Walking the Speyside Way

7 days
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4.7/5 Excellent
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
There are also two extra options to Dufftown and Tomintoul that can be added on for those who would like a further challenge. Generally flat but with two quite challenging climbs, the walk is suitable for families with older children, as well as anyone with a general good level of fitness and has something for everyone. From impressive mountain scenery to gen...
26%
$2,295
From$1,700
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star

Highlights

    • A first-class introduction to Scottish Highland walking, stretching from the coast to the Highland resort of Aviemore
    • Journey across spectacular countryside, following the mighty River Spey and taking in the Cairngorm and Grampian Mountains
    • Experience iconic Scottish scenery, picturesque villages and numerous castles along the way
    • Ample opportunity for birdwatching, seal and dolphin spotting and a host of other activities in the Cairngorms
    • Visit some of the numerous distilleries in Scotland's most famous whiskey region
    • Optional add-ons in Aviemore

What's this trip about?

    There are also two extra options to Dufftown and Tomintoul that can be added on for those who would like a further challenge. Generally flat but with two quite challenging climbs, the walk is suitable for families with older children, as well as anyone with a general good level of fitness and has something for everyone. From impressive mountain scenery to gentle river paths, the route provides rich and varied bird-watching opportunities, seal and dolphin spotting, as well as a huge variety of distilleries for the whisky connoisseur. Starting in the coastal village of Buckie and ending in the remarkable location of the Cairngorms National Park, your route will follow the clearly marked Speyside Way, enjoying the forest trails, river paths and old railway tracks, taking in the views of the Spey Valley, visiting small villages of Aberlour and Ballindalloch, onto the birch woods surrounding Strathspey and Cromdale, before reaching your destination of Aviemore. A thriving and popular tourist destination, with year-round visitors due to the Cairngorms ski centre, it's very tempting to add on a few days at the end of the walk, just to make the most of the incredible range of activities and the welcoming atmosphere of the town and its inhabitants. Your evenings will be spent in the company of fellow walkers from all around the world, experiencing quality hotels, offering the very best of Scottish hospitality. All accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis, with evening meals and picnic lunches easily available either at your hotel, or in the nearby village.A fabulous introduction to Scottish hiking, the Speyside Way was created in 1981 and stretches from Buckie on the Moray Firth, to Aviemore - the most famous of Highland resorts.

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - 24 max
Age range12 years and up
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityBuckie
End CityAviemore

Travel Themes

  • Hiking & Walking

Destinations

  • United Kingdom
  • Scotland

Activities

  • Hiking

Trip includes

    • All accommodation in a mix of hotels, B & B and guesthouses
    • All continental breakfasts
    • Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
    • Route directions and maps
    • Luggage transfers between hotels

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Buckie

Spend a relaxing evening at your hotel in Buckie, a small fishing village on the banks of the Moray Firth, the starting point for the Speyside Way. Your hotel tonight is the Kintrae House (or similar).

Day 2 Buckie to Fochabers

Start your journey in the centre of Buckie, follow the signs through the village to reach the shore of the Moray Firth keeping an eye out for the grey and common seals that can occasionally be seen here. The track leads on to the Spey Bay Hotel and its former icehouse...

Day 3 Fochabers to Craigellachie

This morning you will leave Fochabers and re-join the Speyside Way, with today's walk providing a varied terrain of tarred road, woodland paths and forestry tracks. After a sharp descent and then a switch-back climb, the path then levels off through woods to reach Boa...

Day 4 Craigellachie to Ballindalloch

Today's route is an easy trail, starting out along the River Spey where many fishermen can be seen hoping for a catch, and then following an old derelict railway line towards Aberlour. The town has many lovely shops and a good number of eateries for you to stop and ha...

Day 5 Ballindalloch to Grantown-on-Spey

Probably the most challenging walk along the route, you will depart Ballindalloch this morning, and continue the old railway line past Cragganmore Distillery. With ravishing views to Ben Rinnes, the route follows along through birch woods, with plenty of ascents and d...

Day 6 Grantown-on-Spey to Aviemore

Your final day begins with a gentle walk, again along the old railway line as far as Nethy Bridge, then along the route of an old military road towards the nature reserve woodland at Abernethy. It is worth a detour to visit the RSPB Osprey Centre at nearby Loch Garten...

Day 7 Depart Aviemore

Depart your hotel to begin your journey home or add on a few extra days to make the most of the many activities and attractions of Aviemore.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $1,700
Price per day$243
Last Updated: 4/23/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Double Standard
Availability
09 May 2024
15 May 2024
$1,850
8 spots left
10 May 2024
16 May 2024
$1,850
8 spots left
11 May 2024
17 May 2024
$1,850
8 spots left
12 May 2024
18 May 2024
$1,850
8 spots left
13 May 2024
19 May 2024
$1,850
8 spots left
14 May 2024
20 May 2024
$1,850
8 spots left
15 May 2024
21 May 2024
$1,850
8 spots left
16 May 2024
22 May 2024
$1,850
8 spots left
17 May 2024
23 May 2024
$1,850
8 spots left
18 May 2024
24 May 2024
$1,850
8 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Exodus Travels.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Exodus Travels Reviews & Ratings

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Tour Operator

Exodus Travels

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It is all about adventure. That is what Exodus was founded upon and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on.

At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved.

This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday.

Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments.

All our office staff have a passion for travel and adventure, and between us we’ve notched up experience that spans 171 different countries. That’s not all. In their former lives, our team members have been professional archaeologists, wildlife guides, overland drivers, mountain leaders, diving and ski specialists and mountain bike gurus – so no-one is better placed to create tours that appeal to a wide range of specialist interests.

