy a morning of Tai Chi, Mah Jong and their own unique version of hacky-sack! An opportunity for some shopping at the local market is followed by a tour around Tiananmen Square and the magnificent Forbidden City, before a final group dinner of traditional Peking Duck, a vegetarian alternative can be provided on request.

Included

Transfer:  From hotel to city tour destinations and return to hotel
Accommodation:  Hotel, twin share basis
City Tour:  All entrance fees included
Meals:  Breakfast and dinner

DAY 9
Return flight from Beijing to London

Bid a fond farewell to China as you are transferred to the airport in the morning for your return flight to the UK. Filled with a profound sense of pride and greater knowledge and understanding of China, you return home armed with stories and memories that will last a lifetime together with new found friendships.

Included

Transfer:  From hotel to Beijing Capital Airport
Meals:  Breakfast only

Trip Extensions

There is an option to extend your stay in China and visit the impressive Terracotta Warriors, Xian’s Grand Mosque and the 2,000 year-old Yangling Tombs, the final resting place of the fourth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. This is a 3 day extension in Xian. For more information, please contact us at info@adventurousewe.co.uk.

TRIP EXTENSION

There is an option to extend your stay in China and visit the impressive Terracotta Warriors, Xian’s Grand Mosque and the 2,000 year-old Yangling Tombs, the final resting place of the fourth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. This is a 3 day extension in Xian. For more information, please contact us at info@adventurousewe.co.uk.

Why go

Trekking adventure with an exclusive tree planting project

Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the tourism industry which employs 1 in 10 people worldwide, we’re keen to promote sustainable adventures to help support local communities and give you the chance to have a more meaningful travel experience.

Our Great Wall of China Trek has been designed to deliver an amazing experience and showcase the some of the most stunning and historic landscapes across the Great Wall of China whilst also giving you the chance to step out of your comfort zone and gain a greater understanding of the mountains, the local environment, local communities and the culture. Plus as part of our Sustainable Travel Policy, be part of an exclusive tree planting project near the Great Wall itself.

Book and travel with confidence

As well as carefully crafting amazing and meaningful adventures across the planet, we’ve made booking them as flexible, safe and as simple as possible. With the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we’ve made a number of updates to our safety guidelines, flexible booking conditions and trip departures. For more info, please our Book and Travel with Confidence page. 

Booking security
Adventurous Ewe Financial Guarantee

Any monies paid to Adventurous Ewe for a trip are immediately placed into a Trust account and not used for the day-to-day operations of the company. So, in the unlikely event of our insolvency, money paid in respect of future travel will be refunded, in full. This pledge has been honoured since the foundation of Adventurous Ewe in 2007. No client has suffered financial loss outside our T&C’s whilst travelling with us.

Financial security

Rest assured, your money is safe in any and all circumstances. There has been and always will be full financial protection on your booking. If your adventure needs to be cancelled for any reason, like say a global pandemic, you won’t be left stuck and you’ll be offered plenty of alternative options thanks to our financial protection through our insurance with Towergate Travel through Zurich Insurance PLC. What’s more, in the very unlikely event of Adventurous Ewe going under, you’ll get your money back and be repatriated if you were on a trip at the time.

Pre-trek info

On joining us for the Great Wall of China Trek, you will receive all the exciting trip info via our mobile travel app.

You’ll have access to your itinerary, trip countdown, live updates, contact info, weather forecasts, know before you go trip info, kit lists and much more at the touch of a button 24 hours a day via your mobile phone. No more unnecessary use of reams of paper to benefit the environment and the need of carrying around documents with you. A’ppy days.

Pre-trek support

With being a small family business we pride ourselves with providing personal, professional and friendly service. We appreciate that everyone has different levels of experience and reasons for wishing to embark on the Great Wall of China Trek and therefore require varying levels of support and guidance. We’re here to help you every step of the way from the moment you join the flock all the way through to completing the challenge and beyond.

Jim and Sue’s knowledge and expertise stems from dozens of years of travelling and exploring the destinations that we visit in order to fully support you in the lead up to your adventure. They have both completed this trek on numerous occasions so are very well placed to answer your questions no matter how big or small.

Flights

On signing up for the trip, we will provide you with the recommended flights to book or alternately, we can book the flights for you through our ATOL & ABTA protected Flight Agent at an additional cost. 

Flights are not included in your to give you the flexibility to travel from your nearest airport, use your frequent flyer points or extend your stay in China if you wish. The recommended flights for this will include airport transfers in China. There are direct flights from London and non-direct flights for all major airports across the UK. Flights are operated by Air China, KLM and Lufthansa and cost upwards £450pp economy return depending on which flights and when you book.

