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Trip Itinerary
Delve into the hidden world of Buddhist pilgrims, ancient temples, and the cultural Nara region on this awe-inspiring bike tour.
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Where to Arrive
Airport:
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Pick-up location:
Hotel Granvia Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Pick-up time:
9:45 AM
Where to Depart
Airport:
Kansai International Airport (KIX)
Drop-off location:
Hotel Dhawa Yura Kyoto, Kyoto, Japan
Drop-off time:
10:00 AM
Additional Arrival Information
We suggest that you arrive at least one day prior to the trip start, which will enable you to adjust to the time zone and minimize the risk of missing the trip start due to flight-related delays.
We recommend you fly into Kansai International Airport. There are various ways to get from Kansai Airport Station to Kyoto Station, but the easiest and fastest option is taking "terminal-to-terminal" Haruka Express Train, operated by JR West and takes approximately 80 minutes. There are frequent trains between Kansai Airport and Kyoto. You can use the JR West Timetable and Fare Finder on www.westjr.co.jp/global/ to find a train time that suits your schedule.
Your Trek Travel guides will meet you at 9:45 AM at Hotel Granvia. We'll board a 30-minute shuttle to Yawata, located on the banks of the Kizu River. Here, we'll enjoy lunch and prepare for our first ride of the trip. Your guides will familiarize you with your Trek bike, including an informal fit session along with safety talks and expectations for the week.
If you will be late for the pick-up or are going to miss it altogether, please inform your guides. If you cannot reach them, please call our first hotel, Noborioji Hotel Nara (+81 0742 25 2591) and leave a message with your expected arrival time and contact details. A taxi from Kyoto to the first hotel will take about 40 minutes and costs around $150.
Additional Departure Information
You will say farewell to your guides at the final dinner in Kyoto. The next day, you will depart from the hotel at your leisure. Check-out is at 10:00 AM. To get to the airport from the hotel, you can take a train from Kyoto Station to Kansai International Airport (~80 min) or hire a cab directly to the airport (~90 min). You can use the JR West Timetable and Fare Finder on www.westjr.co.jp/global/ to find a train time that suits your schedule.
For extra assistance with transportation reservations, the hotel concierge is available during your stay.
Ride the scenic Kizu River bike paths to historic Nara
Overview
Welcome to Japan! Your trip starts in Kyoto, where you'll meet your guides at 9:45 AM at Hotel Granvia. We'll board a 30-minute shuttle to Yawata, located on the banks of the Kizu River. Then we'll prepare for our first ride of the trip. Your guides will familiarize you with your Trek bike, including an informal fit session along with safety talks and expectations for the week. We'll enjoy lunch together before we roll out. This first ride winds its way along the Ki... Welcome to Japan! Your trip starts in Kyoto, where you'll meet your guides at 9:45 AM at Hotel Granvia. We'll board a 30-minute shuttle to Yawata, located on the banks of the Kizu River. Then we'll prepare for our first ride of the trip. Your guides will familiarize you with your Trek bike, including an informal fit session along with safety talks and expectations for the week. We'll enjoy lunch together before we roll out. This first ride winds its way along the Kizu river and is polka-dotted with tea fields. The ride is almost completely on bike path which allows you to enjoy the scenery without worrying about traffic - just don't forget to ride on the left! Our destination is Nara, which will also be your home for next three nights. Don’t be surprised if you see deer roaming through the town, as they are practically domesticated and a common sight in Nara deer park. This evening we'll gather for a social hour and conclude with dinner at the hotel restaurant, Le Bois. Read More
Hotel
Noborioji Hotel Nara
Meals included
Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Featured Meal | Dinner at Le Bois
Tonight you will enjoy masterfully crafted dishes that are Japanese inspired with a french twist from the Michelin trained, executive chef a... Tonight you will enjoy masterfully crafted dishes that are Japanese inspired with a french twist from the Michelin trained, executive chef at Le Bois. This is a meal you won't forget! Read More
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Yawata Nagarebashi to Noborioji - Approximately 18 mi | 29 km and 750 ft | 228 m
Discover the Tōdai-ji Temple and the craft of matcha in a traditional tea ceremony
Overview
Good morning in Nara! This vibrant city was once the first permanent capital of Japan and to this day remains an important historical and cultural center for the country, with eight temples and a former palace of the empire. Today it's recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is truly one-of-a-kind. After a freshly prepared breakfast, we'll warm up our legs with the first climb of the day. We'll then descend on quiet, pleasant backroads through the countryside... Good morning in Nara! This vibrant city was once the first permanent capital of Japan and to this day remains an important historical and cultural center for the country, with eight temples and a former palace of the empire. Today it's recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is truly one-of-a-kind. After a freshly prepared breakfast, we'll warm up our legs with the first climb of the day. We'll then descend on quiet, pleasant backroads through the countryside. On the way back we'll spot a few temples nestled throughout the rolling farmland. Return to our hotel with plenty of time to explore the historical center of Nara before we experience the tranquility of a private Japanese tea ceremony. Afterwards, we will head to a local restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere. Read More
Hotel
Noborioji Hotel Nara
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Tea ceremony
Experience the tranquility of a private Japanese tea ceremony.