Their care in putting all the details in place really shines through too. Extensive planning, research, fact-finding and training are a sign of our commitment to providing a holiday where your enjoyment, value for money and safety come first. It’s a telling reason why we remain one of the leading worldwide adventure tour companies. It is no exaggeration to say that our tour leaders can make a world of difference to the enjoyment of your holiday – so we choose them carefully. The result is that, in 2013, 93% of our clients stated that their leader exceeded their expectations. Where possible, we train and employ local leaders because they can provide invaluable insights that enrich the trip. What’s more, this investment in local staff really helps us benefit both them and their community.

Why we love this operator
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
What they’re known for
Global trips to both classic and exotic destinations with a focus on themed adventures, exciting physical activities and discovery of local culture.

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
    • Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
    • Visas or vaccinations
    • Travel to the start and from the end point

Accommodation

,All accommodation on this trip is 2, 3 or 4 star. The places you’ll be staying at are among the best in the region. Please note due to availability a comparable hotel or guesthouse may be offered at time of booking. All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration.
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

If You Cancel Your Holiday
You, or any member of your party, may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the lead name or your travel agent must be received at our offices. 

Since we incur costs in canceling your travel arrangements, you will have to pay cancellation charges as follows (see also the exceptions below): 

  • More than 42 days - No cancellation fee. Deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original booking. Any remaining balance will be refundedThis excludes all non-refundable costs as set out in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 41 and 21 days (inclusive) - No cancellation fee. Balance and deposit can be transferred to a new booking departing within 2 years of date of travel of original bookingThis excludes all non-refundable costs as further explained in clause 4 above (for example international and domestic flights and local services).
  • Between 20 and 15 days (inclusive) - 80% of the holiday cost
  • 14 days or less; or failure to join the holiday (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Certain trips may involve different cancellation charges; you will be advised if this is applicable to your holiday during the booking process.For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made for all Polar holidays. Period before departure in which you notify us: 

Cancelation charge

  • More than 133 days - Deposit only
  • 133 days or less (or failure to join the holiday) (inclusive) - 100% of the holiday cost

Notes (i) Your deposit is non-refundable, even if the cancellation charge calculated is lower than the deposit amount paid; (ii) If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges; (iii) certain travel arrangements may be subject to higher cancellation charges and could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements from the moment the booking is confirmed.

If You Change Your Booking

If, after our Booking Confirmation has been issued, you wish to change your travel arrangements in any way, for example your chosen departure date or accommodation, we will do our utmost to make these changes but it may not always be possible. Any request for changes to be made must be in writing from the lead name or your travel agent. You will be asked to pay an administration charge of $60, and any further cost we incur in making this alteration (including those charged by third party suppliers who provide the component parts of your booking).  You should be aware that these costs could increase the closer to the departure date that changes are made and you should contact us as soon as possible. Note: Certain travel arrangements may not be changeable after a reservation has been made and any alteration request could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

You can transfer your booking to another person, who satisfies all the conditions that apply to this booking, by giving us notice in writing at least 7 days before departure provided that the new lead passenger accepts the transfer and these Terms and Conditions. Both you and the new traveler are responsible for paying all costs we incur in making the transfer. Please bear in mind that certain airlines and other transport providers treat changes as a cancellation and charge accordingly, up to 100% of the cost for that part of the arrangement. Where applicable these charges will be passed on to you.

If We Cancel Your Booking

Exodus reserves the right to cancel an itinerary before departure for any reason whatsoever, including too few participants ,logistical problems, a Force Majeure Event (as defined in Section 8), or any other circumstances that may make operation of the trip inadvisable. All trip payments received will be promptly refunded, and this refund will be the limit of Exodus’s liability without any further obligation on Exodus’s part. Exodus is not responsible for any expenses incurred by trip members in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other trip-related expenses.

If We Change Your Booking

  1. Changes to the price. We can change your holiday price after you’ve booked, only in certain circumstances. Changes in the price of the carriage of passengers resulting from changes to the cost of fuel or other power sources, the level of taxes or fees imposed by third parties including tourist taxes, landing taxes or embarkation or disembarkation fees at ports and airports, or exchange rates mean that the price of your travel arrangements may change after you have booked.

  2. Changes other than the price. It is a term of your booking that we are able to make changes to any aspect of your booking. If the change is insignificant, we will ensure that you are notified about it. Examples of insignificant changes include alteration of your accommodation to another of the same or higher standard. If we are forced by circumstances beyond our control to alter significantly any of the main characteristics of the travel services that make up your package you will have the rights set out below.

    2.1 - We will contact you and you will have the choice of accepting the change or having a refund of all monies paid. You can also accept an alternative holiday, where we offer one (we will refund any price difference if the alternative is of a lower value). We will tell you the procedure for making your choice. Please read any notification of changes carefully and respond promptly as if you do not respond to us within the timescale given your booking may be canceled.

    2.2 - If you choose to accept a refund then that is the only liability we have and we will not be liable for any further sums, compensation or otherwise and you are advised to adequately insure yourselves against cancellation for any reason

Please note that insurance premiums and amendments charges are not refundable in any circumstances. 

Once you have put down a deposit for a tour, you are unable to cancel and re-book within a promotional period and we reserve the right to amend the pricing on any new booking you make within that time. If you cancel a tour and book the same tour under a promotional code, we reserve the right to decline the booking.

Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended after they have been confirmed and any alteration or cancellation could incur a cancellation charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements in addition to the charge above.

If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges.

Where possible, we will deduct the cancellation charge(s) from any monies you have already paid to us.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of TruTravels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions.

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
12 years and up
Additional Information
Trip ID
exodus-W06SP

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