Japan (Kyoto & Okinawa)

A self-launched 10-day version of G Adventures' Active Japan trip: three days of hiking and shrine-hopping in Kyoto, then budget flights south to Okinawa for sea kayaking, mangrove paddling, traditional sabani sailing and coral-island cycling around Yanbaru, Ishigaki, Iriomote and Taketomi. Everything the operator includes — the Kurama-to-Kibune trek, Fushimi Inari, Ibe-dake forest trail, Yasuda island kayaking, sabani boats, Taketomi bikes and Iriomote mangroves — can be booked independently through local operators or simply done on foot. You'll stay in hostels and simple minshuku/guesthouses instead of hotels, fly the same low-cost domestic routes, and use Okinawa's sparse but workable public buses plus occasional shared taxis. All costs are approximate and exclude international flights.

Travel Crew

~£1,090