Cairngorms National Park, Scotland. Photo: GettyImages-1307407586
4.9

Summit to Sea Expedition in Scotland

An epic challenge through 115km of wild mountains and rivers on a self-powered journey through the stunning Cairngorms

What's Included?

  • Activities & Certified Guides

    All itinerary activities with expert, local, canoeing and hiking guides
  • Wild camping

    4 nights wild camping
  • Meals

    All your breakfasts, lunches and dinners
  • Transfers

    Transfers from Inverness city centre to the expedition start point, and back again
  • Equipment

    All your canoeing, camping and safety equipment
  • Small Like-minded Groups

    Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 8 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people
From
excluding flights

What's it like?

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Tales from the trails

Real people, real adventures.

Hike past iconic lochs, through old Caledonian forests and to the summit of Cairn Gorm (1244m), the legendary mountain at the heart of the UK’s largest National Park

Wild camp in remote, secluded spots in whisky country, sip a wee dram beside the campfire and wild swim in Loch A’an

Descend the River Spey by canoe, tackling the notorious ‘Washing Machine' rapids en route to the finish line at the North Sea

Howard B.(July 2025)
Amazing, harder due to 30

Amazing, harder due to 30 degress plus in Scotland!

Andrew F.(July 2025)
Fantastic adventure, from the huge

Fantastic adventure, from the huge rock waves of the Cairngorms to the thousands of glassy clear standing waves of the Spey rapids. Lianne looked after us superbly. She is an excellent camp chef as well as a hugely knowledgeable river guide. We were in very safe hands.

Ewa T.(May 2025)
All "luxurious dining" inclusive
All "luxurious dining" inclusive
All "luxurious dining" inclusive
All "luxurious dining" inclusive

My beloved Scotland! You've done it again. You've burnt me to a crisp and soaked me to the bone while leaving me speechless many times over. I forgive you the aching muscles and bugs trying to nibble on me at every possible chance - it's a price worth paying to experience your beauty and fall in love with you again. All this in the company of a guide extraordinaire - Scott. If there's a Masterchef "camping edition" - someone please sign this man up! Funny, caring and full of stories for all weathers. You're in good hands with this one for sure. To my canoeing buddy - to the end of the world with you my friend. Your patience with me and my shenanigans, surpassed the amount of rocks we hit and boulders we ended up on. It was tough at times but we've canoed Spey in our very own style, laughing all the way to the end. My third Scottish trip with MBA and yet another reminder why I throw myself into all this - for the brilliant people I meet and the beauty of nature. It's like the best reset button for the soul. So without much further ado - I'm off to book another one. West coast of Scotland - here I come! And I'm sure there's a space for you too, whoever you are my fellow adventurer. Come along!

Thea F.(September 2024)
Fantastic trip with encounters with wildlife!

I had a fantastic holiday with a great group of people. From encountering a feisty capercaillie to rescuing red squirrels from the River Spey, there wasn’t a dull moment. I didn’t know what a capercaillie was before this trip, I do now! Both our guides Jack and Andy were brilliant. I learnt a lot about nature from Andy and Jack was an excellent guide on the Spey. His instructions how to get down the rapids safely was invaluable. Also thank you to Jack for all the delicious food.

I will remember the evenings sitting around the campfire while sitting at the desk in the office.

Geoffrey S.(September 2024)
Another fantastic trip.. with some
Another fantastic trip.. with some

Another fantastic trip.. with some absolutely comical moments with a great bunch of people.. Thanks to both jack and andy for there tutelage and thank you jack for the awesome food.

Ivan B.(September 2024)
Perfect mixture of hike and canoeing

Great combo of challenging days and relaxing evening camping (secret spots!) with excellent food and campfire. Canoeing on Spey is hard enough (for beginners) and rapids are frequent so it's never boring.

Thanks to our guides Jack and Andy for this wonderful trip.

Ben B.(August 2024)
Epic trip! Fully exceeded our

Epic trip! Fully exceeded our expectations, Scott our tour guide was top notch and delivered some outstanding 3 course meals each evening, I ate better here than I do at home. The scenery was beautiful, camping was great so much fun. All around 10/10! If you're in 2 minds weather to book just book it, you will not be disappointed.

