trek Great Wall of China …The Ultimate Tough Challenge actionchallenge on The Great Wall of China This demanding, exhilarating trek along remote stretches of the Great Wall of China is a nine day adventure of a lifetime. With up to nine hours of trekking each day, a good level of fitness and a passion for tough challenges is a must but our hard work is rewarded with China’s unique, breathtaking scenery. Together we escape the tourist trail and walk through Coiling Dragon and Crouching Tiger Mountains, past numerous watchtowers and along remote, beautiful sections rarely seen by tourists. As a group we trek along restored sections of wall with mighty watchtowers returned to their former glory and take on technically challenging sections of ‘wild wall’ that require stamina (and often a good sense of balance!). Along our route we see temples dedicated to famous garrison generals, original brickwork from the Ming Dynasty, ancient tablet writings and animal statues. From the Nine Eye Tower (1,314m) we have incredible panoramic views of the Jiankou section stretching out before us as the wall clings to the mountains and disappears far over the horizon. We spend our last day in China exploring the sights of Beijing before celebrating our fabulous Great Wall challenge with a special Chinese meal. at a glance trip highlights ● Activity: Trekking ● Enjoy an all inclusive 9 day group trip ● Location: China, Beijing ● Challenge yourself with this tough trek ● Duration: 9 Days / 5 days trekking ● Climb the steep steps at Huangyaguan ● Difficulty: Tough ● See panoramic views from Nine Eye Tower ● Distance: 71 km ● Tackle the wild wall at Jiankou ● When: Oct 2014 & May / Sep 2015 ● Learn to cook dumplings ● Group size: 15 -25 ● Explore Beijing Action Challenge have been leading inspirational team adventures across the world for individuals, private groups, charities and corporate clients since 1999. Our trips enable people to experience the world’s most exhilarating locations, often in aid of charity. At the heart of every challenge is team spirit and fulfilment; together we take on once-in-a-lifetime adventures, achieve formidable goals and forge friendships for life. www.actionchallenge.com trek Great Wall of China …Tough Challenge introduction This fully-inclusive adventure to China will begin as soon as you register! You will receive a Oct 2014 & May / Sep 2015 challenge pack including a training guide, kit list and discounts for all the essentials you may Please visit our website for more details need. If you are raising money for a charity, we will sort out all the formalities so you can concentrate on your own preparation and fundraising. We offer pre-challenge briefings and training weekends in the UK, where you can meet our trek leaders, members of your group and others taking part in challenges around the world. On the day of departure you will meet your All inclusive trip cost from £1,799 group and Action Challenge leader at the airport in London. Whether you’re joining the chal- Initial £399 deposit to sign up lenge on your own or with others, you will instantly be made to feel welcome. As a team we will board our flight to Beijing, ready to take on the Great Wall of China and the hike of a lifetime! Three payment options available Please visit our website for more details brief itinerary Day 1 Depart London Day 6 Mutianyu Day 2 Beijing Day 7 Great Wall at Huanghuacheng Day 3 Great Wall at Huangyaguan Day 8 Beijing Day 4 Gubeikou, Jinshanling & Simatai Day 9 London Arrival This challenge requires a good level of Day 5 Great Wall at Jiankou fitness to trek the route, the terrain is varied with some steep uphill climbs, what’s included downhill sections and steps. Some prior aerobic fitness training is necessary. · International flights · Action Challenge trek leader · Full support team, including local guides · UK medic · All accommodation · All meals, except in free time Why not stay on after the challenge and · Airport / Air travel taxes explore some more of Beijing’s highlights? · Treated drinking water · All transfers in local vehicles Extensions include: ● Terracotta Warriors · National Park entrance fees ● Giant Panda Research Centre · Celebration dinner in Beijing ● Hong Kong · Invitation to a challenge briefing in London · Discounted training weekends in the Peak District, Brecon Beacons & Snowdonia Please email us for more information · Fitness and training guide · Discounts from UK retailers · Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health The weather in China can be very humid, particularly during the summer months when there are high temperatures and rainfall. The best times of year to trek the Great Wall are in