Mount Gonggashan In-depth Hiking – 9 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. Medium 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.

Today is the hardest day of the trek but also one of the most beautiful days of this trek. 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 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 have a short break by the lake to have some snacks, drink water and take photos. Afterwards we 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 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 14km between 4250m and 4850m. Challenging Pace.

Overnight camping by 4200m.

Wake up and enjoy the fresh air of the mountain. You are now offically in the heart land of Minya Konka, the furthest to any road or village in Minya Konka. As the campsite is still high at 4200m please make sure you are warm especially in the morning. Today is a relatively easy day of hiking. We can start slow when sun hit the camp. We will coontinue descending for 400m in about 14km. Today we will walk by the river of Moxi and cross river one time. The river-crossing we need to do with horse because there is no bridge available. We will stay together as usual while hiking especially while crossing the river. Arrive by Lower Winter Ranch at around 3800m and camp for overnight. Today's campsite is partly in the forest. There are more than one places to set camp we will choose a clean one that is close to water source.

Total Walking 14km between 4200m and 3800m. Easy Pace.

Overnight camping by 3800m.

Today's walking will follow the river in Moxi Valley and walk in the forest. The trail is less straightforward as the former days. We will have multiple small ups and downs of hiking. Most of the hiking is in the shade in forest. Trail becomes wider when we started to see 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. Today's walking is not super long by can be strenuous. 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 15km between 3800m and 3750m. Easy Pace.

Overnight camping or shared bunk by the temple by 3750m.

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 camping 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 Shanmuju 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. In the afternoon 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 and drive to tonight's overnight place in Shangmuju.

Total walking 7+7km between 3800m and 4500m, Medium to Challenging pace.

Overnight shared bunk/or camping by 3750m

Today is a full day drive back to Chengdu. The drive will take about 8-9 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 5-6pm, tour ends.