2-Day Small-Group Great Wall Hike from Beijing

Meet your guide in central Beijing and hop in an air-conditioned vehicle for a 2.5-hour drive to Jiankou, where you'll begin your 6-mile (10-km) hike along original sections of the Great Wall. As you hike up hill for the first hour, admire sweeping vistas and notice the elaborate stonework and roofs of structures and statues. You’ll also meander through dense jungles and bushes. Jiankou is one of the least-restored sections, whose unique features include a mountain shaped like an arrow, fronted by a collapsed ridge. Throughout your hike, you’ll be provided with water and snacks. At midday, take a rest break to enjoy a picnic lunch, which your guide will provide for you. When you reach Mutianyu, a beautifully restored section which has undergone much construction, drive to Gubeikou for an overnight stay at a local farmer's guesthouse. Overnight: Farmer's guesthouse in Gubeikou village

Enjoy a typical farmer’s breakfast and then start your leisurely 6-mile (10-km) hike. Your guide will teach you the history of Gubeikou, like how it was once key strategic military target in ancient times; protecting this area was vital for keeping Beijing safe from the Mongolian nomads. Admire gorgeous views of the expansive ridges and plains and then take a detour, eventually arriving at the Jinshanling section to continue exploring. Jinshanling is the best-preserved section of the wall, featuring amazing watchtowers, some with their original features. After your hike, return to the Gubeikou village to rest and enjoy dinner. Overnight: Farmer's guesthouse in Gubeikou village

After breakfast, drive 20 minutes to Jinshanling to begin your 3-mile (5-km) hike. This early in the morning, there are few other tourists on the wall, so you can take several postcard-worthy photographs. Hike for three hours with your guide, making a detour at Kylin Tower to head to Simatai West, an extremely photogenic original section of the wall that offers some of the best hiking around. It is UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, whose many towers and steep gradients offer constantly changing perspectives and wide, open views. After your hike, relax on the ride back to Beijing. When you arrive, enjoy a hotpot lunch and then rejuvenate with a traditional reflexology foot massage. You'll also receive a certificate of completion to commemorate your Great Wall hike. Your tour will end here.