Uncover the best of Japan on a budget, on this 13-day Essentials tour. Staying in a mixture of hostels and guesthouses, you'll take in the sights of Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima and much more. Visit the Imperial Palace in Tokyo and cross the Shibuya Crossing. Hike to the giant bronze Buddha of Kotoku-in in Kamakura, take a dip in an onsen bath in Hakone and cycle the streets of Kyoto. Enjoy a relaxing meditation session, pay your respects at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial and see the iconic red torii gate of Miyajima.
Embark on an unforgettable Japan adventure, designed for backpackers seeking cultural immersion and thrilling experiences. Explore iconic cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, with visits to historic temples, vibrant markets, and serene gardens. Enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine, soak in rejuvenating hot springs, and stay in unique accommodations. Engage in exciting activities including sumo-wrestling shows and samurai lessons. This tour promises a perfect blend of modern and ancient Japan, offering captivating journeys through scenic landscapes and bustling urban hubs.
The tour was wonderful. Karique was an excellent tour guide. He was knowledgeable and interesting, and looked after our group well.
The food was great, and varied, which made a huge difference. The accommodation was great, especially the stay at Yunomineso. The hot spring was a highlight of the trip.
It might be a while before I go again, but I'll definitely look at Explore when I do.
Embark on a cultural (and physical) workout with this 12-day active adventure across Japan. You’ll soak up some ancient history, see religious sites and explore the best of Japan’s nature on foot, boat and bike. Beginning in Tokyo, hike through post towns dotted along the Nakasendo Way, cycle and kayak on the Seto Inland Sea along the Shimanami Kaido and stop by historic Kyoto for an optional soak in a traditional bathhouse. Then, tackle the mother of all pilgrimages on a section of the historic Kumano Kodo. With the opportunity to explore diverse neighbourhoods, eat as much ramen as you can stomach and experience local hospitality along the way, this active adventure makes for a great taste of diverse Japan.
Fabulous & remarkable trip! Jansen went above & beyond with his customer service & taking care of everyone’s special needs and requests. The itinerary was fantastic and the guides were marvelous. Dianna also did a great job and was very accommodating.
My only critique is that we should have been provided more information on the difficulties with using credit cards and ATM’s in China and the prevalent use of cash only. I have traveled to 55 countries & never had difficulty using credit cards & ATM’s until China. Most places wouldn’t take US Visa or Mastercard & ATM’s wouldn’t give me Chinses yen
This was an excellent trip that we thoroughly enjoyed, giving an insight into contrasting landscapes/areas of Japan and to its culture and food. After initial exploration in and around Kyoto, the four days on the Kumano Kodo trail were quite demanding (particularly because it was so hot on our departure) but we got a fascinating insight into one of the more rural areas, staying in traditional Japanese hotels. A good proportion of the trail itself was in trees with occasional viewpoints and shrines, it also passed through villages and rural settings. The trails are well made and on some days the walking was long, as set out in the trip notes. The traditional Japanese food we ate every day was elaborate and carefully prepared – a bowl of sticky rice and an array of up to around 10 other small dishes of food for each person – at each meal, including breakfast; lunches were bento boxes. There was much fresh seafood by the sea. Travelling on the efficient Japanese public transport was interesting and enjoyable as it is indeed very punctual, but also uncrowded and generally very comfortable. The last couple of days in Tokyo were different again – a short time to get an impression, but as we are not really city people, this was fine.
A trip to China isn’t complete without a visit to the Great Wall. One of the seven wonders of the world, the Wall covers an enormous 8,850 kilometers across China. One of humankind’s biggest engineering miracles, the best way to enjoy the beauty of the wall is by hiking across it.
On this four-day tour, hike along the Great Wall near Beijing and visit the not-to-be-missed places in the capital such as the Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Hutong. Lower your pace and walk along beautiful mountain ridges and the unrestored and less known sections of the Great Wall. The breathtaking views are often without another traveller in sight!
Staying in the villages at the foot of the mountains is a great opportunity to connect with the friendly hosts and learn about rural life in China.