Passport

All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid for 6 months beyond the intended length of stay. Airlines may not carry passengers holding passports with less than 6 months validity.

Visa

UK Citizens require a visa to enter China. You cannot obtain visas upon entry to China so this MUST be done 3 months prior to your departure. On joining us for this trek, we will send you guidance for your visa application together with your invitation to China letter which contains all the relevant details for your trek. You need to apply online so please click here and first go through the ‘Step-by-Step Guidance’ instructions.

Please note: all visa applicants aged between 14 and 70 will need to visit one of the Chinese Visa Application Service Centres in person (appointment required) where biometric data will be taken as part of the visa application process.

 

Travel insurance

Travel Insurance is an important part of any booking. It is compulsory that everyone who travels with us has taken out adequate travel insurance which includes, among other things, cover for the full value of your trip, medical (emergency, evacuation and repatriation) arrangements, activities undertaken, personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects and COVID-19 travel cover.

For UK residents we have partnered with Campbell & Irvine Direct to provide you with a travel insurance. If you would like to obtain cover for your trip please feel free to contact specialist Insurance Brokers, Campbell Irvine Direct for a quote.

You must send your Travel Insurance Policy to Adventurous Ewe no less than 8 weeks prior to departure.

Please note, on your Great Wall Trek itinerary there is the opportunity to ride on a toboggan run at the end of your day’s trek. If you choose to ride the toboggan, you do so at your own risk and this may not be covered under your Travel Insurance Policy. We strongly discourage using the toboggan run and cannot vouch for its safety. Your decision to ride the toboggan should take this into account.

Vaccinations & allergies
Vaccinations

There are currently no mandatory vaccination requirements. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. For the most up to date info regarding health travel and vaccinations, please click here

Please also consult with your GP or travel healthcare practitioner 8 weeks in advance of travel for the most up to date info.

With regards to the recent COVID-19 pandemic we are monitoring and activating the guidelines and recommendations put in place by the respective governments and World Health Organisation accordingly. You will receive our new operational guidelines for this trip when you join the trek and rest assured hand sanitiser and face masks will be provided for travel. Your safety and well-being is our top priority at all times.

Severe allergies

If you have a severe allergy please inform us at the time of booking. We will do all we can to help, but unfortunately we are unable to guarantee an allergy free environment on this trip. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as ‘adrenaline auto-injectors’ are not carried as standard by AE leaders and crew. Whilst your leader is aware of our trekkers medical history, please also inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Travel Aware

For the most up to date info on travelling to China, please visit the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website travel advice by clicking here

 

 

Safety and Well-being

Adventurous Ewe puts the safety and well-being of you, our leaders & crew and the communities we visit at the centre of all our operations, always. Your safety and well-being is our top priority. The Great Wall of China Trek is intentionally challenging and requires individual preparation as the trip is designed to take you out of your every-day comfort zone and achieve something great. Rest assured we have a thorough Safety Management System, indepth risk assessments and risk management systems in place and we are constantly monitoring health developments in China and making the necessary arrangements.

For more info, please visit our Safety and Well-being page. 

Adventurous Ewe Leaders and Crew

You will be accompanied by an Adventurous Ewe Leader for groups over 10 people. Your Leader is fully experienced and certified and has been carefully selected to ensure you have the best experience with a bit of humour thrown in for good measure. Your Leader is also has remote first aid qualifications and skills.

Your Local Leader is a key part to this trip. They are expertly trained and experienced in every field of this trek, bilingual and qualified in first aid and/or a Wilderness First responder. They also have a huge passion for what they do and have plenty of knowledge ready to share with you. They are responsible for ensuring the complete safety, well-being and enjoyment of the team whilst also retaining a flexible and fun attitude. The Leaders have radio and phone contact with base, the local office and Adventurous Ewe’s HQ.

Group size

We pride ourselves in small group travel to minimise the impact on the environment, to maximise your safety and wellbeing and to make your experience more authentic.

The minimum group size for the Great Wall of China Trek to run is 8 people and the maximum group size is 30 people.

You are most welcome to join this trek as a group of friends, family, colleagues, a private bubble or as a solo traveller. You are also welcome to use this trip as a fundraiser for the charity of your choice.

If you have a group of over 8 people, we would be more than happy to run a private trip for your team, your charity or your company.

For any further info or to chat about running a bespoke trip, we’d love to hear from you at info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call 01492 588 069.

