Packraft through the Scottish Highlands

Included

• 2 day guided journey with a Qualified and experienced guide and a nights wild camping
• Meals from day 1 lunch to day 2 lunch
• Specialist equipment including packrafting and wild camping kit
• Train ticket

Excluded

• Appropriate clothing
• Sleeping bags

If you book solo, you won't have to share a tent.

If you book with someone else to keep weight to a minimum you will share.

17km in total, which includes 5km on foot. 

• You'll need a moderate level of fitness.
• The packrafting and hiking (on rought open moorland) can be up to 6 hours of paddling each day. 
• You will be required to carry a backpack that weight approximately 18-25kg for the 3km portage. We will take this slowly and take plent of breaks.
• The wild camping spots are very remote on rough terrain. Previous wild camping experince is advised.

Water
Whilst doing adventurous activities, it's important to carry enough water and stay hydrated. We strongly recommend taking between two and three litres of water. Your guide can give you advice on where to get water each day. This is often likely to be from a fresh stream, so please bring purification tablets if you feel it necessary.

Food
You guide will work hard to prepare a fantastic evening meal for you.

Breakfast:

Lunch: Normally a buffet-style feast with bread, wraps, oatcakes, cold meats and cheese.

Dinner: A freshly made, warm meal.

Snacks: Please bring along any prefered snacks you might want!

Food on your trip is included as follows:

Day 1: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch

If you have any food restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten intolerance etc) please make us aware of this when completing your registration form, found on your Skyhook dashboard. The guides can cater for most people. 

You don't need to be able to swim as you will have a life jacket (buoyancy aid/ personal floatation device) on, but some level of water confidence is essential.

Whilst unlikely, it is possible that your packraft could capsize, so you need to be happy spending sometime in the water, whilst your guide carries out a rescue.

As we are travelling in a wilderness area the maximum group size is 5

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed on this trip.

Yes! Most people are solo travellers and we will provide you with your own tent.

The guide will supply backpacks with a dry bag.

Each person will have one 60-litre backpack.

All the packrafting equipment is securley stored on the outside of this when portaging. Each person will be required to carry some group equipment and depending on personal item this will weight between 15kg - 20kg.

The backpacks securely attach to the packrafts when on the water.

If you have any valuable item please ensure you provide additional waterproof protection.

Start: Bridge of Orchy at 08:30

This expedition has a number of itineraries, dictated by the weather, with different finishing times. We will communicate this closer to time so you know what to expect. 

End: The latest we finish will be 19:30 back at Bridge of Orchy (the earliest we will finish is 13:30). 

Meeting Loaction: Public Car Park next to Bridge of Orchy hotel.  

Car: Bridge of Orchy is on the A82 road north of Crianlarich.

Bus: There are buses available from both Fort William and Glasgow. However, this is a much slower option. Full details can be found on the Scotland Citylink Bus website. If you are using this option you will need to travel to Bridge of Orchy the day before the start of the expediton.

Train: There are Trains from both Fort William and Glasgow. However, this is a slower, albeit very scenic option. Full details can be found on the Scot Rail website. If you are using this option you will need to travel to Bridge of Orchy the day before the start of the expediton.

You will use a Alpacka Caribou, an open cockpit solo packraft. Alpacka Rafts are one of the original manufactures of packrafts and are known for their high quality materials and construction.

You’ll be provided with:

• Tents
• Backpacks (60 Litre) & dry bags
• All packrafting and safety equipment*
• All food related items (stoves, pots, bowl, cutlery, mug)

You’ll need to bring*:

• Sleeping bag (rated 3 season is best)
• If using a down sleeping bag please ensure you bring it in a dry bag
• Sleep mat
• Waterproofs Jacket
• Waterproof Trousers
• Waterproof jacket and trousers are very important as you will be exposed to the elements for a long while. If you have kayaking dry trousers these are ideal as they can also keep your feet dry
• Outdoor clothing for wearing when you're on the water 
• Please do not bring cotton or down based clothing, if they get weight they will not be effective or dry out
• Sythetic based layers are such as fleece, primoloft insulation and base layers work extremely well
• Spare clothing for wearing in camp or if you have an out of boat experience
• Shoes for when paddling (will get wet)
• Getting in and out of the packrafts requires you to stand in the water to a depth of mid shin height. You can wear wellies if you wish or bring wet shoes. It is a good idea to wear neoprene (wetsuit) socks so if your feet do get wet, they will stay warmer. Again kayaking dry trousers are ideal as they can also keep your feet dry
• Shoes for camp
• Waterbottle & filter/tablets
• Toiletries
• Torch
• Midge net and spray (June to September)
• Sun protection (Hat and sunglasses - water reflection from the sun will be high)
• Personal medication
• Snacks
• A small, personal bin bag for rubbish
• Optional lightweight personal luxury item (camera, small book...)

* To be as confortable as possible aim to keep the contents of your backpack as lights as possible. Carrying to much weight can result in fatigue and lead to mistakes or injury.

Minimum age of 18

Not with Emmaus Adventure. If you have uneeded belongings you will need to leave them in your own vehicle or at accomodation you have booked.

There will be 1 night of wild camping with no facilities. Your guide will explain what to do, including how to follow leave no trace principles.

Sometimes the weather can deem an activity unfeasible for a set period of time. If this is the case, then your guide will offer an appropriate alternative. Examples are as follows:

• The itinerary in reverse (The trip is much more enjoyable when you are not battling against the wind)
• A shorter trip
• Go Hiking on the West Highland Way

It is said you can experince all four seasons in one day while outdoors in Scotland! The weather in the mountains can be quite unpredictable and weather situations can change very quickly. Therefore, it is necessary to always be prepared for such a change. 

Winter season (Nov – Mar)

Winter in Scotland can be extremely cold. In Scotland, temperatures can go as low as -15 degrees Celsius and it is often windy

Shoulder (Apr– May & Oct)

Temperatures in Scotland can vary at this time of year and there might still be some snow on the hills. Lows of 2 degrees Celsius and highs of 15 degrees Celsius. At night the temperature can drop below zero. Often cold and dry in April and May, but there is always a chance of rain. The weather in October can be inclemental!

High Season (Jun – Sep)

June to Sept can be warm, with daytime temperatures ranging from 10 – 25 degrees Celsius. There can be some rain.