Stunning Japan
Learn about the charm of Japan as you explore Buddhist temples and shrines, fishing villages, and vintage markets.
Undeniably Unique
Japan is a multi-faceted country. Although it's easy to have an enjoyable time on your own, it's nearly impossible to understand the intricacies of the culture without local guidance. That’s where we come in. Together we'll explore an endless array of hidden Tokyo gems: quirky little shops, uber-stylish boutiques, adorable cafes, and tiny neighborhood bars and restaurants, before zipping off to the ancient capital of Kyoto, as well as a charming fishing village far from the hustle and bustle. This itinerary was formed from personal relationships, making it one-of-a-kind.
About your trip
Like any ECT experience, this itinerary is based on personal relationships. During your time in Tokyo and Kyoto, we'll introduce you to people and experiences that will provide you with layer upon layer of context. Our trip has a strong focus on exploring on foot because we believe that the best way to fully experience a new place is by doing it slowly.
What’s included
All activities mentioned on the itinerary
Boutique hotel accommodations
Bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto (one-way)
8 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners and more
El Camino’s exclusive Eat, Play, Shop Guide
Experienced local host with you throughout the trip
Pre-filled “Pasmo” rail cards to use for the local train rides throughout the trip
Not included
Airfare in and out of the country
Transportation to and from the airport(s)
Incidental expenses
Alcohol except where noted
Tips
Travelers must provide evidence that they have purchased travel insurance for the duration of their journey. If you’d like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process. If you need assistance please contact our Customer Success team.
Itinerary
Flight
☞Please remember to book separately
Day 1
☞Arrival in Tokyo (HND) | Welcome dinner
Day 2
☞Walking tour | Private dinner
Day 3
☞Meiji Jingu shrine | Female-run Izakaya dinner
Day 4
☞Tsukiji Market experience | Vintage walking tour
Day 5
☞Bullet train to Kyoto | Historic tour and seasonal dinner
Day 6
☞Buddhist temple with meditation | Traditional crafts studio visit
Day 7
☞Artist studio experience | Sake brewery and Funaya visit
Day 8
☞Private yoga and special tour | Farewell party
Day 9
☞Depart from Kyoto (ITM)
Your Itinerary
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Arrive: Our adventures begin in the one-and-only Tokyo. 'Charming' may not be the first word you think of when Tokyo comes to mind, but perhaps it should be. Most people who have never visited picture Tokyo as a futuristic, neon-filled metropolis. While there are definitely some parts of the city like this, one thing that surprises travelers the most is just how serene Tokyo can be. Apart from a few hyper-urbanized areas, much of Tokyo is made up of quiet, attractive neighborhoods where you can stroll and come across endless hidden gems: quirky little shops, uber-stylish boutiques, adorable cafes, and tiny neighborhood bars and restaurants. We can't wait to show you this unexpected side of Tokyo.
Evening: We'll meet in the lobby of our hotel and embark on our first adventure together. In quintessential Tokyo style, we’ll make our way to dinner via Tokyo’s astoundingly clean and efficient local rail.
For our welcome dinner, we'll have reservations at a friendly and intimate neighborhood sushi shop, one of our favorites. Over a wonderful meal prepared with love and great care, we'll have the chance to begin getting to know each other while savoring the magnificence of sushi in Japan.
After dinner, some may want to head back to the hotel and rest, though if you have the energy we suggest heading out to experience Tokyo’s extraordinary nightlife, which is especially lively on Saturday nights. For the nightlife lovers, we’ll have tips on where to drink (from tiny cocktail bars to sake and natural wine specialists), dance (the city is home to some of the world’s most energetic clubs, featuring house, techno, hip hop, and more), or sing your heart out at one of Tokyo’s countless karaoke bars.
Meals included: Dinner
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Morning: Ohayou gozaimasu! Sundays in Tokyo are made for walking and exploring, and today we'll be visiting a lovingly curated selection of our favorite Tokyo neighborhoods for a unique and eclectic introduction to the city's older and newer sides.
