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Tour details - Chikugo Valley Hike & Cycle

Highlights:

  • Enjoy two days of cycling through the picturesque Chikugo Valley countryside, exploring a colourful patchwork of fields and orchards, quaint villages, gardens, country temples and ancient tombs, and taking time out at local eateries and cafés 

  • Take two uplifting moderate-grade day-hikes commanding expansive vistas of the Kyushu mountains including the active Aso and Kuju volcanoes, with seasonal opportunities for beautiful displays of wildflowers and autumn colour

  • Relax and restore yourself in onsen baths during a two-day stay at a country ryokan in the heart of Kyushu’s volcanic belt

  • Absorb the charming old-world atmosphere in the historic regional town of Hita, and finish your day with a dinner course of the acclaimed local Wagyu beef personally prepared in front of you

  • Indulge in a gourmet dinner course showcasing the best of local produce while taking in the panoramic view of the Chikugo Valley from a hilltop onsen hotel

  • Immerse yourself in spirituality at an ancient Shinto shrine deep in the forests of a sacred mountain

  • Stay in a private, local community-operated traditional accommodation in a mountain village overlooking ancient rice terraces

An itinerary for the outdoor-minded, providing you with two days of easy cycling covering distances up to c. 25 km/day, and two moderate-grade mountain hikes at elevations of 1000 to 1800 m in forested to exposed terrain.  Discover hidden gems of the Chikugo Valley countryside and the northern and central Kyushu mountains, which you would not encounter on a normal guided tour, as well as having more opportunities to interact with the locals. Along the way, learn about the region’s fascinating history, natural environment, agricultural and horticultural traditions, and spirituality—all coming together as a story of life along the ‘Mother River’ of Kyushu. You will also have ample opportunity to experience the diverse northern Kyushu food culture, including yakitori, ramen and udon noodles, premium-quality Wagyu beef, traditional country cooking, artisan breads and patisserie, and fusion Japanese-Western cuisine. Enjoy a diverse range of accommodation styles that includes an upper mid-range onsen ryokan, a boutique Japanese-style hotel, a private mountain village house, and mid-range Western-style hotels.

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MAIN DESTINATIONS COVERED: Kurume, rural districts of Kurume and surrounding areas, Mt Kuju area, Hita, Hikosan (Mt Hiko)

 

TOUR LENGTH: 9 days (8 nights)

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MAXIMUM NUMBER OF PERSONS: 6

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SEASON: mid-May to early June, late October to mid-December, mid-January to late March (weather and snow conditions permitting; cycling may not be available in winter)

 

BOOKINGS CLOSE: 90 days before agreed departure date

 

START LOCATION: JR Hakata Station, Fukuoka [MAP]

 

END LOCATION: JR Kokura Station, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka Prefecture [MAP]

 

FITNESS LEVEL: high

 

CULTURAL TOLERANCE: moderate (must be able to sleep on traditional futon bedding on at least 3 nights)

 

COST: from AUD $3600/person (6 persons) to $5600/person (2 persons), including ALL ground transport, accommodation, meals, tour guiding, fees and charges

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