The group will be welcomed by our guide, who will manage the lengthy transfer to the guesthouse in the mountainous region around Beijing. Despite the jet lag, take advantage of this chance to explore your new surroundings. We'll gather for our first team meal and a briefing about the upcoming hike, so be sure to ask any last-minute questions. The drive from Beijing (PEK) airport to Huangyaguan takes about two hours. Once there, you can explore the village and experience your first taste of rural China.

We will finish our countryside breakfast by 8 AM, then drive for 10 minutes to our starting point on the Great Wall. Our hike will take us from Taipingzhai to Huangyaguan and the Sky Stairs, a journey of about three hours. After the hike, we’ll have lunch and then drive two hours to Gubeikou village, where we will spend the night in this traditional walled village. Originally built in 557 AD, the Huangyaguan section of the Great Wall was first repaired during the Ming Dynasty with bricks and restored again in 1985. Stretching 41 kilometers, its walls and towers are perched on mountain ridges at an average altitude of 738 meters. Named "Yellow Cliff Pass" for the yellowish hills and rocks nearby, this section is notable for its uniquely shaped watchtowers. Few tourists visit this remote location, making it a rare gem. One of Huangyaguan's most unique features is the Street of the Eight Diagrams, an architectural marvel of the Ming Dynasty located just below the pass. This labyrinth, designed to confuse and trap invading armies, is based on the ancient trigrams of the Book of Changes. UNESCO has listed the Huangyaguan Great Wall as a World Heritage site. Each May, marathon runners from around the globe come here to tackle one of the world’s most challenging courses, with exhausting ascents, steep descents, and over 5,164 steps. Fortunately, we only walk this section once, unlike the marathon runners who must complete the circuit twice.

After breakfast, we will drive 15 minutes to our starting point. This completely untouched area is quite challenging and free of other visitors. The Wall here is worn away, and the terrain is rugged and uneven. As we ascend the mountain ranges, the scenery becomes increasingly wide and spectacular. Since this section is not frequented by visitors, there are no specific names for the various spots. After taking a break at the mountain's summit, we will continue our hike downhill to the other side

After breakfast, we will begin our hike directly from our farmer's house. Today's journey will take approximately five hours on the Wall. The initial section through the village is narrow and crumbling, but after an hour of walking, we will reach Panglongshan, also known as Coiling Dragon Hill, where the Wall's structure becomes more apparent. We will pass through about 10 watchtowers and ascend to the 24-eye-tower, offering a panoramic view of the entire Panglongshan area. To avoid a military zone, we will descend from the Wall and meander through jungles and trees for 40 minutes, finishing our hike at the Jinshanling West gate. From there, a bus will pick us up for a 30-minute drive back to Gubeikou village. In 1378, during the 11th year of Emperor Hongwu's reign in the Ming Dynasty, General Xu Da ordered the rebuilding of this section of the Great Wall. Gubeikou has witnessed more battles than any other part of the Wall, including some of the most famous in Chinese history. On the southern slope of Gubeikou stands a temple dedicated to Yang Ye, a renowned Great Wall garrison general of the Song Dynasty. This temple is one of the oldest in China dedicated to this general.

We will have breakfast at 7:30 AM and then drive to Jinshanling West, where we finished our hike the previous day. For the first hour, we will walk through farming fields with ever-changing views of the Wall alongside. As we rejoin the Wall, you'll be struck by the magnificent ancient architecture and natural landscape. Take a moment to breathe and appreciate the Wall's beauty. This section is a favorite among photographers due to its intact watchtowers, beacon towers, and other solid structures. We will continue towards Jinshanling for two hours, stopping at Zhuanduokou for a break. Here, you'll find a small square with a statue of General Qi Jiguang, commemorating his efforts in building the Wall during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD). The steps rise again as the Wall winds through Jinshanling East. Upon reaching the top at East-5-eye tower, you will be rewarded with a panoramic view of the photogenic sections at Simatai, Jinshanling, and Gubeikou, stretching over 20 kilometers along the mountains. We will descend from the Wall here, following a modern concrete path to the Jinshanling East gate. A 10-minute drive will take us back to our guesthouse.

After breakfast, we will begin our hike, which will take about five hours on the Wall. Today's route is particularly challenging, with steep ascents and descents. Although the distance is short, the elevation gain is significant, ranging from 400 meters to 900 meters. The Wall at Simatai is built on narrow ridges, with the highest point being Wangjinglou Tower at 998 meters above sea level. From this tower, you can see Beijing at night. The Wall between Wangjinglou Tower and Fairy Tower narrows to just 50cm, making it the most challenging and dangerous section at Simatai. We will avoid the narrowest part, instead hiking up to these two towers to enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding Simatai and Jinshanling sections. After lunch, we will drive back to the city. We will stop at the Olympic venues and spend 30 minutes walking around the Bird's Nest and Water Cube, where one of the most successful Olympics was held years ago.

Today, we will explore the rich history of Beijing, an ancient capital city renowned for its cultural and historical heritage. Our journey begins at the magnificent Forbidden City, a sprawling complex that exceeds the imagination. For over 500 years, its elegant and exquisite buildings were the exclusive residence of 24 emperors and their royal families. Walking through these palaces and pavilions will transport you back centuries, as each structure, filled with tales of love affairs, murders, plots, and coups, narrates the stories of emperors, empresses, concubines, and high-ranking ministers. Next, we will visit the infamous Tian’anmen Square, one of the largest city squares in the world, which has witnessed many significant events in the nation's history.

Today is left free for clients to independently explore the Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Hutongs.

You will be picked up by our guide after breakfast and transferred to the airport.