Internationale groepsreis Walking the Great Wall

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

One of the 7 Modern Wonders of the world-and easy to understand why.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Every day was special-but the walk from Gubeiko to Jinshangling along an airy ridge was the best walking day for me.

What did you think of your group leader?

Danny Mao is a great tour leader. Always cheerful, helpful and knowledgable. Never intrusive but always there when you need him to be. Told us all about Chinese history to pass the time on the bus. Worth giving him a hefty bonus Exodus!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

The accomodation is pretty good even out in the country-obviously upgraded from some earler reviews. The food is excellent and there is lots of it. Practice with chopsticks before you go. The Wall is amazing, climbing over mountains  and snaking away into the distance. Returning to see the sights of Beijing and then on to Xi'an and the Terracotta Army are pretty special experiences too, so increase your "wow" factor and do the extension.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Great sights, great leader, great bunch of other walkers. Great holiday!

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

This trip was (in the words of our Group Leader, Jerry Wei Wei) "bloody AMAZING" I have never done anything like this before and it exceeded all my expectations. I did it for a local charity and I found the whole experience very emotional and life changing. The group of people I was with were wonderful and we all bonded really well making it an even better experience.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The most inspirational moment of my trip was when I got my charity banner out and took a photo with me and my group Leader, Jerry - I have worked so hard to raise money and awareness for this charity and it was an overwhelming emotional experience and very rewarding. The scenery was sensational and breathtaking and we really had such great weather and fantastic views.

What did you think of your group leader?

Ah well what can I say about our guide/ group leader - Jerry Wei Wei. A local from BeiJing he was amazing and really made our trip!! His english was outstanding and he had so much knowledge that he shared with us. Nothing seemed too much trouble and he looked after us with patience and humour! He was lovely - we all wanted to take him home with us!! What made the trip really exceptional was that Jerry actually showed us the real China - we interacted with the local chinese people in the home stays and Jerry took us to the most wonderful local Chinese Restaurants! This was brilliant. I had a problem with my eye and Jerry helped me to sort it out which I really appreciated!! It was great to have everything arranged and sorted and to know that we were in a safe environment which took away all the worries so we could just enjoy the whole experience.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

I would actually say that, although the trip notes say moderate, I think the walking is a bit more challenging so people need to be prepared for this. Take toilet rolls and wet wipes!!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Only that I would definately recommend anyone travelling to go with Exodus. Whether you are travelling alone or with someone - it is an excellent way to see the fantastic wonders of this world. I had the most amazing experience - one that I will never forget and hopefully the first of many! I definately want to "reset my compass" now!!  Thank you and please say a special big THANK YOU to Jerry for being such wonderful Group Leader - I will never forget him!!!

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

A marvellous holiday, with over six days walking along the Great Wall, plus two days (three for some!) in Beijing. Suitable for “ramblers” as well as well as hardened trekkers. Plenty of opportunity to meet Chinese people away from the big cities. There were 13 people in our group and they were a great bunch. Every day was interesting, passing through small towns and villages. The walks were just right for me, not too long and not too short.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Walking the length of Jinshanling on a fine, sunny day, and seeing the wall stretch out before us for mile after mile. Fantastic views along the way, great for taking photographs.  I also ran into some fellow Brummies along the way (not really a highlight!) Walking through a Chinese village, mostly seeing only the very elderly and the very young, finding the people there very friendly and hospitable. Visiting the Temple of Heaven in Beijing, a beautiful park with fantastic buildings, flowers, greenery... dancers, musicians....the kind of place you do not want to leave.

What did you think of your group leader?

Kevin was top notch, a great organiser and very friendly. He went out of his way to help everyone and when weather threatened to disrupt our schedule he was very flexible. He made the trip very enjoyable. When a mystery bug struck our group he made great efforts to secure medicine and medical advice. Very knowledgeable about China, giving us tips about where to go and what to look out for when we went off exploring. 

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Out in the villages it can get cold at night, certainly in April, so wrap up well. However the hotel in Beijing was very hot! At various times you will be accosted by people trying to sell souvenirs, always drive a hard bargain, start at least seventy five per cent below the asking price! Remember that to eat all the food offered to you is taken as a sign that you have not had enough to eat, so if you’ve had enough leave some food on your plate. Look out for a "paper cuttings" shop at Jinshanling, if you go in you will be amazed.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Apart from the wall, and the sights in Beijing, I enjoyed getting up early each morning and exploring the villages we stayed in. The people there, whatever they thought as I took photo after photo, were very polite and friendly. Some of us had an extra day in Beijing due to the late departure of our planes / trains. My last memory is of reading and relaxing with two fellow group members in the Temple of Heaven Park in Beijing, just a couple of hours before we were due to leave. They were going on to Xian, I was flying home. A gorgeous place, and lovely afternoon.  Something I will not forget.

