DESTINATIONS - England (Lake District)

England’s Lake District, located in the northwest of the country, on the shores of the Irish Sea and just south of the Scottish border, is world renowned for its numerous lakes, stunning scenery and tranquil villages. As the home of eighteenth and nineteenth century poets, William Wordsworth, Samuel Coleridge, Thomas de Quincey and John Ruskin as well as Beatrix Potter (creator of “Peter Rabbit”) the Lake District boasts a close and personal connection with some of the English language literary greats.

Elder Expeditions is pleased to offer an exciting week long opportunity of adventure, while exploring this charming part of England.

Minimum participants: 6 | Maximum participants: 16

Languages: English, Dutch, French

Day 1: (Arrival Day)
Group will be met at 3:30 p.m. at the Oxenholme train station by ELDER EXPEDITIONS’ Lake District host. Transfer to base lodging.
Evening: Dinner at base lodging.

Day 2:(Hike and Canoeing / kayaking)
Morning: Breakfast at base lodging. Guided hike through the natural beauty of the Lake District.
Noon: Picnic lunch.
Afternoon: Canoeing / kayaking. From the vantage point of our kayaks or canoes we will enjoy the area’s serene countryside while exploring various coves and inlets.
Evening: Dinner at base lodging.

Day 3: (Horseback Riding and Abseiling)
Morning: Breakfast at base lodging. Three hour horseback* ride on the shoreline of one of the local lakes. For those wishing to experience the exhilaration of a fast pace through the sands there will be an opportunity for a brisk canter.
Noon: Picnic lunch.
Afternoon: Abseilling. With the aid of firmly fixed ropes, we will descend the cliff at our own individual comfort level.
*On June 21, 2010, the Day 3 the morning and afternoon activities will be reversed.
Evening: Dinner at base lodging.

Day 4: (Visit the town of Grasmere and Gorge Walking)
Morning: Breakfast at base lodging. Visit town of Grasmere (shopping, tour the home of England’s celebrated Romantic poet, William Wordsworth).
Noon: Pub or cafe lunch in Grasmere (to be ordered from the menu and paid outside of the tour cost).
Afternoon: Gorge walk (with instruction). Donning a wetsuit and buoyancy and other safety devices, we will traverse the riverside gorges by jumping in and swimming across pools, wading through water, scrambling over rocks, climbing up waterfalls, sliding over rocks and getting thoroughly soaked.
Evening: Dinner at base lodging.

Day 5: (Visit to Hadrian’s Wall)
Morning: Breakfast at base lodging. All day visit to Hadrian’s Wall. We will have an opportunity to hike along this structure which some historians have likened to the Great Wall of China and which once marked the limits of the Roman world. The day will include historical commentary from a local guide about the early Roman presence in Britain.
Noon: Packed lunch.
Evening: Pub Dinner on way back to base lodging (to be ordered from the menu outside of the tour cost).

Day 6: (Activity Options)
Morning: Breakfast at base lodging.
Participants’ options:
Option 1.** Six hour long trail ride for experienced riders, beginning with a three mile trek along the beach and then an ascent of approximately 2000 feet (about 630 meters) with stops to enjoy breathtaking views. A stop for a picnic lunch on the trail is provided. The cost for this option, £95 (approximately $155 or 107 €) is in addition to the overall tour cost and is to be included with your final payment to Elder Expeditions.
Option 2. ** Any two of the following half day activities: archery (with instruction), clay shooting (with instruction), hiking, Rock-climbing (with instruction), mountain biking.
Evening: Farewell dinner at base lodging.

Day 7: (Departure Day)
Morning: Breakfast at base lodging. Transfer to Oxenholme Train station.

*The weight limit for participating in the equestrian activities is 224 pounds (16 stone).
** Day 6 options must be made at booking time.

2012 DATES
To Be Announced

Prices include all transportation from the pick-up at the Oxenholme train station on Day 1 to the return to the Oxenholme train station on Day 7, all lodging, all meals (except lunch on Day 4 and dinner on Day 5), beverages (soft drinks, juice, tea and coffee except at lunch on Day 4 and dinner on Day 5), horse, kayak / canoe rental, clay shooting and archery equipment, safety equipment, e.g. helmets and harnesses, breathable waterproofs or wetsuits, VAT (taxes) and a complimentary hot drink during each activity.

Prices do not include gratuities, items of a personal nature, alcoholic beverages or mineral water. Beer, wine and mineral water will be available for purchase.

BASE LODGING

Base lodging will be in a local hotel situated on five overlooking Lake Windermere. Elder Expeditions’ participants will have full access to the hotel’s leisure centre, including the pool, spa, mini gym and steam room.

Except for the Day 6 all day horseback ride, the activities on this trip do not require any particular experience or skill level. Sufficient instruction will be provided for participants who are beginners or who have limited experience with respect to any of the listed activities. All that is required is a spirit of fun and adventure as well as an open mind and a willingness to try something new.

Participants electing the all day horseback ride on Day 6 should be experienced riders, confident and in control at all times, with the ability to handle uneven terrain, post a trot, canter in open country and remain comfortable for 6 to 7 hours in the saddle.

Participants should be generally in good health and able to walk up to 8 miles (12 kilometers).

Elder Expeditions recommends that all participants engage in a physical conditioning and fitness program as part of trip preparation. Our fitness partner, Fit for Trips®, provides custom designed fitness programs designed especially for the activities of each of our ELDER EXPEDITIONS vacations.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Participants who are nationals of countries outside of the United Kingdom are advised to check with the British embassy (or a British consular office) in their home countries to determine the applicable passport / visa requirements.

No inoculations/vaccinations are required to enter Great Britain, unless you are coming from a country where Yellow Fever is present; in this case you may be required to show a current vaccination. All participants are advised to have a current tetanus shot. Elder Expeditions recommends that you consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/travel/ or your personal physician to consider whether you wish to get shots for typhoid, hepatitis, and other diseases.