Sacred Trail

You start off exploring Nara, Japan's first permanent capital, then head a lovely section of the Yagyu Kaido trail in the suburban Nara, transporting us away from busy city life into the tranquil surroundings of the Japanese countryside, where you walk through rural villages, rice fields and cedar forest. You then travel to Tenkawa-mura village in Yoshino-Kumano National Park, a designated World Heritage Site and particularly known for it's crystal clear waters flowing from a number of Dorogawa springs - here enjoy a walk up to an onsen village deep in the mountains, where you spend a night and enjoy a soak in the hot spring waters. Three days are spent in the beautiful Kii mountain range walking sections of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails, with one of the highlights being an overnight at a Buddhist monastery on the sacred Mount Koya, offering an insight into a Buddhist monk's life..

Highlights	Trip level:	Availability:
Village to village walking on enchanting sections of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail Bathe in the thermal waters at hot-spring inns on at least 5 nights Enjoy wonderful views over the valleys, mountains and the Pacific Ocean See the Grand Shrines at Hongu and Nachi, along with Nachi-taki waterfall Stay at an authentic Shukubo pilgrims lodging on Mount Koya Explore Kii-Katsuura's lively fishing port where you can join the tuna auction in the early morning	Challenging	Recommended from April to November