Multi-Day Hiking Trips to All Corners of the World

Ever tried bog hiking?

In Estonia’s wetlands, you need ‘bog shoes’ to be able to do this special type of hike.

Our Baltics crew just tried it – and loved their bog shoes!

After a quick intro by their local guide, they put them on together, and off they were into Estonia’s bogs.

No secret corners are secret enough for Camino Women - especially with the right equipment.

#womenonlyhike #caminowomen #hiking #boghiking #bogshoe #estonia #baltics ...

‘Cong is THE BEST.’

That’s what Camino Women told me about our amazing guide in Vietnam.

‘He’s very calm and collected - nothing is a bother for him. He was very attentive to the group.’

‘He’s a beautiful mixture of professional, kind and very intuitive.’

BUT this time, Camino Women went above and beyond to show their appreciation:

‘N. even got a T-shirt made for him with a group photo of us on it.’

That’s it.

That’s the Camino Women spirit right there.

Thank you, Cong, for putting so much love into your work.

~ Pippa ...

Looks like our last Campfire Chat stirred up some feels for Camino Women.

This time, we shined the spotlight on the Stans. Our local crew spoke about trekking in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, and a few Camino Women talked about their Tajikistan and Uzbekistan adventure.

I just got these pictures from a guest and I’m in love! Tajikistan’s nature is so beautiful.

Here’s what I wrote down on one feedback call:

‘The trekking in Tajikistan’s mountains was hands down the biggest highlight.

Secondly, diving into the glacial lakes and streams. It was so invigorating and refreshing!

Thirdly, the people. The beautiful Tajiki village people are so warm, generous, respectful and hospitable. They are blessed – not with wealth, but with sincerity and love for all.’

~ Sophie

#caminowomen #caminowomenadventures #hiking #tajikistan #hikingadventure #wildcamping #womenonlyhike ...

One of the first-ever female travel writers loved this Japanese prefecture. Here’s my two cents.

Olivia here, back to share some awesome photos from my hike in the Tokohu region of northern Japan.

I also wanted to tell you about Isabella Bird, a 19th-century writer and explorer. She wrote about the Tohoku region in her book "Unbeaten Tracks in Japan".

Well, they still look pretty ‘unbeaten’ to me!

Part of my hikes in Japan followed Isabella’s footsteps. I can’t even imagine what it was like to travel through Japan 200 years ago.

Probably fewer crowds, right?

That can’t exactly be said for the Tohoku region. You know that feeling when you discover a new place almost no one goes to?

I was so lucky to feel that way in Japan. ♥️

I completely agree with what Isabella wrote two centuries ago: “Japan offers as much novelty perhaps as an excursion to another planet.”

Perhaps some things aren't meant to change.

What was the place where you felt like you were on ‘an excursion to another planet’? ...

It was my first time on a spiritual hike.

Olivia here. Back in the Tokohu region of northern Japan, I spent a few days in a temple lodging as part of the Dewa Sanzan pilgrimage.

To be completely honest, I was a bit nervous at first. I never did anything like that before.

Here’s how it went:

We put on white robes, which symbolise purity and rebirth, and off we were to climb some stairs.

2,886 of them. In torrential rain! .

That hike is part of an age-old tradition around the Three Sacred Mountains.

Each carries a different meaning: birth, death and rebirth.

I joined the last part of this spiritual journey, on Mount Harugo (rebirth).

So, after this long climb up, you’re believed to be born again. This part of the ceremony is called misogi, which requires you to get under a waterfall so you can experience the renewal.

I’m beyond grateful for this experience.

I’m curious to know – have you ever tried something like this before? ...

Only 2% of the travellers go to this Japanese prefecture. Here’s what I loved about it.

Olivia here. About two months ago, I had a chance to explore the Tohoku region in northern Japan.

The population here is aging, and due to the lack of job opportunities, many young people are leaving for the cities.

Also, Tohoku has been overlooked by travellers (WRONGFULLY, if you ask me).

I absolutely loved my time there.

I spent some time with the mountain people, called the Matagi. They’re mountain hunters, known for their spiritual connection to the animals they hunt.

We shared a bowl of bear hotpot with them. And let me tell you – it was delicious!

On all our hikes, we were given a 'bear bell' to wear to scare bears off (so we jingled through the treks).

I also spent a day with the Yamabushi on a mountain pilgrimage!

The Yamabushi are ascetic hermits (monks) who practice the syncretic religion of Shugendō, combining elements of Tantric Buddhism, Shinto, and Taoism.

They undertake rigorous ascetic practices in the mountains, such as enduring cold waterfalls and long treks, to gain spiritual enlightenment and power. Their practices involve severe self-discipline and a connection to nature.

And I got to meet them, too.

But that’s a story for another time… ...

Sophie here. Guess what news I woke up to today!

Our parent company, Leatherback Travel, is No. 5 on the AFR Fast 100 list.

While Pippa and I are here losing our minds over the news, you can take a look in the comments for the interview our co-founder Mat did with the AFR.

Here’s a snippet from the interview:

“These are resilient travellers who love adventure, but it’s the community they meet on the journey that stitches our projects together.”

Couldn’t have said it better myself!

Can’t wait to see where the trails of this adventure take us all next 💛 ...