Level of difficulty

The Great Wall of China Trek is graded as ‘Tough’. This is due to ascending and descending steep steps of both restored and time worn sections of the Wall, ascending steep pathways through forests and woods in order to reach the Wall itself, trekking nearly 50kms of rocky terrain and thousands of steps, occasionally experiencing third world standard toilet facilities in rural areas of China and staying in basic local lodges during the course of your journey.

Please also be prepared for all types of weather conditions on the Wall including the heat and potential rain and wind.

Preparation is key to help you get the most enjoyment and reward from this trek. A good level of fitness, endurance and some gritty determination will help you conquer each day.

Please note, some sections of the Wall are exposed so if you have a fear of heights, please let us know and we’ll ensure you are fully supported during these areas.

Training

A bespoke training programme will be provided when join the team for this adventure to help you with your preparations together with some top tips.

We also have exclusive offers with our Training Partners and Communities – Her Spirit and the Bath Kettlebell Society. For more info, please visit our Training and Preparation page.

The more you are prepared, the more you will enjoy the challenge.

Our motto is: Train hard, smile harder and enjoy the journey!

Training weekends

We have a variety of tailored training weekends available to ensure you’re fully prepared for your trekking challenge. These training weekends are the perfect way to help you gauge your fitness and training progress under the careful guidance of our experienced leaders. Plus the leaders will chat through your specific trip and also provide guidance and tips relating to clothing and equipment, health and well-being, packing, trekking skills (walking on different terrain/using trekking poles), teamwork and much more to ensure you are fully prepared and ready for your adventure ahead.

We predominantly host our training weekends in Snowdonia given the wide variety of terrain available to practice and where Chief Ewe’s, Jim or Sue, can meet you too. It’s a great way for you to meet fellow members of the flock and ask any questions, no matter how big or small. We’re here to make sure you’re ready.

For further info, please email info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call 01492 588 069.

Kit

A full kit list will be provided when you register for this trip or you can download the Trip Notes for this trek.

Good kit can make the difference between a fantastic trek and an uncomfortable one. 

An exclusive Adventurous Ewe discount code will be provided for the independent outdoor retailers Joe Brown, The Climbers Shop and ashmei athletic apparel on registering for this trek.

Exclusive Kit Discount Codes

To help you get the very best from your Great Wall of China Trek we will provide you with an exclusive Adventurous Ewe discount code to use in Joe Brown / The Climbers Shop and ashmei athletic apparel both online and in store. They offer a large choice of kit that the staff themselves use while climbing, hiking, mountaineering, running, travelling or enjoying expeditions across the globe and they pride themselves on sharing their experience and knowledge of equipment so you can choose the right gear to suit you and your trek.

Weather

China has the same seasons as the UK, however much more pronounced.

Spring (March-May) is a great time to visit because it’s off-season for local tourists and temperatures are cool. Flowers bloom and trees turn green with new leaves. Daytime temperatures usually reach between 20 and 25°C.

In September/October, the trees are losing their leaves and the Wall is surrounded by vibrant oranges and russet colours. October will be colder, and you may experience wind chill up on the ridges of the Wall, and heat in the valleys. The nightly temperatures will be cold, and temperatures may drop to around 5°C. Warm layers will be necessary for the evening, but in the day you can expect to reach temperatures of around 20°C. Like the UK, the weather is changeable, and these are rough guidelines.

Terrain

The route is mountainous and the Wall involves a trek incorporating thousands of steps up and down. There are also steep drops either side of the Wall so please take this into account if you suffer from vertigo. Some areas of the Wall are completely unrenovated, and so you may be trekking up some overgrown, crumbly paths in your quest to conquer the Wall! You will also be trekking through villages and forest areas in order to get up onto the Wall. There are some steep ascents and descents during these sections given the location of the Wall.

Please note that the Chinese authorities can occasionally close off sections of the Great Wall at short notice, in which case your Local Leader will make alternative arrangements to in line with your itinerary as much as possible. 

Accommodation

On the Wall you will be staying in basic, but adequate, lodges or hotels some of which are run by local families. It may not be up to the standard expected in Western hotels, but you should have clean linen and hot water – everything you need!

If you feel the cold we recommend taking a light weight sleeping bag or liner. Blankets are provided in the lodges, but a sleeping bag may increase your comfort.

The hotels in Beijing will be of a three-star standard and much more comfortable. All rooms are en-suite and have facilities for charging batteries so ensure you bring a power adapter.

If you are travelling with a friend or partner who you wish to share with or if you would prefer a single room, please ensure that you note this where appropriate when booking or email info@adventurousewe.co.uk. Please note, single rooms incur a single room supplement charge and are dependent on availability. 

Food & drinks

All breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners are included in your trip. The evening cuisine on this trip is varied with lots of new flavours and ‘things’ to try. Food is relatively cheap in China.