Thomas F.(August 2024)
Do it

Lovely four days comprising of a solid hiking leg and three days of canoeing.

The canoeing whilst a little on the challenging side down the River Spey's unforgiving rapids was very manageable thanks to the great support and teachings from our guide Scott. It is fairly challenging to navigate some of the rapids but all doable with a little bit of grit and perseverance. There were bits of the River which were not safe and manoeuvrable so Scott had appropriately walked our canoes down these sections while the group walked through. Safety on the trip from Scott was appropriately a top priority.

The management of the trip was very well executed from Day 1 including an adjusted hike due to bad weather. The team are very knowledgeable of the areas and all the campsites were fantastic spots.

You would think Scott was a Michelin chef with some of the dishes he was creating! Food was delicious and you never went hungry.

All the equipment supplied was excellent and the kit list is a must to follow. Don't forget your midge net.

The scenery was beautiful, and we even caught some seals during our canoe.

All in all, well worth it. Thank you Much Better Adventures.

Elaine M.(August 2024)
You will not regret!

Such a brilliant trip, Scott was a brilliant instructor/host/chef/everything! The team were so accommodating and helped my partner not miss the trip when we had an unforeseen, last moment issue come up. Everyone on the trip and from the team was so warm and friendly and food was fabulous. Thank you so much! X

Martin L.(August 2024)
Trip of a Lifetime

A fantastic, unforgetable and inspiring expedition that exceeded all expectations, a truly life changing experience. From the food to the forests, to the river and the rapids an exceptional trip supported by expert guides. In this instance 'scott', was our guide. He was very knowledgeable about the local areas and a great canoe instructor, with his unrivalled patience and encouraging attitude, also he had a great sense of humour and was a pleasure to learn from and spend time with. The food is exceptional, moreso for such a trip, I probably ate a more varied diet than I usually would at home, absolutely superb. The trip itself is quite challenging and it's advisable to have at least a decent level of fittness before pursuing such an expedition, Since this trip I am very keen to pursue the quest of the canoe, some of the best 4 days of my life and for this I'd like to thank all involved!!

Bridget S.(August 2024)
An amazing trip with great
An amazing trip with great
An amazing trip with great
An amazing trip with great
An amazing trip with great

An amazing trip with great views, fantastic food and loads of memories made! Would jump back on a trip in a heartbeat!

Steven B.(August 2024)
I recently went on this
I recently went on this
I recently went on this
I recently went on this
I recently went on this
I recently went on this
I recently went on this

I recently went on this trip (august 24) it was physically challenging but the stunning views made every moment worth it. From rugged landscapes to serene waters, the scenery was breathtaking.

Our tour leader, Scott, played a huge role in making this experience unforgettable. His deep knowledge of the local area, offering fascinating insights into the history and wildlife we encountered. Scott was also a fantastic coach when it came to learning how to canoe. His patience and clear instructions made even the toughest parts of the adventure enjoyable.

Considering we were wild camping, the food exceeded all expectations. It was delicious, abundant, and fueled us perfectly for the daily challenges.

Overall, I would highly recommend this trip to anyone looking for an adventure that tests your limits and rewards you with unforgettable memories.

John S.(July 2024)
An excellent expedition
An excellent expedition

Despite the weather the Scottish scenery was splendid from beginning to end with continuous excitement provided by the rapids along the way. Wild camping was great fund. Would recommend though canoeing experience is a must.

Jeremy(October 2021)
The trip was superb. Alternatives were quic...

The trip was superb. Alternatives were quickly offered following reports of dangerous wind conditions. Outstanding guide and support throughout. Amazing food by our host, Scott, and all the kit was well specified and otherwise provided. The group was amazing, everyone mucked in and the achievement was one I will never forget. I will be booking with MBA again in the future!

Hannah(October 2021)
Much better adventures did it again! What a...
Much better adventures did it again! What a...
Much better adventures did it again! What a...

Much better adventures did it again! What a great trip, varied, challenging and fun and well supported by the local guide. I would highly recommend this trip through this company.

Aisla(October 2021)

What a fantastic week! The hiking section was wet and windy for us but still fun to be in the hills swimming and making friends with deer (and ticks!). Loved the canoeing, so relaxing yet a good chance to practice skills negotiating the rapids. Chris was a brilliant guide and we ate like kings and queens- food far exceeded my expectations! We had a super group and lots of laughs. Still daydreaming about campfires, jumping salmon and that haggis and whisky sauce...