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

One of the best holidays for location we have ever done. The People were friendly and our guide looked after us. We we lucky with the weather and our fellow travelers were a great bunch.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

To trek on the great wall of china with like minded people and to constantly think "how the heck did they build it up and down these steep hills". To meet friendly locals and be looked after in our guest houses.

What did you think of your group leader?

Kevin went over and above his duties as a group leader. He gave up his spare time to look after us when we were ill towards the end of our holiday. We had an extra week in Beijing and he was always at the end of a phone if we needed him (we did'nt but his offer of help was there and it made us feel comfortable knowing that). He had a vast knowladge of the history and geography of the areas we visited. He was always polite, helpful and willing to put himself out. His language skills were excellent and so was his sense of humour.  

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Don't skimp on rain gear. On the one day it did rain my lightweight Gore Tex jacket and trousers could not cope with the downpour. Take plenty of your own countries pills and potions. We both got man/woman flu and ran out of paracetamol and ibuprofen. The local pharmacies tend not to speak english that's where a great guide comes in handy but the local meds tend to be herbal and if you do manage to buy western meds we found them to be under dosed. Paracetamol came in 250mg not the usual 500mg. The food was excellant and catered for meat eaters and vegiterians. Only drink bottled water which is readilly available everywhere you go. We took a thin sleeping bag that you could open up and use as a blanket. We used it twice. Some matteresses are a bit on the hard side but I found them comfortable. Rather than take pens/pencils to give the kids. I took football cards but ended up giving them to the driver as there did not seem to be lots of kids about. The walking is challenging but we did not find it too hard. Plenty of ups and downs. The routes are safe. Mud paths can be slippy after and in the rain so take a pair of trekking poles with you. They are helpfull on the up and down parts to help on the knees. Just in case take a knee brace with you. I wore mine and it certainly helped.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Take a good camera and lots of memory then just blat a way at everything and when you get home share your pics with your fellow trekkers by sending them discs of your pics in exchange for thiers or by social networking. Leave only footprints and take only pictures..........leave the wall in China. Don't take bits home with you.

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

A great trip which will live long in the memory. Walking was really good, but on some days over too quickly which left quite a bit of free time in afternoons. Fine in Beijing, but a lot less to do out in the country.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Being the only group on the stunning Jinshangling section at 10am on a sunny morning before the tour groups arrived from Beijing. The views were spectacular, and the relative solitude was a great benefit of staying so close to the wall overnight. It felt like we had the whole wall to ourselves.

What did you think of your group leader?

Our guide Kevin was excellent and a credit to his trade. Thoroughly professional in every way, he was also great company and did a fantastic job of organising everything for the group. He was also extremely knowledgable about the country, wall & Beijing and had an answer for any question that was directed at him!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Pack clothes for all seasons. It was pleasantly warm during the day, but got very cold at night out in the country.  Don't change your money at the airport, as the commission is exorbitant. There are plenty of banks in Beijing which give far better rates.  Make sure you have plenty of chopstick practice before you go. It makes mealtimes a far less complicated experience! 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Before going, I thought six days of walking on the wall might get a bit repetitive, however each day was different and provided ever changing conditions and scenery. I do think that some of the walks could have been longer however, or at least offered additional sections for those that wanted to carry on.

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

For someone who's never been to China before, this was a perfect introduction. Thanks to this trip, I really want to go again.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Being able to walk the wall in your own time/pace.   Take it all in and enjoy the scenery!!!!

What did you think of your group leader?

Kevin was a fantastic tour leader, always trying to accommodate everyone as best as possible. He's easily one of the best tour leader I had with Exodus.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take a sleeping bag liner, a travel towel and spare toilet paper. Unless you're travelling in the summer, take a long base layer with you, just in case it gets cold at night. If you're into landscape photography, this is a fantastic opportunity to take some unique pictures, take a ND Grad filter with you - the light can be quite harsh (something I didn't expect). I didn't have one and now I wish I did.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I had some issues with the food, as I'm not only vegetarian but also quite picky in general. Make sure you tell your tour leader in advance so that he/she can try to accommodate you. Other than that, this is a brilliant trip, with loads to see and experience. You won't regret it.