Gastronomically the trip can be divided into two parts: ‘hotels’ and ‘local lodges/guesthouses’. In hotels the breakfast is normally a buffet, with a huge spread of Chinese and western food, including coffee, juice, breads, cakes, fruit, eggs, bacon and a wide variety of noodle and stir fried dishes. Dinners are normally taken in the hotel or local restaurants, serving rice with assorted vegetables, pork, fish, chicken and duck dishes with flavours. In the local lodges, breakfast includes rice porridge, dumplings, eggs, noodles, etc. Dinners are taken in local restaurants where the food is heavily flavoured with ginger, garlic bamboo shoots and chilli however, you can avoid the spicier regional food if you wish. 

There will be vegetarian options provided, although the choice is more limited.

It is important that you eat as much as possible during the trekking days in order to replace body salts lost due to increased perspiration.

We strongly recommend to bring your own snacks for the trek. You may also wish to bring additional treats like marmite, peanut butter etc. as you will be making your own packed lunch from ingredients provided and sometimes a little treat from home goes a long way!!

The tap-water is not safe to drink. Bottled water will be provided during the trekking sections for you to fill your own water bottles each morning. Your complimentary Adventurous Ewe Water-to-Go bottle is ideal for this trek as we strongly discourage the purchase of single small units of plastic bottled water. 

Please let Adventurous Ewe know prior to departure if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies by emailing info@adventurousewe.co.uk.

Water-to-Go Bottle

Adventurous Ewe has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates over 99.99% of all microbiological contaminants from any non-salt water source – for more info please click here. Adventurous Ewe trekkers will receive a free Water-to-Go bottle when departing for our Great Wall of China Trek, and better still, 15% of the purchase value for replacement filters will be donated to our environmental charity partner, Cool Earth. Please note that if the water freezes it will clog up the filter – in this event, defrost before use by sitting the filter in lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes. Please help us reduce the volume of single use plastic in this pristine environment.

Payment info

Deposit: £295 per person is required on booking.
Remaining balance: £1000 per person is due for payment no later than 6 weeks prior to the trip start date.

Monthly payment plan
A monthly payment plan can be arranged for this trip. Please contact us for more information or to set up your plan. Simply email info@adventurousewe.co.uk or call 01492 588 069.

Free date changes
You can change your departure to a later date. We’ve added extra 2021 and 2022 dates to choose from, or you can request a new date that works for you or organise your own private bubble trip.

Flexible deposit
You can transfer your deposit to another available trip or hold your deposit on file indefinitely.

Convert it to credit
Save it for later. This, along with all payments, is 100% financially protected.

Get a refund
Being a small family business, we pride ourselves on personalised customer service and offer full

Cancelled trips
If you book on a trip that we are forced to cancel due to the pandemic, you will have the option to join another trip at a later departure with no admin costs or receive a full refund or credit note (excluding flights or insurance payments as these have their own booking conditions directly with the supplier).and prompt refunds.

If you choose to cancel your trip within 30 days of departure despite no official advice against travel
We respect your decision if you no longer wish to travel regardless of the destination or official advice. If you choose to cancel your trip, we will happily make those arrangements for you though please note, if there is no F&CO advice against travel, our standard cancellation terms will apply.

Fundraising
You are welcome to fundraise for a charity of your choice if you wish to do so. All sponsorship monies are to be sent directly to your chosen charity.

Stay connected
Phone & WiFi

Most of your accommodation places will have limited WiFi which you will be able to use, but please do not rely upon this. Facebook and any Google-based applications (including Gmail) are blocked in China, so you will not have access to these sites or be able to post updates for your friends and family. You will have phone signal in almost all places on the challenge.

We recommend that you get a virtual private network (VPN) app on your phone prior to arriving in China. There are a lot of different VPN apps available, and some are better than others. There are two things that matter most when it comes to a VPN in China – reliability and speed.

Adventurous Ewe

All your trip info will be sent to you through a mobile travel app which is free to download. You will receive an email from Adventurous Ewe with your personalised log in code for this app. For the latest and greatest from the land of adventures, simply follow us at:

Youtube: Adventurous Ewe
Facebook: @adventurousewe
Instagram: @adventurousewe
Twitter: @adventurousewe
LinkedIn: Adventurous-Ewe-Ltd

You’re most welcome to use the hashtags
#ewecandoit #thisflockrock #adventurousewe

Emergencies

Your Adventurous Ewe Leader/s and Crew will have a mobile phones and radios communications in case of emergencies. The team are trained to deal with these situations. Please ensure you listen to your Leader during these times and refrain from putting any posts on social media. Should you find yourself unable to continue with the trek, your Leader and crew will make the necessary arrangements. Depending on the situation, you will be met by the support vehicle (depending on access) and you will be transferred back to your accommodation or nearby medical facility as required. Your Emergency Contact at Adventurous Ewe HQ is Jim Young on +(0)7747 346 588.

