Gentlemen.
When we were still hunters and gatherers, we were thriving in the wilderness and came home with food to provide our families.
In these modern times, we come home and to lay on the couch, watch television and order our meat from our smartphones.
Times have changed.
Our surroundings rapidly changes driven by technology and progress. But in your DNA - underneath your suit or casual clothing - you are still a hunter and warrior.
How would it be to trade your computer for a compass, your smartphone for a knife, and your car for a classic Canadian canoe?
Just for a week?
To fully experience your life in the most simplistic, profound and pure way?
This expedition is a quest to connect deeper with your inner warrior and the wilderness we once used to thrive in. A quest that will strengthen your backbone, enrich your soul and deepen your understanding of your true authentic self and our limited understanding of (our own) nature.
These 6 days will positively impact the next 18.000 days of your life.
It's time to step into your true strength
Current team
This year we decided to do a mens only expedition.
DESCRIPTIOn
Scotland is one of the few countries in Europe, and the only country in the United Kingdom where wild camping remains legal. Despite some touristic areas and small villages crowded places, we consider this part of Scotland as semi-wilderness.
If you want to experience wilderness and raw adventure but have no previous experience with (wild) camping, then this might be the ideal expedition for you. During this expedition you will travel through the wild Scottish Highlands: Loch Lochy (1), Loch Oich (2) and Loch Ness (3). Three mystical mountain lakes that you will explore in your canoe.
On this six day adventure you will through one of the wildest part of Scotland in an iconic mode of transport: Canadian style canoe. At the end of each day you set up camp in wilderness style under the stars among wildlife, learn and practice wilderness survival skills, enjoy camp talks around a fire and fine communal dining.
SKILLS REQUIRED
This tour is put together for everyone without prior wild camping experience. That doesn’t mean that this adventure will be less enjoyable if you do have experience with camping. Don’t be concerned. We’ll make sure we take your skills to the next level as we keep the group small and find personal attention important.
We won’t be using gas stoves and the usual camping equipment. We’ll go back to the basics and we’ll make fire how the vikings did. We’ll teach you several ways to create a home in the wilderness, using tools, how to navigate by both compass and using the sun, how to catch fish by both primitive and modern methods, and utilise materials that nature provides. You will learn a variety of different skills which will allow you to travel safely through remote wilderness environments with only basis equipment.
FITNESS LEVEL
This trip is not our toughest or most difficult expedition, but this wilderness immersion is challenging and can be intense at times as we have to paddle several hours a day in our Canadian canoes. We’ll be prepared for unforeseen weather conditions by bringing adequate safety equipment and outdoor clothing, but be prepared for some physical activity in harsh weather conditions. We classify this expedition with a fitness level: moderate
If you have any injuries or you are unsure how fit you need to be to join this adventure, please reach out through the contact form. We could make some adjustments to this wilderness experience to make things possible for you.
Practising knife techniques to prepare a fire
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL SKILLS
You’ll learn how to prepare your gear for an expedition, responsibly make open fires (with and without a lighter), navigate trough uncharted terrain, set up a base camp, how to identify and forage wild edibles, catch fish by setting set lines and using gil nets, use different tools, knots, and a variety of other outdoor and survival skills. At the end of this expedition, you will be competent enough to venture off in the wilderness by canoe.
why travel with Berqana?
We keep our groups small and offer exclusive and personalised experiences. Business leaders, entrepreneurs, nature enthusiasts and people from different backgrounds participate and share the same experience. It’s a fun, adventurous and challenging experience to redefine purpose and meaning, but simultaneously an opportunity to meet new like-minded people and create new relationships. You will be guided by qualified professionals with real survival experience, but also have the adequate background to guide you emotionally through the process.
In the end, an expedition in the wilderness is a journey inwards where you face barriers, emotions and thoughts. Whether it’s taking some alone time to journal or have a meaningful talk with someone in the group that you connect with, we find it important to give you the space to process your inner-experience in your own way,
We find your personal space important and provide enough moments to be with yourself.
THE LOCATION
We meet in Fort William where we meet each other. The next morning, we prepare our gear, have a briefing about the route and weather. Our adventure starts at Neptunes Staircase (marked black on the map) where you have time to familiarise yourself with the equipment.
ARRIVING BY PLANE
The closest airport to the wilderness area is Inverness. A bus or taxi can take you and the other participants from the airport to Fort William.
ITINERARY
Arrival day (18 September)
Meet 0900h in Inverness
Meet other team members and guides
Day 1
Travel from Inverness to Fort William (2 hour journey)
Briefing about the journey.
Gear check
Afternoon: enter the water
In this period we will be canoeing, exploring, practising survival skills, having good meals around a camp fire, and sleeping under the stars.