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

An extremely enjoyable trek with fantastic views of the snaking wall and the surrounding autumnal mountainous countryside, contrasting with the crowds in Beijing.  The variety of overnight stays added to the oberall enjoyment.  Highly recommended.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Clambering up the various 'one in one' parts of the wall.  The sheer scale of the Great Wall.  The support of fellow travellers.  The shy red beaked blue magpies.  Staying with local people so that we could se how they lived. 

What did you think of your group leader?

Very friendly, making sure that everyone in the group was coping alright and knowledgeable about the route.   However he could have told us more about the areas we were travelling through and the day ahead on the long bus journeys.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take warm clothing - and a sleeping bag if you feel the cold - for the evenings if travelling in the autumn.  It gets cold after sun down and some of the overnight stays were not heated. 

Is there anything else you would like to add?

October seemed an ideal time to go as the weather was warm during the day, rather than very hot, which made walkin much easier - and may be the reason why the walks were much shorter, timewise, than suggested in the trip notes.  One also gets the benefit of the autumnal colours, and plenty of locally grown produce for meals.  The Acrobats and Kung Fu shows were far more expensive than Exodus suggested.  

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

6 different and interesting days/part days walking along the wall but not enough to do everyday.  Beijing interesting historically if a little a smoggy!  Terrocotta Army and X'ian a must do extension amazing.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The Terracota Warriors and the history behind them was amazing.  Well worth a visit.  The Great Wall is an amazing unbelievable sight aswell and walking along it for 6 days did it justice and showed how variable it is especially the non rebuilt bits which were better than the main stream tourist parts.

What did you think of your group leader?

Made the trip "without sparkle" from your previous options.  Slow to impart information and normally the group leader with Exodus is amazing and you learn loads about the country, unfortunately John gave little information out.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take wet wipes as our 1st homestay had no running water and take snacks as food a little unreliable!! Take a good camera as sites worth a picture!! If you go in October it's really cold at night in homestays, take warm clothes or layers as we were all very chilly, there was frost one night!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Could have done better with food at homestays.

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

A once in a life time trip for me, worth every penny, trip was well planned out, tour guide was brill in every way.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Every day was inspirational for me, i've always wanted to go Great Wall when i first saw it on telly as a kid, can't believe i've done it. The view is so breath taking, everyday was a different section of the wall and different scenery. The people/family running the guest house are lovely and friendly. Food is great out there, so many choices.

What did you think of your group leader?

Group leader Danny was brill, always smiling and joking around, very approachable, deserves a big raise!!!A trip well planned out and not just a group leader but was apart of our team.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Take a plastic knife with you for when you stay in guest house, spreading peanut butter on toast with a chopstick was another experience  but a great laugh.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If your thinking about doing this trip, don't think anymore, just book it, you won't regret it!!!

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

I will have some fabulous memories of the trip and the group.  It was well organised and ran smoothly from start to finish, although parts were often not quite as good as I had expected.  Overall it was a great experience, and travelling with Exodus is worthwhile and fun.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Our group leader was diligent, thoughtful and well-meaning.  It was a shame that his spoken English wasn't stronger, as on a trip such as this, in such a different culture with such a rich history, it would have been great to have someone who understood our questions fully and even better, could explain things more spontaneously.  Nevertheless, our leader worked hard to cater for everyone and was very entertaining, and we think he liked us!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

 Definitely take:  - sleeping bag liner  - walking poles Don't forget:   - a towel  - good socks, blister plasters etc.  - biscuits / emergency snacks!  - insect repellent etc.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This is a great trip if you enjoy walking, but beware that there's not as much involved each day as you may think.  Overall the trekking is not that hard-going; there are some steep or narrow parts, but these are largely towards the start of the trip and do not last for long.  There are also ways to accomodate these parts, although ultimately, not to avoid them, so do consider before you go.  I would have preferred there to have been a little more walking every day, as there's very little to do when you finish, particularly as meals are often very short affairs!  However a good group and team spirit sorts that out and you will have plenty of fun in the downtime.  The Trip Notes often implied that there would be more walking each day, with no obvious good reason given by our guide for cutting things short.  Overall though, you'll see much more and walk much more of the Wall than on other trips that are offered, and will probably feel completely drained one way or another at the end, so this is still a great activity trip.  The sightseeing at the end is also fantastic.  Brace yourselves for the mindboggling translation attempts on signs - and enjoy!