Tokyo is surprisingly walkable and one of the joys of a city with so many winding backstreets is that there is always a new discovery around the corner. But it can be extremely easy to get lost if you don't know where you're going, even if you're using Google Maps. In fact, Tokyo is so notoriously mazelike—and its system of addresses so labyrinthine—that it can be difficult even for local residents. Until recently, it was common for people to fax each other written maps and instructions.
Most areas of Tokyo were destroyed during the second world war, but there are a few magical pockets that were spared. Alongside a local expert, we’ll stroll through a beautiful retro district to experience its delightful mix of old-school charm, daily life, and youthful creative energy. We’ll visit tiny neighborhood temples, sample traditional snacks at mom-and-pop shops, and have the chance to pop into adorable bakeries, cafes, boutiques, and galleries (many run by young local creatives).
Tokyo is a massive city and you likely won’t have a chance to make it back to this area, so we’ll leave a little free time to wander and marvel at its beautifully preserved architecture, shop, or linger at a café and savor the wonderful slow pace of the older side of Tokyo.
Afternoon: For lunch today, we'll be treated to a private dining experience at a charming woman-owned restaurant on a winding side street in a quiet nook of central Tokyo. The foreign-born chef lovingly sources seasonal ingredients from throughout Japan and prepares them with passion and care in her warm, intimate restaurant (a local favorite). Over delicious food, we'll also have the chance to learn about the gracious chef's highly unique experience as a foreigner and female restaurant owner in Japan.
Following lunch, our adventures continue to another of the city's most charming districts. In recent years, this hip and scenic neighborhood has morphed into one of the city’s trendiest areas. Despite its rise in popularity, it remains one of the best (and most stylish) places to immerse yourself in the laid-back side of the metropolis. Along with some of Tokyo’s absolute best people-watching, the neighborhood’s famous tree-lined canal is dotted with open-air bistros and cafes, and fashionable boutiques. On Sundays, the area really comes alive and is the perfect place to get a feel for daily life in contemporary Tokyo.
We’ll put our walking shoes to good use through attractive side streets of one more uber-fashionable neighborhood. Our adventure concludes at the city’s most stunning bookstore where you can peruse an incredible selection of Japanese magazines. Rest your legs, grab a tea or craft beer at the bookstore's chic and relaxing cafe, and enjoy the feeling of spending a Sunday in Tokyo as locals do.
Evening: You'll have the remainder of your Sunday free to explore. Since many shops are closed on Mondays, we’ll include some extra free time this afternoon. This is the perfect time to do a little shopping, continue strolling, or return to the hotel for some downtime. Even people who don't typically enjoy shopping will be surprised to find retail inspiration in this creative and tasteful city.
Dinner this evening is free, and our Eat, Play, Shop guide (that you'll receive prior to departure) will include a range of options, from culinary “temples” to hole-in-the-wall gems.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
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Morning: After breakfast at our hotel, we'll meet in the lobby and make the short trip by rail to our first destination. Our Monday begins with a relaxing and contemplative walk through one of the city's most spacious green spaces: Meiji Jingu. On weekends, Meiji Jingu, the city’s best-known Shinto shrine, is packed with tourists, but Monday mornings are usually quieter. As we walk through this small forest in the heart of the city, we’ll also be introduced to the complex interplay between Japan’s Shinto and Buddhism.
From Meiji Jingu, we’ll walk through a unique collection of essential Tokyo neighborhoods—colorful, elegant, and design-forward. We’ll pay a visit to a sublime traditional kissaten (old-fashioned coffee shop) for a masterclass in how Japan has perfected the art of slow coffee. Japan is home to more than its fair share of cutting-edge cafes and international barista champions, but the soul of Japanese coffee culture lies in its classic, vintage kissaten. Each cup is prepared with a painstaking—and profoundly inspiring—intentionality and obsessive attention to detail. As part of our unique visit, we'll have the chance to learn from this old-school master of tradition, and enjoy one of the most memorable cups of coffee in your life.
Our morning concludes with a gorgeous lunch featuring seasonal and traditional Japanese dishes at a stylish vegan restaurant nearby.