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Nara Loop - Approximately 27 mi | 43 km and 2,800 ft | 853 m
Ride Option 2
AVID OPTION:
Nara Loop with Climb - Approximately 30 mi | 48 km and 3,306 ft | 1,000 m
Activities
Activity 1
TODAY'S ACTIVITY:
Private Tea Ceremony
Cycle from Nara’s plains to the hills and partake in a private sushi experience
Overview
Today we venture on a quiet climb off the Nara plain that leads you through cedar forests past ancient temples up to a plateau. Once on top, you’ll see numerous rice paddies recently flooded and planted with seedlings. The sound of croaking frogs fills the air as you pass by. Lunch is a chance to try from a tasty selection of delicious noodles, rice based donburi, or even the ever-popular Japanese Katsu curry. From lunch we crest a few small hills before an exhila... Today we venture on a quiet climb off the Nara plain that leads you through cedar forests past ancient temples up to a plateau. Once on top, you’ll see numerous rice paddies recently flooded and planted with seedlings. The sound of croaking frogs fills the air as you pass by. Lunch is a chance to try from a tasty selection of delicious noodles, rice based donburi, or even the ever-popular Japanese Katsu curry. From lunch we crest a few small hills before an exhilarating long descent back down to the Nara plain. You'll pass through the town of Tenri, famous for its modern Buddhist temples and architecture. A large community of followers live, study, and worship in Tenri. You'll then be on quiet backstreets, allowing you to relax and marvel at the small gardens and historic houses along the route. Tonight, you'll have the option to partake in a private sushi experience where you will learn about the history of sushi in Japanese culture and try it yourself! Then, you may enjoy dinner on your own at one of the many incredible restaurants in Nara, or at the beautiful hotel restaurant. The choice is yours. Read More
Hotel
Noborioji Hotel Nara
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch
Highlight of the Day
Venture into the lush forests
This ride is ripe with vibrant forests, rice paddy fields, and rushing creeks. The plateau above Nara quickly sweeps you out of the city and... This ride is ripe with vibrant forests, rice paddy fields, and rushing creeks. The plateau above Nara quickly sweeps you out of the city and into nature. Read More
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Hari and Tenri Dam Loop - Approximately 36 mi | 58 km and 3,300 ft | 1,005 m
Ride Option 2
SHORT OPTION:
Yamato Kogen and Tenri Dam Loop - Approximately 20 mi | 32 km and 1,570 ft | 480 m
Activities
Activity 1
TODAY'S ACTIVITY:
Private Sushi Experience
Bike to Kashihara and explore Fujiwara-kyo, the ancient imperial capital
Overview
Wake to another beautiful day of exploring! The ride from Nara to Kashihara winds its way along ancient paths and roads through the cradle of Japanese Culture. Inhabited for over two millennia, there are recently excavated tombs and temples dotting the hills. We stop at one of oldest Shinto shrines—Oomiwa Jinja, which is dedicated to sake! Lunch is at a farmer's market where locally grown produce is served in a sumptuous style. Despite being in a busy area you wil... Wake to another beautiful day of exploring! The ride from Nara to Kashihara winds its way along ancient paths and roads through the cradle of Japanese Culture. Inhabited for over two millennia, there are recently excavated tombs and temples dotting the hills. We stop at one of oldest Shinto shrines—Oomiwa Jinja, which is dedicated to sake! Lunch is at a farmer's market where locally grown produce is served in a sumptuous style. Despite being in a busy area you will be charmed and surprised at the contrasts between modern and old. After the ride, you have the option to bathe in the SkySpa, which is a rooftop open-air bath, overlooking the city. For dinner, we will convene at our favorite restaurant in Kashihara. Read More
Hotel
Candeo Hotel Kashihara
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Local food market
If you're looking to experience the unique taste and flavors of Japanese street food, then visiting a local market is a must! Japan is known... If you're looking to experience the unique taste and flavors of Japanese street food, then visiting a local market is a must! Japan is known for its vibrant and bustling street food scene, where vendors sell everything from savory dishes to sweet treats. Read More
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Noborioji to Kashihara - Approximately 35 mi | 56 km and 1,800 ft | 550 m
Climb to historic Koyasan to experience Buddhist life
Overview
