Mount Gonggashan In-depth Hiking – 9 Days

Start from Chengdu and drive for around 6-7 hours to get to Xinduqiao. We will use the new highway between Yaan and Kangding that was built in 2018. The total drive is around 360km. We will make stop along the way for toilet break and lunch stop. In the afternoon after arrival we will drive up to the road pass by Yala and have acclimating walk up to the lake and try walk to over 4000 meters for better acclimating. This is oreintation walk so try not to stress yourself but rather slow down and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views while walking. You will gain amazing views of mountains and gorges while hiking by the lake near Yala Mountain Road Pass. We recommend to spend around at least 2-3 hours by around 4000m. After the walk drive to Xinduqiao and check in hotel. Feel free to explore the town of Xinduqiao at leisure. This is a small place with limited shops you may do some shopping by the shops for next days supplies. Have good rest and prepare for the next day's activity.

This is a trekking tour. Some days involve long hours of trekking and sleeping in tent. Please read through the trekking plan before you sign up for this tour. This trek requires you to be able to walk long hours for multiple days at high altitude. If you don't have experience of high altitude travel, sleeping in 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.

Driving 6-7h. Easy Pace.

Overnight in hotel by 3400m.

Today we will go closer to Minya Konka by driving towards the mountains more. We will drive around total 4 hours over Zimei Pass and then drop down to Zimei Village and start from the village and walk through primitive rhododendron forest on trail of gradual ascents. The first part of the trail is challenging as it is steep. Trail becomes wider where there is decorated prayer flags. These Tibetan Buddhists prayer flags waft the trail leading us to Gongga Gompa, the hidden monastery of Minya Konka. Read the bilingual "Notice" before head towards the Gompa at the open-air doorway. This Kargyupa monastery has long been a basecamp for Minya Konka expedition teams. Gonga Gompa offers excellent views of Mt. Minya Konka, the eastern-most 7000er, the highest mountain in Hengduan Mountains and the highest of Sichuan Province at 7556 meters. Visit the Gompa temple after arrival if available. If time allows go up behind the gompa to see a grand view of the mountains. Today's walking is not very long by distance. You will have chance to sit by the temple to watch the mountain of Minya Konka especially during sunset when it will turn into golden color.

Total walking 7km+ between 3300m and 3700m+, medium pace.

Overnight shared bunk by 3700m

Today is a full day trek to base camp of Minya Konka to gain closer views of Minya Konka and its surrounding mountains and glaciers. Start after breakfast by Gongga Monastery and walk down to the bottom of the valley and start to walk up following the glacier stream. Today's walking is the hardest of all days. The trail is fine but rather rocky. During certain seasons the trail may not be so recognizable since not many come up so far. There are climbers going to Mt. Nama to climb this 5588-m mountain will also use the trail. The first half of the trekking up is steep and on rocky trail. After arriving to the older BC of Nama at 4000m, it starts to become less steep and views get more open. Today's hiking is flexible since it is one way in and the same way out. By 4000m on to the new BC of Nama at 4200 the views are amazing. We will see the snow-capped mountains including Minya Konka itself and the glaciers. After 7km we arrive the Nama BC and have a short break before starting to go back. You are recommended to use walking poles to protect your knees since the walking back is 7km and some sections steep. Today we also have chance to see wild animals including ibes, and we are really lucky we can even see red pandas. After arrive back to the monastery, rest and have dinner.

Total walking 14km between 3600m and 4200m, Challenging pace.

Overnight shared bunk by 3700m

In the morning leave the monastery and retrace the track we walked two days ago. Trek ends in Tsemed Village after around 3 hours. From Tsemed we use a local car to transfer to Shangmuju en route catch a panoramic views of Minya Konka at Tsemed Pass. The drive takes around 1.5 hours total. The drive is on basic country road. Driver needs to drive carefully and use chains in icy seasons. After arrive in Shangmuju we switch car to drive for another 40 minutes to the base of Langgatso Lake. 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 7+7km between 3700m and 4500m, Medium pace.

Overnight lodge 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 are free to walk around the camp and have fun before dinner.

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 walking 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 also a hard 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 Reddomain by 4950m and have another chance of good views of the valley with mountains of Jiazi, Grosvenor, Little Konka and Reddomain, Daddomain. We will walk over the pass by 4950m and then descend down to the Yulongxi Valley again to avoid the usually crowded Riuqi Valley. Please note this new route of planning is mainly to avoid the possible crowds in Riuqi Valley to have a quieter and better trekking experience while not compromising the views and the trek itself. You may request to walk out to Kangding using the usually busier Riuqi Valley as the same planning of a classic "through trek" of Minya Konka from us instead of using Reddomain Pass as suggested above.

Please note in certain seasons the planning may chance due to the heavy snow on the pass that we may need to adjust and change the planning for safety reasons. Please be aware you may not follow exactly the same planning as suggested here.

Total Walking 12km between 4500m and 4950m then down to 4300m. Challenging Pace.

Overnight hotel by 3400m.

Today is a full day drive back to Chengdu. The drive will take about 6-7 hours. On half way we will stop for lunch. It is a full day driving and you will arrive at your hotel in Chengdu in the afternoon normally by around 4-5pm, tour ends.