Home > Hiking & Trekking > 5 Days Hiking Tour in Hong Kong
TRIP OVERVIEW
The ever-surprising Hong Kong has a myriad of interesting landforms. The long and sinuous coastline is a natural geological gallery, featuring spectacular landforms and rock formations formed by volcanic activities 140 million years ago and shaped by waves and weathering. Hong Kong has some superb hiking trails. The best-known hike is the 100km MacLehose trail, which intertwines with the 78km Wilson trail. Hong Kong Island itself has a 50km hiking trail. For our hiking tours, we select the most interesting stages of these trails, often with variations based on local knowledge.
Note: All the time and distance etc shown below are approximate and indicative only, if there is inconsistency, it will depend on the weather, local road conditions and other actual situations. Besides, the duration might be revised according to your physical level.
Quick Inquiry
(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
DAY 01  Geopark/Deserted Beaches Hike - Sai Kung East Country Park

Includes, but not limited to stage 2 of MacLehose Trail


Route: East Dam - Long Ke Beach - Sai Wan - Ham Tin - Chek Keng/Ko Lau Wan - Ferry to Ma Liu Shui
Level: moderate to strenuous
Transport to start of hike: 30 mins in hired car
Return to hotel after hike: 50 mins scenic ferry ride
Distance: 13 - 16km
Lunch: Simple restaurant on the beach

The Hong Kong Geopark, opened November 2009, comprises of eight major geological sites and is of International stature. Our hiking tour starts alongside the reservoir, in the Sai Kung East Country Park, and journeys to its easternmost end. From here we view the magnificent hexagonal columnar joints, one of the largest geological formations of this kind in the world. We walk in this area and further around the corner to take in the view of Long Ke. Here we can see how wind and water has crafted unique sea caves along the Sai Kung Peninsula coastline.
An hour later, on the highest point of our hike, we have great views over the whole of the High Island Reservoir area.
The nature path leads us though bush vegetation with different views after each bend. We'll end our hike at Sai Wan Village at another beautiful beach. Now is time for a swim and a cool drink at the seaside restaurant before we head back to Sai Kung by speedboat.
While on the water, we see more Geopark wonders of hexagonal columnar joints, Sharp Island which is connected by a tombolo to the small island of Kiu Tau, Kau Sai Chau (site of Hong Kong's three spectacularly sited public golf courses complexes), an island for fishermen's graves, and the inland water dam wall of High Island Reservoir.

Overnight at Hyatt Regency Hong Kong or the similar

DAY 02  Ma On Shan Hike - Ma On Shan Country Park

Includes, but not limited to stage 4 of MacLehose Trail

Route: Sai Sha Road - Ma On Shan - Pyramid Hill - Buffalo Pass - Sha Tin Pass - Sha Tin - Train to Hotel (2 stops)
Level: strenuous
Transport to start of hike: 10-20 mins in hired car
Return to hotel after hike: 10 mins train ride
Distance: 13 - 16km
Lunch: Packed picnic lunch

Ma On Shan mountain, which is part of Hong Kong's famous 100km MacLehose hiking trail that runs east to west in the New Territories. Our guided hiking tour takes you to one of the highest peaks in Hong Kong's New Territories, at 702 metres, and is one of the more spectacular sections of the MacLehose trail, where you can hike for a day and yet hardly see a soul.
As we walk uphill, our hike encounters low shrubland, colourful with wild azaleas and rhododendrons, while the mighty Ma On Shan range rises imposingly above. Behind us, a superb coastal panorama reveals the Sai Kung Peninsula . From the saddle, with its rugged rock formations, our hike rewards us with stunning views of the New Terrritories and mainland China. Walking along these ridge lines is exhilarating.
Our hiking trail then takes us along the remote, wild and windswept ridge down to a rolling plateau. From here, we lose any sight of the lowlands and the brown grassed hillsides are dominated by the distinctive steep-sided Pyramid Hill at 536 meters.
A scenic track winds downwards to our destination Sha Tin. Take a 10mins train ride back to the hotel.

