Adventure South Wales

Dates

• 25 June 2023
• 23 July 2023
• 17 September 2023

Accommodation

• 6 nights' hotel accommodation
• 1 night aboard a sail yacht

Single room supplement

If you would prefer your own room this can usually be accommodated, though an extra charge would apply and is not possible on the yacht.

Twin rooms

Solo explorers will be matched up with a likeminded traveller to share with as the rooms will be on a twin basis.

Locally-sourced food

Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

Kit list

• Swimwear – to wear under the wetsuits provided
• Towel – to dry off after the water activities
• Trainers – these are to wear when gorge walking and kayaking so will get very wet
• Mountain walking boots and walking socks
• Waterproof clothing – even if the forecast looks good, the weather can be very changeable in the mountains
• Warm layers – even in summer the mountains and coast can be chilly
• Comfortable daypack – to carry snacks, hydration and spare clothes when hiking

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff
UK

Getting there

• By air

  The closest international airport is Cardiff Airport. It is approximately a 40 minute taxi transfer from Cardiff Airport to the tour start/end point or alternatively travel by rail to Cardiff Central and follow the By Rail instructions below

• By rail

  The closest train station to the tour start/end point is Cardiff Central. From Cardiff Central, it is a 15 minute taxi transfer from your tour start/end point or alternatively a 20 minute bus journey.

• By road

  The tour start/end point is located less than 20 minutes from the M4, and an hour from the M5 motorway. Multi-day parking is available at Westgate Street NCP car park, payable locally.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Check in and welcome

  Arrive in Cardiff ready to check in to your hotel this afternoon from 16:00. Transfers can be arranged ahead of travelling.

  Relax for the afternoon and visit the Welsh capital, with a spectacular castle in the heart of the bustling city. Your Tour Leader will host a welcome briefing followed by dinner for you and your group at your hotel. How better to get to know each other while enjoying locally produced food and a few Welsh beers.

• Day 2 | Gorge walking

  After breakfast, head into the heart of waterfall country! Immerse yourself in crystal clear pools, fast-flowing rapids and breathtaking waterfalls as you make your way along the gorge. It’s a thrilling day of physically demanding, epic adventure in the stunning Brecon Beacons national park.

  Back in Abergavenny, enjoy a free afternoon to explore and relax after the physical activity of gorge walking.

• Day 3 | Caving and abseiling

  Now that you’ve explored the Brecon Beacons from above, get ready to discover what lies beneath. Strap on your helmet and venture below ground, exploring the hidden cave systems just under your feet.

  After emerging from the caves below, it’s time to reach new heights as you scale natural rock formations. Once you’re kitted out with helmets, rock shoes and harnesses, you'll have instruction so that you can get the most out of this exhilarating experience. Look out to the incredible landscape around you before abseiling back down to earth.

  The evening stay is in Abergavenny, where you can get a hot shower, warm meal and an early night after a day of physical activity.

• Day 4 | Hike up Pen y Fan

  Lace-up your boots, you’re going hiking! The adventure continues as you take on the highest peak in South Wales. Your guide will take you to the summit of Pen y Fan at 886m. From here you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views stretching across the Severn Estuary. If it’s a clear day, you can even spot the Cambrian Mountains and Cadair Idris in the distance.

  After your epic hike, head to the coastal city of St Davids, the smallest city in Britain. Named after the patron saint of Wales, the roots of St Davids go back to the 5th century when St David himself lived here.

  Arrive at your hotel and make the most of your free afternoon to explore the city. Why not pay a visit to St David’s Cathedral? Or perhaps the Oriel y Parc Gallery, displaying works of art from the national collection, with exhibitions drawing inspiration from Pembrokeshire’s incredible landscapes.

• Day 5 | Kayaking

  After breakfast, the group will head over to beautiful Whitesands, one of the most popular beaches in Pembrokeshire. With golden sands and incredible views out to Ramsey Island, what better place to explore South Wales from the sea.

  Hop aboard your sit-on kayak and glide along the incredible coastline, explore the beautiful rock formations, caves and crystal-clear waters.

• Day 6 | Exploring and sailing

  Pack your bags, today you’ll explore even more of South Wales’ impressive coastline at Rhossili Bay. This iconic destination has towering rock formations and immense stretches of golden sand. In low tide, you can walk across the bay to Llangennith or even cross onto Worms Head, one of the Gower’s signature landmarks.