Today we leave the Nara plain and head southwest through a gentle valley that has seen several centuries of traders and pilgrims making their way to the Yoshino valley. You’ll cross the Yoshino river and follow its scenic banks. Lunch is in a 200-year-old farmhouse made comfortable for an exciting meal with a variety of small, appetizing foods. After lunch, you'll head into our “Queen stage” as you ride through an incredible river gorge, hear water surging ove... Today we leave the Nara plain and head southwest through a gentle valley that has seen several centuries of traders and pilgrims making their way to the Yoshino valley. You’ll cross the Yoshino river and follow its scenic banks. Lunch is in a 200-year-old farmhouse made comfortable for an exciting meal with a variety of small, appetizing foods. After lunch, you'll head into our “Queen stage” as you ride through an incredible river gorge, hear water surging over the rocks, and feel the cool air against your skin. You’ll then climb up winding roads to the holy town of Mount Koya. It will be a worthwhile and unforgettable challenge as you reach the 1,000-year-old town and follow the footsteps (or tire tracks) of millions of pilgrims that have made this trek to pay homage to their deities. Your ride finishes at the temple of Sekishoin where you’ll experience one night in a quiet mountain temple and enjoy a plant-based meal (Shōjin ryōri) served by monks. Your stay at this temple provides a historic experience that is reminiscent of a pilgrims stay hundreds of years ago. The following morning you can take part in morning worship and hear the monks recite mantras accompanied by drums, bells, and a fire ceremony - you won’t want to miss this. Read More
Hotel
Sekishoin Temple
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Roam the temples and cemeteries of Mount Koya (Koyasan) by night
Mount Koya is rich in sacred spaces and temples, however, there is more to be seen at night. Enjoy a stroll around the village and down the ...
Mount Koya is rich in sacred spaces and temples, however, there is more to be seen at night. Enjoy a stroll around the village and down the stone-lantern lit pathway through a cemetery where over 200,000 gravestones lie in a cedar forest.
Read More
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Kashihara to Koyasan - Approximately 39 mi | 63 km and 5,500 ft | 1,700 m
Relax at the temple and enjoy a luxury dinner in Kyoto
Overview
Rise early today for a stroll through this picture-perfect town just as it's waking, or join choral chanting monks for their morning ceremony. After breakfast, take the time to visit the bright orange 150-foot tall Konpon Daito Pagoda and surrounding memorial grounds, or relax in the temple’s bath before it's time hop back on our bikes. We descend on a beautiful and secluded, albeit rough, narrow and winding road. At the bottom, we'll board a scenic shuttle back t... Rise early today for a stroll through this picture-perfect town just as it's waking, or join choral chanting monks for their morning ceremony. After breakfast, take the time to visit the bright orange 150-foot tall Konpon Daito Pagoda and surrounding memorial grounds, or relax in the temple’s bath before it's time hop back on our bikes. We descend on a beautiful and secluded, albeit rough, narrow and winding road. At the bottom, we'll board a scenic shuttle back to Kyoto. Tonight at social hour, we'll toast to a week of new experiences, discovering a new culture, and meeting new friends. We will say our goodbyes over a final, delicious dinner together. Read More
Hotel
Dhawa Yura Kyoto
Meals included
Breakfast | Lunch | Social Hour | Dinner
Highlight of the Day
Descend from the high mountains
Enjoy a nice descent through the peaceful pine tree forests of Koyasan back down to bustling Hashimoto. The curvy roads and impeccable views... Enjoy a nice descent through the peaceful pine tree forests of Koyasan back down to bustling Hashimoto. The curvy roads and impeccable views to the valleys below are bound to put a smile on your face. Read More
Ride Options
Ride Option 1
TODAY'S RIDE:
Koyasan to Hashimoto - Approximately 18 mi | 29 km and 1,000 ft | 305 m
Savor a peaceful morning with Japanese tea before you depart
Overview
Enjoy a slow breakfast and relaxing morning. Departure is at your leisure before check-out at 10:00 AM. If you are enjoying extra time in Kyoto, the hotel is very close to the town center and walkable to a wide array of famous sights in the area. Your guides will be happy to give you recommendations.
Meals included
Breakfast
Highlight of the Day
If a date is marked as Private, it is reserved for a private group.
Don’t see exactly what you are looking for or looking for a custom date?
Call our trip consultants at 866-464-8735
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