Mount Toubkal Trek

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Mount Toubkal Trek

Tours

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Budget

$1,500
Duration

5 days
Time to Travel

April - July
Type

Family Trip
Language

French
Destination

Euro

Shikoku is Japan’s fourth-largest island, home to some of the country’s most spectacular and undeveloped scenery.

The island is also the setting for an ancient walking trail, the challenging Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage. The trail connects 88 Buddhist temples and the full walk covers more than a thousand kilometers.

For our Shikoku Pilgrim Trail itinerary we have selected the best walks and accommodations, including Shukubo pilgrims lodgings and fine inns in appealing cities such as Tokushima and Dogo Onsen near Matsuyama, which offer convenient transport to the trailheads.

Highlights

Accommodation in hotels, Japanese-style inns (ryokan, minshuku). Japanese-style accommodation will generally be in tatami-mat rooms
7 breakfasts and 6 dinners
Individual return train tickets from Kyoto/Osaka to Shikoku
Individual train tickets for intermediate train journeys along the Shikoku 88 trail
A pre-booked and pre-paid taxi on Day 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8
Detailed day-to-day itinerary and walking directions along with Topographical maps

What's Included

Bus transport from and to Oslo
5 nights accommodation
Breakfasts, packed lunches and five dinners
Detailed tour description
24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative

Tour Plan

After breakfast, you are transferred to Glengoyne Distillery for a tour and tasting session. You are then transferred to Drymen to begin your walk on the West Highland Way, taking in views over Loch Lomond from the top of Conic Hill before descending into Balmaha for your evening stay.

Accommodation: Westcord Fashion Hotel or similar
Optional hotel upgrade: Westcord Art

Your walk today takes you along the east side of Loch Lomond, clinging to the water’s edge along much of the way. This is a lovely, low level and relaxed stage as it meanders past pebbly beaches and giving you plenty of time to take in the surrounding scenery and wildlife.

Cycling for the day: 53km
Accommodation: Hotel Lion d’Or or similar
Optional hotel upgrade: Landgoed Duin & Kruidberg in Santpoort-Noord (includes dinner)

From Rowardennan, the path heads into thick woodland. There are two options here: the easier being the wide forest track which follows the contours up and down the hill; or the more time consuming, narrow path which skirts over rocks and exposed tree roots along the banks of the loch. The rocky and uneven path continues along the loch, hugging the water’s edge amidst ancient oak forest. The loch becomes noticeably narrower as the path approaches Inverarnan.

Cycling for the day: 38km
Accommodation: Tulip-Inn Leiden Centre, Golden Tulip Leiden Centre, Fletcher Wellness Hotel or similar

Soon after leaving Inverarnan, the path runs alongside the picturesque, fast-flowing River Falloch before a long stretch on an old military road. The route here closely follows the West Highland Line railway and eventually passes underneath the tracks as the path nears a coniferous forest. The route continues through the forest along a winding, undulating path, eventually crossing the road and River Fillin. Views of the surrounding mountains are wonderful. A well-maintained path follows the River Cononish before reaching Tyndrum.

Cycling for the day: 63km
Accommodation: Westcord Fashion Hotel or similar
Optional hotel upgrade: Westcord Art

Take a steep serpentine path up to the village of Anopolis, from there walk to ancient Aradena, situated at the edge of the impressive Aradena Gorge. A scenic path goes down into the Aradena Gorge all the way to the coast. The last part of today’s walk takes you along the coast back to Loutro. A shorter route today is possible via the tiny village of Livaniana and then descending through the Aradena Gorge to the sea. Depending on your flight time on the following day, you may need to travel back to Chora Sfakion by ferry today, and on to Chania or Heraklion.

Walking for the day: 16km, 4h, max ↑840m ↓840m
Accommodation: Kyma Hotel or similar Loutro