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

A good value trip incorporating nice places of interest.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Walking the Great Wall of China

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Is there anything else you would like to add?

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

A trip made glorious by the extraordinarily generous, fun-loving, and adventuresome folk it brought together.  Some of the walking was quite challenging, particularly given the heat and humidity-- but I had a brilliant time, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone interested in Chinese food and culture-- and who is not afraid of heights!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

What did you think of your group leader?

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Bring trekking poles: while the trip notes listed them as "optional," I was very glad I'd brought mine, and used them every day.  Both strict vegetarians and die-hard carnivores would do well to bring along some extra nibbles-- for, while we were served relatively little meat, the village cooks tended to be skilled at making a little go a long way (and so the same bits and bobs tended to show up in a variety of dishes).   

Is there anything else you would like to add?

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Overall the trip was brilliant - people within the group within group well I could not of picked a better group!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Climbing to a height that really challenged me and my fear - then having support from previously strangers. Really reminds you how many lovely people in the world.  The many laughs Using public toilets

What did you think of your group leader?

got better as time went on had a good sence of humour - very supportive

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

universal packing list not that helpful, get fit, think about independant flights to say long travelling times - that don't help that first day of walking. 2 walking poleson, , take every oppotunity on offer Try c  

Is there anything else you would like to add?

If your thinking about it  just go for it - outstanding beauty. Be prepared for having your photo taken by Chinese people!!

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

A fantastic trip made infinitely more enjoyable by the people in the group.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Meeting such a diverse group of people and seeing how each of us coped with our particular challenges; then witnessing the support from within the group... Couldn't have been better!

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent! Really nice guy, very knowlegable, very helpful... and somehow managed to understand our strange sense of humour.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

This was a moderate to challenging trip, you can challenge yourself and make it more difficult if you like, however, what I would suggest is that people enjoy the downtime and also to look around and enjoy the countryside. For the first day of the climb, with the heat and the terrain etc. I missed some spectacular views because I had my head down trying to get somewhere fast.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

A worthwhile experience, great companionship, strange food (we are all expert chopstick users now); to see people outside of their comfort zone, adapting to new experiences, and managing to maintain a great rapport amongst the group was an enlightening experience.

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

it was a great experience!beautiful scenery,challenging walks good food fantastic group of people and perfect guide-michael cheng was helpul, friendly and good fun!!!

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

seeing the sunrise at jinshanling part of the wall-what a profound experience and calmness

What did you think of your group leader?

the best one

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

just enjoy the experience

Is there anything else you would like to add?

thanks exodus for putting so many different people into one great group ! i loved every moment of this trip and will be going on more trips with exodus in the future!we walked a lot ,eat a lot,drank a lot,laughed a lot and sweat a lot but this will be memories well lived and enjoyed!thank you

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Fantastic walking, getting to really remote parts of the wall. Some days we didn't see another tourist.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

The Simitai section of the wall. Sadly the last part was closed for refurb, but even just viewing it was amazing. Most unexpected/amusing: having walked all morning in the heat in the middle of no-where without seeing another person we spotted an elderly Chinese man toiling up the slope ahead of us carrying a large box. When we caught up with him, he had walked up there to sell us ice-cream and beer. We all bought ice-cream, he made a fortune and deserved to!

What did you think of your group leader?

Excellent! Flexible, positive, always smiling and his lack of perfect English was not particularly an issue.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Great trip for anyone who likes walking off the beaten track. Take a towel and sleeping bag liner!!!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Don't take the trip notes too literally (which is unusual for Exodus as trip notes are usually spot on). The extras were more expensive than stated andwe felt the walks were in general less challenging, perhaps because some sections of the wall are with closed for refurb or have become unsafe. But don't let that put you off, all in all it was great!

Walking The Great Wall

My first Exodus trip into a country I didn't know and with people I didn't know. - I am already looking to book my next one. The Great Wall was amazing, with spectacular and breathtaking views. The walking was great, well planned and everyone done it at there own pace, no harassment to hurry, although there was some steep and challenging sections, I am not a seasoned walker and I managed them without too much effort. Our group of 15 got along great, fun-loving, witty, sociable with interesting lives, this group of people helped make this trip unforgettable. The hotels were all good and the food second to none, except maybe the sandwich for the one packed breakfast we had (don't believe the stories of being offered dog and scorpions).The Xian extension was really worthwhile, not only to see the terracotta warriors, but also to experience the sights and sounds of this lovely city and the food market also overnight train from Beijing to Xian.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

There were so many - The first steps on the Wall, and the realisation of its vast scale, the third or fourth day of trekking when you looked around and saw nothing but green mountains, with the Great Wall stretching away as far as the eye could see, with no one else but our small group in sight. the Great Wall stretching away as far as the eye could see. Not forgetting the first sight of the warriors.

