Walking The Great Wall of China

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 56 reviews.

Naydine Hamner

Great Country, Great Guide, Great Wall

Written June 2013
The trip was excellent and far exceeded my expectations. The walking is good. There are a lot of steps and some uneven sections but the distances and days aren't particuarly long. Most days we had a late lunch on arrival to our accomodation. There's plenty of opportunities for seeing the culture and taking part in other activities e.g a chinese massage, an acrobatics show, tea taasting, visiting temples etc.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
When the weather cleared up after a couple of days of rain and we got the first views of the wall snaking off into the distance.

What did you think of your group leader?
Kevin was the best guide i've ever had. He is always striving to keep his guests happy. He observes which foods are popular at meal times and ensures he orders things that people will like. On the final day when it is a free afternoon in Beijing, he provided a guided option and took us to see the Llama temple and to a teahouse. He is very interesting and enjoys telling guests about his country. He provides lots of information so you always know what is happening.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Do not be surprised if you get a couple of rainy days (I travelled in early June).
Be prepared for Karaoke!
Be prepared for a couple of the guesthouses to be quite basic.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Book this trip, you won't be disapointed!
Stephanie Smart

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written May 2013
Better than I ever expected. Views outstanding. Staying in the local accomodation near 'The Wall' added to the magic of the holiday
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
We climbed onto the wall from a difficult assent, and it was a bit of an effort to reach it. Once on the wall seeing it stretching out away from you in both directions will be a memory I'll always treasure. Having spent 6 months planning the holiday, and suddenly to be standing on the wall was an amazing feeling.
What did you think of your group leader?
Superb. He was a really friendly person, very knowledgeable about Chinese history, and was able to share that information to us without any problem. He also had an understanding of how the ‘westerner’ felt and what they wanted. His leading skills were excellent and was able to lead us safety without any problem. He even managed to persuade the airline to deliver my lost luggage to a remote ‘homestay’, which without him I think I would have been without my luggage for most of the holiday.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Yes. Make sure you are fit enough to enjoy the walking, as it was challening.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I added the Xian extension to the trip, and we took the overnight train. This was well worth doing, and I thoroughly enjoyed that part of the holiday as well. We rode around the city walls on cycles, which we all enjoyed. I purchased some Jade from the government shop at the Terracotta Army. I’m still wondering what I purchased in terms of value! It is lovely and something special to remember the holiday.
Gunn Skinderviken

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written May 2013
A very nice trekk on the wall. Mostly on parts not very busy with tourists and a selection of parts showing different styles and condition.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The great wall around Jingshanling is beautiful. You can se it stretching around you and far in the distance some watchtowers points out.
What did you think of your group leader?
We had a very good group leader. He spoke english very well, had a lot of knowledge and work hard to give the group the best possible experience.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Go :-)
Is there anything else you would like to add?
For improvement. Staying in Miyun was not very inspiering.
Alexandra Marini

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written March 2013
It's really easy to summarise my trip trekking the Great Wall of China - EXCELLENT! And not just because we were on top of the Great Wall of China absorbing the stunning views that you absolutely can not comprehend until you are actually there, but because of the fabulous tour guide Kevin!I would glady share my holiday with him again - a legend in our group (Flying monkey as we called him!!!)
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Sitting on top of the world, oh, I mean wall, eating a fresh juicy Chinese pear (British pears just do not compare!), looking out from one of the delapidated yet stunning watchtowers, gazing out over the Great Wall of China that literally strecthes out as far as the eye can see, with blue skies all around, sunshine beating down on you and feeling utter contentment! The wall itself, when you get as far to the top as you can is all the inspiration you need!! :-)
What did you think of your group leader?
Kevin should be, hands down, made the winner of tour leader award! Informative, funny and so so SO helpful - He is part of the holiday and the trip would not have been the same without him! I would happily have him come on every one of my trips that I plan on booking now after having made my trip to China such an experience that my head is still there.....
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Expect some incredibly steep bits (the 38 steps in particular) but never be worried because not only does the group pull together but you have the continuous support of the tour guide AND local farmers too. Plus, when you get to the top - just remember to look back!
100% take suncream! Even if the day starts of looking murky, when the sun comes at, what feels like the top of the world, you will feel it!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you! This trip lived up to everything I had hoped for. China and the Great Wall was my ultimate dream and after 30 (odd) years, I managed to get there and could not have imagined doing it with any other company, group or guide! AWESOME - Now, what to book next.....
Elaine Crowshaw

