Luxury Kumano Kodo Mountain to Sea & Ama Divers 9D8N, Guided

From $9,010.11 Per Person, Twin Share

At a Glance

Route: Kyoto - Kumano Kodo - Ise Shima - Osaka

Journey to the world-famous Kumano Kodo on foot from mountain to sea and immerse yourself in one of the most fascinating Japanese sacred traditions of Ama diving. Starting from Kyoto, this fully guided tour is the ideal discovery of the mountainous Kii Peninsula blessed with a rich pilgrimage tradition, isolated hot springs, and welcoming countryside hospitality. Your experiences also include an unforgettable culinary experience at a Michelin star restaurant in Kyoto.

The Kumano Kodo is the world's only UNESCO World Heritage-listed pilgrimage route besides the Camino de Santiago. Once a sacred pilgrimage reserved for emperors and samurai for over 1200 years, the world-class Kumano Kodo hiking route is today open to all walkers and natural wanderers.

The Kumano Kodo hiking route is well ...

Trip Highlights

  • Stay at Kanamean Nishitomiya in Kyoto - a member of Relais & Châteaux, and indulge in Michelin dining
  • Stay at the best accommodation along the Kumano Kodo trail 
  • Traverse village to village, and visit iconic grand shrines and waterfalls led by an expert local private guide
  • Luggage is transferred daily during Kumano Kodo walk & you only need to carry a daypack
  • Enjoy authentic and delicious local cuisine and relax in onsens (hot spring) after walk
  • Learn all about the life of Ama divers - the women who made the prefecture famous by diving for centuries in the local waters to catch the best marine products
  • Stay at Oyado The Earth - a luxury ryokan overlooking the Pacific Ocean, and spoilt for world famous Ise Shima · Toba seafood
  • Enjoy authentic and delicious local cuisine in Kumano area
  • Be impressed by the natural power and beauty of the Nachi falls and one of the three gran shrines Jumano Nachi Taisha
  • Kumano Kodo trip orientation and info pack (quality map) provided at the local office
  • The Kumano Kodo walk is qualified for "Dual Pilgrim" & official Dual Pilgrim Credential is provided in the info pack
  • Journey to the world-famous Kumano Kodo on foot from mountain to sea and immerse yourself in one of the most fascinating Japanese sacred traditions of Ama diving

What's Included

  • Detailed day-by-day itinerary, walking directions, and maps
  • English speaking guide for Kumano Kodo walk for 5 days
  • All transportations during the Kumano Kodo walk including taxis and local buses
  • Luggage transfer between accommodation (based on one piece of luggage per person, and maximum weight of each piece is 23kg). Extra luggage can be transferred at an additional cost
  • 8 nights hand picked accommodation including 5 nights along the Kumano Kodo trail and 3 nights at the luxury traditional Japanese ryokans on a twin share basis (single supplement available at addition expense)
  • Enjoy delicious traditional cuisine of the Japanese countryside, with ingredients sourced from the sea and the surrounding lush mountains. 8x breakfasts, 5x lunches, 8x dinners
  • Visit Ama divers hut for grilled seafood lunch prepared by them
  • Round trip train tickets

Itinerary

DAY 1 Arrive - Kyoto
Kanamean Nishitomiya
Dinner
DAY 2 Kyoto - Tanabe - Takahara
Western Room, Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge or Boutique House
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 3 Takahara - Tsugizakura-oji
Boutique House
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 Tsugizakura - Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen
Ryokan Adumaya (or Kawayu Onsen)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 Yunomine Onsen or Kawayu Onsen - Ukegawa - Koguchi (Kogumotori-goe)
Takata Green Land Kumotori Onsen or similar
Breakfast, Lunch, DInner
DAY 6 Koguchi - Nachi-san (Ogumo-tori-goe)
Kumano-Bettei Nakanoshima (or Hotel Urashima Sanjokan)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7 Kumano Kodo - Toba
Oyado The Earth
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8 Toba - Ise Grand Shrine - Meoto-iwa
Oyado The Earth
Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 9 Lunch with Ama Divers - Depart
None
Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Daily departure on request. Group discount is available for 4 or people. Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. 

