Trek Japan Kyoto to Tokyo7th Oct 2024
From:£4,999
Summary
Discover the ancient magic of Japan on our once-in-a-lifetime Kumano Kodo trekking challenge from Kyoto to Tokyo!
After a day soaking up the autumnal colours or the famous cherry blossom and the enchanting sites of Kyoto, including the Golden Pavillion and the Nijo Castle, we'll journey to the Kii Hanto Peninsula to commence our charity trek. We'll follow the footsteps of Japanese pilgrims and trek deep into the Kii Mountain Range on the steep trails of the famous Kumano Kodo pilgrimage.
Starting at the Takijiri-oji temple on the sacred Tonda river, we'll hike on a mix of paved and unpaved trails that criss-cross the peninsula and connect the major Shinto shrines in the mountains. We'll face challenging ascents and long days on our feet, testing our strength and stamina, all the while immersed in nature.
Our pilgrimage will take us up through dense forests, across streams, past shrines and abandoned tea houses, and into remote villages hidden in the hills. We'll sleep in humble local Japanese guesthouses, climb to some of the highest and most beautiful places in Japan and look out across the sacred Kumano mountain range, boasting 3,600 mountain peaks. We'll even glimpse the Pacific Ocean, soothe our feet in natural hot springs and trek to Japan's tallest waterfall, Nachi Falls.
This unbeatable overseas challenge finishes in the mind-blowing metropolis of Tokyo, where the futuristic architecture, chic shopping streets and vibrant markets take us right back to the 21st Century! We'll use the high-speed city trains to see as much as we can in one day on an amazing guided tour of the Old Town and the new.
Join us in the autumn when the trees glow red and orange or wait till spring and see the Japanese cherry blossom in full bloom! No matter which trek you choose, you'll be entranced by expansive natural landscapes and an incredible mix of cultures and customs.
The Kumano Kodo trail is testing under foot with exposed tree roots, uneven ground and sometimes slippery steps. There is a challenging amount of elevation gain through the week with each day seeing climbs of between 400 and 800 m taken gradually over the day. We will be walking a challenging distance over the trekking days too. That said the altitude will be low and the environment very gentle on us with temperatures at highs of around 20oC with low humidity.
Tokyo
trekModerate
13 Days
registration fee (payable today)£549
Self Funded
£4,999
Shadows of Mount Fuji Extension 18 Oct 2024£799
£4,999
Book NowWhat to Expect
- Begin your challenge in the historic capital of Japan in Kyoto and end in the ultra-modern metropolitan Tokyo.
- Trek 80 km in 5 days through varied terrain and landscapes.
- Follow the Kumano Kodo, a world-renowned spiritual pilgrimage route.
- Experience dense forests, ancient castles and architecture, unique nature, mountain peaks, rural villages, and the Pacific Ocean.
Day by Day Itinerary
UK – Kansai – Kyoto
Our adventure starts at the airport in London, where we meet for our overnight flight to Kansai International Airport in Japan, arriving on the evening of Day 2. Our local guide in the area gives us a warm welcome at the airport and we transfer to our hotel in Kyoto.
The ancient capital of Kyoto is drenched in history and a must-see relic of old Japan. Surrounded by mountains and bright with trees the colour of fire in autumn, or cherry blossom (Sakura) in the spring, the scenery of the city will take your breath away. But that’s only the start of it. Having served as the seat of the emperor from 794 until 1868, and survived two world wars, Kyoto bursts with traditional culture and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The streets are alive with locals and tourists alike, with bustling markets, arts and crafts, fashion shops, and endless dining options. And you can’t miss the multitude of enchanting gardens, red-roofed temples and spectacular palaces dotted around the city. Needless to say, Kyoto is the perfect destination to commence our charity challenge in Japan.
This evening, we enjoy a delicious Welcome Dinner and no doubt have a great night’s rest after the long journey.
FAQs
Our challenges aren’t about living in the gym. Many people who sign up for our Kumano Kodo trek in Japan are likely to have a low level of fitness level when they sign up.
The point is to train, do your best, and reach your fitness goal. Our supportive challenge guides and community spirit will help you conquer the challenge of a lifetime. You’re also likely to improve your mental health and well-being, and you can choose to fundraise for the charity closest to your heart.
We strongly recommend you train for the trek. We’ll tackle very steep climbs and descents through the mountains, but the terrain will be fairly smooth. You also need to be prepared for hiking an average of 6-8 hours every day. We’ll break this up with short breaks and lunch stops.
Once you register for Trek Japan, we’ll send you a realistic training plan. This builds up gradually over time so you’ll be ready and raring to go by the time we depart for Japan.