Nicola(September 2021)

Great trip. Take an old school digital camera and leave your phone at home or in your rucksack after the hiking....you won't regret it. Great decompress from the real world.

Austin(September 2021)

Can't fault this trip! Our group leader Chris was amazing and very talented as a chef too. So many great memories, thank you!

Charlie(September 2021)

I had a wonderful experience on this trip. Our local guide Chris was brilliant, there was amazing camp food (never the same meal twice). All the equipment we were leant was in great condition. The wild camping was great, we had a couple of camp fires and the group got on really well.

This is a physically challenging trip as you have to carry all your gear up a mount and back down. Handling the canoes takes some skill but also some strength during the rapids to negotiate the turns.

Marcus(September 2021)
Thoroughly recommend this trip,Chris our ho...

Thoroughly recommend this trip,Chris our host was professional on every level and then some,amazing guy. Food was excellent, the camp locations where stunning, glad we got the mountain trek out of the way first was hard going but then that was what I wanted tbh and the canooing on the river was amazing especially when I he sun was shining.Got bit wet on the final part but that was all part of the fun. Feel nourished in everyway from the food to being out in nature this way to the guys I've spent time with and got to know,feel like a different person,many happy memories will stay with me x

Sophia(September 2021)

This trip is definitely for you if you want to get out of your comfort zone! The hike was full of dramatic scenery but tough at times, carrying a large, heavy rucksack really changes your fitness level I found out! After the hike we canoed down the River Spey, which is beautiful. We were all learning to canoe for the first time and Colin, our guide, gave clear instructions, was patient and really encouraging. I couldn’t fault his skills as a teacher. Colin looked after everyone really well, we had different dietary requirements and he made a huge effort to make sure we all had food we would enjoy.Overall it was fun and challenging and I would definitely recommend this to anyone who wants a physical challenge and to experience the Scottish outdoors 😊

Josh(September 2021)
100% recommend this trip, it is definitely...
100% recommend this trip, it is definitely...

100% recommend this trip, it is definitely a challenge though! Found tough at times but so rewarding as an experience. Food was amazing, far exceeded my expectation on that front! Hike to summit was incredible and the scenes from the canoe stretch were great. Our guide was funny and knowledgable and ran the trip perfectly.

Jamie(September 2021)
The trip was quality from start to finish a...

The trip was quality from start to finish and surpassed my expectations and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it! The trip overall was challenging but was all worth it for the stunning views, experience and company! Colin our guide was fantastic and made the trip what it was, very knowledgeable, friendly and funny ! He also ensured we got the best out of our trip by asking each of the group what they wanted and expected and checked how everyone was throughout which was nice! The food was also great, I suffer from a dairy allergy and at no point did I feel like I was missing out and Colin made every effort to ensure I was catered for!

Robert(September 2021)
This trip was excellent from start to finis...
This trip was excellent from start to finis...
This trip was excellent from start to finis...
This trip was excellent from start to finis...
This trip was excellent from start to finis...

This trip was excellent from start to finish. What a great opportunity to get out into the wilderness and see some of the beauty of Scotland! We saw salmon being caught, an Osprey diving and catching fish and plenty of the local midge! Slightly tougher than I was expecting but you get fed so well that our energy levels remained high!

James(August 2021)
Great trip, the hiking and kayaking were fa...
Great trip, the hiking and kayaking were fa...
Great trip, the hiking and kayaking were fa...

Great trip, the hiking and kayaking were fantastic and the food from our host Scott was really tasty. Definitely recommend!

James(July 2021)

An extremely fun trip. The tour guides were knowledgeable, fun and I felt safe throughout knowing they would be able to deal with any situations which developed.

Make sure you are well prepared fitness-wise. It was a struggle for those who weren't as prepared - don't leave it to chance! The hiking phase were two long days - be prepared for up to 10 hours walking at least. Summiting the mountain and swimming in a deserted loch made it all worth it though! More arduous but fun nevertheless.

The canoeing phase was more fun but you still needed a relatively good level of fitness to deal with the areas of rapids.

