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 53 reviews.

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!!!)
Read full review
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.
Read full review
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.
Read full review
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.
Read full review
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
Julie Lawrence

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written October 2012
The itinery worked well never a dull moment. Everything went smoothly. Fantastic guide.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
We first entered the wall at Mutian Yu by walking up through the fields and trees from a small village. This was a great way to experience anticipation and then the wow factor.
Leaving the restored wall and continuing onto the crumbling parts being taken over by nature and having long sections to ourselves, breath taking beauty of the scenery.
Beyond Gubeiku toward Jinshinling a thundery sky bringing the mist to settle in the valleys and the wall peeking above with layer upon layer of purple peaks-magical!
What did you think of your group leader?
A great big thankyou once more to Kevin Wang (Wang Shengrong) our local guide who was fun to be with and funny, patient and caring, informative and did his utmost to make everyones holiday special. Well done Kevin you succeeded in making my holiday memorable! The itinery worked well never a dull moment.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you are expecting some time to yourself theres not a lot.
"Shopping" opportunities are rushed also
If you like English style tea (ie. Tetley/Builders type) bring Teabags and powdered milk. However, Jasmine tea does grow on you!
If you fear using the chop stick bring a spork but its mighty good fun getting to grips with them.
The Chinese massage is almost torture, the Kungfu show a mixture of martial art demonstration, acrobatics and ballet dance to a story and music- fabulous and the opera exactly as I knew it would be an experience! Other members of our group that went to the Acrobatic show were well impressed. I would have gone to them all if I could have. You should try at least one.

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Personally I would have liked a more leisurely visit to the Eastern Qing Tombs and Forbidden City which are so vast and require more time to take it all in and to look properly.
stuart johnson

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written October 2012
The treck leader Kevin was superb very thoughtful and helpful credit to his trade,fantastic treck my 6th one and the best.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Their was more than one thing the whole experience was tremendous.
What did you think of your group leader?
Kevin was superb and went far above his job very helpful and first class highly recomended
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Get it booked now.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Could write for days absoluteley first class and superb
Barry Holmes

WALKING THE GREAT WALL

Written October 2012
China's Great Wall looked just like it does in the books, but what the books don't capture is the sight of the wall stretching as far as the eye can see in either direction, i.e. its massive scale. Imagining life as it might have been in the days when the wall was manned by soldiers and with the trees cleared away on the Mongolian side was a real step back into history.
Read full review
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The sheer scale of the Great Wall, stretching mile after mile through glorious scenery and bathed in sunshine was a sight to behold. Seeing the Terracotta Warriors and cycling round the 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) of the immense city walls of Xi An were also truly memorable experiences.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader was extremely likeable, enthusiastic, knowledgable and catered efficiently for the diverse requirements of a group of 16 people. He could not do enough for us and was even available on the phone to assist on our free day in Beijing.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Never say you'd like to do this trip (or any other) one day, as all too often that one day never comes. This is a great trip, if it appeals to you then do it soon.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The Chinese people were very friendly and welcoming. The only downside to the whole trip was the light industrial smog that blankets the big cities; out on the Great Wall, however, the skies look crystal clear. Go see them!