England Ireland Wales photos
Discover Dublin, London, and many of the natural treasures of the British Isles on our wild adventure through England, Ireland and Wales.
$5,988.00
Three CPR and First Aid certified Venture Europe guides; all ground costs, all ground transportation including airport pickup and drop-off; all camping and camping gear (except sleeping bags, sleep mats and mess kits); all activities and gear listed in the above itinerary; all meals; local gratuities to wait-staff and all hotels or hostels.
Flights to/from Shannon and London; optional gratuities, extra snacks and souvenirs.
We set out on a two-day horseback ride through the mountains around Tipperary and spend a night in a 300-year-old Irish castle. On our way to Connemara we visit the Cliffs of Moher, 600 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, In Connemara we do a multitude of fun outdoor activities: kayaking, ropes courses, a small hike and a game of laser tag.Dublin is our last stop in Ireland, bubbling with sights, sounds, tastes and Irish heritage. We visit Dublin Castle, Trinity College and O’Connell Street.
Ascending Mount Snowdon, the second highest peak in the UK, and Wales’ highest, is a backpacking accomplishment to savor! We go rock climbing and gorge walking in a national park and visit the Gower, the UK’s first area declared “An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” We give back to the local community by working with the National Trust for a day. The southwest coast of Wales is an idyllic setting for our surfing adventure camp where we spend two days learning to read and ride the waves.
Our final adventure is a two-day exploration of London’s history, heritage and culture including Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus. After picking up a souvenir or two on Oxford Street, we head home after the adventure of a lifetime.
You will be met upon arrival at the Shannon International Airport airport by your experienced AAVE expedition leaders. After a complete gear check to assure that you are prepared for the diverse and demanding regions we explore, we load up our custom vehicles and head off! During orientation we get to know each other and learn what to expect in the days ahead. Our daily routine, jobs and safety rules are explained, and the process of growing together as a group begins. We drive to our campsite one hour from the airport and set up camp near the River Shannon, our camp for the next two nights.
Our first adventure in Ireland is in the wonderful Tipperary region, where a community service project awaits us at a local horse ranch. After a day of lending a hand, we we set out on top quality, pure bred horses for a fantastic adventure: two days of horseback riding in the Galtee Mountains! We ride through streams, forests, ancient villages and the magnificent rolling hills of the Irish countryside. We camp near a tranquil lake in the mountains and prepare a great barbecue in the evening. Following our horse trip, we make your way towards Connemara and overnight in a historic Irish castle!
Our next adventure is an amazing scenic drive on the West Coast of Ireland. We stop on the way to visit the famous Cliffs of Moher. Here we have lunch while enjoying the view of the Atlantic Ocean pounding the rocks 600-feet below. We have plenty of time to take pictures and explore before we drive on to our next camp.
The beautiful and rugged Connemara region has a sterling reputation as the best preserved nature area in Ireland. It is among the pristine mountains and lakes of this region that we enjoy a day of challenging biking. Next, our kayaking guides teach us everything about safety before we get wet and wild! We head down the river to enjoy the amazing views and paddle hard! On our final day in the Connemara region we challenge ourselves on a high ropes course and compete in a friendly game of laser tag.
Returning from our outdoor pursuits on the West Coast, we check into Dublin International Youth Hostel, an atmospheric hostel that is the base for our stay in Dublin. O’Connell Street, the hub of Dublin’s shopping district, is located near our hostel. We visit the wonders of Dublin, like Trinity College, Dublin Castle and the Liffey River. We have plenty of time to stroll around in the centre, and, after a movie in a theatre, we hit the town for a wonderful dinner to celebrate our adventures in Ireland.
A day of van and ferry travel is necessary to reach our next destination, North Wales. We arrive in our beautifully-situated campsite in the evening, our home for several days of the trip.
The unique Snowdonia National Park is the setting for a two-day backpacking adventure. Hiking through the green landscapes scattered with breathtaking views, lakes and peaks, we make our way to the heart of this national park. After staying overnight in a mountain lodge, we start our ascent to the highest peak of Wales and England, Mount Snowdon! After safely negotiating the narrow edge to the top, we enjoy the amazing sight of all of North Wales at our feet. Celebrating this great accomplishment, we have a picnic lunch before descending to base camp, stopping for a swim and a rest.
Action packed days of rock climbing await us in another area of Snowdonia National Park. We learn all about this exhilarating sport as certified instructors give us an orientation on safety, equipment and techniques. Climbing steep rock faces will be a challenge for everyone, and climbs are easily adapted to any skill level.
Leaving North Wales, we travel to the Southwest Coast where we find The Gower – the first area in the U.K. to be declared “An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.” Surrounded by sandy beaches, we are taught the art of surfing by Wales’ number one surfing legend! All of our instructors are charismatic, certified professionals with a lifetime of experience. We also take time to explore the delights of Swansea, the second largest city in Wales.
Leaving Wales and traveling on, we stop to marvel at the history and mystery of the world-famous Stonehenge! Our final adventure is an exploration of the British capital, London – a world class metropolis with a long and significant role in world history. We visit the “can’t miss” sites of Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and the shops on Oxford Street. There will be plenty of time to discover the city and walk about. We also see one of the famous musical shows at West End. We have an unforgettable last evening out, including a wonderful dinner to celebrate our accomplishments in Ireland, Wales and England!
We travel to the airport early in the morning to say our goodbyes after a summer of incredible travel, outdoor adventure, intense challenges, new friends and great fun!
This itinerary is a sample outline of the program highlights. It is not a precise description. Changes made before or during the trip will only be made in the interest of safety or a more successful trip. This diverse itinerary is our framework for a summer of exhilaration and adventure. Get your mind and body set. Activities are planned using years of experience with your highest expectations in mind.