Afternoon: You’ll have the afternoon free. You could easily spend the rest of your day right here, wandering through this dynamic trio of neighborhoods. Your local host is available to point you in the right direction to explore more of Tokyo's outrageously charming backstreets.
Whether you want to continue eating your way through the city, explore Tokyo’s art, architecture, and design, shop, or stroll through more of Tokyo’s best neighborhoods, we've got you covered with a curated selection of recs in our Eat, Play, Shop guide.
Evening: Meet in the lobby and head out to take in yet another Tokyo district. After making our way to this elegant neighborhood by local rail, we’ll walk through bustling streets to another nearby neighborhood that’s especially lively on weeknights, where locals head out to eat and drink after work.
We'll be dining tonight at an unassuming female-run hole-in-the-wall izakaya (local tavern). Over lively conversation, enjoy fantastic small plates of Japanese comfort food in an informal, unforgettable setting. After dinner, make your way back to the hotel to relax or venture out for more Tokyo fun.
Meals included: Breakfast, coffee tasting, lunch, and dinner
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Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, we'll head to Tokyo's fantastic Tsukiji Market. You may have heard that the market moved in 2018. But it still remains one of Japan’s most iconic marketplaces that is a must-visit for food lovers. By the end of this experience, you'll understand why. The historic market is a colorful maze of lanes and alleys lined with both traditional and modern vendors selling fresh seafood and produce, Japanese staples such as tea and konbu, and delicious street snacks. We'll explore with a local expert who will introduce us to some of her favorite people in the market, including some remarkable women thriving in what is traditionally a male-dominated environment.
Afternoon: From Tsukiji, you'll be free to continue on your own until our vintage walk this afternoon. If you're a garden lover, take advantage of our convenient location to walk to one of Tokyo's most striking gardens. The unique garden overlooks Tokyo Bay, with a backdrop of skyscrapers. For a pick-me-up, savor a cup of traditional matcha in the garden's old-fashioned teahouse. Or walk to a nearby district and visit unique shops and mouth-watering depachika food halls.
Following your free time, we'll reconvene in the lobby and head to a quiet and charming Tokyo neighborhood rarely visited by travelers. Tokyo is home to some of the most legendary vintage and antique shopping on Earth, and on this meandering neighborhood walk, we'll have the chance to visit a unique selection of small shops specializing in vintage clothes, vinyl, pottery, and more. To break up our walk, we'll have time to pop into a cute local cafe with great coffee and cold-pressed juice.
Evening: Our walk concludes in one of Tokyo's liveliest neighborhoods, the perfect place to keep taking in the eclectic shops, bars, and restaurants. An ideal location to make the most of your final evening in Tokyo! Your local host can point you in the right direction to anywhere else in the expansive city you'd like to check out. For dinner recs, tap your Eat, Play, Shop guide.
Meals included: Breakfast, snacks at the market
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Morning: Enjoy a leisurely morning before it's time to check out. We'll be traveling to Kyoto today on the shinkansen, Japan's truly delightful bullet train. After making our way to the huge Tokyo Station, we'll spend some time browsing the incredible selection of gorgeous seasonal bento boxes. Our guide will help you pick out a delicious option for you to purchase for the ride, as eating a bento on the train is a national pastime in Japan. Options range from vegetables and seafood to sandwiches, onigiri, gyoza, wagyu, tonkatsu, and more!
Afternoon: Following our speedy two-hour ride, we'll arrive in the ancient capital. At first glance, Kyoto Station almost looks like it could be found in any large Japanese city, but we'll soon discover that Kyoto is a fascinatingly layered city—profoundly rich in history and brimming with contemporary creativity.
After checking into our hotel we'll have a couple of hours to settle in, relax at the hotel, or begin wandering independently.
Evening: We'll gather in the lobby and embark on our first guided walk, venturing to an atmospheric district filled with history, charm, and countless hidden gems. For our first dinner in Kyoto, the emphasis will be on wonderful local and seasonal vegetables, one of Kyoto's many culinary specialties. Afterward, have an early night in slower-paced Kyoto, or head to one of the city's small handful of excellent cocktail bars.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
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Morning: After breakfast at the hotel, we'll meet up in the lobby and head to our first destination: a lovely Buddhist temple in one of Kyoto's historic districts. Our experience begins with a private temple tour led by a Zen monk. Enjoy the spectacular atmosphere and the temple's garden, followed by a private Zen-style meditation.
