Wild and Ancient Britain

15 days
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5/5 Excellent
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Small Ship Cruise
On this adventure to the British Isles, we explore remote and isolated coastlines where windswept cliffs and promontories teem with some of the largest seabird colonies in Europe, all at the height of their breeding season. Exhilarating walks bring us through heather-clad moorlands and among the ruins of fortress-castles that echo the lore of the Celts and An...
From$10,980
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Overview

Trip type
Small Ship Cruise
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Witness some of Europe’s largest seabird colonies—puffins, gannets, guillemots, kittiwakes, and more
    • Visit Giant’s Causeway where some 40,000 closely-packed hexagonal columns descend like a staircase into the sea
    • Discover important Neolithic monuments—the Standing Stones of Stenness; the Ring of Brodgar; Skara Brae, a well-preserved Stone Age village; and Maes Howe, a tomb dating from 3500 BC
    • Explore a variety of architectural wonders, from Mousa’s Iron Age broch and 12th-century Iona Abbey to the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall

What's this trip about?

    On this adventure to the British Isles, we explore remote and isolated coastlines where windswept cliffs and promontories teem with some of the largest seabird colonies in Europe, all at the height of their breeding season. Exhilarating walks bring us through heather-clad moorlands and among the ruins of fortress-castles that echo the lore of the Celts and Anglo-Saxons. From the lovely sub-tropical gardens on the Isles of Scilly and the geological wonders of Giant’s Causeway to the sacred sites of the Inner Hebrides and the stark beauty of the Fair Isle, this exciting expedition captures the ancient spirit and wild heart of Britain.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transport
Start CityLondon
End CityEdingburgh

Travel Themes

  • Cultural
  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Train & Rail Journeys
  • National Parks
  • High Adventure

Destinations

Activities

  • Culture
  • History
  • River Cruise
  • Trains & Rail

Trip includes

    • All gratuities
    • Accommodations in hotel and on board the Sea Adventurer as outlined in the itinerary
    • All meals included aboard ship and with the group ashore, including house wine, beer or soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard
    • Arrival and departure transfers on group dates
    • Services of the expedition staff, including lectures, briefings, slide/film shows
    • All group activities and excursions
    • Landing and port fees
    • $50,000 of medical expense coverage and $75,000 in emergency evacuation insurance

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Itinerary

Travel Map

Days 1-2: Fly to London

Fly to London, England, arriving on Day 2. Upon arrival, check into the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure to explore the city on your own. In the evening, gather for a welcome reception and dinner.

Day 3: London / Portsmouth / Embark the Ocean Adventurer

After breakfast, depart via train for Portsmouth. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before a tour of this famous port city. This afternoon board the Ocean Adventurer.

Day 4: Falmouth / Penzance

This morning take a stroll through Trebah Garden, a beautiful subtropical garden with a stunning coastal backdrop. After lunch on board, take a tour of the Eden Project in Penzance. This innovative complex of domes houses plants from around the world, with each emulat...

Day 5: Isles of Scilly

Warmed by the North Atlantic Drift, the Isles of Scilly have given their fortunate inhabitants the luxury of turning a passion for growing flowers into a major industry. This morning board local boats and cruise to Tresco to visit the ruins and exquisite subtropical gardens at the medieval Tresco Abbey.

Day 6: Ballinskelligs, Ireland

The Ballinskelligs Priory was founded in the 12th century by monks who moved to the mainland from Skellig Michael after numerous Viking attacks. A number of buildings still survive, including a church, tower house, parts of the cloister, a large domestic hall, and cemetery, most of which date from the 15th century. On a clear day, views across the bay are simply spectacular.

Day 7: Dunmore East / Waterford / Saltee Islands

From the port city of Dunmore East, drive through scenic countryside to Waterford. Options today include a visit to the renowned Waterford Crystal glassworks to watch master craftsmen at work, or enjoy a tour of Mount Congreve, a magnificent estate with exquisite gard...

Day 8: Port St. Mary, Isle of Man

Enjoy a leisurely morning on board, as the ship cruises to Port St. Mary on the Isle of Man. We board the Isle of Man Steam Railway, the single remnant from the extensive Victorian system that served the main centers on the island, and ride through quaint and picturesque villages to the southern resort of Port Erin.

Day 9: Portrush, Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland / Rathlin Island

Disembark at Portrush and travel overland to the World Heritage Site of Giant’s Causeway. This three-mile section of coastline is a geological masterpiece—some 40,000 closely-packed hexagonal columns of varying heights line the coast and descend like a staircase into ...

Day 10: Staffa, Inner Hebrides, Scotland / Iona

Weather permitting, spend the morning exploring the uninhabited island of Staffa by Zodiac and its most famous feature, Fingal’s Cave. The cave’s peculiar rock formations and unusual coloring are a delight to behold, and the wonderful echo of the sea from within serve...

Day 11: St. Kilda, Outer Hebrides / Flannan Islands

Spend the morning at St. Kilda, once home to a small community, evidenced by abandoned houses and cleits, beehive-shaped cells where goods were stored. Cruising among the Flannan Islands this afternoon, puffins, fulmars, murres, and kittiwakes should be plentiful. Of special interest to birders is the Leach’s petrel colony on the grassy slopes of Eilean Mor beneath the lighthouse.

Day 12: Kirkwall, Orkney Islands

Arrive in the capital city of Kirkwall on Mainland Island in the Orkneys for visits to the magnificent St. Magnus Cathedral and some of the island’s major archaeological sites. Maes Howe, a chambered tomb dating from 3500 BC, is known for its runic hieroglyphs left by...

Day 13: Lerwick, Shetland Islands / Isle of Noss / Mousa

This morning enjoy a guided walking tour of Lerwick, capital of the Shetland Islands, which are steeped in Norse heritage. After the tour there will be free time to stroll the narrow streets and browse the many shops, or raise a pint at the local pub. After lunch on b...

Day 14: Fair Isle

One of the most isolated settlements in the British Isles, this island is renowned for the quality and intricacy of its handmade sweaters using local wool. It is also famous as a haven for seabirds including gannets, murres, black-legged kittiwakes, numerous gull spec...

Day 15: Aberdeen / Disembark / Edinburgh

Disembark in Aberdeen this morning, and enjoy a scenic train ride to Edinburgh. Check in to the Balmoral Hotel for a special farewell dinner and overnight.

Day 16: Edinburgh / Depart

Transfer to the airport for your independent homeward flight, arriving in the USA the same day.

Note: This cruise is not an exclusive Wilderness Travel departure. The itinerary, lecturers, and other arrangements are subject to change at the discretion of the ship operator.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $10,980
Price per day$732
Last Updated: 7/13/2023

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Wilderness Travel.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • All air transportation
    • Excess baggage charges
    • Airport arrival and departure taxes
    • Transfers for independent arrivals and departures
    • Passport and/or visa fees
    • Travel insurance
    • Items of a personal nature

Accommodation

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

All meals included aboard ship and with the group ashore, including house wine, beer or soft drinks with lunch and dinner onboard

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
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Trip ID
wilder2-wilandwil

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