Overnight at Hyatt Regency Hong Kong or the similar

DAY 03  Lai Chi Wo Hike - Plover Cove Country Park

Route: Wu Kau Tang - Sam A Chung - Lai Chi Wo - Wu Kau Tang
Level: moderate
Transport to start of hike: 30 mins in hired car
Return to hotel after hike: 30 mins in hired car
Distance: 15 km
Lunch: Countryside restaurant with seafood on the way

The Plover Cove Country Park in the northeast of the New Territories is one of the most under populated and pristine areas in all of Hong Kong. Many of the trails are little used, with barking deer and wild boar roaming these secluded areas. In fact, tigers still occasionally visited in the early 1900s, and in 1931 a leopard was trapped in the region. Your hike starts in the tiny hamlet of Wu Kau Tang. The walk proceeds upwards providing exciting views across the boundary into Mainland China and of the Yan Chau Tong Marine Park. You then descend to the deserted village of Lai Chi Wo.
Lai Chi Wo, dates back to 400 years ago, and was one of the most affluent villages in the Northeastern New Territories, where a population of mainly Hakka origin lived. This area was once known for its lychee trees. Today a few villagers return in the weekends, or over festival times. The houses remain well preserved and the fung shui wood behind the village flourishes, home to camphor, autumn maple, incense tree and other specimens - it is said to be one of the oldest surviving fung shui woodlands in Hong Kong.
At the end of the hike, take 30min drive back to the hotel.

Overnight at Hyatt Regency Hong Kong or the similar

DAY 04  Tai Lam Hike - Tai Lam Country Park

Includes but not limited to stage 10 of MacLehose Trail

Route: Tsuen Wan - Yuen Tsun Ancient Trail - Tai Lam Reservoir - Tsuen Mun - Ferry to Tai O
Level: easy
Transport to start of hike: 25 mins in hired car
Return to hotel after hike: 50 mins ferry ride
Distance: 16 - 22km
Lunch: Packed picnic lunch

Leading from Tsuen Wan to Yuen Long, this ancient trail used to be a key communication route between the two settlements. Narrow and rugged by today's standards, the trail is a vital access route to villagers of Shap Pat Heung in the old days, when farm produce was transported to Tsuen Wan Market to trade for daily necessities. Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail is a scenic hike amidst lush forests. It offers a spectacular view of Tsing Ma Bridge.
Apart from this route, there are other ancient trails inside Tai Lam Country Park, such as the Nam Hang Pai Ancient Trail and Kap Lung Ancient Trail which were both major access paths in the past. Along the section of Yuen Tsuen Ancient Trail near Lin Fa Shan, you can gaze down at the magnificent Tsing Ma Bridge and Ting Kau Bridge. The former is a suspension bridge over Ma Wan Channel. It is a steel suspension bridge. With a span of 1.377km, it is the longest road-and-rail suspension bridge. Today, it is a Hong Kong landmark known all over the world.
At the end of today's hike, we will enjoy 50mins ferry ride to Tai O. Tai O used to be an important fishing village and trading port, exporting salt from its local salt pans to China. The fishing industry is now in decline and the salt pans no longer exist, but the village, with its stilt houses built in the tidal creeks, retains its historical character and attracts a steady stream of tourists. Check in a new hotel in Tai O and have a rest.

Overnight at Tai O Heritage Hotel or the similar

DAY 05 Lantau Island Hike - South Lantau Country Park

Includes but not limited to stage 7&8 of Lantau Trail

Route: Tai O - Yi O - Fan Lau - Shek Pik
Level: easy
Transport to start of hike: n/a
Return to hotel after hike: 15 mins bus ride
Distance: 16 km
Lunch: Packed picnic lunch

Lantau has a long and colorful history, visited by the Chinese imperial court during the thirteenth century and by Portuguese, Dutch and British traders during the era of European colonial expansion. Pirates and opium smugglers once used Lantau as a base of operations, and Japanese soldiers brutally occupied the island during World War II. Since the late twentieth century, extensive development has taken place on the north side of Lantau, most notably the international airport and Tung Chung New Town. South Lantau, however, where we are headed, remains rural and largely undeveloped. In fact, half of Lantau Island's 144 square kilometers have been designated a Country Park for nature conservation. Over hundred kilometers of hiking trails crisscross the island, many in the south.
The last's day hike is easy, it will take you through the quiet countryside surrounding the village. The diverse habitat includes mangroves, fish ponds, disused salt pans and coastal shrubland. The latter part of the hike is slightly elevated, allowing good views over the village and coastal landscape before taking you through the water village itself. After lunch we explore the various village temples and witness the local street life.
Optional: On the way back to the hotel, stop to visit the monastery and climb up to the Big Buddha, admiring the Bodhisattvas and the view over the island.
-The end of our amazing hiking tour-

Please Note: While we plan to follow the itinerary as much as possible, weather, trail conditions, river crossings, and other circumstances may force us to alter the itinerary in this remote and relatively untraveled region.

