Minya Konka Hiking Tour - Join in a Group – 7 days

Start from Chengdu and drive for around 3-4 hours to get to Kangding. We will use the new highway between Yaan and Kangding that was built in 2018. The total drive is around 300km. 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 Yajiageng 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 Yajiageng. We recommend to spend around at least 2-3 hours by around 4000m. After the walk drive back to Kangding and check in hotel. Feel free to explore the town of Kangding at leisure. Kangding is a mixed Tibetan and Chinese town with modern things available. You can choose to walk around the river that runs through the town, or watch the dancing people by the central square or do some shopping by the shops for next days supplies. Have good rest and prepare for the next day's activity.

Total Walking 4km between 3900m and 4000m. Easy Pace.

Overnight in hotel by 2600m.

Hiking starts after a short ride of around 40 minutes from your hotel in town of Kangding by road head at around 3600 meters above the village of Laoyulin. This is where we meet our porter team and give them packs we need to put on the horse. The packs are sorted the former night. You only need to carry your own day pack. Remember in the day pack we only take with us necessary items for the hiking during day time, including packed lunch or snakcks, drinking water recommended 1L minimum, sunglasses, rainproof, warm-keeping clothes and hat, sun block and lip oil, important personal possessions etc. Note the warm-clothing and rainproof (for both yourself and your pack) may not be used while hiking but since weather changes quickly and hard to predict in the mountains, it's wise to bring these items with you all the time each day. The walking starts by gradual ascent by the riverside with pine forest and mountains around you. You'll pass by a red rock slide where you'll experience a small section of steep part before you get more open views of the valley and mountains around you. Today's walking is rather medium. Arrive at camp site by Liangcha at 3850 meters in the afternoon. Total walk around 10km.

Total Walking 10km between 3600m and 3850m. Easy Pace.

Overnight camping by 3850m.

As altitutde gains the walking gets more challenging. Today we start easy with more gradual terrain by the riverside and followed by a section of going up after crossing the river bridge. Views get better as we walk higher. 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. Before arrive campsite, there is also a small section of going up. Please take your time and walk slow since today's walking is relatively easy with shorter distance. Campsite is Riuqi at 4250 meters, a flat pasture by end of valley. This is a windy campsite and the highest of all. There are no trees around but rather flat steppe with big mountains above. Feel free to walk around the camp if arrived early. Today is one of the most beautiful days on the trek, do not miss it!

Total Walking 7km between 3850m and 4250m. Easy Pace.

Overnight camping by 4250m.

After breakfast we go up to explore the Reddomain Mountain glacier lake. Follow the stream and walk to the lake of Reddomain. The lake is a glacier lake by the foot 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 have a short break by the lake to have some snacks, drink water and take photos. Afterwards we can choose to go beyond the lake to the glacier. It takes another 1 hour to get to the glacier. Note the walking after the lake is on rocky terrain before the glacier for around 2km. When we approach the glacier it has an absolute alpine feeling of the environment: no trees nor grass but just rocks, lake and mountains and glaciers. Once we get to the glacier we will have a short break before we started to go back. Normally we don't go up the glacier but if you have prepared ice-crampons you can try go up the glacier a bit. We will use the same trail back to our camp. Arrive back to camp and drink hot water and wait for dinner. Chance to see milky way if the sky is clear by night!

Total Walking 10km between 3850m and 4250m. Medium Pace.

Overnight camping by 4250m.

Today is the hardest day of the trek but also one of the most beautiful days of this trek. After breakfast we follow the stream and walk up 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 4850m, 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 3pm. After the pass we drop down to around 4200m to today's camp at the base of west of Mt. Reddomian. After arrival drink some hot water while unpack yourself. By the camp we can see some smaller glacier of Mt. Reddomian. Today's campsite is also open and with great views.

Total Walking 12km between 4250m and 4850m. Challenging Pace.

Overnight camping by 4200m.

In the morning we will pack and leave our camp and then walk to the trail head and use a local transfer for around 30 minutes before we do a hiking to one of the lakes west to Minya Konka range to gain panoramic views of the range before leave here. After we arrive the base of the lake start to walk to Langgatso, a lake that is 3.5km away from the car park. 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. After a short stay by the lake walk back to the base before 2pm and drive for another 3-4 hours to tonights’ overnight place in Xinduqiao to check in hotel.

Total Walking 6km between 4000m and 4500m. Medium 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 3-4pm, Gongga Trekking tour ends.