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More Info

How To Get There

The departure point is Kyoto.

From Osaka
Osaka International Airport: The closest airport to Kyoto - 50 minutes by convenient airport limousine bus.
Kansai International Airport: The main international access point to Kyoto - about 90 minutes from Kyoto by direct express train.

From Tokyo Narita International Airport: It takes about five hours from Narita to Kyoto by train.
Haneda International Airport: It takes about four hours from Haneda to Kyoto by train.

Walking Distance

Day1: Arrived in Kyoto
Day 2: approx. 4 km
Day 3: approx. 13 km
Day 4: approx. 21 km
Day 5: approx. 13 km
Day 6: approx. 14.5 km
Day 7: Self guided town walk
Day 8: Private guided Ama divers tour
Day 9: Return to Tokyo

Dual Pilgrim

Dual Pilgrim

A "Dual Pilgrim" is someone who has walked both the Kumano Kodo and the Way of St.James (Camino de Santiago).

This program was developed to celebrate, honor, and share the stories of those who have completed both of these UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes.

Dual Pilgrims receive a limited edition "DUAL PILGRIM" pin badge and are featured on the Dual Pilgrim. (Inclusion on the website is optional).

To receive the Dual Pilgrim status, pilgrims must complete one of the options for the Way of St. James, and one of the options for the Kumano Kodo, then register at a designated site.

Way of St James Options
- at least the last 100 km on foot or by horse, or
- at least the last 200 km by bicycle

Kumano Kodo Options
- Takijiri-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha on foot (~38 km) or
- Kumano Nachi Taisha to/from Kumano Hongu Taisha on foot (~30 km) or
- Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha on foot (~7 km) plus a visit to Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha or
- Koyasan to Kumano Hongu Taisha on foot (~70 km)

Only walking is allowed on the Kumano Kodo. No bicycles or horses.

You can register for "Dual Pilgrim" status after you have completed the second route in either Santiago de Compostela or Tanabe City.

Weather & Climate

The Kumano Kodo can be walked year round but the weather can change rapidly in the Kumano mountain environment.

The best time to walk the Kumano Kodo really depends on what you are looking for.

March - April is spring season and an extremely popular time as it is cherry blossom season in Japan. October - November is also a popular time to visit as it is autumn and the colours throughout the forest are stunning. In spring and autumn, you can expect daytime temperatures of around 10-15°C. May and September are also lovely months to visit with warmer and longer days - daytime temperatures range between 18-24°C.

June - August is summer season so you can expect much more humidity and higher rainfall but on the other hand scenery is beautifully green and verdant. During summer you can expect up to 25-30°C in temperature.

December - February is winter season and there is a small chance of snow on the Nakahechi route. Trails are open year round but due to the cool weather and reduced hours of daylight we recommend this time of year for experienced trekkers only.

Most accommodation close during the Christmas and New Year's holiday period.

Kii-Peninsula is one of the wettest areas of mainland Japan and you should be prepared with adequate rain gear.

Please note that the period when you are most likely to experience Typhoons is during August - early October period. If a Typhoon makes landfall on the mainland then there is often disruption to travel plans as all transport shuts down during a Typhoon and people stay indoors. Depending on the damage caused there may also be temporary trail closures - though usually things return to normal fairly quickly.

Other Information

Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.

Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.

A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 60 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 60 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.

Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.

General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 60 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 60 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance

Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.

Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.

Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.

Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.

Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.

Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.

Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The walks take place in very special wilderness settings. The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a walk with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the walk has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any walk up to 60 days prior to departure if a minimum of 4 walkers are unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the walk or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.

Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.

Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.

For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.

Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.

Product Code : EJPTANKKG09