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JAPAN: Hiking the Japan Alps The Japanese worship nature - indeed, the great 17th-century Japanese poet Basho counseled to "be one with nature." You'll share their profound reverence for the natural world as you explore the spectacular beauty of Japan's North Alps on this challenging trek - the best in the country. The jewels of the Japanese mountains, the snow-streaked North Alps rise to more than 10,000 feet, and you'll climb steeply through dense, luxuriant pine forests along rocky, narrow trails to some of the peaks themselves. To ease the strain of our daytime exertions, you'll relax at night in comfortable Japanese-style mountain huts (yama-goya), making friends with like-minded Japanese hikers and occasionally soaking weary bodies in communal hot springs (onsen). In addition to exploring the beauty of a remote and wild part of Japan, you'll also visit the famous mountain town of Takayama and the ancient, temple-filled city of Kyoto, a living museum of Japanese art, culture, and history. TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
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 Itinerary: Hiking the Japanese Alps
Day 1 - Meet in Tokyo, Japan, with its lively East-meets-West ambiance. Day 2 - Leave the hustle and bustle of Tokyo behind and travel by train and bus through the mountains to the trailhead at Nakabusa Onsen (4,756'). Day 3 - Begin hiking up the side of a canyon to a hut at 8,888', set on a high ridge at timberline with views of Mounts Tsubakuro and Yari (meaning "spear"). You'll need to carry a pack large enough to contain your personal belongings for the week. Food and bedding are provided at the huts. Days 4-5 - Ascend steep, narrow, and rocky ridges to the slopes of Yari-ga-take (Mount Yari). Day 6 - Optional climb of Yari (10,428') using a combination of steel ladders and chains. Descend steeply over rock and scree switchbacks to a forested canyon and along the Yari Sawa (river) to Yokoo Sanso (5,313'). Days 7-8 - Hike up a forested canyon under Byoubu Rocks, a major rock climbing area. Optional climb of Mount Oku-Hotaka (10,466'), the highest peak of the North Alps, and descend to Karasawa (7,150'). Day 9 - Hike down through the forest into the Kamikochi Valley (4,936'). Day 10 - Drive to Takayama, often called "Little Kyoto," and explore the town. Days 11-12 - Morning in Takayama, which has preserved the feeling of a castle town, apparent in its history-filled streets. Travel by train to Kyoto, the embodiment of Japan's refined culture. Depart Kyoto on Day 12.  Detailed Itinerary - JAPAN: Hiking the Japan Alps 1. Download detailed itinerary in a PDF format 2007 Detailed Itinerary (PDF files require that you have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed. This program can be downloaded for free from the Adobe Website.) 2. Or email us your itinerary request at sales@mtsobek.com 3. Or call us at 1-888-831-7526 (USA and Canada) or (510) 594-6000 We’ll email you a copy (Word or Acrobat document), fax, or mail you the itinerary as you prefer. For more information and reservations, please contact: Mountain Travel Sobek 1266 66th Street, Suite 4 Emeryville, CA 94608 USA Toll Free (USA and Canada): 1-888-831-7526 Phone: +1-510-594-6000 Fax: + 1-510-594-6001 Email: info@mtsobek.com
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