Multi-Day Hiking Trips to All Corners of the World

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 💛 ...

Which one are you – and which title goes to your hiking mate?

#hiking #hikingadventures #womenonlyhikingadventures #hikes #caminowomen ...

POV: You wake up in Northern Laos – and it’s the first few days before your hike

Inside jokes are starting to kick in, laughter is getting louder and you simply know – this is it! This is your Camino tribe💛

At least that’s how it played out for our October group. What a fun bunch of ladies! ...

‘Remember to stop and smell the flowers.’

Camino Women took this famous quote into their hands in Northern Laos.

Just look at this greenery! ...

Looks like we made no mistake with the name.

In Lao, ‘Soum Son’ means ‘community’.

And that’s exactly what we’ve got in Laos.

A community of villagers warmly greeting Camino hikers, welcoming them into their homes, daily lives and traditions.

Our local team that helped us design our village-to-village trail.

And most of all, you.💛

The curious, kind-hearted ladies who love to swing by local schools to say hi, dance with the villagers, try out traditional clothes…

(And let’s not forget that they do all that in breaks of hiking!)

I cried my eyes out at the pics in our October group’s WhatsApp group. Such a fun group of ladies.

I wish I was there with them!

Sophie xx ...