THIS DEPARTURE IS SOLD OUT! Please join us for the tour departing May 3 - 8, 2024.
This departure is one of our "experience" hiking tours. It is a 5-night/6-day tour with three dedicated days of hiking the best ruins of Hadrian's Wall. The hiking averages around 8 miles a day with the option for individuals to “opt out” at timely intervals. There will be time dedicated for sightseeing, museum tours and enjoying the local culture. This tour is reserved for private groups of 10-14 adventures. Please contact us for more information.
THE HADRIAN’S WALL EXPERIENCE:
TREKKING THE EDGE OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE IN NORTHERN ENGLAND
Hadrian’s Wall plus Newcastle & Carlisle
DEPARTURE DATES:
April 27 – May 3, 2024
This escorted 6-day/5-night adventure tour of Roman Emperor Hadrian’s Wall and surrounding sites offers a unique blend of archeologically rich hiking, museums, forts and castles, an onsite study of ancient ruins, expert lecturers, sightseeing and the allure of British shopping, attractions, and culture. Hadrian’s Wall, the main focus of the adventure, was an imposing stone fortification that divided Roman Britain between present-day northern England and Scotland. Constructed under the direction of Emperor Hadrian in 122 A.D., the wall stretched for 73 miles - of which you’ll hike the most preserved 20 to 24 miles - and marked the edge of the Roman Empire for 300 years. The ruins of numerous forts, milecastles, turrets and earthworks bring this major feat of Roman engineering to life. Upscale accommodations at historic hotels and inns, luxury coach travel with designated pick-up points for the weary hiker, a limit of 14 guests per tour and an expert subject matter Adventure Tour Leader make this adventure ideal for anyone with an active outdoor lifestyle; hikers and adventurers; historians, students, and enthusiasts of the Roman Empire; museum lovers and anyone who enjoys the enchantment of the United Kingdom’s breathtaking countryside and vibrant cities. (Activity Level: 2 Days = Moderate, 1 Day = Challenging)
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE:
DAY 1, Saturday (April 27) – Arrive in Newcastle, Welcome Group Dinner
Overnight in Newcastle
DAY 2, Sunday (April 28) – Tour Newcastle, The Roman Fort of Segedunum and Great North Museum
Overnight in Newcastle
DAY 3, Monday (April 29) – Trek from Chesters Fort to Housesteads Fort - 8 miles
Overnight in Newcastle
DAY 4, Tuesday (April 30) – Trek from Housesteads Fort to Cawfield Quarry - 8 miles
Overnight in Wetheral/Carlisle
DAY 5, Wednesday (May 1) – Trek from Cawfield Quarry to Birdoswald – 8 miles
Overnight in Wetheral/Carlisle
DAY 6, Thursday (May 2) – Conclusion of Adventure Tour & Departure
DETAILED ITINERARY:
DAY 1
Newcastle, England
Welcome to Newcastle – a city that grew atop the site of a Roman settlement! After checking into the hotel, take some time to rest from your travels or visit Newcastle’s numerous sites and shopping venues. Be certain to return to the hotel in time for a group cocktail reception and dinner where you will meet your Tour Leader and fellow Adventurers and learn about Roman Hadrian’s Wall from a local expert. Meals: D
DAY 2
Newcastle, England
Today you will tour Newcastle, visit the North Sea coastline, and visit the Roman Fort of Segedunum and Great North Museum whose collection includes carved and inscribed stones from Hadrian’s Wall and its outpost forts. A walking tour back to the hotel will include a stop for lunch and ample time for shopping in the quaint shops of Newcastle. Later in the afternoon, enjoy a tour of the Black Gate & Castle Keep – the medieval fortification built on the site of the fortress which gave the City of Newcastle its name. Meals: B, L
DAY 3
Newcastle, England
From the hotel, you will be transported to the English countryside for an 8-mile hike that follows the Hadrian’s Wall path with numerous Roman ruins including stone fortifications and defensive earthworks entrance of the Roman ruins. After lunch at a quaint local inn along the route, the trek continues to Housesteads Roman Fort. Set high on a dramatic escarpment on a Hadrian’s Wall Heritage Site, Housesteads provides unparalleled views of the “barbarian” territory to the north. Transport to Chesters Fort with its bath house ruins, vast museum of inscribed artifacts and where 500 cavalry soldiers were stationed for 300 years. Return to Newcastle for a group dinner in one of the city’s many diverse dining establishments. (Activity Level: Moderate) Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4
Wetheral/Carlisle, England
On the second day of trekking, you will be transported back to Housesteads to commence trekking the historic Roman wall. Near the half-way point, you will be transported to the remains of the expansive Vindolanda settlement where you will explore Roman life on the edge of the empire 2000 years ago. Marvel at the world famous Vindolanda writing tablets and the largest collection of Roman Empire-era leather anywhere including shoes of all sizes and styles, bags, purses and archer's gear. From here the coach will take you to lunch at the iconic Twice Brewed Inn before trekking the hilly hiking path which is both breathtaking and challenging. The day’s hike concludes at a picturesque former quarry ideal for individual and group photos with transport afterwards to a lovely village inn with a group dinner at one of Carlisle’s charming pubs. (Activity Level: Challenging) Meals: B, L, D
DAY 5
Wetheral/Carlisle, England
On the last leg of the hiking adventure, you will be transported back to the quarry and hike to the Roman Army Museum where you will step into the life of a Roman soldier on the front line of Emperor Hadrian’s formidable Britannia frontier. Proceeding along the path and the ruins of the wall’s turrets, lunch will be served at a cozy local cafe in the historic village of Gilsland. After lunch, the hiking adventure continues along the route of the last remaining ruins of Hadrian’s Wall and concludes at Birdoswald Roman Fort where the gift shop provides a final opportunity for last-minute souvenirs. Transport back to your inn for where celebratory beverages at the pub precedes a group dinner in the hotel’s private dining room. (Activity Level: Moderate) Meals: B, L, D
DAY 6:
Carlisle, England
After breakfast, the adventure concludes at a train station that offers frequent departures to Newcastle and Carlisle and is just steps from the inn. Bid your farewells while taking with you a lifetime of memories of having been immersed in the rich history of the edge of the Roman Empire! Meals: B
TOUR PRICE:
The cost of the tour is $2,750 per person, based on double occupancy and a minimum of 10 guests.
The price of the tour includes:
6-day/5-night tour, 3 days of hiking
Accommodations for 5 nights in upscale hotels and Inns
13 meals included
Admission to museums, castles, and Roman forts
Tour transportation via luxury coach
Escorted tours and expert guest speakers
Note: All itineraries are subject to change and require a minimum of 8 guests with a maximum of 14 guests.
