Pass for Kumano Kodo

Hello,

We are planning to do Kumano Kodo (Nakahechi route) following the below route:
http://www.kumano-travel.com/index/en/action_ModelCourseDetail_Detail/...

There are 2 passes to cover the train rides: Ise-Kumano-Wakayama Area Tourist pass or Kansai Wide Pass. Aside of the reservation, the difference is for the bus ride, but it seems the Area Tourist pass doesn't cover the bus route on the above itinerary (for example, Chikatsuyu-oji to Hongu).

Thus, asking kind advise from fellow travelers here, especially who had made the journey, which pass is recommended for this trip?

Thank you.

What other travel are you doing? Do you have another pass or the national pass?

After returning from Kumano Kodo, we'll be heading for another 8 days on Kyoto and Osaka, thus we're thinking only to take either regional pass or city pass.