Walking Holidays in China - China - Szechuan - High & Green


Holiday Highlights
  • Home to many fascinating ethnic minorities including the Tibetan people
  • Majestic surroundings laden with monasteries festooned with colourful prayer flags. Experience the ‘Wild West’ of China unusually featuring horses and cowboys’ hats!

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New Experience is now part of the multi award-winning Exodus Travels and Headwater.  As such, our guided trips are now being offered by our sister company Exodus who have 45 years experience of taking people on extraordinary adventure holidays. Please click here to visit Exodus Travels for your next guided holiday in China.

We are proud to say that like us, 97% of Exodus’ customers would recommend them to a friend: you can read feedback in their Trip Review Centre > click here. And it’s part of their mission to do things as responsibly as possible, without damaging the environment or disrupting local communities. In fact, they work with local guides, restaurants and guest houses to positively impact their communities and to help you get closer to the heart and soul of the destinations that you’ll travel to.

So, if you’re looking for adventure holidays, or are in need of some travel inspiration for your next guided activity holidays, you’re in the best possible hands with Exodus - Where Adventure Holidays Begin.

From epic mountains and desert moonscapes to the modern chic of Shanghai, and ancient civilisations to the People’s Republic, China tours are vast and varied, just like the landscape.

On a holiday here, you need to take your time to take it all in. Overland China tours give the maximum opportunity to make your trip a real once-in-a-lifetime experience and we are delighted to share these with you. 

Discover the guided trips to China offered by Exodus.

New Experience is now part of the multi award-winning Exodus Travels and Headwater.  As such, our guided trips are now being offered by our sister company Exodus who have 45 years experience of taking people on extraordinary adventure holidays. Please click here to visit Exodus Travels for your next guided holiday in China.


The Walking 

You will be walking through grassy plains set between high mountain peaks as well as out on the open steppe of the high plateau. The whole region is festooned with stunning monasteries and prayer flags waving in the breeze.  From the monasteries, the sound of Tibetan monks at prayer softly fills the air and occasionally they will permit visitors to enter sacred areas during prayer or lesson time – a great privilege and an exceptionally rare and precious experience.

There are no marked paths and a guide is essential. Although the walks are not long with little ascent and descent, you will be walking between 3200m to a height of 4100m, so altitude is a consideration during this trek. For this reason we include a rest day after your arrival in the mountains for altitude acclimatisation.


Day 1 Arrive in Chengdu - if you have time we will arrange a visit to the Panda Sanctuary (optional extra) Overnight Chengdu. B

Day 2 Set off from Chengdu across the plains before journeying into the mountains. A stop may be made in Leshan to view the Maitreya Budha, a 71m high stone carving and largest in the world.   After following the Dadu river as it flows through deep gorges, arrive at Moxi (1530m) and your hotel. Moxi is a small town noted for its Catholic church built by missionaries 100 years ago. Drive time 4 hours. BLD

Day 3 Visit the Hailuogou glacier, one of the largest and lowest in the world before driving via the amazing Redstone National Park where red lichen covers the river stone. Continue to Kangding (2800m) crossing a pass at 3900m. Overnight Kangding. Drive time 2 hours, (excluding Glacier excursion). BLD

Day 4 Acclimatize with a relaxing day and just an afternoon walk to explore the local hillsides, working Monasteries and Tibetan Heritage Museum within this Tibetan ethnic area. Overnight Kangding. BLD

Day 5 Drive via a mountain pass at 4400m over to the high Tagong grasslands. You will walk the last part into Tagong experiencing this amazing landscape; your bag will be carried onto the hotel. Drive 3 hours. BLD

Day 6 Leaving the absolute tranquillity of this remote mountain valley continue walking for a short distance across the Taizhan Valley to meet your transport which will take you to the fascinating village of Tagong (3700m) which will seem initially like a metropolis until you adapt. Overnight Tagong. Ascent nil Descent 350m 4 ½ miles 2 ½ hours   Road transfer 3 hours.  BLD