Day 2-6 (25 September)
Last day, where we come back into civilization. We can finally take a warm shower, change to new clothes, and have dinner and drinks together before we return home.
Day 7
Departure home
What’s included?
INCLUDED IN FEE
- Communal / general outdoor gear needed for this expedition (excludes personal equipment)
- Two meals a day (breakfast & lunch)
- Wilderness survival skills courses during expedition
- In the field tips & tricks
- Berqana gear bag with tools (that you can keep)
- Individual coaching session during the trip (including one reflection session after the expedition)
Included in this expedition is a Berqana gear bag. This bag contains a unique combination of items and tools which are valuable in the wilderness. It might be the case that you already have one or more of these items. Having a spare knife, saw, or any of the other items in this kit wouldn't do any harm. Remember: two is one, one is none.
NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE*
- Personal outdoor gear (you’ll receive a PDF for personal packing list)
- Travel expenses from your location to Fort William in Scotland;
- Personal items (like your secret chocolate bars and snacks etc.)
- Insurances and visa (we assume you have a health insurance).
Once your reservation is made, we will guide you with getting the right clothing and gear for you. We will also plan a digital meeting with all the participants where you can ask questions about gear and clothing.
Making bannock bread above the fire
Dan is happy with his favourite wild mushrooms
Frequently Asked Questions
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During the expedition, two meals (breakfast and dinner) will be provided. You are free to plan your own lunch meals and bring additional snacks of your choice. In the field, we mostly drink water. In the morning we will brew some coffee, and you can fill-up a small thermos with coffee if you like to
Expedition gear will be provided as well. This includes canoe, shelters, fire-making equipment and tools, safety equipment, etc. -
Excluded is personal outdoor clothing.
In the great outdoors, where sometimes we have to deal with unexpected weather changes, we have to be prepared to change our clothing system within seconds. We try to diminish sweating as your clothes will become damp and will affect your core temperature. Therefore, we have several layers which we can either put on or take off.These layers often play their own part within this so-called ‘layering system’.
You don’t need the most sophisticated expedition clothing, but we can provide you a list with recommended items
”There is no bad weather. Only bad clothing”. -
Some of our guides are also don’t eat meat. You are not the only one. Please communicate this when you reserve your spot.
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As this adventure is all-inclusive, we will provide the necessary gear, equipment , drinks and meals.
However, as garments are personal, you have to bring your own outdoor clothing. We will provide a list with recommended clothing and can assist you in choosing the right garments. -
Yes, it is possible to store your luggage at the base camp while we are in the field.
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It’s not a requirement to be able to swim or be a good swimmer. We bring safety equipment and buoyancy devices (life vests) with us. Our guides are also qualified and experienced rescue divers.
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As the waters could be rough at times, splashes of water might fall into your canoe. Therefore, we recommend to protect your personal items (phone, wallet, book, etc.) with a dry bag.
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Yes. Many who join our expeditions come by themselves. It’s a great way to meet new people or expand your net work.
It’s It’s also possible to reserve a ‘buddy slot’. This is a reservation for two people.
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Just like in an urban environment, you will have a place to sleep, a place to eat, and a place to relax. A basic toilet will be established on each camp.
We will provide a communal fire place where we can dry our clothes, stay warm, and eat our meals.
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In contrary to other expeditions where we only consume dehydrated meals, we will also provide good quality and organic meal. For instance, smoked salmon, wild game, grilled potatoes with home-made fresh garlic sauce, fresh vegetables.
If you have any allergies, please let us know when you reserve your spot. -
Yes.
The description on your invoice will include the term ‘leadership training’.
Depending on your business, this expedition might be deductible from your company expenses. -
Yes. We also offer discounted buddy slots (for two people) but we can also organise a tailored trip for your colleagues and/or business partners.
Please reach out for a corporate team building event. -
Yes it is. Please let us know in advance if you want to have your return flight at another day.
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The payment you make through the website by clicking ‘reserve my spot’, is a down payment of the total amount.
Before departure, we’ll send you an invoice and provide a payment link to finalise the payment.
If you can’t make the down payment through our booking system, you can make a direct transfer to our account. Please send us a message and we’ll provide you with the details. -
No worries. During this expedition, our experienced wilderness guides and survival instructors will teach you how to create comfort in the wilderness.
If you become uncomfortable or don’t know what to do, our guides will be there to help you.
Previous explorers
Samiar Madadi Far
Optometrist
Tamara Strasser
Model & Entrepreneur
Jeff H.
CEO construction company
Pieter
T.
Corporate Lawyer
Please read our Terms & Conditions for all our expeditions and workshops.