Kit list is correct and well designed but make sure you pack carefully - there is a lot of team kit to go in your bags too so be careful not to take too much.

Final advice - if doing this in summer take the advice on midges and tics seriously! First night camping we were swarmed by midges; the next night everyone got at least one tic! Don't let this put you off - if you bring the right stuff you will deter them and still have fun.

Overall a great experience: Fun; slightly challenging; and great guides.

Jonathan(July 2021)
LOVED THIS TRIP!! I would highly recommend...
LOVED THIS TRIP!! I would highly recommend...

LOVED THIS TRIP!! I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves the outdoors and doesn’t mind a challenge. It wasn’t easy but with help from Scott (our trusty guide) you accomplish a great achievement. Everything is well thought out and smoothly done. Scott was not only funny and well knowledgeable about the mountains, he was also a great chef cooking us up some lovely meals with great story’s :)

Would 100% book another trip with these guys and I thank them for a great experience

Lesley A.(July 2021)
Highly recommend this fantastic trip. Amazi...
Highly recommend this fantastic trip. Amazi...
Highly recommend this fantastic trip. Amazi...
Highly recommend this fantastic trip. Amazi...
Highly recommend this fantastic trip. Amazi...

Highly recommend this fantastic trip. Amazing views, great team work, delicious food at the end of quite demanding days. Also time to relax, chat and let Scott the guide entertain you with funny stories and interesting facts.

Alejandro(July 2021)

This was a fantastic trip, with the right balance of demanding physical effort, adventure, and laid back enjoyment. The first two days are tougher, as even while the Scottish highlands are not that impressive in terms of height, the terrain is not that easy with a heavy backpack (and those midges can be a force of nature). The canoeing part is physically less demanding but requires continuous concentration, as coming to grips with canoeing and establishing good communication with the partner takes a bit of time. The outcome is very good and balanced mix, which got only better with the attentive care and very good food provided by Scott, our guide, and by a group of like-minded people that rapidly clicked into the same frequency to have fun. I enjoyed every day of the trip and made me look forward to much better adventures. p.s. do pay attention to what they ask you to bring, as you need the right equipment!

Sue(July 2021)

Excellent trip. Loved the two different experiences. Hike was fairly tough; but that was the difficulty level. Camping was great dispite the rain. Scott, the guide, was very well qualified, a great leader and charming and a good cook. Could not be bettered

Itinerary

    Day 1

    To the top of the Cairngorms

    Hiking
    7-8hrs · 16km · 840m up · 690m down
    Wild camping
    Twin tent
    Lunch and dinner included
    Show Day 1 detail

    Meet your host and fellow adventurers in Inverness, the bustling capital of the Highlands. Hop in the van and head for the Cairngorms to kickstart the expedition. Your objective today is to reach the 1244m summit of Cairn Gorm mountain itself – the very heart of the largest National Park in the UK. The trail is relatively straightforward for reasonably fit walkers, and no technical scrambling or climbing skills are required (that said, it's a hefty hike so we recommend that you don't carry anything in your pack that is not essential). Reaching the heights of the Cairngorm Plateau, you'll descend the far side then drop down to the remote and beautiful Loch A'an (AKA Loch Avon) for a rest and the chance for a stunning wild swim to cool down from your mountain climbing exertions. Continue hiking eastwards and then north along an undulating trail, circling round the back of the main Cairngorm massif – looking out for a sheltered spot for your first night of wild camping beneath Scottish skies.

    Day 2

    Abernethy Forest to the River Spey

    Hiking
    6hrs · 20km · 150m up · 650m down
    Canoeing
    1hr · 3km
    Wild camping
    Twin tent
    All meals included
    Show Day 2 detail

    Rise early to grab breakfast, break down camp and continue your push north. Hike out from the mountains, descending the last of the Cairngorm foothills and dropping down into the ancient pines of the Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve. This is one of the biggest remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forest that once covered 80% of Scotland and is a real haven for wildlife such as pine martens, wildcats and different species of deer. Gradually descend to the valley floor of Strathspey and on to the lovely little Highland village of Nethy Bridge, where a village shop awaits to replenish supplies before the final 2km to reach the River Spey – where your canoe will be waiting for you. Enjoy a short rest before switching your gear into drybags for the canoe, hitting the water and paddling to your first riverside wild camping spot. Time to kick back with a wee dram and do a spot of stargazing.