What did you think of your group leader?

Kevin was absolutely superb, we could not have wished for a better group leader, He shared his considerable knowledge of Chinese history,culture with us with passion and good humour. Even before and after the actual trip Kevin took care of us, taking us out on our first and last night in Beijing for Food and a trip to a theatre. Exodus should be honoured to have Kevin as a Group Leader.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

There are some physically challenging sections, scrambling up or down steep and uneven slopes. I took trekking poles and was very glad of the extra support. If you are afraid of heights some sections will be uncomfortable. Our group was of mixed ages and abilities - from students to retirees, from occasional day hikers to multiple marathon runners - all managed the walk. What i wasn't prepared for was the actual walks to reach the wall some days - I stupidly thought, after reading the itinerary that we got dropped off on one end and picked up the other - not quite like that but still all great.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This was a great holiday, obviously the experience of the great wall and our excellent Group Leader Kevin. Just as important were my fellow trekkers - it was a really nice group of people. This was my first Exodus experience, so maybe I just got lucky. So I'll have to book another Exodus trip to test whether all Exodus trekkers are as sociable and good-humoured as this bunch! I also think Kevin will have set a very high standard for any future Group Leaders - Uganda her I come.

Walking the Great Wall

What a great holiday! From Walking the Wall, the food, Beijing, the amazing acrobat show, eating in the 'hutongs', seeing the Terracotta Warriors and travelling on the overnight train (on the Xian extension) - I enjoyed it all and can't enthuse enough about the entire trip. I've never been anywhere 'out of the ordinary' before this holiday or travelled with Exodus and I would totally recommend this particular holiday and the company.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

It is difficult to pick just one inspirational moment on this trip as there were many! One of the best moments though was stepping onto the Wall for the first time as it truly is as amazing as it looks in all the photographs. Other memorable moments were seeing the Terracotta Warriors, the sights in the cities of Beijing and Xian and the food - totally delicious - and mastering chopsticks!

What did you think of your group leader?

The group leader for the main trip was called Jerry - he was knowledgable, experienced, had a great sense of humour and looked after the group really well. He made a great trip into a fantastic trip. Ling looked after us during the Xian extension (well worth doing) and again, another great local guide.

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Some of the accommodation was quite basic and most of the beds were fairly firm; so travellers should go with an open mind and don't expect luxury. The bedding however was always clean and fresh and the accommodation hosts were always welcoming.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

This was my first trip with Exodus and I would happily travel with them again and would recommend them to my family and friends. The next trip is already in the planning phase!

Walking the Great Wall

Approximately five days walking up to and atop the Great Wall of China, largely in sections that are closed to the general public. The walking is sometimes challenging and the conditions, unique (e.g., hundreds of steps, often narrow or with high risers; steeply sloped stone paths, like staircases without stairs; ladder access) but the scenery at the top is awe-inspiring. In addition, there is a tour of historical sites in Beijing plus a visit to the East Qing Tombs. While the add-on to Xian focuses on the terracotta warriors, it also offers the chance to see another different city quite different from Beijing.

What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

Being on top of the wall in quite solitary places and getting a sense of the level of engineering, foresight, and work that went into its construction. It's a wonder, yes, but I hadn't expected it to be so beautiful.

What did you think of your group leader?

Kevin is a brilliant group leader: focused, fit, friendly, intelligent, knowledgeable, caring, humorous and fun. Not only is he highly skilled at his work, but he's a super multi-tasker willing to take on any job to make our visit easier. He served tables, made us tea and even sorted out the plumbing. The four of us who went onto Xian couldn't have found our way around the rail station in Beijing without Kevin's help. Plus he makes a point about being transparent about how our tip money is spent. Exodus and its clients are lucky to have him!

Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

Be aware that a certain level of fitness is required for this holiday. Several of our group were daunted by the steps, the heights, and the ladders. The ability to manage steep paths is essential. Take warm clothes if you go in October, as the nights can be cool (2 C) and the homestays are neither well heated nor insulated. Wear layers. Always carry toilet paper with you.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I highly recommend this holiday. It exceeded my expectations. We were lucky with the weather (blue skies), but its success was largely attributed to our leader, Kevin.