the spring and autumn, when it will be drier and little cooler, without being too cold. It is advisable to pack for all weathers to ensure that you are prepared for changeable conditions. +44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected] trek Great Wall of China …Tough Challenge itinerary Breakfast each morning will be in our hotel / DAY 1 - Depart London guest house / camp whilst lunches will be en route. Evening meals will be at the hotel or a local restaurant, except in free time. Meals: Dependent on flight schedule All meals are full of carbohydrates, protein DAY 2 - Beijing to Huangyaguan and nutrients to keep us well fuelled We arrive at Beijing International Airport and are met by our local guide who will be with throughout the trip. us throughout our challenge. We have a comfortable two hour transfer east of Beijing to Huangyaguan, with lunch en route. This afternoon we visit the East Qing Tombs We can cater for all dietary requirements if before arriving at our rural guesthouse for a special welcome meal on our first night in informed in advance. China. Meals: L,D Accom: Guest House DAY 3 - Great Wall at Huangyaguan • Hotels / Guest Houses / Camp After breakfast we leave early for a short transfer to Taipingzhai and the start of our trek. Our first walk on the Great Wall takes us from Taipingzhai to Huayaguan Pass, a All accommodation is on a twin/triple-share, section partially restored in the 1980s. We have a mid morning break at a military pass single-sex basis and we will pair you with before trekking westwards past ‘Heaven’s Ladders’ and on to a remote village for a late someone of a similar age, where possible. lunch in a local restaurant. This afternoon we transfer to our rural guesthouse in Gubeikou Village where we are treated to a special lesson in making Chinese If you wish to share a room with someone dumplings. you are travelling with, please specify this on your registration form. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Guest House Distance: 12 km DAY 4 - Great Wall at Gubeikou, Jinshanling and Simatai West We set off early this morning, walking directly from our guesthouse on a five hour trek to Jinshanling. The Panlong (Coiling Dragon) and Wohu (Crouching Tiger) mountains If you decide that you would like to have surround us and the Chaohe River runs from north to south across the foot of the wall. your own room on the challenge, we can Our walk takes us eastward along the unrestored old city wall, past numerous accommodate this in the majority of watchtowers before we leave the wall for a remote rural walk to Jinshanling for lunch. places. This afternoon we walk along a beautiful section of the wall to Simatai West where today’s trekking ends. We return to our guesthouse at Gubeikou for a well-deserved, Please email us for more information relaxing evening. Meals: B,L,D Accom: Guest House Distance: 18 km DAY 5 - Great Wall at Jiankou From Gubeikou we transfer to Jiankou and the start of today’s trek. We begin by walking • Insurance - approximately £60 up to the highest point in this area, the Nine-Eye-Tower at 1314m. From here, on a clear • Visa - £30 day, we have panoramic views of the whole Jiankou section and the outer and inner • Vaccinations - Up-to-date on boosters walls that protect the capital of the Ming Dynasty. The climb to the tower will take us • Tips for local staff - recommended around 2 1/2 hours, after which we walk southbound to the Beijing Knots, close to where amount £30 we finish our trek for the day. We make our way to our Jiankou hotel for the night. • Airline fuel surcharge / supplement as applied by airlines. Please note that this is Meals: B,L,D Accom: Hotel Distance: 12 km capped at a maximum of £150. +44 (0) 207 609 6695 www.actionchallenge.com [email protected] trek Great Wall of China …Tough Challenge DAY 6 - Great Wall at Jiankou to Mutianyu We set off at 7am to transfer back to the wall. This morning’s four hour trek takes us A kit list will be sent to you on receipt of along the Jiankou Wall and across a few tricky sections which require good balance. registration. Many everyday items can be Here we are rewarded with breathtaking scenery at Zhengbeilou Tower and virtually no used on this challenge, and we offer a kit other tourists. We come off the Wall for lunch at a local farmer’s restaurant before hire service to keep costs down. starting the five hour afternoon section to Mutianyu. Once again the superb views, dense vegetation and many watchtowers make this a memorable trek. At the end of the day we have a one hour transfer to Huanghuacheng before arriving at our stunning campsite set amongst a chestnut orchard on the banks of a beautiful lake.