Two Pilgrimages Are Better Than One

Posted: Monday, December 19, 2022

For years, AGC women have delighted in strolling through northern Spain’s charming towns, admiring centuries-old farmhouses weighed down with grapevines.

Having hosted the Camino de Santiago trip in Spain since 2016, we’ve sipped espresso at trailside cafes while basking in the many languages that can be heard around us. We’ve also delighted in the rich foods, from fresh cheese to octopus, and more varieties of ‘tapas’ than we could have hoped for!

The best part of this pilgrimage is that all are welcome; whether we are contemplating big life changes, wanting to deepen our personal spiritual connections, or simply looking for camaraderie in adventure, we belong on the Camino. The Camino is wonderful, but why stop there?

Camino de Santiago

Did you know that there are only two UNESCO World Heritage Site pilgrimage routes? We are thrilled to now offer the second UNESCO World Heritage Site pilgrimage, the Kumano Kodo Trail in Japan.

The Kumano Kodo refers to a network of pilgrimage trails through the southern Kansai region of Japan. The Kodo (old ways) are an important part of the region's UNESCO designation and have been in use for over 1,000 years. We will walk through villages hundreds of years old, in old-growth cedar forests, and experience Japanese cuisine that is so much more than sushi.

Be awed by intricate shrine architecture, savor the moment by sipping a warm drink in a traditional teahouse, and reconnect with your inner peace in a guided zen meditation session. As one of the New York Times' Top 25 Travel Experiences, this adventure is sure to deliver.

the Kumano Kodo Trail in Japan

These two journeys allow us to walk in the steps of thousands of travelers before us, connecting us with both the past and the present. Your reward for participating in both pilgrimages? Becoming a Dual Pilgrim!

Why should you become a Dual Pilgrim? In today’s age, many of us do not need to walk from one location to the next, but we choose to experience and embrace how generations past felt and connected to nature. By completing the Dual Pilgrimage, we are able to step back in time to a more traditional way of life. 

Take your time, soak up the natural beauty, and immerse yourself in a different and unique tourist perspective. Receive a specialized certificate upon completion of both AGC trips and return home with incredible memories of two unforgettable adventures.

How to become a Dual Pilgrim

How to become a Dual Pilgrim

Travelers acquire Dual Pilgrim status after completing at least the last 100 km of the Camino de Santiago on foot or by horse or the last 200 km by bicycle.

To become eligible for Dual Pilgrim status on the Kumano Kodo side, you will need to complete one of the following on foot and collect the stamps along the way:

  • Takijiri-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha (approximately 38km)

  • Kumano Nachi Taisha to/from Kumano Hongu Taisha (approximately 30km)

  • Hosshinmon-oji to Kumano Hongu Taisha (approximately 7km) plus visits to both Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha

  • Mount Koya to Kumano Hongu Taisha (approximately 70km)

the Kumano Kodo Trail in Japan

Ready to become a Dual Pilgrim?

Leave all the planning to Adventures in Good Company so you can focus on achieving this grand milestone! 👇🏼

📍 On the Camino de Santiago

📍 Japan's Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail

the Kumano Kodo Trail in Japan

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