Type and level of walking Mixed village paths (paved) and unpaved forested trails. A strenuous walk, with days of up to 8 hours walking and 3000 feet of ascent. A highly rewarding hike through the mountains of the Kii Peninsula, but you need to have good stamina. Walks can be shortened by taking local buses.	What's Included Accommodation booked & prepaid - 5 breakfasts & 5 evening meals - train tickets - detailed day-by-day itinerary and walking instructions - waterproof topographical map - local phone support
Season All year (the region may experience snow from December to March though it is usually light)	Tour length: 6 days Walking days: 5
2011 Price: £850 / $1,375 / AUD1,365 / €1,000 / ¥112,000 Prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement £350           .	Departures: Any day   Accommodations are busy and may charge extra during the following Japanese holiday periods: New Year (29 December to 04 January), Golden Week (29 April - 05 May), and O-bon (09 - 17 August). Please enquire for availability and pricing if your trip falls within those dates.

Slideshow (click on any picture)

HIGHLIGHTS

Kumano Kodo trail - Grand Shrine at Hongu - Yunomine Onsen - Nachi waterfalls

ITINERARY OVERVIEW

Day 1 Takijiri to Takahara

Travelling by train, you will travel to the mystical Kii Peninsula via Osaka. Your train will hug the coastline and we will reach the small town of Tanabe. From there you will board a bus and then start the walk on the Kumano Pilgrimage route from Takijiri. From the start at Takijiri Oji, the path climbs steeply up to the ridge-top village of Takahara (2 hours). Stay at a lovely ryokan with both Japanese and western style rooms, all with spectacular views over the valley and mountains beyond.

Day 2 Takahara to Chikatsuyu

The Nakahechi has been established as one of Japan 's National Historic Roads. The paths are clearly defined, and flagstones have been laid in some places to make the climbs easier. The today'’s walk will be 4-5 hours, arriving in the small village of Chikatsuyu in time for dinner at a family-run minshuku (guesthouse) with its own hot spring.

Day 3 Chikatsuyu to Yunomine Hot Spring

The path continues through the mountains to Yunomine, one of the oldest natural hot spring onsen villages in Japan . Today's hike is about 8 hours, and 13 miles; a mixture of small villages and forest trails, as you cross the Kii mountains to visit Kumano shrine. At the heart of these sacred mountains, Kumano was said to be the entrance to the land of Yomi , the ‘other world' which spirits travelled to in Japanese mythology. From Kumano shrine, a short bus ride brings you to Yunomine hot spring, and your ryokan, with its wonderful outdoor bath.

Option: We provide three options from 3 to 8 hours, using a short bus ride to shorten the walk if necessary.

Day 4 Yunomine Hot Spring to Koguchi

A shorter hike today, over to the small village of Koguchi (About 4 hours, 9 miles). A warm welcome and good food await at our small inn, and there will be time for lazing by the river or another soak in the bath.

Day 5 Koguchi to Nachi

Your final hike (10 miles, 6 hours) takes you from Koguchi over a O-kumotori pass to Nachi, where Japan's highest waterfall, and the second of the three grand shrines of Kumano is located. Your stay is at a local minshuku guesthouse.

Day 6 Trip ends

You board the train to Osaka, where the trip ends. We will be happy to book accommodation in Osaka or you may prefer to travel onwards in Japan.

Trip extensions

We can arrange extra days at the end of the trip in the following destinations:

Asuka-mura

A lovely town south of Nara with some of Japan's earliest Buddhist temples, as well as kofun burial mounds from the 5th century. Asuka is a lovely town to explore on foot or why not rent a bicycle from the train station and explore at a relaxed pace? We will arrange a night at one of the small minshuku in the town.

Mount Koya

This atmospheric temple complex south of Kyoto is home to around 100 temples and shukubo (pilgrim's lodging). Founded by the monk Kobo Daishi in the 10th century, Mount Koya is the spiritual centre of Shongon (True word) Buddhism, and he is enshrined at Oku-no-in. Located at 800 metres altitude in the Wakayama mountains, you reach Mount Koya via the scenic Nankai railway. There are many optional local walks.

Tokyo

Travel from Osaka to end your trip with a few days in Tokyo.

Kanazawa

Three hours by train is famous city of Kanazawa, with its famous Kenrokuen gardens, Omicho market, and preserved old town.

Many others possible - please ask

Buses run within easy reach of the Kumano kodo, and can be used to skip sections or in case of inclement weather

ACCOMMODATION ON THIS TOUR

Organic Hotel Kiri-no-sato Takahara Run by local Jian Shino who speaks English, Spanish and Chinese (as well as his native Japanese), this welcoming ryokan/hotel has both western and Japanese style rooms, and wonderful organically-grown local food. If you are lucky, Shino-san may even serenade you with some flamenco guitar!
Minshuku Chikatsuyu In the small town of Chikatsuyu, this minshuku (guesthouse) has its own hot spring baths next door, and some of the freshest and tastiest food you will enjoy in Japan!               Other accommodation on this trip
	Yoshinoya (Yunomine) - in the hot spring village of Yunomine, Yoshinoya has its own hot spring baths with a 'rotenburo' outside bath to enjoy after a day's hiking.
	Momofuku (Koguchi) -a small (3 rooms) minshuku in the village of Koguchi

TOUR COMMENTS

"The trip was just marvelous, and I'm just so, so impressed and thankful for all the planning and preparations you did for me!"
T Roseth, Norway

"This trip was very seriously everything I could have hoped for. I filled out the survey, but it's pretty much straight excellent ratings, so I don't think it will provide much constructive feedback. So I just wanted to to drop one last personal note and say thanks a lot. You really went the extra mile dealing with earth quakes and date changes and requests to set me up in tiny towns like Iwade (which meant I got to see some friends from 16 years ago and had a great reunion with some people who are really important to me). Seriously, great job. I did not deserve a trip that was that fun and went that smoothly. I keep expecting Karma to smack me around a little bit just to get the universe back into alignment."

Andy E, USA

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All accommodation, breakfasts & 5 evening meals are included.

Not Included are international flights, drinks with meals and lunches. A local bus is used on day 1, 3 and 4, and should be paid locally (around 2500 Yen, £18 or $28).

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT

There is a single room supplement of £175 per person (please note that single rooms are not always available in Japanese-style accommodations)..

CONTACT US

1. Send us your phone number and we will call you

2. Fil in our contact form

3. Call us on SKYPE

4. Call +44 20 7099 6147 (ET + 5 hours)