City Mountaineering - Expeditions

A 9-day trip of hiking and island hopping the little islands off the west coast of Scotland.

Hiking mostly off-track, we will get a boat and hike across the islands of Eigg, Rum Canna and Sanday There are no waymarks for the route and many sections do not even have a path.

However; the route is familiar to us and the rewards as you explore the best of what these islands have to offer:

Eigg - The world's first 100%-renewable energy electricity grid in the world! It also has stunning beaches and the high cliffs make for great wildlife watching!
Rum - Tough terrain, with few tracks on this miniature version of Skye
Canna - Castle ruins and basalt coastline standing tall above the crashing waves below
Sanday - Watch the Puffins on the high cliff tops

The route has been devised for those who want a relaxing week of easy hiking and those who prefer to get well away from the beaten track and is a trip never to be forgotten!

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9-days for an all inclusive price of just £845, which includes:
- Travel and logistical Support from Inverness/Fort William
- 4 boat trips
- All food whilst hiking and wild camping - But excluding any food bought from pubs/restaurants/cafes
- All accommodation (tents provided for camping and wild camping sections, hotel stay at the end of the trip)
- Guided hiking by an experienced and qualified Mountain Leader

Not included:
- Return transport between Home and Inverness/Fort William
- Your personal hiking kit
- Food/drink in cafes/restaurants/pubs

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To reserve your place, simply click on the RSVP, pay the £100 non-refundable deposit and we'll be in contact with the finer details

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Itinerary (this is subject to change based on the ferry timetable and sea/weather conditions)

Saturday: You will be met outside Inverness Airport/Train Station at around 10am for a kit check and full trip briefing. You will then be transferred to the port and will board the ferry to Eigg. You will head out on a hiking/wild camping adventure on relatively easy terrain - although it will mostly be off-track. You will cross the island to a pristine beach where you will pitch your tents for the first night in the wild

Sunday: Continuing around the island, you will reach An Sgurr. At 393m, this is the highest point on Eigg and offers panoramic views around the entire island. You will then descend to the rugged seas cliffs for a second night of wild camping on Eigg

Monday: Continuing a circuit around the coast of Eigg and visiting the famous massacre and cathedral caves, you will head back to the port and board the next boat to the national nature reserve of Rum. With no roads, you will truly explore this island wildness, hiking over the hills and around the coastline (first night on a northern coastal beach)

Tuesday: You will continue on your journey, by foot, around the southern shores of the island, to a beautiful glen below the mighty Rum Cuillin mountains. This will be your base camp for 2-nights.

Wednesday: You will spend a day climbing the local hills culminating in a ridge traverse to the highest point on the island (the summit of Askival), returning back to base camp for the night.

Thursday: Breaking camp in the morning, you will hike north, up the glen and over the mountain pass. You will descend into the next valley and along to the mausoleum and western beaches of the island.

Friday: You will continue on your Rum adventure on good tracks to the pure white sands on the northern side of the island. Camping on the cliffs as the sea crashes below you, the sunsets here are spectacular!

Saturday: You will end your journey on Rum with a hike along good tracks across the island back to the port, for a late boat trip to Canna. On arrival, you will take a short hike to the highest point on the island before returning to a campsite for the night. Your final dinner of this wild adventure will be in the cosy local pub.

Sunday: Getting up early, you will hike over to Sanday to view the raised beaches, hut circles and rugged-cliff coastline before returning to the port for a ferry off the island and back to the Scottish mainland (and relative civilisation).You will then be driven back to Fort William for your return home (expect to be back in Inverness at around 2pm)

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All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)

Escape the hustle of the holidays and experience the magic of Christmas in the Lake District!

This unforgettable hiking trip takes you through snow-dusted landscapes, tranquil lakes, and breathtaking mountain views. Immerse yourself in the serenity of nature as you trek along scenic trails, surrounded by the crisp winter air.
After your hikes, retreat to our cozy accommodation, where a roaring fire, mulled wine, and festive cheer await.