After this immersive experience, we'll walk through the fabulous old streets to a breathtaking lunch at a legendary traditional tempura specialist. If you've never enjoyed premium tempura in Japan, prepare to be delighted.
Afternoon: To cap an amazing day, we'll visit the working studio of some of the city's most innovative yet traditional craftspeople. As part of our visit, we'll learn about their craft and vision, with a firsthand look at their brilliant work.
Evening: We'll conclude around mid-afternoon so that you can enjoy the remainder of the afternoon and evening free. You'll have countless recommendations for shops, cafes, gardens, and more in your Eat, Play, Shop guide.
For dinner, we'll provide plenty of recommendations, depending on your preferences. You also have the option of making a side trip to Osaka by rail (about 40 minutes each way), which is famous for its street food, nightlife, and wildly extroverted people.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
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Morning: Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then meet in the lobby. Today we'll have the chance to enjoy a day trip to one of the many wonderful places located within easy reach of Kyoto.
Our destination today is a scenic region, located north of Kyoto on the Sea of Japan coast. The area is home to traditional fishing villages, as well as a small creative scene that we will be exploring.
Following the drive of approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes, our time here begins with an intimate studio visit. We'll meet a young artist specializing in traditional Japanese paper who is making waves in the interior design world. His works are often used as wallpaper and furniture in trendy new hotels and restaurants in Japan.
Afternoon: We'll enjoy a great local lunch in an adorable small town. We'll have a bit of free time to stretch our legs with a walk around the area before jumping back in the car for a short and scenic drive up the coast.
Welcome to one of the most charming seaside villages you'll ever visit, and our first stop is a local sake brewery run by a female sake maker. After sampling her nihonshu (sake), you have the option to purchase some to take home—and taste the sake ice cream! The fishing village of Ine is renowned for its adorable little funaya (boat houses), and to conclude our day trip we will have the opportunity to visit one of these remarkable abodes.
Evening: We'll depart Ine and begin the roughly two-hour drive back to Kyoto. Dinner this evening is at your leisure, and we'll have plenty of suggestions for food and drink for tonight.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, and sake tasting
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Morning: This morning after breakfast at the hotel, we'll have a memorable private yoga session at a villa overlooking a traditional garden. Afterward, to cap the session, we'll enjoy an invigorating bowl of green tea and a traditional wagashi (Japanese sweet).
Our morning continues with a private tour of a renovated machiya. In recent years, these splendid old Kyoto-style townhouses have been given new life by Kyoto residents, as well as creative individuals from around Japan and beyond. Our behind-the-scenes tour will give us insight into how these spaces were used by families traditionally, and how the buildings are being updated both structurally and aesthetically.
Afternoon: Following our morning activities, we'll be free until our farewell party this evening. We'll have plenty of suggestions, whether you'd like to explore more of Kyoto's highlights, or perhaps take a half-day trip to another destination within easy reach of Kyoto, such as ancient Nara.
Evening: To celebrate our final night together in Japan, we'll have a special farewell dinner party held at one of the city's loveliest venues. Enjoy dinner, drinks, and dancing! Afterward, for anyone who would like to keep the party going, the options—including cocktails and karaoke—are endless. Kanpai (cheers)!
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
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Our time together has come to an end, until we meet again at the next adventure! You'll be free to use your time as you please until departure. From Kyoto, the nearest airports are in neighboring Osaka, which has two airports, Itami (ITM) and Kansai (KIX). Alternatively, if you have a late enough flight from Tokyo, it is typically feasible to head from Kyoto to Tokyo and depart from Tokyo on the same day.
Meals included: Breakfast
Important Notes
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We teamed up with the Japan destination experts at Boutique Japan to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to life.
