After a short orientation and lunch in the coastal city of Kii-Tanabe, today you'll hop on a bus to Takijiri-Oji, a tiny village at the trailhead of one of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes.

Here you'll commence your two-hour guided walk to Takahara, a route containing some steep climbs and suffused with local legend that your expert guide will be able to explain.

Tonight you will be staying in a wonderful lodge overlooking the ridge-top village of Takahara and the Hatenashi Mountain Range. Takahara is known locally as Kiri-no-Sato, or “village in the mist,” thanks to the sea of clouds that regularly collect in the valley below.

The highlight of your stay here will be the fabulous dinner included at your accommodation, made with only local ingredients. You'll also be provided with a packed lunch to take with you on your hike tomorrow.

Overnight: Kiri-no-Sato Takahara Lodge

Today you will be hiking 14km from Takahara to Nonaka, a pretty hamlet built on tiered terraces perched on the side of a mountain.

The hike should take around six to seven hours and will take you past a number of points of interest, including the remains of the Uwada-jaya Teahouse (the highest part of this trail at 690 m above sea level), the Three-Fold Moon Viewing area, the Gyuba-doji statue depicting one of the first abdicated emperors to travel the Kumano Kodo, and the giant Nonaka-no-Ipposugi cedar trees of Tsugizakura-oji Shrine.

Today's walk will be fairly challenging with some uphill sections, high passes and a cobblestone staircase - but you'll be rewarded with beautiful views over the valleys and dinner cooked by a top class chef at your minshuku inn tonight. Another packed lunch will be provided for your hike tomorrow.

Overnight: Minshuku Tsugizakura

If yesterday left you feeling tired you needn't worry, as there are several bus options that can significantly cut down your walking time today as you make your way from Nonaka to Hongu Taisha at the very heart of the Kumano Kodo.

If you opt for the full-day hike you'll be tackling 21 km of tricky terrain, encompassing sections of paved road and unpaved forest trail.

After visiting the shrine you'll catch a bus on to Yunomine Onsen, a town with over 1,800 years of history and the only operational UNESCO World Heritage registered onsen in the country. This is a very special place and bound to be a highlight of your trip.

After soaking your weary limbs in the hot spring, retire to your minshuku inn for another delicious kaiseki dinner and a well-earned rest.

Overnight: Yunomineso

After breakfast, collect your included lunch box and take the short bus ride from Yunomine to Ukegawa before commencing the long trek to Koguchi.

Today's walk will take around five-and-a-half hours, with some gentle ups and downs and some lovely ridge-walking sections. You'll also pass the remains of the Sakura-jaya Teahouse and have the chance to stop at some wonderful lookout points.

Your accommodation tonight will be at another minshuku inn in the tiny village of Koguchi, where you'll enjoy a dinner made from local produce. You'll also be given a packed lunch to take with you when you set off tomorrow.

Overnight: Shizen-no-Ie

On day five you will walk from Koguchi to Kumano Nachi Taisha, another of the three great shrines.

Behind the temple's majestic red pagoda Japan's largest waterfall (133 m high and 13 m wide) crashes into the river below, making for an extraordinary and beautiful sight.

After exploring Nachi you'll hop aboard a bus for the short ride to Kii-Katsuura on the eastern coast of the peninsula. Tonight you'll be staying at a modern hotel with Japanese-style rooms.

A delicious seafood dinner will be included but the highlight of your stay here will undoubtedly be the large outdoor hot spring baths overlooking the bay!

On day six, if you don't mind an early start, you might like to take advantage of your morning in Kii-Katsuura to visit the city's outstanding fish market – much smaller than the famous Tsukiji Market in Tokyo but equally fascinating!

After checking out of your hotel today you'll catch a limited express train for the four-hour journey to Osaka, Kyoto - depending on how you have chosen to plan the rest of your trip.

Overnight: Katsuura Gyoen