Hiking the Great Wall

Today, you arrive in Beijing, the capital of China. Upon arrival, you will be met by your private driver who will transfer you to your hotel in the city center. Take some time to freshen up at the hotel and relax after your flight.
In the early evening, there will be a group meeting at the hotel, where you will receive a briefing on the details of your tour. A message with information about the meeting will be waiting for you at the hotel reception.
Later, enjoy a welcome walk in the neighborhood and be introduced to this amazing city. We'll stop at a local restaurant for a group dinner.

Enjoy an early breakfast, then meet your guide in the lobby and get ready for a private excursion to Beijing's magnificent Summer Palace. Once home to China's ruling emperors, this graceful residence features an exquisite classical garden.
In the early afternoon, you will ride in comfort as you make your way to the Great Wall of China. Your first encounter with this iconic structure will be at the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall. During the ride to the wall, you will learn more about this 26-mile section constructed in the 6th century during the Northern Qi Dynasty and later rebuilt between the 14th and 17th centuries during the Ming Dynasty.
Upon arrival, you will take your first steps onto the Great Wall of China. Stroll along the battlements and take in the extraordinary views of misty mountains in the distance.
Overnight at a nearby hotel.

This morning you can join a morning hike around the Huangyaguan West section of the Great Wall. Later, we will drive to the Gubeikou section, which is approximately a 2-hour drive away.
After a stop for lunch, you will start a hike along the Wohushan section of China's Great Wall. Built during the Ming Dynasty, and stretching over a distance of 13.6 km. This part of the wall stands 665 meters above sea level and offers views which are simply amazing. The Wohushan section is considered a masterpiece of the Great Wall and is renowned for its intriguing history and design ingenuity.
After about 3 to 4 hours of hiking, we will make our way to a local village guest house for an overnight. Here, you will have the chance to get to know some of the friendly locals and get some insight into their culture.

Today, over the course of about 4 to 5 hours, we will hike 7.5 miles (12 km). We will also spend plenty of time taking breaks along the way, stopping to enjoy lunch, take in the views, and rest our bodies.
Today's hike will bring you to Jinshanling. Led by your guide, you will learn about the plants that grow in this area and hear stories about how local farmers used some of the bricks from the wall to build their own homes, resulting in parts of the wall crumbling.
You'll also have the chance to explore an inner circle within the wall, which served as a secondary mode of defense in case of attack.
Tonight you will stay at a local farmer's house in the village of Erdaoliang Jinshanling.

After a home-cooked breakfast at your guesthouse, continue your Great Wall of China adventure by going on another hike to Simatai West.
As you hike along this ancient structure, take your time to photograph the sights around you. You'll be able to get some excellent shots of the Great Wall as it snakes through the hillside, crowned ever so often by an elegant watchtower. You'll notice that each watchtower is a bit different from the others. Some have flat roofs while others are rounded.
Today's 7-mile (12 km) hike covers mostly paved ground, though we will also traverse a few parts that have not been restored yet. Expect some stairs and steep inclines on today's route.
Lunch, will be at a restaurant run by a local farmer before you'll head back to Beijing for overnight.

This day is devoted to sightseeing in Beijing. After breakfast at your hotel, get ready to set out on a day-long walking tour. Today's urban adventures begin with a metro ride to Tiananmen Square. Perhaps the most famous square in the world, and certainly the largest. Tiananmen Square is truly an awe-inspiring landmark.
Continue to the Forbidden City, which dates from the 15th century. This was once the political and ceremonial center of China's ruling families. After spending some time exploring the massive collection of ancient wooden structures, we'll follow our guide to a Hutong neighborhood, where you will delight in the quaint alleys and traditional courtyards that comprise the local lifestyle of Old Beijing.

This 7-day trip to China has certainly been an unforgettable experience. We hope you have enjoyed your visit and wish you pleasant travels as you make your way back home.
Depending on the time of your flight, you may relax at your hotel until the check-out time, or spend a few final moments enjoying the city of Beijing.