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written October 2012
A truly amazing experience. I enjoyed the trekking so much that I would have liked to have done more. It was challenging at times, but I gained a real sense of achievement every day. The group was fantastic and we all got on well. The scenery was fabulous, with stunning views.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I will never forget stepping onto the Great Wall for the very first time. Every day had a different challenge; the second day had a challenging 38-step amazingly steep, almost vertical climb - getting to the top of the climb was an unforgettable experience. It was surprising, when looking back at the end of a walk, to see how much ground we had covered, and seeing the Wall snaking away into the distance.
What did you think of your group leader?
Kevin, our leader, was absolutely brilliant. He was always attentive and made sure we were all OK. Nothing was too much trouble for him. He was very knowledgeable, polite, gave loads of advice, was great fun and had a really good sense of humour. A genuinely lovely person and a great leader.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As stated in other reviews, take toilet paper and wipes, as public toilets and a couple of the homestays did not have any. Take a towel, as these are not provided at the homestays. A walking pole is a real benefit - I had never used one before this trip and I was glad I had it. It helped with both the ascents and descents and stopped me having a nasty fall a couple of times. If you decide to do the extension to Xian, make sure you don't go when there is a Chinese National Holiday - the crowds are overwhelming! Practice using chopsticks before you go - it will make eating a lot easier (or take a fork!). You need to have a reasonable level of fitness to do this walk.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
What can I say? A truly amazing holiday. Challenging, but very enjoyable. The memories will stay with me forever. I would recommend Exodus to anyone wanting to do a trip like this.
Vivian Dore

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written October 2012
The trip exceeded my expectations but I would have liked to spend more time walking the Great Wall.This was my first trip with Exodus and on the basis of this experience I would be happy to travel with Exodus again and also to recommend it to my friends.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Enjoying the views from places on the wall in some of the more remote areas and imagining what it must have been like 1000 years ago.
What did you think of your group leader?
Kevin did an excellent job as a leader, organiser, guide, historian, and conversationalist, and he was very good company during the entire trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be physically prepared for the trip. It is described as Challenging - Moderate. Understand exactly what Exodus means by 'Challenging', and what that requires of you. Be prepared for lots of steps, some steep up and down hill sections, and I suggest that you may find a pair of trekking poles very useful.
Secure your camera! I lost mine, and all of my pictures before I returned home. The camera can be replaced - but not the pictures. (Fortunately others in the group have made their pictures available to me).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I first visited the Wall in 1986 - in winter, and got to see only a small section at Badaling. I decided then that one day I would do a walk on the Great Wall and am now very pleased that I have. If anyone is thinking about doing it then my advice is to do it. The Wall is a part of history and you will enjoy simply just being there - and the views are quite spectacular.
JANET BROOMHALL

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written October 2012
EXCELLENT TRIP WELL ORGANISED. THE LOCAL GUIDE WAS VERY TOP CLASS.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
SEEING THE GREAT WALL AND NOT JUST THE TOURIST PARTS TO SEE IT IN ITS RUINED STATE WAS FANTASTIC A REALLY GOOD WAY TO SEE THE WALL.
What did you think of your group leader?
TOP CLASS COULD NOT OF BEEN BETTER
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
IF YOU ARE A VEGETARIAN AS I AM. IT IS BEST TO TAKE FOOD SUPPLEMENTS WITH YOU, I ATE RICE AND VEGETABLES FOR THE WHOLE TIME. SO RAN OUT OF ENERGY UNTIL I COULD FIND SOME NUTS TO BUY.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
GREAT TRIP. FANTASTIC SCENERY, WELL ORGANISED, THE LOCAL PEOPLE WERE REALLY FREINDLY EVEN THOUGHT THEY COUOLD NOT SPEAK ENGLISH. THE GUIDE KEVIN WAS REALLLY GOOD COULD NOT RATE HIM HIGH ENOUGH. THE WALL IS SOMETHING ELSE!!! AND NOT TO CHALLENGING