Whether you're looking for adventure or a peaceful holiday escape, this Christmas hiking trip offers the perfect blend of winter wonder and relaxation. Let the beauty of the Lake District make your holiday season truly special!
Trip Highlights:
🏞️ Guided hikes through stunning winter landscapes
❄️ Snow-capped mountain and lake views
🌲 Peaceful, off-the-beaten-path trails
🎄 Cozy evenings in a cosy cottage with a roaring fire
🍫 Warm up with mulled wine, hot cocoa, and local treats
🎅 Experience the magic of Christmas surrounded by nature
Let's test Santa's ability in finding you!

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There's no such thing as a "typical trip" but check out what we got up to at our Glen Coe Christmas in 2019, Cairngorms Christmas in 2021, Lochaber Christmas in 2022, Torridon Christmas in 2023 and Borrowdale Christmas in 2024 on Facebook
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ITINERARY
Please note that exact timings and order of activities are subject to change, based on the local conditions at the time.
The itinerary is designed to adapt to weather conditions, ensuring every day is a memorable experience. Whether you're trekking up snowy peaks or relaxing by the fire with mulled wine, this trip has something for everyone.

Here's a sample itinerary to inspire your holiday adventure:
✨ Tuesday 23 December

• 🚆 Relaxing train journey from London to the Lake District
• 🏞️ Short, easy hike to get a breath of fresh mountain air
• 🏠 Check-in to your cozy cottage accommodation
• 🍻 Dinner and festive drinks at a local pub to kick off the trip

✨ Wednesday 24 December

• 🥾 Morning hike from your accommodation, climbing your first hill
• ❄️ Enjoy the stunning winter landscape
• 🔥 Return to the lodge for showers, a pre-Christmas supper, and mulled wine by the fire

✨ Thursday 25 December (Christmas Day)

• 🎁 Wake up to open any Christmas gifts
• 🍳 Savor a festive breakfast
• 🚶 Self-guided walk around the local area to build up your appetite
• 🍽️ Return for a delicious Christmas feast with drinks and holiday merriment

✨ Friday 26 December (Boxing Day)

• 🥾 A gentle post-Christmas hike to work off the holiday indulgence
• 🌲 Take in more beautiful views on a smaller hill
• 🍲 Relax back at the lodge with Boxing Day treats (Bubble and Squeak!)

✨ Saturday 27 December

• 🥾 Final hike to one last local hill, soaking in the spectacular scenery
• 🚗 Depart from your accommodation and head to the train station
• 🚆 Enjoy a relaxing train journey back to London, arriving around 8pm

🎄 **Customize Your Experience**: Join the hikes or take a break to unwind with a good book or holiday games by the fire—it's your Christmas getaway, and the choice is yours

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DIFFICULTY: This trip is designed to be easy, perfect for those looking for a relaxed Christmas adventure in the Lake District. The hikes are gentle, with manageable distances and minimal steep terrain, making it suitable for all fitness levels. No prior hiking experience is needed—just enthusiasm!

Your experienced guide will ensure a comfortable pace, keeping everyone safe, happy, and able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings at their own speed.

TRANSPORT: Return train journey from London and short distance minibus transfers in The Lake District

ACCOMMODATION: Single-sex, twin rooms in a warm and comfy cottage in the beautiful Borrowdale valley
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Join us for an unforgettable Christmas in The Lake District! Reserve your spot now so Santa knows your new delivery address!

COST: £895 (or £795 if booked before 30 August 2025)
To join us, simply RSVP and pay the £100 deposit. We will then be in contact with more information, including a detailed itinerary and kit list.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

• Return train travel from London to The Lake District
• Road transport and logistical support in The Lake District
• All food when in the accommodation
• Chistmas Dinner
• 4-nights cottage accommodation (single-sex twin rooms)
• Guided walks by a highly experienced and qualified Mountain Leader
• Any technical equipment (and lessons in how to use them) if required for winter conditions

Excludes:
- Lunches
- Pub dinners
- Personal hiking kit
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All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)

Kickstart the New Year with an unforgettable hiking adventure in the stunning Lake District!

