OVERVIEW

Date no dates yete
Duration 08 days
Group size max 4 people (excl staff)
Amount unknown
Deposit unknown
Level Entry (more info)
Guides Awi

We have received great reviews about our pilot expedition last year and will continue with this great adventure. 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 more crowded places, we consider this part of Scotland as wilderness.

DESCRIPTION
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. Loch Oich. Loch Ness. Three mystical mountain lakes that you will explore in your canoe.

You’ll learn how to prepare your gear for an expedition, safely make open fires (with and without a lighter), navigate trough uncharted terrain, set up a base camp, use different tools, and a variety of other outdoor and survival skills (download PDF for objectives).

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. At the end of this expedition, you are competent and confident to venture off in the wilderness by foot and canoe. And last but not least, we end this adventure with a relaxing spa day (sauna and hot tub) in the wilderness.

SKILLS REQUIRED
This expedition is designed for everyone without prior 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! Notice that we won’t sleep in regular tents during this expedition. Neither will we be using gas stoves and the usual camping equipment. We’ll teach you several ways to create a home in the wilderness, create comfort with minimum equipment, 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 minimum gear.

FITNESS LEVEL
This trip can be intense and requires a number of hours paddling in unpredictable Scottish weather conditions. We’ll be prepared for these unforeseen weather conditions by bringing adequate safety equipment and outdoor clothing, but be prepared for some physical activity in harsh weather conditions. It might be the case that we have to carry the canoes over land to another lake. As we are a team, in our union there is strength. 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.

THE LOCATION
We meet Ardrhu Mountain House in Fort William where we meet each other, prepare our gear, and have a briefing about the route and weather. The next morning, our adventure starts at Fort William (Neptunes Staircase) where you have time to familiarise yourself with the equipment.

Boiling water above a fire at one of the campsites

AIRPORT
The closest airport to the wilderness area is Inverness. A minivan will pick you and the other participants up from the airport and bring you to Fort William.

ITINERARY (Download PDF for full itinerary)
Day 1
Travel from airport to wilderness hotel (2 hour journey)
Meet other travellers.
Meet wilderness guides (Awi & Dan).
Briefing about the journey.
Prepare gear

Day 2-6
In this period we will be canoeing, exploring, practising survival skills, having good meals around a camp fire, and wild camping.

Day 7
Return to hotel.
Relax/wellness day (sauna, outdoor hot tub available)

INCLUDED IN FEE
- All accommodation (1 night in a hotel);
- Communal / general outdoor gear needed for this expedition
- Transfer from airport (Inverness) to location;
- All meals, snacks and drinks
- Wilderness skills courses
- In the field tips & tricks
- Berqana gear bag with tools.

Included in this expedition is a Berqana gear bag. This bag contains a unique combination of items and tools which are essential in the wild. 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 (see PDF for personal packing list)
- Travel expenses (airfares, car rental, etc.)
- Personal items
- Insurances and visa.

Once your reservation is made, we will help you with getting the right clothing and gear for you. If you can’t create time to purchase these items, we can send you a kit with all your outdoor clothes and gear.

Frequently Asked Questions

This tour is all-inclusive. Which means that from day 1 (from arrival at the hotel) accommodation, main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), and non-alcoholic drinks are covered.

During the expedition, main meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and two snacks a day per person will be provided. Feel free to 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’d like to

Expedition gear will be provided as well. This includes canoe, shelters, fire-making equipment and tools, safety equipment, etc.
Photos and videos will be taken by a professional content creator.
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.
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.

If you don’t have time to purchase these, we can assemble a personalised kit for you and send one to your home address.
Yes, it is possible to store your luggage in the hotel while we are in the field.
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.
As the waters could be rough sometimes, splashes of water might fall into your canoe. Therefore, we recommend to protect your personal items (phone, wallet, book, etc.) with a dry bag.

We will provide these.
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.
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.
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.
It’s possible. Just send us a message and we’ll figure out a payment method that suits both parties.
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

Please read our Terms & Conditions for all our expeditions and workshops.

OVERVIEW

Frequently Asked Questions

Previous explorers

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