Tree Planting Project

On completion your final day of trekking on the Great Wall of China, and exclusive to Adventurous Ewe, you can take part in one of China’s reforestation developments with planting a tree near the Wall and be part of China’s Great Green Wall. It’s a great sense of giving back and being part of something bigger to help with reforestation. 

 

 

 

Our charity partner, Cool Earth
Cool Earth

We are very excited to have teamed up with leading climate change charity Cool Earth, who share our mission to protect the planet’s precious environment in a sustainable manner. The future of rainforest protection is where everyone makes a difference to climate change! We invest a % of our revenue into supporting critical conservation projects around the world through Cool Earth.

You are most welcome to help make a difference too by sparing a few pennies. Please give what you can and help save the world’s rainforests today by clicking here. Just £2.50 will save 10 trees and lock up 10 tonnes of CO2. Together, we can all make a difference in helping preserve this precious and wonderful planet. Thank-ewe

Departure & Return Duration Availability Deposit Total Cost* (*Total cost includes the deposit)
Sep 21, 2024
Sep 29, 2024
9 Days Available £295.00 £1395.00 Book Now
Sep 20, 2025
Sep 28, 2025
9 Days Available £295.00 £1395.00 Book Now

What's Included?

Pre-trip:
  • Personalised trip support in the lead up to your trek from Adventurous Ewe
  • Trek training guide
  • Discount on personal kit from Joe Brown, The Climber’s Shop and ashmei athletic apparel both in shop and online
  • Trip info supplied via our free mobile travel app, Vamoos
  • Digital trip briefing sent before your arrival in China
  • Public liability insurance
  • Financial Protection for your booking
  • Monthly payment plan available
  • Risk assessment and emergency management planning
  • Free Adventurous Ewe Water-to-Go Bottle
During your trip:
  • Adventurous Ewe Leader
  • Chinese Guides (English speaking), Support Team and Driver
  • Private vehicle transfers in country
  • All accommodation on a twin share basis
  • All meals including celebration dinner unless otherwise stated in your itinerary
  • Drinking water during your challenge
  • Satellite phone & communications to offices in UK and China                        
  • Entrance fees to sections of the Wall
  • Luggage transfers to each accommodation place
  • Tree planting project
  • City Tours in Beijing
  • Full back-up support including first-aid qualified crew and first-aid supplies
  • Risk assessments, safety management and emergency planning
  • All trip management and hygienic cleaning procedures of equipment before, during and post trek.

What's Not Included?

  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Chinse Tourist Visa (mandatory)
  • Vaccinations
  • Return flights to Beijing. These can be arranged for you at an additional cost through our Flight Agent who is ATOL protected
  • Additional excursions outside the itinerary
  • Lunch on the final day in Beijing
  • Personal spending money and drinks
  • Kit and equipment as listed on your kit list 
  • Tips for local crew
  • Single room supplement
  • Any associated costs with leaving the trek early.

 

TRIP EXTENSION

There is an option to extend your stay in China and visit the impressive Terracotta Warriors, Xian’s Grand Mosque and the 2,000 year-old Yangling Tombs, the final resting place of the fourth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty. This is a 3 day extension in Xian. For more information, please contact us at info@adventurousewe.co.uk.

Sustainable and Responsible Tourism

Adventurous Ewe is committed to delivering trips in a responsible and ethical manner with sustainability at its core. We respect and aim to operate our adventures to benefit local people, their economy and the environment!

Some of the ethical trip management features embedded in our Great Wall of China Trek are:

  • Using local crew who are qualified Leaders and who are all extremely knowledgeable and experienced
  • Staying in local family run lodges and guesthouses wherever possible
  • Minimising plastic waste wherever possible as we refill water bottles
  • Providing all our Great Wall trekkers with a complimentary Water-to-Go bottle to eliminate our plastic foot-print in China
  • We are part of a reforestation project in China which includes our trekkers planting a tree near the Wall on completion of their trek
  • Where possible, our Leaders collect any rubbish enroute
  • We operate a ‘leave no trace’ ethos
  • Adventurous Ewe will make a financial contribution to the environmental charity, Cool Earth, as part of our business partnership.
Location
Asia & Australasia
Duration
9 days & 8 nights
Difficulty
Cost From
£1395.00