Japan is a multi-faceted country. Although it's easy to have an enjoyable time on your own, it's nearly impossible to understand the intricacies of the culture without local guidance. That's where we come in. Like any ECT experience, this itinerary is based on personal relationships. During your time in Tokyo and Kyoto, we'll introduce you to people and experiences that will provide you with layer upon layer of context. Our trip has a strong focus on exploring by foot because we believe that the best way to fully experience a new place is by doing it slowly. In Tokyo, we'll bring you to many surprisingly quiet and charming neighborhoods that you may not expect. Together we'll explore an endless array of hidden gems: quirky little shops, uber-stylish boutiques, adorable cafes, and tiny neighborhood bars and restaurants, before zipping off to the ancient capital of Kyoto, as well as a charming fishing village far from the hustle and bustle.
On this immersive, 9-day experience, we'll indulge in slow travel by taking our time to deeply explore the rich and unique culture of this multifaceted country. We'll be spending four days in Tokyo, Japan's cultural epicenter, and four days in Kyoto, the ancient capital, for an entirely different experience. This seemingly minute detail holds great significance and is an important part of what makes our trips unique. Many other trips to Japan will try to squeeze five, six, or even more destinations into a single trip, meaning you'll end up spending a lot of your precious time in Japan in a car or train, only scraping the surface of each of the places that you visit.
Early on in the planning process, we made a bold decision to slow things down, sticking to only two main destinations, only a few hours apart. We'll also venture to another nearby destination for a day trip (a charming fishing village on the coast), keeping travel times to a minimum.
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Fly into Haneda Airport (HND) or Narita International Airport (NRT). Please note that the trip ends in Kyoto. Upon booking, your welcome letter will have more details regarding your options for returning home.
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Please note that El Camino does not handle or monitor flights and is unable to make changes with any airlines. If you need help with your flight search once you reserve your spot, we have a travel advisor that we can recommend who specializes in flights. She can be used at a small fee for those having trouble finding the best option during your flight search or who would like further assistance. She knows all the details regarding our trips and may be able to find better fares and routes than what you can find on your own.
More information will be given post booking on how travelers should work with their travel coordinator if they experience any delays or issues to ensure that we can update our local teams at your destination to arrange an adjusted pickup. If your return/outbound flight is altered at the end of your trip, we will do our best to support your needs.
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This trip is for the traveler who has an adventurous spirit, is looking to squeeze the most out of their time in Japan, and cares about making the world a better place through responsible tourism. The trip is filled with experiences that allow you to be immersed in the varied cultures of Japan. This traveler is open-minded, inherently curious, and enjoys indulging in the moment. This trip is for the traveler who finds joy in stepping outside of their comfort zone, loves trying new things, and is excited to explore a culture completely different from their own. This trip is available to travelers from all walks of life who are over the age of 18.
While El Camino Travel provides a high level of customer service, our traveler is someone who is easy-going and amenable to change in the diverse and unpredictable landscape of travel.
This trip is also for a solo traveler who does not want to travel solo, but instead with an interesting group of people and for those who do not want to spend countless hours planning a trip of a lifetime.
Our adventurous style of group travel is not for everyone. Please read carefully through the itinerary and the above description to ensure that you are booking a trip that fits your comfort level.
Please review our Traveler’s Values here prior to booking.
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We are not luxury travel, but we're not budget either. So what exactly does that mean? At El Camino Travel, we're all about the high-low. We enjoy fine dining but we also love street food. We fly coach but you can find us in the airport lounge. We'll splurge on something special like handmade pottery or a one-of-a-kind hand-sewn dress, but we also love searching online for a good deal. We love great style and design, but we also get excited about off-the-beaten-path experiences that are a little rough around the edges. We pride ourselves on designing trips that are authentic and real, understanding that any country is comprised of many lenses and lived experiences and that we can't possibly showcase them all.
This duality can be seen in our trips. Our trips represent boutique travel—not luxury, not budget. We won't be staying at hostels but we won't be at luxury hotels either. We choose boutique hotels where we can prioritize things like location, character, charm, safety, and customer service.