Embark on a profound pilgrimage that merges the towering grandeur of Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, with the sacred Kora around Mount Kailash. Witness the highland scenery and head to the world's highest peak, Mount Everest via Gyantse, Shigatse, and Tingri. Last but not least, you will reach Mt.Kailash. Kailash in Tibetan means the treasure of the snow-capped mountain. Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism, Bon — native religion in Tibet — and Jainism recognize it as the center of the world. This journey transcends physical challenges, offering a transformative experience that connects you deeply with both nature's magnificence and the spiritual essence of these revered mountains.
See the itinerary section for details.
Hike a classic section of the Great Wall in Hebei Province. Camp, explore and trek between small villages after exploring the iconic sights of Beijing. This innovative itinerary takes in a remote section of the Great Wall outside Beijing in Hebei Province. Hosted by local families, we camp in comfort in exclusive locations and explore the Great Wall over five days, trekking between villages. The scenery is vast and diverse as we trek our way through tall swaying corn cropped field to distant green river valleys with one of the great wonders of the world as our backdrop. Host families provide us with true rural hospitality in the 'real China' and allow us rare interaction, including visits to family homes. In Beijing we visit the capital’s major historic sites such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. We also indulge in the culinary delight that Chinese cuisine is so famous for. The Beijing food experiences will no doubt compete with the trek itself as one of the highlights of this entirely unique adventure.
Stray off the tourist trail with an eight-day hiking adventure on some of the great ancient pilgrim routes in Japan. The Koya-san and Kumano Kodo treks take you deep through the wilderness and into the mountainous landscapes of Honshu, as you gain insight into the strong connection with past and present pilgrims. Along the way, stop by peaceful temples and monasteries, soak in traditional onsen and discover the cultural hubs of Kyoto and Osaka. This small-group adventure will give you both a physical and cultural workout around the best of enchanting Japan.
I?m so thankful that G Adventures made travelling abroad such an easy and enjoyable experience! It was a wonderful way to go off the beaten path, and experience lots of local culture along the way.
PRIVATE TOUR: South Korea is rich in tradition, culture and natural beauty. Starting in the nation’s bustling capital, Seoul, travel south through the rolling tea plantations of Boesong to the ‘Treasure Island’ of Namhae and bustling port city Busan, before exploring ancient Gyeongju and the spectacular towering granite peaks of Mount Seoraksan. Discover the wonders of South Korea in 12 memorable days!
Your adventure begins in the city that never sleeps, Beijing. With a guided visit to the Forbidden City, you'll soon become immersed in the remarkable history of this former Chinese Imperial Palace. You'll have the opportunity to add guided tours of Tiananmen Square & the Temple of Heaven, along with a traditional Peking Duck Banquet, and incredible Kung Fu or Opera night time shows. Experience for yourself one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Wall of China. You'll walk along wild and restored sections as you encounter countless fortifications dominating the skyline; this really is a spectacle to behold.
As you leave Beijing & The Great Wall of China behind, you'll take a high speed train to Xi'an, an ancient imperial capital and eastern departure point of the Silk Road. Xi'an is where you'll feast your eyes on one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century - the Terracotta Warriors. Showcasing terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the Museum Halls & Pits are an extraordinary sight. You'll also have time to explore the Ancient City Walls of Xi'an, built under the rule of the Hongwu Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang as a military defence system; these walls are particularly beautiful to cycle on as the sun is setting behind you. Your time in Xi'an ends with a trip to the bustling Muslim Quarters to sample their famously exotic street food.
After your first few days near to the cities, the third portion of your trip takes you to the sub-tropical region of Guilin in Southern China. Famous for its dramatic landscapes of limestone karst hills, Guilin sits on the banks of the Li River offering a true natural paradise. Here, you'll traverse the lush rice terraces known locally as the 'Dragon's Backbone', passing through remote villages and walking alongside the tranquil Li River. This region invites you to enjoy a slower pace where the 'old style' way of life is still thriving - quite a stark contrast to city life. You'll fly back to Beijing for your last night before departing for home, we're confident with fond memories of the true Charms of China.
