16 Days - Departing Aug 10, 2009

This tour is a perfect compromise between back packing and being bussed around with a new hotel every night. Day Hiking, as opposed to back packing, means that each day after breakfast, a bus takes us to the beginning of a hike, transfers our luggage, and pick us up at the end of the hike. A hot shower always awaits us at the next hotel. Every night we stay at a comfortable hotel. Although the hiking is not difficult, daily hikes of 10 to 15 km (1 km = 0.621 mile) require good endurance. You should be an enthusiastic, experienced day hiker to enjoy this trip.After two or three days spent on hiking, we will take one day sightseeing because there are many history, cultural and traditional events you do not want to miss.

This land-only trip starts and ends in Beijing . What follows is a brief description of the Great Wall you may hike and other tour activities.

Day 2: Tuesday, August 11 - BEIJING
Drive to the Badaling Section of the Great Wall, visit the Great Wall Museum and watch a movie with circular screen, hike on the Wall, drive to Juyong Pass and check in Great Wall Hotel at Juyong Pass.

Day 3: Wednesday, August 12 - BEIJING/HUAIROU
Hike on Juyong Great Wall, in the afternoon visit the Sacred Road and one of the Ming Tombs. Drive to Huairou and check in a 3 star hotel.

Day 4: Thursday, August 13 - HUAIROU/CHENGDE
Drive to Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and hike on the Wall with packed lunch this morning, PM drive to Chengde and check in a 4 star hotel.

Day 5: Friday, August 14 - CHENGDE
Visit the Mountain Resort and hike on Sledge Hammer Hill.

Day 6: Saturday, August 15 - CHENGDE/SIMATAI GREAT WALL
Visit two of the Outer Eight Temples (Puning Monastery and Putuozongcheng Temple ). In the afternoon drive to Simatai, and check in the Great Wall Guesthouse at the foot of Simatai Great Wall.
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Day 7: Sunday, August 16 - HUANGYA PASS OF THE GREAT WALL
In the morning hike on the Great Wall from Simatai to Jinshanling with packed lunch, drive to Huangya Pass , and check in Huangya Hotel.

Day 8: Monday, August 17 - ZUNHUA
Hike on the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall, PM drive to Zunhua, and visit the ruins of the Great Wall at Luowenyu. Check in a 3 star hotel.

Day 9: Tuesday, August 18 - ZUNHUA/QINHUANGDAO
Visit the Eastern Qing Tombs, PM drive to Qinhuangdao and check in a 4 star hotel.

Day 10: Wedsday, August 19 - QINHUANGDAO
Drive to Jiumengkou Section of the Great Wall and hike on it. In the afternoon visit Mengjiangnv Temple .

Day 11: Thursday, August 20 - QINHUANGDAO
Drive to Jiaoshan Section of the Great Wall and hike on it, Visit the Shanhai Pass and the Old Dragon Head (the starting point of the Great Wall)

Day 12: Friday, August 21 - QINHUANGDAO/BEIJING
Make a visit to Jifa Agricultural Experimental Base in the morning. Drive back to Beijing after lunch.

Day 13: Saturday, August 22 - BEIJING
Visit the Tian'anmen Square , the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace . Beijing Duck Dinner.

Day 14: Sunday, August 23 - BEIJING
Visit Gongwangfu ( Residence of Qing Prince) first, then Drive to Beijing Zoo to see giant pandas.Visit the temple of Heaven after breakfast.

Day 15: Sunday, August 24 - BEIJING
Today is yours to enjoy any way you want. Perhaps some shopping for those special gifts or just spend the day doing what ever you chose. Our local Chinese guide will give you all the tips you'll need to have a wonderful day.

Day 16: Sunday, August 25 - BEIJING/HONG KONG
After breakfast this morning we transfer to Beijing airport and fly to Hong Kong.