Day 7 Local walks around Tagong lead accross the seemingly unending grassland dotted with Yaks, horses and local Tibetans. Snow capped high mountains add a beautiful back drop to the meadows far below. You will visit working monasteries and experience their way of life through talking to the monks with your guide as interpreter. Wander through Tagong complete with its ‘cowboys’ on horseback riding down the main street and visit a special Buddhist temple. Overnight Tagong. Ascent 250m Descent 250m 12 miles 7 hours. BLD

Day 8 You first visit a Buddhist temple before departing today and returning to Chengdu, either flying from the world’s second highest airport of Kangding – transfer time to airport 1 hour 30 minutes then 45 minute flight time, or return by car taking approximately 7 hours. B


Walk Grading 
Easy to Moderate - due to altitude. 

Price in GBP£ Price in USD$

New Experience is now part of the multi award-winning Exodus Travels and Headwater.  As such, our guided trips are now being offered by our sister company Exodus who have 45 years experience of taking people on extraordinary adventure holidays. Please click here to visit Exodus Travels for your next guided holiday in China.

Szechuan Guided Trek

Included

Not Included

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Accommodation and meals as indicated in the itinerary

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Drinks with meals

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Transfers between the airport or railway station and the first/last hotels

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Lunch & dinner in Chengdu

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Local air or train fares as indicated in the itinerary

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China Visa (approx. £151)

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Personal English guide and driver

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Travel Insurance (required)

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Route notes & walking map

All prices are valid for 2022

Prices are per person in GBP / UK £and are based on sharing a twin/double standard room.

Dates

Type

Nights

2 Travellers

4 Travellers

Single Room Supplement

Approximate Air Seat

All Year*

Standard grade hotels

6

1293

1055

120

550

All Year*

Higher grade hotels

5

1373

1055

190

550

# Typical economy seat price from London to Chengdu if booked more than 3 months in advance. Will be higher in Chinese and major UK holiday periods. Add £240 per person for flight from Chengdu to Kangding for Szechuan.

Flight and train costs between holidays will be quoted to your needs. i.e. Beijing to Xi’an and Xi’an to Guilin.

*Supplements will apply for nights during main Chinese holidays:-

Spring Festival

3 Jan – 4 Feb

Qingming Festival

4-6 April

Labour Day

1-3 May

Dragon Boat

29 May – 3 Jun

Moon Festival

3-5 Oct

National Day

1-7 October

On other smaller holidays, supplements may apply

UI08

Price in GBP£ Price in USD$

This map is for illustration purposes only and we cannot be held responsible for its accuracy.

Chengdu - Buddha Zen - 4 Star

In Chengdu  - A traditional and classy courtyard-style hotel located within the narrow streets of the ‘old town’, the Buddha Zen offers rooms with modern Chinese décor with classic wood furnishings, flat screen TV, tea/coffee making amenities, safe and private bathrooms. The hotel also features a Chinese restaurant, Tea House and Spa where guests can relax. English is spoken.

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Chengdu - Wenjun Hotel - 3 Star

In Chengdu - A courtyard hotel, the Wenjun is a modern Chinese style hotel located in a pleasant shopping street.  Rooms are air-conditioned  with WIFI, tea/coffee-making facilities and a satellite TV. Slippers and free toiletries are provided. Each room has a seating area outside and the courtyard has a bar and tables for outside dining. English is well spoken.

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Chengdu - Dorsset Grand Hotel - 5 Star

In Chengdu - This is a modern 5 star hotel 4km from the centre of Chengdu and has everything which you would expect from a hotel of this standard. 

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Availability Information

Chengdu can be visited all year around however best avoided is July and August as they are the wettest and hottest months. December to February are the coldest with temperatures averaging around 5C but rarely above 10C or below 0C.

Tibetan area, due to the high altitude the winters are cold November to March with temperatures rarely into double figures in C, but it is the driest so good clear days are to be expected. July and August are the hottest above 20C and along with June and September are the wettest. 

Please note our best to go information is generally referring to the walking which may fall in the early or late season in some places. This may mean that not all tourist facilities will be open at the time you visit. 


When to book your walking holiday in China - China - Szechuan - High & Green

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