    Day 3

    Paddle through whisky country

    Canoeing
    5-6hrs · 29km
    Wild camping
    Twin tent
    All meals included
    Show Day 3 detail

    After your short introduction to the river yesterday, things ramp up today as you begin to get a feel for the River Spey. Your guide will fill you in on the rich cultural and industrial heritage of the Spey Valley as you learn the art of 'reading the river' – navigating the safest channels whilst flanked by the dramatic backdrop of the North East Highlands. This section is easygoing, and the worst that can happen is some wet feet if you don't pick a good line! Having learnt a few skills to help you handle your canoe, later this afternoon you’ll hit the notorious ‘Washing Machine’ section, giving you the opportunity to shoot a Grade 2 rapid if you wish. All part of the fun! Your guides are highly trained to keep you safe, but there is always the option of carrying your canoe around the side if you aren’t feeling up for it. Tonight's wild camp is on an island just 1km further on from the rapids. As you are now right in the heart of whisky country, it may be fitting to sample some of the local nectar around the campfire on your idyllic little island paradise.

    Day 4

    Ballindalloch to Rothes

    Canoeing
    3hrs · 27km
    Wild camping
    Twin tent
    All meals included
    Show Day 4 detail

    Another big day today as you progress downriver through the heart of the famous Speyside whisky region. More fun Grade 1-2 rapids are on the menu as the river picks up speed on its race to the sea. There’s still time to relax on the calmer sections though, and soak up the vast wilderness of the Spey. Keep your eyes peeled for ospreys and otters, before setting up camp for the night near Craigellachie. Tonight is your final night of the expedition, so enjoy the campfire vibes with another meal prepared by your guides and a drop of Aberlour malt to toast the final stretch of the expedition.

    Day 5

    Final stretch to the North Sea

    Canoeing
    4hrs · 18km
    Breakfast and lunch included
    Show Day 5 detail

    Wake up in the wild one last time, ready for the final push – the end of the expedition is in sight. Follow the meandering river and start to smell the sea air as Spey Bay approaches. This beautiful coastal reserve on the north Scottish coast is home to dolphins year-round – with a stroke of luck, they might even be there for your finish line party as you reach Whale & Dolphin Conservation Centre at Spey Bay which marks the end of your summit to sea journey. Celebrate with some refreshments at the lovely cafe here, and if you're lucky, you may spot some of the 200 bottlenose dolphins that are resident in the Moray Firth from the beach. Your host will then drive you back to Inverness Airport or central Inverness, depending on your choice.

Getting There

Nearest airport
Inverness Airport (INV)
Pick up
Central Inverness
08:30 on Day 1
Drop off
Central Inverness or Inverness Airport
15:00 on Day 5

What is and isn't included?

What's included

  • Guided hike to summit Cairn Gorm (1244m) via Loch A'an
  • Guided hike into Abernethy Forest National Nature Reserve
  • Canoeing on the River Spey
  • Canoeing down the Spey Valley via the 'Washing Machine' rapids
  • Canoeing through the Speyside whisky region towards Craigellachie
  • Canoeing to the finish line at Spey Bay on the North Sea coast

  • Expert, local, canoeing and hiking guides

  • 4 nights wild camping

All your meals are provided for the duration of the trip. This includes:

  • 4 tasty breakfasts
  • 5 fresh lunches
  • 4 campfire dinners

  • Group arrival transfer from central Inverness on Day 1
  • Group departure transfer to central Inverness or Inverness Airport on Day 5

  • All canoeing and safety equipment
  • All camping equipment

Where you'll stay

GettyImages-941352856

Wild Camping

What you'll eat

You'll tuck into fresh, quality, tasty meals throughout the expedition. The food will be a bit more basic for the first night in the hills as you will be carrying everything – but once into your canoes, there will be more variety. For breakfast, ther…

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DEPARTURE DATES

  • Friday 26th June 2026

    to Tuesday 30th June 2026

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Optional Extras

Equipment / Kit Hire

Sleeping Bag Hire
…/per person

Upgrades

Solo travellers will have their own private tent at no extra cost. Couples and groups of friends are generally expected to share, but if you would prefer separate tents, please let us know when completing your passenger information.


