Scotland, the Highlands and the Isle of Skye
A land of legend, with a powerful and unspoiled natural landscape and strong traditions and culture. On this trip, we'll set off in a small group of no more than eight people, in a van driven by a local hiking guide who will lead us to discover the wonders of the Highlands region, the mythical Glencoe valley, and the Isle of Skye, considered by National Geographic to be one of the three most beautiful islands in the world.
8 days from €2,395
Dates: July 12-19
Confirmed for groups of 5 or more: Confirmation in progress
Difficulty: 2/5 hiking, between 3 and 4 minutes of walking per day
The pluses of this program
Small group - 8 people maximum - to further integrate ourselves into nature.
Hiking in various regions of the Highlands (Glencoe Valley and others)
Hiking on the Isle of Skye, considered by National Geographic as one of the three most beautiful islands in the world.
Local hiking guide (English and French speaking) who also drives the van and tells you about his country: culture, fauna, flora, gastronomy…
Are you a family or group and want to privatize the trip by choosing the dates?
PROGRAM
Day 1 (July 12) · Arrival in Edinburgh
Pick-up at Edinburgh airport and transfer to the country's largest national park, the Cairngorms, where we stayed in a small family-run accommodation.
Accommodation: Family accommodation
Day 2 · Park .
Today we'll explore a portion of the Central Highlands, a region nestled between mountains and ancient Scots pine forests, before reaching the tundra on the high plateaus. We'll embark on a magnificent hike to get a glimpse of this region and appreciate the surrounding flora and fauna.
Activity: Hiking - 5 hours, positive elevation gain/loss +545/-545 m.
Accommodation: Bed and breakfast.
Day 3 · Heading west: towards the Isle of Skye.
Today we depart for the west coast. On our journey, we'll discover magnificent landscapes of lakes and mountains that will lead us to the fourth most beautiful island in the world, according to National Geographic magazine. Along the way, we'll stop for a hike in a magnificent cirque in the Creag Meagaidh mountain range. Next, we'll visit Eilean Donan Castle, where the movie "Highlander" was filmed. At the end of the day, we'll check into our accommodation for a two-night stay.
Activity: Hiking - 3 hours, positive elevation gain/loss +430/-430 m.
Accommodation: Bed and breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 4 · The basalt formations of North Skye
We'll depart for North Skye, heading towards Quiraing, on the northern edge of the Trotternish Peninsula (340 m), a stunning mountain range often characterized by its dramatic contrasts of light. Many filmmakers have been captivated by the landscapes of this lava-forged spectacle. We'll return to Portree in the late afternoon to explore the town, passing by the dramatic rock pinnacles of the Old Man of Storr.
Activity: Hiking - 4 hours, positive elevation gain/loss +340/-340 m.
Accommodation: Bed and breakfast.
Day 5 · The legendary Cuillins...
This time, we venture into the famous Cuillins massif in the south of the island. Two types of rock await us: the pink granite of the Red Cuillins and the gabbro of the Black Cuillins. A magnificent hike through the highest mountains of Skye offers splendid views of the coastline, the blue sea, and the small villages scattered throughout the surrounding area. Afterward, we'll leave the island for the stunning white sandy beaches of Arisaig, where the more adventurous can swim in its crystal-clear, albeit cool, waters.
We settled in for the night at the foot of Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest peak, in a rural mountain setting, with a small folk music concert to accompany dinner.
Activity: Hiking - 5 hours - Elevation gain/loss +685/-685 m.
Accommodation: Bed and breakfast.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 6 · The magnificent Glencoe Valley
We change scenery once again and find ourselves in the heart of the mountains of western Scotland. The famous Glencoe valley awaits us, adorned with wild landscapes and surrounded by majestic peaks and panoramas of breathtaking beauty
We will also discover a piece of the history of this place, with the tragic MacDonald Massacre of the 17th century.
Activity: Hiking - 5 hours, positive elevation gain +716/-716 m.
Accommodation: Bed and breakfast.
