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Changhaizi Alpine Lake 2-Day Summit Trek - 4,100m Blue Hidden Lake of Sichuan

Changhaizi Alpine Lake 2-Day Summit Trek - 4,100m Blue Hidden Lake of Sichuan

★★★★★ 4.9 (147)⏱ 2 days and 1 hour · Private🗣 English guide

Overview

A private two-day high-altitude trek to Changhaizi, a sapphire-blue glacial lake hidden at 4,100m in the wild mountains west of Chongqing and Sichuan.

About This Tour

Changhaizi is one of southwest China's lesser-known alpine treasures: a sapphire glacial lake sitting at roughly 4,100 metres, ringed by treeless ridgelines and big-sky meadows. On this private two-day expedition you leave the city behind, settle into a mountain guesthouse at base camp, share a Tibetan-style welcome of khata scarves, then rise before dawn for a true summit-style push. The trek to the lake follows a graded farm track, gentle in gradient but demanding at altitude, climbing about 440 metres over a 12-kilometre round trip across high pasture to the shimmering blue water. This is a trip for travellers who want a raw, uncrowded slice of the Tibetan-fringe highlands rather than a polished tourist circuit. Your English-speaking guide, private vehicle and small-group format mean the pace, stops and photo time are yours alone. Best attempted in the warmer months when the track is dry and the lake is at its bluest. Come with reasonable fitness, layered clothing for cold mornings, and an appetite for wide-open mountain silence. Itinerary may adjust based on weather, road and local regulations. Good to know: • Best season: late spring to early autumn (dry track, clearest lake) • Fitness level: good - 12km round trip with 440m ascent at altitude • Altitude: base camp high; lake at ~4,100m - mild altitude symptoms possible, ascend slowly and hydrate • Mandatory turnaround at 11:00 on summit morning for safety • Bring: down jacket, waterproof shell, gloves, hat, headlamp, sturdy hiking boots, sunscreen • Early starts: 05:00 wake-up on Day 2

Itinerary

1

Day 1: Chongqing to Base Camp | Drive into the Highlands

Meet your guide in central Chongqing around 06:50 and set off west by private vehicle on a long but scenic transfer toward the trailhead region. The day is mostly spent on the road, with a midday stop at a service area for lunch and a stretch, watching the landscape rise from city sprawl into folded green mountains. You reach your mountain guesthouse base camp in the late afternoon, where you check in and settle. Over dinner your team shares a warm Tibetan-style khata (welcome scarf) ceremony, and the evening is kept short and relaxed so everyone rests well and acclimatises before the early summit push. An early night is strongly advised. Meals: D (self-arranged). Overnight: mountain guesthouse near base camp.
2

Day 2: Summit Trek to Changhaizi | The Blue Lake at 4,100m

Wake at 05:00, layer up in full cold-weather gear, eat a high-energy breakfast and check headlamps and poles. Around 07:00 you reach the trailhead and begin the trek, following a graded farm track that is gentle underfoot but climbs steadily at altitude. The route runs roughly 12 kilometres round trip with about 440 metres of ascent across open high pasture, opening at last onto Changhaizi - a still, sapphire-blue glacial lake cradled by bare ridgelines near 4,100 metres. Take time for photos and the silence before turning back (mandatory turnaround is 11:00). You return to the guesthouse around 13:00 to rest and refuel, then drive back to Chongqing, arriving around 23:00. Meals: B. End of tour.

What's Included

✓ Included

English-speaking guide Private vehicle & transfers from Chongqing 1 night mountain guesthouse accommodation Breakfast on Day 2 (high-energy trail food) Welcome khata ceremony Trekking poles loan (on request)

✕ Not included

International & domestic flights China visa Travel insurance (strongly recommended for high-altitude trekking) Meals not listed (most meals self-arranged/AA) Personal expenses Tips

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation is available on most tours up to 24 hours before the start time. The exact cancellation terms for this tour are shown during booking.

Traveler Reviews

4.9★★★★★Based on 147 reviews
Greta T.🇬🇧 UK★★★★★2026-03

Honestly, I had seen plenty of photos of the trail. Being there was quieter and more absorbing than I expected, and I stopped checking my phone for a while. For this itinerary, the number of stops was enough.

Lucía E.🇸🇬 Singapore★★★★★2025-04

The guide checked the pace before the steeper section rather than after someone fell behind. That made the trail feel supportive without becoming fussy. I would rather keep the pause at the trail than add another stop.

Felix J.🇿🇦 South Africa★★★★★2026-01

A practical note: this is not technical hiking, but it isn't a city stroll either. Starting early gave us a cooler, quieter stretch on the trail. I would still leave extra time for the trail.

Sophie U.🇵🇹 Portugal★★★★★2026-06

In hindsight, not every minute was engineered into a “moment.” There was time for coffee, questions and simply watching Chengdu and Chongqing go by. With 2 days to work with, the balance felt sensible.

Ben L.🇮🇹 Italy★★★★☆2025-11

In short, the guide knew when to explain and when to stop talking. Rare, and appreciated. For 2 days around Chengdu and Chongqing, the pace felt about right.