To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.

All extras must be paid before your trip starts.

Illustration of a group of people kayaking

GOT A GROUP OF 6 OR MORE?

Book the whole trip privately. We sort the details, you split the cost. Pure adventure, zero faff.

FAQs

It is important that you travel as light as you possibly can for the mountain section of this journey, so you should only take true essentials for the first night in your hiking backpack. Please note that you will need to add your share of the cooking and camping equipment to your bag before you set off, so you will need to leave some room for this.

The rest of your luggage will meet you at the changeover point (from walking to canoeing) late afternoon on Day 2, so you can re-pack for this part of the expedition with fewer weight and space restrictions. You'll have a 60-litre drybag to pack your stuff into, which is ample space. You can leave any spare luggage in your host's vehicle when you get in the canoes and it will meet you once again at Spey Bay on Day 5.

On the morning of day 1, please turn up ready to hike! Boots on, water filled up. Have your extra canoeing kit & spare travelling bags separated from your hiking pack. These will be returned to you on day 2 after the hiking section of the expedition.

Absolutely! We recognise that you may want to leave some of the luggage you bring to Scotland somewhere safe before you start your expedition. You will be able to leave any non-essential items you don’t want to take on the boat with you at our host's local base.

Yes; this trip is a participatory expedition. Your host will provide all meals and snacks from the first lunch onwards. During the expedition your host may ask the group to help collect firewood, boil some water for brews and help the guide set up the kitchen or chop vegetables. We believe that small things matter and getting involved around camp will help enrich your experience. This trip gives you a chance to take time out from your usual routine, make bonds and create memories. Mucking in and fostering a team spirit for the expedition is what it's all about, and will create the best atmosphere – and best chance for completing the expedition – with your fellow adventurers.

Whilst outdoor toileting is all part of a wilderness adventure, it can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment if not practiced carefully. To avoid this, on most trips (for the canoeing section), your host provides a portable camping toilet for use at each of the wild camping spots. Small and packable, this camping toilet allows waste to be packed-out and disposed of properly when facilities are available. Not only does this help to minimise impact on the countryside, but many adventurers find it a bit more comfortable! For those who have periods, we have also written this handy guide, to help you manage these whilst on adventures.

For comfort and safety reasons regarding the paddling element of this trip, unfortunately we are not able to accommodate people over 18 stone (110 kilos). If you have questions regarding this, please speak to our customer experience team.

Midges are very tiny winged flies, often found in Northern Scotland between May and October when conditions are damp, humid and warmish. While they don’t have a great reputation, they generally aren’t as bad as they are made out to be: they can be an annoyance, but they don’t carry any diseases. So they're pretty harmless, apart from a small itchy red bite.

They don't like direct sunlight and they can’t fly in anything more than a light wind, so on very sunny or breezy days you're unlikely to be bothered by them.

There are preventative measures you can take if you do find there are some midges around. Wear white or light-coloured clothing – midges are drawn to dark colours. Use a repellent, such as Smidge (a DEET-free insect repellent developed in Scotland) – Avon's Skin So Soft is also often recommended as an effective deterrent. Antihistamine creams or tablets will help with any itchy bites. Whilst midges are so small that they can pass through a mosquito net, you can buy 'midge-proof' head nets made with a fine mesh that will keep them away.

Occasionally, participants may need to leave an expedition earlier than planned for various reasons. Although rare, when such occasions do arise, your hosts can generally arrange for you to be collected and returned to Inverness. This is subject to being able to reach an accessible location and the availability of a vehicle and driver, so it might not be immediate. Your host reserves the right to charge £150 to collect an individual (with those travelling with them) and return them to Inverness; this extra charge covers staff time and the use of a vehicle & fuel. Your host will be happy to provide a receipt for this, should you require it for insurance claim purposes and we recommend that you take out suitable travel insurance to cover holiday cancellation costs or instances like those described above. You are more than welcome to make your own arrangements to leave if necessary, however, please be aware that this trip operates in some very remote locations, and taxis/public transport are not always readily available.  

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places options may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what will be possible on your trip, depending on your individual requirements. This information should be read carefully prior to your trip to ensure that you are adequately prepared for the situation ‘on the ground’.