Sometimes we do experiences that feel more high-end. Sometimes we're going *way* off the beaten path to do something entirely unique, and sometimes that means it's a little unpolished. Our traveler is someone who enjoys both ends of the spectrum and understands that one isn't more authentic than the other.
Luxury travel usually means a lot more hand-holding. While we provide a high level of customer service, our traveler is a little more adventurous and self-sufficient. We provide blocks of free time so you have the flexibility to explore the destination your way because we understand that everyone is different. Don’t worry though, we will make sure you are equipped with a curated list of all our favorite places to eat, play, and shop for when you are out on your own with your new travel friends.
For some additional context, a luxury-travel version of our trips would start anywhere from $7,000-12,000. We mix the high-low versions of a destination to keep our trips more accessible.
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Please note that our standard pricing is based on shared double rooms. This allows us, among many things, to keep the cost of the trip accessible to as many travelers as possible. If you’re booking this trip with a friend, family member, or significant other, let us know and we’ll place you together.
Traveling solo? No problem—the majority of our travelers choose to fly solo. We’ll be in touch before the trip to learn a bit about you and find the best fit for a roommate. We will make it a priority to best situate you and we’re happy to chat more in-depth if you have any questions or concerns about this.
Single room upgrades are available! A limited number of single rooms have been reserved. Please select this option at checkout if you’d prefer your own space. If all the single rooms have already been filled, please email us at info@elcamino.travel and we'll let you know if we can secure additional rooms to accommodate a single.
We'll have more details regarding hotels prior to your trip, but we promise we chose these locations because they pass the El Camino standard of customer service and are clean, safe, and well-maintained.
It's important to note that our accommodations are not luxury or high-end. We seek more boutique accommodations that are well-situated and allow us to make the most of our itinerary.
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We have a roster of well-qualified hosts that we work with. Prior to your trip, you will receive a welcome packet that will inform you of who will be guiding your adventure. We proudly work with local hosts because no one is better equipped to provide layer upon layer of context than someone who is actually from there.
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A non-refundable 40% deposit is due at the time of booking. Final payment is due no later than 35 days prior to departure. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions for more information about our cancellation policy.
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Yes! Payment plans are available through Affirm. Apply now to make monthly payments.
What is Affirm?
Affirm helps to split your purchases over time. You get to choose your payment schedule, and you’ll never pay more than what you agree to upfront. There are no hidden fees.
How does it work?
Once approved, Affirm will issue you a one-time virtual card to use as your payment method at checkout. Then you'll make your monthly payments through Affirm.
When does my virtual card expire?
Your virtual card expires 24 hours after you confirm your loan and get your card. If your card expires before you use it, it’s like the loan never happened. You won’t owe anything for it.
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ECT Clubhouse members get $250 off.
Current members, click here for more info about your discount. Not a member? Click here to learn more about joining The ECT Clubhouse.
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We encourage travelers to aim to arrive no later than 3 pm on the first day of the trip. This should allow you time to settle in ahead of any welcome activities. Most flights to Tokyo will arrive later than this so we strongly suggest that you arrive at least 1 day early.
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Our trips are very active, and involve a lot of walking, standing, and moving around—sometimes, in very high temperatures, with high humidity, on uneven roads and terrains, in busy cities. While we work to accommodate all travelers, other modes of transportation are not always available, due to infrastructure, making walking the only option. Travelers should be willing and able to walk anywhere up to 4 miles each day, up and down stairs and hills, and be able to stand for extended periods of time. If you have any concerns or questions about the activity level of this trip, have recently had surgery, or have any history of mobility issues, please reach out to us at info@elcamino.travel before booking—we want to ensure that everyone on our trips is safe, and will able to keep up with the active itinerary. By signing up for any of our trips, you agree to and understand that a certain level of physical fitness is required to safely participate in this itinerary.
What our travelers say
“Amazing experience with a great group of similarly minded people. Art. Architecture. Culture. Boutique Hotels. Nature. Good Food. Cultural Experiences. The PERFECT mix. A trip you would want to plan yourself... without any of the planning!”
—Amy G.