  Prepare your sea legs as you board your accommodation for this evening, one of the largest sailing boats in South Wales. Spend the night on board this incredible vessel ahead of a full day honing your sailing skills.

  What’s more, all profits from your sea voyage will go towards youth sail training activities and provide life-changing experiences for young people!

• Day 7 | Sailing

  Enjoy breakfast this morning aboard your sailing yacht ahead of a truly immersive introduction to the fast-paced world of sailing. Get involved in all aspects of sailing, from hoisting the sails to helming. Feel the wind catch in the sails as you explore the South Wales coastline.

  After a high-energy morning, check in to your hotel and take your afternoon at a slower pace. Enjoy some free time in Cardiff’s city centre to explore Cardiff castle, discover the National Museum or perhaps visit the Wales Millenium Centre.

• Day 8 | Check out

  It’s the last morning of your South Wales adventure, so it’s time to pack your case and swap details with your new travel buddies before you depart for home.

Included

• 6 nights cosy hotel accommodation
• 1 night aboard a sail yacht
• Half day gorge walking
• Half day climbing, abseiling & caving
• Full day hiking Pen y Fan
• Half day sea kayaking
• Full day sailing experience
• Voluntary beach clean
• Breakfast every day and 2 evening meals
• Professional, local, English-speaking guide
• All transport during the trip
• 1 native tree planted in the woodland

Caring for the world as you do

This adventure supports local, independent businesses. Local guides are always used – people who will give you a more authentic experience and share the hidden secrets only local adventurers can bring. And because this is their home, they have a truly active interest in caring for their environment.

The carbon footprint of all trips is measured and reduced to be as low as possible. Any carbon that is yet to be mitigated is off-set through a local tree planting project. One tree exceeds what is needed to offset the emissions of your low carbon adventure holiday. 

Here is a summary of the Sustainability Policy:

Economic responsibility

• Keeping it local

  Working exclusively with local, independently-owned businesses to ensure your money goes straight into the communities that you're visiting.

• Fair pay for quality service

  Treating partners fairly for the high standards of service they deliver to you, whilst still ensuring value for money.

• Supporting local producers

  Local, independent shops, accommodation, bars and eateries are used and encouraged.

Environmental responsibility

• Low carbon travel

  Ensuring the carbon footprint of this adventure is offset by planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch.

  Responsibility is taken for ensuring the carbon footprint of your travel is offset. By working with the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB, the unavoidable carbon emissions created by travel are offset, but also new, biodiverse woodland areas within the UK are created that will benefit both the planet and the community. Planting native broadleaf trees, including oak, ash and birch, is helping to increase the available natural habitat for the UK’s native wildlife. Species such as bullfinches, beavers, the brimstone butterfly and many more are all benefitting from this.

• Avoiding single-use plastics

  Reusable aluminium bottles are provided on arrival at your accommodation and packed lunches use more sustainable wrapping such as paper bags or wax paper wrap.

• Locally sourced food

  Accommodation and catering partners have been carefully selected based on their commitment to sourcing local produce, organically produced wherever possible.

• Blue Flag Award

  Partnering with one of the first boat tour operators in the UK to be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Sustainable Boat Tour Operator status.

Social responsibility

• Small group tours

  The primary concern with tourism in the UK’s wild spaces is to ensure it only has a positive impact on the local communities and culture so for this reason small group trips never exceed 15 guests.

• Live like a local

  Learning the history and culture of a region plays a big role in your travelling experience – it’s what brings a place to life.

• Read the landscape

  The historical significance of the area is brought to life by the local guides who help you understand the features of the landscape.

• Learn the language

  Keeping local languages alive is sacred, so you’re encouraged to learn simple words and phrases during your time on the adventure.

• Understanding farming culture

  Respecting the countryside code and understanding farming practices are important for visitors to the area.

Adventure promise

Making travel better for everyone

The Adventure Promise is simple and honest. It’s the commitment that this challenge will always do right by you, local communities and the world we live in:

• Payment Instalments
• Flexible Booking
• Low Carbon
• Low Impact
• Support Local
• All Abilities
• Covid Secure

Costs