Wilderness-Travel-2017-Catalog

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QUESTIONS? 1.800.368.2794 OR EMAIL 86
Japan is an enigmatic land, and the perfect
way to unlock its secrets is on our walking
journey with Trip Leader
Kate Ulberg, who has
an extraordinary gift
for introducing people
to Japan. Join her to
explore the lantern-lit
lanes of romantic Kyoto,
a thousand-year-old city
of temples, gardens, and palaces. In seaside
Kanazawa, stroll streets lined by immaculately
preserved teahouses from the Edo and Meiji
eras, and in Himeji, soak up the serenity of a
17th century mountaintop temple in an ancient
forest. Most nights are in traditional ryokans,
with one night in a Buddhist monastery
perched on a mountaintop.
Days 1-5 Tokyo / Kanazawa / Himeji From
Tokyo, head by train to Kanazawa on the Sea of
Japan. This city’s Edo-period samurai homes and
geisha teahouses remain fully intact and are a
delight to explore. At lovely Himeji, we make a
pilgrimage to the atmospheric temple of Engyo-ji,
which gained fame as a setting in The Last Samurai.
Days 6-11 Kyoto View the mystical Zen rock
garden at Ryoanji, and visit sublime Daitokuji,
whose small Zen temples and gardens are
associated with masters of the Japanese tea
ceremony. In eastern Kyoto, walk the cherry-
blossom-lined Path of Philosophy, and in western
Kyoto, explore the lanes of the Sagano and
Arashiyama districts, remnants of Kyoto’s rural
past with their thatch-roofed houses, welcoming
teahouses, the poet Basho’s hut, and rice
paddies. We also explore Kyoto’s incredible food
markets and workshops with superbly crafted
folk arts.
Days 12-14 Koyasan / Nara / Osaka A cable
car brings us to the mountaintop monastery at
Koyasan for an overnight in a shukubo, or temple
lodging. After observing the prayers and chanting
in the morning, we catch the train for Nara,
home to many of Japan’s most revered treasures.
Walk Nara’s back streets to marvelous 7th century
Horyuji Temple and ramble the lanes of Naramachi.
Depart on Day 14 via Osaka.
Learn about the centuries-old traditions that still thrive in modern Japan.
PHOTO: SEAN PAVONE
ROBERT HARDING
“We couldn’t have
asked for a better
Trip Leader—Kate is
so knowledgeable.
Domo arigato!”
Marli K.
Larkspur CA
HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy Trip Leader Kate Ulberg’s cultural
insights and passion for Japanese culture
• Explore Kyoto, with its Zen gardens,
majestic palaces, welcoming teahouses,
food markets, and artisan districts
• Discover Kanazawa’s Edo-period geisha
quarter, visit Himeji’s famous castle and
mountaintop temple
• Experience traditional ryokans, the
serene inns that reflect Japanese culture
in miniature
DETAILS
• 14-day trip begins in Tokyo and ends in
Osaka
• 12 nights ryokans and hotels, 1 night
temple lodging
• All meals included except lunches and
2 dinners
DATES
Mar 20-Apr 2, 2017
Apr 4-17 Alternate itinerary, call for details
TRIP COST
$8295 (11-12 members)
$8595 (9-10 members)
$8895 (7-8 members)
Single supplement: $1480
TRIP LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Walking, including some steep stairs,
6-7 hours a day, Japanese-style dining
(sitting on floor)
ROBERT HARDING