DESTINATIONS - Wales

A Celtic region between England on the east and the Atlantic and the Irish Sea on the west, Wales is an integral part of the United Kingdom with representation in Parliament. While technically, a bilingual country, the rising use of English has resulted in a decline in the use of the indigenous Welsh language.

With its rugged terrain and picturesque landscapes, Wales offers a number of opportunities for the active tourist. From the Elder Expedition base in Snowdonia, in the northwest, we will indulge in a number of activities with the capable assistance and instruction of local guides.

Minimum participants: 6 | Maximum participants: 16

Languages: English, Welsh

Day 1: (Arrival Day)
Group will be met at the Ruabon (Wales) train station by Elder Expedition’s local host at a time to be determined based upon participants’ arrival times. Transfer to base lodging in Llangollen.
Evening: Dinner at base lodging.

Day 2: (Hiking)
Morning: Following breakfast at base lodging we’ll set out on a guided hike through the scenic countryside where we’re likely to encounter various wildlife species. Along the way, we’ll take in the local landmarks such as Dinas Bran, Valle Crucis Abbey, the Llangolllen canal and the 116 foot (nearly 36 meters) high Sir Thomas Telfords aqueduct (a World Heritage Site).
Noon: Picnic lunch on the hiking trail.
Afternoon: We’ll continue our hike through the magnificent Welsh countryside.
Evening: Dinner at base lodging.

Day 3: (Horseback Riding)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging. In mid-morning, we’ll set off for a horseback ride where we’ll see yet another part of this magnificent part of northern Wales.
Noon: We’ll take an hour and a half break from our mounts to enjoy a traditional pub lunch. This meal will be ordered off the menu and paid outside of the tour cost.
Afternoon: Once again in the saddle, we will resume our ride through the tranquil countryside, enjoying the natural beauty surrounding us.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging. Attend concert by male voice choir.*

Day 4: (Visit to Mount Snowdon and Caemarfon Castle)
Morning. After breakfast at Base Lodging, we will depart for a scenic drive to Llanberis at the foot of Mount Snowdon (the highest mountain in Wales) where we will board a train for the trip to the summit.
Noon: Picnic lunch at the summit of Mount Snowdon.
Afternoon: On returning by train to the base of Mount Snowdon, we will drive to Caemarfon Castle, an architecturally impressive gem, built by King Edward I whose son, born in the castle in 1284, became the first English Prince of Wales. We will spend approximately two hours exploring this World Heritage Site.
Evening: Dinner at base lodging.

Day 5: (Gorge Walk and High Rope Walking)
Morning: After breakfast at Base Lodging.we will embark upon a thrilling and adrenalin pumping gorge walking experience.
Noon: Picnic lunch.
Afternoon. Securely harnessed, we will ascend to comfortably dizzying heights where we will experience the thrill of high rope walking.
Evening: After dinner at Base Lodging, we will be entertained by a local story teller.*

Day 6: (Steam Train and Canoeing)
Morning: Following breakfast at Base Lodging we will board the steam train that will puff its way up the Dee Valley enroute to our canoe put-in point. After some initial skill and safety instruction we’ll set off paddling down the River Dee in the company of our expert guides.
Noon: Picnic lunch on the river bank.
Afternoon. We will continue our canoe trek down the River Dee.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging. For those with leftover energy, there will be an opportunity for an hour’s instruction in indoor wall climbing.*

Day 7: (White Water Rafting)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging and then we’ll head over to the Tryweryn River for an exhilarating morning of whitewater rafting.
Noon. Picnic lunch.
Afternoon. Free time to explore the town of Llangollen and do some shopping.
Evening. A special farewell dinner at a local restaurant.

Day 8: (Departure Day)
Morning. Breakfast at Base Lodging. Transfer to the Ruabon train station. Bid farewell to Welsh hosts.

2012 DATES
To Be Announced

Prices include all transportation from the pick-up at the Ruabon train station on Day 1 to the return to the Ruabon train station on Day 8, all lodging, all meals (except lunch on Day 3), beverages (soft drinks, juice, tea and coffee), activities, horse and canoe rental, safety equipment, e.g. helmets, wetsuits, life jackets and harnesses.

Prices do not include alcoholic beverages or mineral water.

A fifty percent deposit is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance is payable forty days prior to Day 1 of this expedition.

A single supplement of $400 applies to solo participants unless they are willing to share accommodations and we are able to place them with another solo participant.

BASE LODGING

Our Base lodging, located in a picturesque rural setting near the River Dee, is a Tourist Board Grade 4 hostel. Recently renovated, the hostel provides a charming and friendly environment where our participants will feel welcomed from the moment of arrival to the moment of departure.

NOTE: Alcoholic beverages are not available at the hostel but may be purchased at a nearby store for consumption at the hostel.

The activities on this trip do not require any particular experience or skill level. Our Welsh hosts can accommodate different abilities. Sufficient instruction will be provided for participants who are beginners or who have limited experience with respect to any of the listed activities.

Participants should be generally in good health and able to walk up to 10 miles (16.5 kilometers) in hilly terrain.

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 Great Britain 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.