China strenuous walking holiday

Environment

Whereas the major cities of China are now well developed for the tourism market, rural China is far removed from them and remains relatively unexplored by people travelling from outside the country. These rural areas have vastly contrasting environments, from deserts to glaciers, high mountains to long flowing rivers, and pretty much any other ecosystem you can think of.
Our local Chinese guides have expert knowledge in their country and environment as we use only regional guides supplied by small, developing private Travel businesses – something relatively new to Chinese industry. These small business, who do not participate in the countrywide mass tourism market within China, are able to offer a higher level of service through their own contact with local suppliers of accommodation, restaurants, boat and transfer companies. These guides explain the landscapes and vastly interesting and diverse Chinese culture offering our clients a far greater insight into the local environment and peoples. We only sell holidays in China on a guided basis for client assurance and necessity in coping with language difficulties, considerable cultural differences as well as supporting the local economy.
Having been to China, experiencing our trips first hand and talking to the guides which we use we are able to give advice to our clients about protecting the environment which they shall be entering. This includes following their guides instructions for staying on the paths so as to minimize their effect on the environment which they pass through, and ensuring that any litter that they create is carried with them until they find a bin to place it in.
Where it is possible we recommend using trains to move around the country as opposed to flying. The use of trains dramatically reduces the carbon footprint of transportation. It also adds a new and different experience to the journey which cannot be experienced though air travel and it gives a chance to see more of this fascinating country.

Community

We work in conjunction with small independent businesses within China which help us to operate our tours across the country. This enables travellers to benefit immensely from their superb local knowledge as they are specialists in their area and this in turn enables greater contact with the local peoples during the trip. It also gives travellers greater flexibility in creating a tailor made trip relating to all aspects of their visit and is something which is not possible for travellers taking group holidays. Our focus is on ‘walking in China’ and we have selected the very best regions from East to West across this vast country where new experiences may be reaped from the little known but fantastically majestic hiking areas such as little know Szechuan.
Where possible our clients stay in small Chinese family run homestays and eat in local family run restaurants away from the standard tourist trail. This enables us to support the local communities where our treks pass though as well as giving the travellers an authentic experience of rural China.
Whilst staying in the major cities we encourage clients to take a city tour and a cultural dinner, which both enhance any stay in the city and at the same time making further use of reputable local services.