Expeditions in China
Here are some of the expeditions I’ve completed across China that I’ll be sharing on this blog. It may take some time to document each journey in detail, but once they’re published, you’ll find them under the China tab in Expeditions. Below is the list in chronological order.
Ganden Samye Monastery Pilgrimage, Tibet
Dates: 5-7 June 2023
Length: 3 Days
Start: Ganden Monastery
Finish: Samya Monastery
Total Distance: 42km
Highest Point: Shuga-La Pass (5250m)
Type: Solo, camping trek
It was my first solo high-altitude camping trek — three days and two nights, self-supported, crossing two 5000m+ passes, and stepping into an environment that demanded both physical and mental resilience. There were moments of complete solitude, camping alone under vast skies, with only herders and their yaks appearing in the distance. In that isolation, I felt an unexpected sense of freedom — moving through one of the most remote and beautiful landscapes in the world, entirely on my own terms.
Shishapangma North to South Traverse, Tibet
Dates: 11-23 June 2023
Length: 13 Days
Start: Peiku Tso
Finish: Nyalam
Total Distance: 140km
Type: Solo/group, camping trek
A part of my 14 peaks project - hiking to the basecamps viewpoints/circuits of all 14 mountains above 8000m. Shishapangma in Tibetan means ‘range above the grassy plains’ and its Sanskrit name ‘Gosainthan’ means ‘place of God’. It is the only mountain above 8000m entirely in China, 5km from Nepal border. Crossing remote, untouched terrain where nearly 80% was off-track. We navigated glacier moraines, scree, boulder fields, and countless river crossings, pushing over 5800m and even 6000m passes. At times, it felt like we were on the edge of mountaineering. It was the highest altitude, longest food carry, and toughest terrain I’ve ever experienced — slow, demanding, and deeply rewarding. Reaching the end felt like a true accomplishment.
Gyama Valley - Kangshung Face of Mount Everest (East Slope), Tibet
Dates: 5-12 June 2024
Length: 8 Days
Start: Yaqu Village 亚曲村
Finish: Near Lunzhulin Village 伦珠林村
Total Distance: 140km
Highest Point: Everest East Base Camp (5310m)
Type: Solo, camping trek
Gyama Valley, on the remote east side of Mount Everest, was one of the most breathtaking landscapes I’ve ever walked through. The valley was wildly beautiful, and along the way I met other hikers who became great company — a contrast to the deep solitude while camping at Cejor Tso alone. Trekking to Everest East Base Camp (5310m) beside the Kangshung Glacier, I was rewarded with a close, clear view of giants: Makalu, Shartse, Lhotse, and Mount Everest rising dramatically above.
Kharta Valley - Mount Everest North East Slope, Tibet
Dates: 14-17 June 2024
Length: 4 Days
Start: Lunzhulin Village 伦珠林村
Finish: Lunzhulin Village 伦珠林村
Total Distance: 38km
Highest Point: Kharta Tso (5600m)
Type: Solo, camping trek
Another hike in the same area, I continued towards the north east face of Mount Everest. I didn’t meet a single hiker in Kharta Valley for four days — just silence, rivers, and endless mountains. The campsites were unreal: grassy flats beside flowing streams, surrounded by snow peaks in every direction. It was a different side of Everest — quieter, wilder, and far more intimate than I ever imagined.
Mount Kailash Outer and Inner Kora, Tibet
Dates: 20-24 June 2024
Length: 5 Days
Start: Darchen
Finish: Darchen
Highest Point: Serdung Chuksum 5860m (Inner Kora/around Nandi)
Total Distance: 70km
Type: Solo, teahouse trek
For Buddhists, Mount Kailash (Kang Rinpoché) is the axis of existence; for Hindus, it is the home of Shiva. Sacred for centuries across Tibetan Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon, and Jainism, it is seen as the centre of the world. The kora — a circuit around the 6,714m peak — is one of Asia’s most profound pilgrimages, blending spiritual devotion with physical challenge. Over five days, I was incredibly fortunate to complete both the outer and inner koras, reaching the base of the mountain from both the north and south — even touching it with my own hands. Along the way, I met pilgrims from across Tibet and around the world, each walking with their own purpose and story.
Multi-river Kayaking Expedition, Tibet
Dates: 1-18 July 2024
Length: 18 Days
Start: Gyrong
Finish: Lhasa
Rivers: Zhaga River, Yarlung Zangpu / Bramaputra River, Tolung Chu, Sang Chu, Reting Chu, Drigung Chu
Type: Group, guided/supported
I swapped my backpack for a kayak and stepped into a completely different kind of adventure. Kayaking at high altitude is a different game — even well acclimatised above 5000m, I found myself hyperventilating in continuous Class 3–3+ whitewater at around 4000m. The rivers were powerful, technical, and some of the most challenging I’ve ever paddled. Yet in those moments, navigating downstream, I felt more alive than ever. One of the most special days was paddling a section of the Yarlung Tsangpo, which becomes the Brahmaputra River — the second sacred river flowing from the region of Mount Kailash for me. The energy of the river was immense, and it became an emotional experience. It is a part of my 4 rivers project - kayaking all 4 holy rivers flowing from Mount Kailsh.
South Tianshan, Xinjiang
Dates: 23 May - 15 June 2025
Length: 24 Days
Start: Nalati
Finish: Kailatuohai Village
Total Distance: 252km
Type: a group of 2, camping trek
Dave and I spent 24 days hiking 252km through the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang — one of the most unexpectedly beautiful landscapes I’ve ever experienced. I had never seen grass so intensely green, with wildflowers blooming in every direction. For weeks, I didn’t see a single other hiker, carrying everything with long stretches between resupplies. The solitude was deep, but the reward was in the endless views and incredible campsites scattered across valleys and alpine meadows. What stayed with me just as much as the landscape were the people — warm, welcoming, and generous. I left feeling deeply grateful to have explored such a remote and special corner of the world.
Yubeng, Yunnan
Dates: 3-8 March, 2026
Length: 5 +1 Days
Start: Ninong Village
Finish: Ninong Village
Highest Point: 4632m
Total Distance: 78km
Type: a group of 2, teahouse trek
Dave and I spent five days hiking in Yubeng Village, tucked deep beneath Meili Snow Mountain in Yunnan. Visiting in March meant quiet trails, crisp air, and snow-dusted peaks towering above the valley. I took the time to explore all the side trips — from sacred waterfalls to high viewpoints — each one offering a different perspective of the landscape and its deep spiritual significance. Compared to my more remote expeditions, Yubeng felt more accessible, yet no less magical. The combination of dramatic mountains, Tibetan culture, and slower village life made it a special and memorable few days of hiking.
