Route illustration. Your guide will confirm the final trail, access and travel times before departure.
Itinerary
Day-by-day itinerary
Tour code7X
Day 1 · Shixiaguan-Badaling
The Ancient Stone Gorge Pass & Unrestored Ridge
Activity Hiking & explorationStay Good Fortune Inn
Begin at Shixiaguan near the less-developed Badaling defenses. The mountain pass provides an introduction to older walls and the way the fortifications follow the ridges. Your guide sets a sustainable pace for the week rather than rushing the first climb. Continue to the countryside inn named in the program for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Lunch, dinner. Overnight: Good Fortune Inn.
Daily itineraries may vary due to trail and road conditions, weather, and government regulations. Hiking routes, accommodation arrangements, and transfer times between sections are subject to change.
Day 2 · Huanghuacheng Lakeside
Reservoir scenery and Wall descending toward the water
Activity Hiking & explorationStay Planned Great Wall camp, subject to permission
Explore Huanghuacheng above the reservoir, where the defensive line meets a landscape of water and forested slopes. Walk the accessible ridge and connecting paths, pausing to trace sections descending toward the shoreline. This is the first planned camping night, and the approved overnight location is identified in your departure arrangements.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Planned Great Wall camp, subject to permission.
Daily itineraries may vary due to trail and road conditions, weather, and government regulations. Hiking routes, accommodation arrangements, and transfer times between sections are subject to change.
Day 3 · Jiankou
Raw mountain ridges and iconic wild watchtowers
Activity Hiking & explorationStay Good Fortune Inn
Spend a day within the Jiankou landscape before attempting the crossing to Mutianyu. Forested valleys, old towers and steep ridges reward a measured pace and regular stops. The walking line is chosen around local access and your group’s confidence on uneven ground. Return to the listed countryside lodging after the hike.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Good Fortune Inn.
Daily itineraries may vary due to trail and road conditions, weather, and government regulations. Hiking routes, accommodation arrangements, and transfer times between sections are subject to change.
Day 4 · Jiankou-Mutianyu
Raw mountain ridges and iconic wild watchtowers
Activity Hiking & explorationStay Camping on the Great Wall at Gubeikou
Walk from Jiankou into restored Mutianyu, where repaired ramparts make the change in conservation especially apparent. Towers and valley views provide frequent places to pause along the permitted route. After descending, transfer toward Gubeikou. The planned plan includes a camp there, with equipment and permissions confirmed before the journey.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Camping on the Great Wall at Gubeikou.
Daily itineraries may vary due to trail and road conditions, weather, and government regulations. Hiking routes, accommodation arrangements, and transfer times between sections are subject to change.
Day 5 · Gubeikou-Jinshanling
From battlefield Wall to elegant watchtowers
Activity Hiking & explorationStay Planned Great Wall camp, subject to permission
Follow the Gubeikou–Jinshanling corridor through older defenses and a sequence of changing towers. The walk offers a close view of the pass’s military position and the gradual transition toward Jinshanling’s larger structures. End the day at the arranged campsite, allowing the evening to remain part of the outdoor experience.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner. Overnight: Planned Great Wall camp, subject to permission.
Daily itineraries may vary due to trail and road conditions, weather, and government regulations. Hiking routes, accommodation arrangements, and transfer times between sections are subject to change.
Day 6 · Jinshanling to West Simatai
Tower-lined ridges and original Ming masonry
Activity Hiking & explorationStay Huangyaguan Hotel
Explore the ridge between Jinshanling and the western Simatai area. Follow the entrances and direction specified for your date, comparing weathered stretches with repaired steps and parapets. After the hike, leave the eastern ridges for Huangyaguan and settle into the hotel at the foot of the Wall.
Daily itineraries may vary due to trail and road conditions, weather, and government regulations. Hiking routes, accommodation arrangements, and transfer times between sections are subject to change.
Day 7 · Huangyaguan Sky Ladder
An eastern pass of towers, stonework and steep ridges
Activity Hiking & exploration
Finish the week with Huangyaguan and the Sky Ladder. The route rises through a different fortress landscape before reaching the steep stairway toward the upper defenses. The guide sets an appropriate turning point for the group. After the final descent and lunch, follow the agreed return arrangements to Beijing.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch.
