Self Guided Walking Holidays in Asia

Walk the historic Nakasendo Trail through the Japanese Alps, starting from Magome and crossing Magome Pass to reach Tsumago, a preserved post town where you'll stay in a family-run Minshuku. The next day takes you from Tsumago to Nojiri, passing through bamboo forests and Japanese cedar valleys before crossing Torii Pass to arrive at Narai's atmospheric lacquerware village.

Trek through traditional Magar and Gurung villages in Ghandruk and Tadapani, heading up through rhododendron forests to catch sunrise at Poon Hill where you'll see a 360-degree view of Mount Annapurna, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, and Nilgiri. Walk on your own along the quieter trail to Mulde Peak viewpoint.

Trek through Nepal's Himalayan foothills from Bhandar up to Pike Peak at 4,065 meters, where Sir Edmund Hillary said you'll find the best view of Mount Everest. You'll cross the Deurali Pass at 2,705 meters with views of Dudh Kunda Himal, Karylung, and Kanchenjunga, then head down through rhododendron forests to Junbesi village.

Walk through Ghandruk's cobbled streets and check out the cultural museum in this traditional Gurung village, then head up through rhododendron forests to Tadapani where you'll see Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. Hike on your own to Khopra Ridge at 3,660m with Annapurna South rising just six kilometers away, then make your way down to Swanta Village to visit the community-funded elementary school.

Walk sections of the ancient Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage over 11 days, visiting Buddhist temples like Ryozen-ji, Gokuraku-ji, and Konsen-ji while staying in traditional Shukubo temple lodgings and ryokans across Tokushima, Kagawa, and Ehime prefectures. You'll climb the famous ladder at Iwaya-ji to reach Kōbō Daishi's meditation spot with great mountain views, then hike forest trails from Temple 12 Shosan-ji down to Kamiyama's Onsen village. Try vegetarian Shojin-Ryori meals at temple stays, soak in hot springs at Dogo Onsen near Matsuyama, and check out Kyoto's Buddhist temples and Nara's peaceful parks on this self-guided walking trip.

The Manaslu Circuit trek takes you through Nepal's Himalayan wilderness, starting from Machha Khola at 900m and climbing to Larkya La Pass at 5,135m, where you'll see panoramic views of Manaslu, Himlung Himal, and Annapurna II. You'll walk through traditional Tibetan villages like Samagaon and Samdo.