Return train travel from London and hotel accommodation included!
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Escape the hustle of the city and immerse yourself in nature as you explore crisp winter trails, climb breathtaking peaks, and take in panoramic views.

This New Year hiking trip offers the perfect balance of outdoor adventure and relaxation, allowing you to reset and start the year feeling refreshed and inspired.

After each hike, return to our cozy pub accommodation where you can relax by the fire, enjoy delicious local food, and share stories with fellow travellers.

Whether you're setting new goals or simply looking for a peaceful escape, this trip is the ideal way to begin the year surrounded by the beauty of the Lake District.

Trip Highlights
🏞️ Stunning hikes through snow-kissed mountains and valleys
❄️ Fresh, crisp air and breathtaking winter views
🥾 Tailored hikes for all fitness levels
🏠 Cozy evenings with roaring fires
🍲 Delicious local food and drinks
🎉 Celebrate New Year's Eve surrounded by nature and adventure
🌟 A perfect way to refresh, recharge, and start the year

Set new goals, embrace the adventure, and begin the year with the beauty of the Lake District!

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ITINERARY

Tuesday, 30 December

• 🚉 Meet outside Euston train station around 9am for a relaxing train journey north to the enchanting Lake District.
• 🏔️ Your friendly guide will greet you on arrival and transport you to your cozy Eskdale accommodation, nestled among the mountains, where you’ll be staying for three nights.

Wednesday, 31 December (New Year’s Eve)

• 🥾 Kick off the day with an easy circular hike directly from your accommodation, taking you over a local Wainwright hill. Feel the invigorating mountain air as you stretch your legs and enjoy the stunning views—perfect for setting the tone for the festivities ahead!
• 🏠 Return to your cozy pub accommodation to freshen up and prepare for a night of celebration as you say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one in style! Enjoy a festive dinner and drinks with fellow adventurers as the countdown begins!

Thursday, 01 January (New Year’s Day)

• 🌅 Start the New Year with a hearty breakfast, and if you’re feeling adventurous, consider a refreshing dip in the local river to shake off any post-celebration cobwebs!
• 🏞️ Embark on another circular hike to soak in the breathtaking beauty of the Lake District, exploring its hidden gems and picturesque landscapes. This is your chance to enjoy the serene tranquility of the park on the first day of the year!

Friday, 02 January

• ☕ Enjoy a final breakfast at your accommodation before packing your bags and heading to a charming local town or village for lunch, allowing you to savor the flavors of the Lake District one last time.
• 🚆 Afterward, your guide will transport you to the train station for your return journey home, feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and inspired for the year ahead!

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DIFFICULTY: This trip is designed to be a relatively easy 4-days, perfect for those looking for a relaxed New Year in The Lake District. The hikes are gentle, with manageable distances and minimal steep terrain, making it suitable for all fitness levels. No prior hiking experience is needed—just enthusiasm!

Your experienced guide will ensure a comfortable pace, keeping everyone safe, happy, and able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings at their own speed.

TRANSPORT: Return train journey from London and short distance minibus transfers in The Lake District

ACCOMMODATION: Single-sex twin/double rooms in a cosy pub/hotel on the quieter side of The Lake District
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Join us for an unforgettable weekend of adventure in The Lake District! Reserve your spot now and prepare to see in 2025 in the most beautiful places in the world!

COST: £795 (or £695 if booked before 30 August 2025)
To join us, simply RSVP and pay the £100 deposit. We will then be in contact with more information, including a detailed itinerary and kit list.

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
• Return train travel from London to The Lake District
• Road transfers and logistical support in The Lake District
• 3-nights hotel accommodation
• Breakfasts
• Guiding hiking with a highly experienced and qualified Winter Mountain Leader
• Use of our winter kit, if required (crampons, ice axe, helmet)

NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE
• Personal hiking kit
• Lunches and Dinners
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All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)

Reach the summit of the highest trekking peak in the world and the highest mountain outside of the Himalaya!