Day 7 · Urban exploration in Glasgow...
Return journey to Glasgow via the Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Park.
Free time to explore the city in the afternoon with valuable advice from our guide.
Night in Glasgow.
Activity: city tour
Accommodation: Hotel.
Day 8 · Goodbye Scotland!
Breakfast at the hotel and final city walks according to flight schedules. Transfer to the airport and return flight.
Note: Your guide may have to modify the itinerary due to logistical limitations (particularly transport and accommodation), weather conditions, the physical condition of the participants, or any other reason related to the safety of the group.
Important information
Accommodation
In small hotels, hostels or bed and breakfasts. In a shared double room.
Meals
Full board included from day 2 to day 7 (except dinner on day 7). Included dinners are in restaurants and pubs and are of high quality (seafood, lobster, fish, oysters, melons, local meat…)
Personal equipment
Travel bag. Hiking boots. Backpack with a capacity of 20 to 35 liters. Clothing suitable for hiking (including warm clothing and a waterproof jacket like Gore-Tex). You will receive a complete packing list tailored to this trip upon registration.
Transport
In a comfortable 9-seater van driven by the guide. Ferry to the Isle of Skye
Difficulty level 2/5
2 to 4.5 hours of walking per day.
Group size
Maximum 8 people.
Insurance
Insurance is not included in the price but is mandatory for the trip. Exploramunt does not offer insurance, but you will find everything you need on the website (we can also advise you). It is recommended to have insurance that covers accidents and mountain rescues, as well as helicopter transport. Some federation insurance policies cover this, and you should also have (it can be the same or different policy) travel and cancellation insurance. Some credit cards, such as Visa Gold, include travel insurance if you pay for the trip with them. In our case, you can pay for the trip by card through a secure bank link (you can request this payment method when registering).
Luggage
To fit everything in the van, we can take one medium-sized suitcase (about 60L maximum) per person.
Guiding
Led by a certified local hiking guide. Speaks English and French.
Prices and conditions
Price: from €2,395
Single room supplement: Not available
Included in the price: Accommodation from day 1 to day 8. Full board from day 2 to day 7 (excluding dinner on day 7). Transfers in a van driven by the guide. Return ferry to the Isle of Skye. Guided hiking by a local guide (English and French spoken). VAT. Tourist tax.
Not included in the price: Flights. Meals on days 1 and 8 and dinner on day 7. Entrance fees to museums or other attractions (e.g., the distillery tour). Extra activities. Drinks. Insurance. Tips.
Note regarding international flights: Please contact us. We will help you find the best available options.
Payment terms: 40% of the trip price is due upon registration. The remaining 60% must be paid no later than 4 weeks before departure. If you register before the trip is confirmed, you will only need to pay €100 upon registration, and the remaining balance (up to 40%) will be due upon confirmation of the trip. We recommend purchasing cancellation insurance at the time of registration.
Prices and conditions
PRICE FROM €1,455* including flights
Included in the price: International flights. Accommodationfrom day 1 to day 8 (7 nights), half board (breakfast + dinner) from breakfast on day 2 to breakfast on day 8. 6 picnic lunches. All transfers mentioned in the program from arrival at Edinburgh airport on day 1 to departure on day 8. Organization. VAT.
Not included in the price: dinner on day 1 in Chania (around €20), insurance, tips or museum entrance fees, drinks during dinners, any other service or activity not expressly mentioned in the program.
*We have quoted €255 per person for the flight, departing from Madrid or Palma de Mallorca. If the flight price has increased since the time of registration, we will apply the increase to the total price of the trip.
Payment terms: 40% of the trip price is due upon registration. The remaining 60% must be paid no later than 4 weeks before departure. We advise you to purchase cancellation insurance at the time of registration, as the cost of airline tickets and some services is non-refundable by the agency if you need to cancel.
If the group is not confirmed at the time of registration, only €100 will need to be paid (this will be refunded if the group is not confirmed) and the rest up to 40% of the price will be paid when it is confirmed.