Saturday 9 th October - Depart from home

I will be flying out from London Heathrow.

Sunday 10 th October - Arrive Beijing

The wider international group of Challengers will meet me at our hotel for a briefing. During the afternoon we visit the Tiananmen district in central Beijing and a nearby shopping district. Return to the hotel for a welcome dinner at a nearby restaurant. Accommodation is twin-share.

Monday 11 th October - Drive to Houchan and commence the trek.

Breakfast is Chinese-style smorgasbord, following which we will travel by bus to the border of Hebei Province at the entrance to the Mt Si Ma Tai section of the Great Wall. Here, close to the Great Wall, we set up camp at the village of Houchuan and in mid afternoon climb towards Mt Si Ma Tai for views of the wall and hinterland. Descend to Houchuan in the late afternoon. Camping is in two-person tents; dining in a mess-tent. Exclusive rights to use of Beijing county and Hebei Province villages (other foreign groups excluded). Distance: 5kms of steep walking.

Tuesday 12 th October - Trekking in Hebei Province

From Houchuan ascend to the Great Wall, cross it and enter Hebei Province. On local trails skirt the valley flank of Mt Si Ma Tai and then climb a ridge to its eastern summit and the Great Wall. Explore the upper reaches of the mountain and descend in the late afternoon to Houchuan Camp.

Wednesday 13 th October - Trekking to remote villages of Erlaingzi

Breaking camp at Houchuan we climb onto the Great Wall and begin a day's walk towards Jin Shan Ling, a restored section some five hours from Mt Si Ma Tai. This section of the Wall was built in the 15th Century. There is adequate time on the walk, as elsewhere, to explore and photograph this section of the original Wall (tourists from Beijing experience only a short, reconstructed section). You will note the Wall's intriguing design features that gave the defenders a military advantage against the Mongolians.

Crossing a pass at Jin Shan Ling after lunch we ascend for a short distance and then pass through a cavalry doorway to enter Hebei Province, descending on a village trail to the small community of Erlaingzi nestled in forest. Here we camp in this delightful setting nearby our host's home. There is time in the late afternoon to stroll in the valley and visit some of the homes of members of this typical north China community. Depending on the season you will see hand winnowing of crops, threshing by animal-drawn stone rollers and the grinding of grain on ancient old grindstones. The valley is cropped with corn and various other grains and whatever the season there is a busy atmosphere. Above the valley of our host village arches the Great Wall on its path to the ancient pass of Gu Bei Kou. Distance: about 10kms of hilly, slow walking.