*Current Group: 3 male, 1 female. All solo travellers*

Dates: 19 January-07 February 2026

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Have you been to altitude and are looking for the next challenge?
Perhaps you've reached the summit of Kilimanjaro and want to go higher?

At 6,961m, The peak of Aconcagua, in Argentina, is the highest point on the American continents and is the highest mountain outside of The Himalaya (and over 1,000m higher than Kilimanjaro!)

We will have a team of mules/donkeys to porter our kit to base camp, but then we're on our own as we porter our own kit up and down the mountain to camps 1, 2 and 3 before reaching the summit of South America!

This expedition is tough and training is essential!

Itinerary (all camping unless stated)
• Day 1 evening: Depart UK
• Day 2: Arrive Mendoza, Argentina [hotel]
• Day 3: Transfer to Penitentes [hotel]
• Day 4: Penitentes to Confluencia Camp
• Day 5: Visit the South Face of Aconcagua!
• Day 6: Confluencia Camp to Plaza de Mulas
• Day 7: Acclimatisation Day
• Day 8: Rest Day
• Day 9: Plaza de Mulas to Camp Canada (Camp 1)
• Day 10: Camp Canada to Nido de Condores (Camp 2) and back to Plaza de Mulas
• Day 11: Rest Day
• Day 12: Plaza de Mulas to Nido de Condores (Camp 2)
• Day 13: Nido de Condores to Camp Colera (Camp 3)
• Day 14: Summit day!
• Day 15: Colera Camp to Plaza de Mulas
• Day 16: Contingency Day 1
• Day 17: Contingency Day 2
• Day 18: Plaza de Mulas to Penitentes and transfer to Mendoza [hotel]
• Day 19: Celebration dinner in Mendoza [hotel]
• Day 20: Depart Argentina
• Day 21: Arrive UK
Detailed itinerary can be found here: https://www.citymountaineering.com/product-page/climb-aconcagua
Note: this trip ends on Saturday 17 December (MeetUp wont allow that date to be used!)

As you can see, this is an expedition-style trip requiring repeated trips up and down the mountain to acclimatise (the same process as they use on Everest)

The main challenge on this trip is dealing with the altitude of this big mountain, but we have plenty of easy days, rest days and contingency days to give you the best chance of successfully reaching the summit!

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The Detail

The cost of the trip is £7,495 (£6,995 if booked before 31 August 2025) and includes:

• Highly experienced high altitude UK expedition leader/guide
• Transfers from Mendoza International Airport
• Hotel accommodation for two-nights night before and two-nights after the hike (plus celebratory meal at the end of the hike)
• 15-days fully supported Aconcagua hike
• Full Base camp services (3-course meals, showers, wifi)
• All food on the mountain
• 10% discount on all UK-based City Mountaineering trips prior to departure, to enable a cost effective training programme*
• Full compliance with the 2018 Package Travel Regulations (including Financial protection)

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Join Us

If you would like to join us, please click on the RSVP button below, pay the initial £500 deposit via PayPal and I will send you a separate email with a detailed trip dossier, kit list, training schedule and a few follow up questions for the trip.

It is then your responsibility to book your flights and to communicate your flight details to me to help manage the team.

The remaining balance is then payable before 1st September 2025 (instalments can be arranged if you'd prefer to make payments in smaller increments)

Please note: It is advisable to RSVP and book your flights as soon as possible to ensure that costs can be kept to an absolute minimum

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Not included in the price

• Flights from London
• Argentine Visa costs (if applicable)
• Vaccinations (if applicable)
• Personal Travel Insurance
• Personal hiking kit/equipment
• Tips/gratuities for the local team

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All City Mountaineering trips are compliant with the 2018 Package Travel regulations (including financial protection)