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Walk the Kumano Kodo
11 Days Excluding Flights From
11 Days from
USD 5240
5.0/5 from
Walking & Trekking
Activity Level
Moderate See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you
Ways to Travel :
Self-Guided Holidays
Activity :
Walking & Trekking
Ages :
8+
Trip Code :
W10KK
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Walking the ancient pilgrimage trail, Kumano Kodo

Embark on an incredibly rewarding hike through the Kii Peninsula Mountains along an ancient pilgrimage trail known as Kumano Kodo. The “Kodo” (old ways) are a key part of the region’s World Heritage destination and have been in use for 1,000 years. The pilgrimage routes were developed as a way for people to move between the sacred areas on the Kii Peninsula. At the centre of this religious area are the three Kumano shrines: Hongu Taisha, Hayatama Taisha and Nachi Taisha, collectively known as Kumano Sanzan.

The Kii Peninsula points south away from Kyoto and Osaka and is one of the most remote and mystical areas of Japan, despite its proximity to these great cities. From the 11th century, successive emperors and their families made the long and difficult pilgrimage to Kumano from Kyoto. Our trip focuses on the Nakahechi-do, which weaves its way through the forested mountains and small villages to the Grand Shrine of Hongu, before finishing near the Pacific Ocean at Nachi Grand Shrine.

Explore the fascinating city of Kyoto before beginning your Kumano Kodo journey and end with two nights in Osaka. Famous for its beautifully built Buddhist temples and traditional teahouses, Kyoto is a great introduction to your Japanese adventure. From here, you can visit the historical city of Nara, full of cultural treasures and tranquil gardens.

Osaka is known as the food capital of western Japan, inheriting its name in part from the fantastic Dotonbori area in the south of the city. Countless restaurants line the Dotonbori-gawa River offering dinner with views. The city is also home to Osaka-jo – a symbolic castle, re-built to its grand size after repeated fires.

Highlights

  • Walk the ancient pilgrimage route Kumano Kodo, one of Japan’s most remote and rewarding journeys
  • Witness the Grand Shrines, bathe in the hot spring thermal waters, and admire stunning views over the mountains towards the Pacific Ocean
  • Immerse yourself in Japanese culture, staying at traditional ryokans and minshuku guesthouses

What's Included

  • 10 nights’ accommodation in hotels and Japanese-style inns (ryokan/minshuku)
  • All breakfasts & 6 dinners
  • Management by your local Headwater appointed agent
  • Route directions and maps
  • Luggage transfers between accommodation on the trail
  • Train from Kyoto to trail starting point and from trail end point to Osaka

What's Not Included

  • Lunches
  • Travel insurance
  • Single supplements
  • Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
  • Visas and vaccinations

6 Days of Walking & Trekking

Day 3

4 km / 2.5 miles

Day 4

10 km / 6.2 miles

Day 5

24 km / 14.9 miles

Day 6

4 km / 2.5 miles

Day 7

10 km / 6.2 miles

Day 8

13 km / 8.1 miles

Sustainability and Impact

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
Walk the Kumano Kodo
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Walk the Kumano Kodo

5.0/5 from
11 Days Excluding Flights From
11 Days from
USD 5240