Daily itineraries may vary due to trail and road conditions, weather, and government regulations. Hiking routes, accommodation arrangements, and transfer times between sections are subject to change.
Flavors along the route
Your Great Wall adventure is also a food adventure
Enjoy freshly prepared, authentic Chinese dishes along the journey—from country-style meals at our camping centers and guesthouses to local restaurant favorites. Vegetarian and gluten-free meals can be arranged with advance notice, and complimentary bottled water is provided along the way. Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? Let us know in advance and we’ll help arrange a special moment during your journey. Meal arrangements and celebrations vary by itinerary and your confirmed package.
Comfort between the trails
Your Private Vehicle
Travel between hiking sections with our professional drivers in quality Buick and Mercedes vehicles. Your private transfer arrangements from Beijing and back, along with vehicle size, are matched to your group and confirmed itinerary.
Rest along the route
Accommodation on the Road
Depending on your itinerary, your overnight arrangements may include camping in a historic watchtower, camping beneath the open sky on the Great Wall, or a comfortable local hotel stay. Your confirmed proposal will specify each night.
Camping in a watchtowerCamping on the WallLocal hotel stay
Pricing
Choose the package level that matches the support you want. The published prices below are for the Platinum Package; Gold and Silver prices are available on request.
Prices are in US dollars. “pp” means per person. Final availability, inclusions and price are confirmed in your written proposal for the selected date, party size and route.
What’s included & what’s not
Items marked [CONFIRM] are awaiting confirmation.
Included
✓Transport for the itinerary, including the return to Beijing
✓Meals listed in the daily itinerary
✓Six nights of accommodation: three inn stays and three camps
✓Main luggage storage and transport while you hike
✓Guide service, language and days covered
✓Camping equipment and personal gear provided
✓Entrance tickets and any optional lifts
✓Camping permissions and route permits
Not included
✕[CONFIRM] Travel and medical insurance
✕[CONFIRM] Tips for guides and drivers
✕[CONFIRM] Personal purchases, drinks and other unlisted costs
From guests who walked for a week
Guest experiences on our seven-day treks
Tripadvisor · Seven-day trek
Care, support and history throughout a seven-day trek
After the seven-day Extreme Odyssey, Annette praised the guide and driver’s attentiveness, responsive support from the China and U.S. teams, and Oliver’s efforts to accommodate guests while sharing the Wall’s history.
Julisa described her seven-day hike as a standout trip, highlighting Oliver’s friendly manner, humor and knowledge, as well as the company’s prompt responses to questions.
These are summaries of historical guest reviews, with links to the originals. Both guests describe seven-day treks; Annette names the Extreme Odyssey. Routes, camps and services may differ from the current itinerary.
Questions before you book
How fit do I need to be for this seven-day trek?
You should be comfortable hiking for more than five hours a day on consecutive days, including steep climbs, descents and uneven stone steps. Regular hill walking and experience with long days outdoors are useful preparation. Tell us your recent hiking experience, walking pace and any mobility concerns so we can discuss whether this route is a good fit.
What happens if bad weather affects the hike or camping?
Weather and access restrictions can require a change of trail, timing or overnight arrangements. The team will discuss practical alternatives if an adjustment is needed. If a departure must be cancelled or rescheduled, the options, charges and any refund depend on your confirmed proposal and booking conditions; ask us for the applicable terms before paying.
What happens to my luggage while I hike?
Your main bags stay with the driver, in the vehicle or at one of our camping centers while you hike or camp. Carry a small daypack with your water, layers and personal essentials. Ask us to confirm the daily bag handover and any size restrictions before departure.
Can I book this trek as a solo traveler?
Solo travelers can send an inquiry for a private departure. Please tell us your dates and whether you prefer to travel privately or join others. We will confirm availability, the number of travelers and the applicable quote; a shared group departure is not guaranteed.
What is the best time of year for this trek?
Spring and autumn are good starting points when planning for milder walking conditions. Summer can be hot and wet; winter can bring snow, ice and more demanding camping conditions. Tell us your preferred dates so we can discuss seasonal conditions, campsite access and the most suitable arrangements for your week.
Planning your visit
A week of hiking calls for preparation for steep steps and consecutive active days. Confirm each camp’s permission, the balance of camping and inns, and the walking distance assigned to each day.
Keep exploring
Explore more multi-day Great Wall treks or ask us to tailor a journey to your group.