The tour cost includes
The tour cost does not include
Cancellation and Refund Policy for Tours Reservation
Cancellation in advance Cancellation penalty
More than 30 days No Cancellation Fee
30-10 days 50% of the full payment
9-0 days or no show 100% of the full payment

Necessities
Enough films and batteries, Sun-cream with the protection index of 40-60, sunglasses with a sun protection factor of 15, the lip creams and balms with SPF rating, towel, toothpaste, electric torch, Snack foods.
Cloth that you bring must be warm enough and can be removed easy enough according to the weather, including Jacket, hat, Cotton underwear, Socks, Long-sleeve Shirts, T-shirts and Pants (Shorts are not appropriate at any time while hiking), comfortable shoes, rain gear (long rain coat is better).

Medicine
In addition to the normal medications for traveling, just like the Aspirin and medicine for diarrhea, siriasis,sunstroke and carsickness.

Currency to use
US$ is acceptable only in a very limited range, e.g. tips. However, for convenience, Chinese currency is the best choice. If you want to change US$ to Chinese currency in the tour, you can change it in the Hotel you stay or in the Bank of China. You could draw cash only from Bank of China in the big city, the ATM there doesn't always work properly and the bank is not easy to find. Please bring some cash at hand to use.

Food and drink
a) Eating is an important part of your China experience. Generally breakfasts are included in the itinerary and offered by hotels. China Highlights recommends local Chinese restaurants that are popular with local people for lunch. You can order dishes with the help of your guide. We usually leave dinner for your own choice — Western food can be found in most large cities.
b) We have tried to arrange various food in different cities. But you may still think the food is simple and not as delicious as in the big cities especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. If you have any priority of the food (eg. If you are vegetarian or you are allergic to MSG, peanut oil, fish and peanut, etc) please inform us early, we will try to alternate the food accordingly. At the same time please prepare some of your favorite snacks and substitution food in case of need.
c) Meals in the home stays will be different from the cities but clean, which leave you a good chance to experience the ethnic minority culture. We will pack a breakfast for you of cold cereal, milk, toast, fruit, and jam for the home stay.
d) It is very important to drink a lot of water and eat enough fruit in your tour especially while trekking in the mountains and villages. You are advised not to drink tap water.

Accommodation
Hotels in China are bound by Government laws which mean that air conditioning is switched on nationally in May and the central heating in November (this may vary slightly depending on the region).
In some remote areas, sometimes shower maybe not available in the home stay. A married couple is not allowed to share a room in the Miao's home-stay due to the local customs.

Tipping
It is customary to tip service providers in the travel industry in Asia, depending on the service. Tipping is expected — though not compulsory — and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Recommendations for tipping drivers (3 USD per person per day as a guideline) and local guides (8 USD per person per day as a guideline) would depend on the quality and length of the service.

Vehicles
We use comfortable sedans or vans with air-conditioning. The comfort and safety of our customers is of utmost importance, so we ensure that all of the vehicles we use are well maintained and always very clean. Our drivers take pride in their vehicles.

Tourist insurance
It is a must before going, please provide us the confirmation of insurance company when sign up.

Customs
In some provinces with many minorities (like Guizhou, Guangxi, Tibet, Xinjiang and etc.), the customs and habits of local people are different from place to place. The local guide will inform you what should care. Respect the local customs and religions. The people are very kind and hospitable. You can feel free to talk with them. But there are some rulers you should go by!
a. Do not photo them without getting the permit, please show the respect to them!
b. Don't talk the sensitive topics like the political and the religion matters!

Conditions
When you sign up for the trekking tour, you acknowledge that there are risks involved in trekking in high altitude and confirm that you are fully aware of and accept these risks. It is customer's responsibility to determine whether the tour he/she choose is suited to his/her physical condition. Customers are responsible for the cost of any medicines or medical care they may require during the trip for any reason. Please make sure you have adequate personal medical insurance to meet any medical emergency which might arise. In some cases, if you need medical care during the tour, you may be required to pay for it at the time it is rendered and seek reimbursement from your insurer after you return home. Please check with your medical insurer for details. In the event of a medical emergency, we will make every effort to assist you in obtaining necessary care. Also, please tell us in writing if you suffer from any allergies or other physical conditions which might affect you during the tour (if you hasn't tell us in writing before going, you are supposed to be healthy enough to take the tour). Finally, please check with your doctor to find out what inoculation may be recommended for the areas you will be visiting. It is your responsibility to obtain all necessary inoculations. We reserve the right to decline to accept any person as a member of the tour, or to decline to retain any person, if such person's physical condition, mental well-being or behavior interferes with the operation of the tour. There will be no refund in such cases.

Always take good care of your belongings.