Minya Konka Self-supported & Guided Trek – 7 days

Start from Chengdu and drive for around 6-7 hours to get to Xinduqiao. We will use public bus from Chengdu via the new highway between Yaan and Kangding that was built in 2018. The total drive is around 360km. We will arrive Xinduqiao in the afternoon and check in to hotel. Afterwards we will walk around the town by around 3500m to acclimate ourselves for around 2-3 hours. We will then do some final shopping of food by Xinduqiao (or do it in Chengdu the former day). This is your first day into the highland and precautions of mountain sickness need to be noted by you.

This is a self-supporting trekking tour. Some days involve long hours of trekking and carrying your own pack. Please read through the trekking plan before you sign up for this tour. This trek requires you to be able to carry your own gears & food while trekking. If you don't have experience of high altitude travel, sleeping in a tent, setting up & taking down a tent, taking care of yourself in a multy day trek then this trek is not recommended to you. Please make preparation in accordance including taking high altitude medicines, power bank for your phone and ask for a full packing list of such trek. Please remember to have a pack of minimum 80L.

Driving 6-7h. Easy Pace.

Overnight in hotel by 3400m.

Today we will continue driving for around 4 hours to our hiking starting point and sleep in the lodge by the village of Yulongshi. In the morning we will drive for around 4 hours to go further into the mountains of Minya Konka by its west. We will spend the whole afternoon hiking up Lenggacuo (Langgatso Lake) to gain panoramic views of the whole range of Minya Konka Mountains including the main peak of Minya Konka, Langemain, Daddomain Peak, Roddmain peak, etc. Langgtso is one of the best places to see the whole range of Minya Konka Mountains and you will walk from the base at 4000m to 4500m by the lake and walk around the lake for some time before walk down back the same way. Please note the elevation is very high and you'll need to walk slow and take your time and keep your own comfortable pace with the sufficient time given for the whole afternoon. You don't need to rush through the hiking as it is still acclimating hiking for the afternoon. Langgatso is one of the lakes here that is perfect for photo lovers. As we ascend we will see mountains of the west range of Minya Konka. Horse-riding is availale by Langgatso. You can consider to hire a horse to take you up to the lake if you don't feel like walking. Today you will also see other hikers doing this hiking because it is considered a popular adventure hike but still not many people comparing to other tourist parks. Starting of Langgatso Lake hike is at 4000m while end of the hiking by the lake is at 4500m. It is still a big ascent to cover in half day even though the distance is not so far.

Total Walking 8km between 4000m and 4500m. Medium Pace.

Overnight lodging by 4000m.

Today is a hard day. We will start by a short ride for around 10 minutes to the hiking start point from our lodge. From the hiking start we will walk on steep ascent all the way to 4500m by Yulongshi Pass. The walking up is long and hard we shall take multiple stops while ascending. It is better that we start early today by around 7am in order to have sufficient time if we don't make good time hiking over the pass. After we arrive the pass we shall have splendid views of mountains of Minya Konka at even closer range when the sky is clear. After a break by the pass we shall descend gradually down to our camp for the rest of our day. We shall have the views of the mountains and glaciers all the way to our camp tonight. If weather is good there is no need to hurry down to the camp but rather slow down and enjoy the good views of the glaciers and valley. After arrive at campsite, set up tent and prepare for dinner. You will be assisted on how to use the stove, pot and how to set up tents, etc by your guide.

Total Walking 16km between 4000m and 4500m and down to 4000m. Challenging Pace.

Overnight camping by 4000m.

Today is an easy day walking up the valley from Moxi Camp to Reddomain Camp (or Moxi Valley End Camp). We will wake up by watching the morning glows of sun on the glaciers of mountains of Minya Konka Mountains. We don't have to rush today since it is an easy day. After breakfast we will walk high along the river and with views of glaciers and mountains on our east side alll day. We have plenty of chance to take photos, to make stops before and after we arrive campsite today. This is a buffering day between 2 hard days of wlaking over high mountain passes.

Total Walking 10km between 4000m and 4400m. Easy Pace.

Overnight camping by 4400m.

Today is the hardest day of the trek but also one of the most beautiful days of this trek. We will start our day with steep ascent and walk towards the pass of Riuqi by 4900m switch back to Riwuqi Pass to gain overview of the valley with mountains of Jiazi, Grosvenor, Little Konka and Reddomain, Daddomain and many more mountains by the south of the pass. Note the walking up is strenuous so please take your time yet try not to waste too much time even though the views are really amazing. The pass is called Riuqi Pass at the elevation of 4950m, which is also the highest point on this trek. After a short stay by the pass we walk down from the pass no late than 1pm. As we descend we will see mountains and glaciers including the Reddomain Mountain glacier lake. We shall see the lake is a glacier lake by the foor of the 6112-m Mt. Reddomain (or Mt. Roddmain). It is surounded by mountains and at an elevation of 4400m. We can see the end of the glacier is not far away on top of the lake. Side of the lake is used as base camp by climbers to Mt. Reddomain. We will camp by around 4500m by an open grassland with views of the mountains and lake.

Total Walking 12km between 4400m and 4900m then down to 4500m. Challenging Pace.

Overnight camping by 4500m.

Today is a long walking day with excellent views of Riuqi Valley. Today we start easy with more gradual decent by the riverside and followed by a section of going down after crossing the river bridge. We'll see snow mountain include Little Konka, Jiazi Feng, Mt .Reddomain and Mt. Grosvenor if the day is clear. Today we are walking by the north part of Minya Konka Range where can only be accessed by foot. Views of the Riuqi Valley are amazing with the less-known big mountains visible from the hiking trail. Today we may start to see other hikers since this valley has become popular in recent years.

Total Walking 18km between 4500m and 3600m. Challenging Pace.

Overnight hotel by 2700m.

Today is a full day use public bus back to Chengdu. The drive will take about 4-5 hours. You may choose to walk and explore the town of Kangding for a couple of hours in the morning before use bus back to Chengdu. You will arrive in Chengdu in the afternoon normally by around 2-4pm, Gongga Self-supported Trekking tour ends.