Once you have booked on your trip, please fill out your passenger information form asap with any dietary requirements. Once you complete your passenger information, your dietary needs and any allergies are automatically shared with your host and, in turn, your guide. Please submit this as early as possible so they can plan accordingly and deliver the best experience. Please also remind your guide about your dietary requirements upon arrival, as mentioning these in person allows your guide to comprehend individual preferences and limitations as soon as you arrive.

BACKGROUND

Special diets, intolerances and allergies are generally well understood in the United Kingdom. All meals on this trip are prepared ‘in-house’ by the local team and they do a fantastic job, however your guides are cooking for a large group in remote locations with limited facilities and supplies, so you should keep this in mind. Your host is based in the remote highlands of Scotland, and certain ingredients aren’t readily available at short notice. Therefore please note that if you inform your host about certain dietary requirements less than two weeks prior to your trip, then the options and variety of your meals could be more limited.

SPECIAL DIETS

**Vegetarian -Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. Each expedition guide has their own menu style, but you can expect hearty homemade dishes like veggie chilli or bolognaise for main meals, and plenty of non-meat-based ingredients for breakfasts, lunches and snacks.

**Vegan -Vegan diets can be accommodated on this trip, provided that your host is notified in advance. Each expedition guide has their own menu style, but you can expect homemade dishes like veggie chilli or bolognaise, made with vegan ingredients. Vegan alternatives will be provided when necessary, e.g. ingredients for making lunches, or at breakfast time.

Kosher -Kosher diets can be catered for on this trip, provided that your host is made aware in advance. However, it should be noted that sourcing Kosher ingredients in the Scottish Highlands is not always possible, so it cannot be guaranteed. Where this is the case, vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative, if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

Halal -Halal diets can be accommodated on this trip, provided that your host is notified in advance. However, it should be noted that sourcing Halal ingredients in the Scottish Highlands is not always easy, or even possible, so it cannot be guaranteed. Where this is the case, vegetarian or vegan options can often be the most reliable alternative, if this is acceptable to you. Please read the related sections above.

INTOLERANCES

Gluten Free (for Coeliac, please see Allergies section below) -Gluten-free diets can be accommodated on this trip, provided that your host is notified in advance. You can expect group meals made with gluten-free ingredients, or where necessary, gluten-free alternatives will be provided - for example Gluten-free wraps at lunch times, or gluten-free pasta.

Lactose Free -Lactose-free diets can be accommodated on this trip, provided that your host is notified in advance. You can expect group meals that are made with lactose-free ingredients, or where necessary, lactose-free alternatives will be provided - for example cheese alternatives for lunches, milk alternatives for coffee/ tea or for adding to porridge at breakfast time.

ALLERGIES

Your host has confirmed that they are able to accommodate mild allergies to the 14 allergens identified by the UK Food Standards Agency, where these are disclosed in advance. However, if you have a severe or life-threatening food allergy, please get in touch with our CX team prior to booking to discuss whether your requirements can be accommodated safely on this trip. This will allow us to carefully consider the sensitivity and severity of your allergy, the available provision on the trip and the accessibility of medical care should a reaction occur. Your safety is always our top priority. **Please note that when travelling overseas, local ingredients, food preparation methods and labelling standards may vary, particularly in remote areas. It is also worth noting that any allergies may result in more limited options and repetitive provision in some areas. Whilst your guide will help communicate dietary requirements where possible, customers remain responsible for managing their own allergies during the trip.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

  • 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
  • 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
  • 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The Scottish summer is usually warm but you can expect some rain, even if it's just a little. Prepare for anything and think ‘layers.’ Conditions in April and May will be slightly cooler, with the potential for frost at night. Kit-wise, the main thing is a warm sleeping bag – bring an additional sleeping bag liner if you feel the cold more.

We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.

What's the number?
It works out on average at 57kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.

The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.

But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:

  • Driving 1000 miles/1609km would be approximately 281kg of CO2 in an average car (or 140.5kg per person, if there were two of you in it).
  • A return economy class flight between London and New York would be approximately 1619kg (1.66 tonnes) per person.
  • 10 trees in a temperate forest are estimated to remove approximately 250kg of CO2 from the air in a period of 5-10 years.

What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.

Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.

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