CULTURAL HIKING TOURS OF THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
Southern
Lake District
Northern Lake District
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The Fairfield Horseshoe
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The Lake District is arguably the most beautiful and dramatic area of England. This fascinating landscape of mountains, meadows, valleys, lakes, farms and rivers and sea looks much as it did hundreds of years ago. The Lake District, nestled against Scotland and the sea in the northwestern part of England, was the first and largest of England's national parks. It is the poetic land of Wordsworth and the inspiration for the world created by Beatrix Potter where grandeur, beauty and even rugged hills combine with verdant meadows and endless dry stone walls. We offer two excursion options each day, a light hike and a strenuous hike. The hiking here can be enjoyed by people of all ages and reasonable fitness levels. Our outings will combine rugged "fell walking" where we hike some of England's highest mountains with middle and low level hikes where the views are just as varied and spectacular as from the higher points. The Lake District can offer this because the glaciers of an earlier age carved this region in a glorious combination of rugged peaks and ridges, separated by gentle valleys surrounding endless pristine lakes. The hiking of this area is also renowned because nearly all day will be spent "above tree line." Inhabitants of an earlier time harvested the trees from this area, so throughout the day as you hike, your eyes will be drawn to the shapes of nearby hills and to vistas of mountains and lakes. Our trips are offered in the springtime when the green hillsides are dotted with hundreds of newborn lambs, the lanes are bordered with spring wildflowers, and the songbirds serenade you as you walk. Enjoy the spectacular mountain views of valley, lake and ocean and marvel at the sight of endless bluebells and wild primroses. Both tours will give you the opportunity to visit Dove Cottage and Rydal Mount, the homes of William Wordsworth, and you could make a visit to Hill Top, the home of Beatrix Potter.
Our unique tour features two levels of daily guided excursions: a light hike and a strenuous hike. Also our tours include visits to historic sights, National Trust properties, historic pubs and daily afternoon teas which are all part of the tour price.
The daily light hike follows a guideline of about 5-7 miles and may include 500-1500 feet of elevation gain and/or loss. This permits each person to enjoy magnificent views, the wildflowers and birds at a pace that anyone who likes to hike can enjoy. For lunch we can picnic or enjoy the food at a pub restaurant. These hikes will make for an active day and be good exercise for those who do not like a lot of elevation change or a more relaxed day for those who need a break from the more rigorous hikes. There will be numerous opportunities for photography, flower identification and other activities that a more leisurely pace can provide. The light hikes also include more opportunities to visit historic and National Trust properties. See the daily itineraries below for details.
The daily rigorous hike will be from 7-11 miles and include elevation changes of 2000-2800 feet. These guided hikes will move at a faster but comfortable pace. They will include spectacular trails to the tops of high fells (mountains), hikes through high passes, and along edges (ridges). No special equipment or training is necessary for any hikes but they do require each hiker to be in "good shape". Age is not a factor as fit hikers of all ages have done these hikes with us. There is still time to take loads of photographs and to enjoy the scenery on these hikes as the point of our trips is to enjoy the splendor of this lovely area of England. Many people do as the guides do and switch between each type of excursion. You can permit your energy level to dictate whether to do a light hike or rigorous hike each day.
Our accommodations will consist of 5 nights (Tour 3) or 6 nights (Tour 4) in the two finest small manor hotels in the Lake District. They are rated four crowns (out of a possible five) and are noted in many publications of the British Isles' finest inns as well as Karen Brown's Charming Hotels of England, Scotland and Wales. The inns provide lovely rooms, a full breakfast to start our day, an exquisite afternoon tea, and a gourmet 4-course dinner- all covered by the basic tour fee. Many of you will want to combine the two tours using the "off day" in between the tours for a little exploration on your own.
Many of you can extend your stay in England by spending one or two nights in London, enjoying the sights and the London theater.
Join us for a wonderful springtime adventure to old world charm and scenic beauty while relaxing in the finest of accommodations.
COST (See our Price Guarantee below)
Tour 3:
Southern
Lake District
May 11-16, 2008
(5 nights/6 days)
$1795/person/do
The tour price includes 6 days/5 nights and costs $1795 per person double occupancy. A single supplement is only an additional $225. The tour includes a lovely room with private bath, all breakfasts, dinners , afternoon teas and taxes, tips and gratuities. Vegetarian meals are available at no additional cost. The tour also includes any transportation costs from our meeting point on Day 1 to your checkout from our hotel. The cost also includes any admission fees to museums or other attractions that are part of the following itinerary. See details below.
Tour 4:
Northern Lake District
May 17-23, 2008
(6 nights/7 days)
$2045/person/do
The tour price includes 7 days/6 nights and costs $2045 per person double occupancy. A single supplement is only an additional $300. The tour includes a lovely room with private bath, all breakfasts, dinners , afternoon teas and taxes, tips and gratuities. Vegetarian meals are available at no additional cost. The tour also includes any transportation costs from our meeting point on Day 1 to your checkout from our hotel. The cost also includes any admission fees to museums or other attractions that are part of the following itinerary. See details below.
| Yankee Travels also guarantees its price - other tours make their clients assume the risk of currency fluctuations and adjust the tour price upwards a few months before the departure date. |
TOUR DOES NOT INCLUDE
The tour price does not include airfare, lunches, alcoholic drinks or other costs of a personal nature or travel to and from the Lake District.
TOUR SIZE
These tours are limited to 20 participants. We split into two groups each day, making the hiking groups about 10 in number.
TO VIEW A SLIDE SHOW OF OUR TOUR OF THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
Great Gable from Scafell Pike
TOUR 3+4 - HIKING TOURS OF THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
May 11-16, 2008 and May 17-23, 2008
This great trip will offer our traditional two daily options. Each day we will offer a lovely scenic light hike of 5-7 miles with less than 1500 feet of elevation gain and a strenuous hike of 7-10 miles and 2000-2800 feet of elevation gain. There is an endless variety of hikes in this area with constant vistas of mountains and shimmering lakes. Anyone who enjoys hiking can enjoy this adventure. Both tours will take us to the town of Grasmere for a visit to the former home of William Wordsworth, Dove Cottage, allowing for a "free" afternoon for personal exploration.
OUR ITINERARY
Tour 3: Southern Lake District May 11- 16, 2008
Day 1 (Sunday) - The tour leaders, Jeanne and David, meet you at our lovely manor house hotel in the village of Ambleside on May 11th. You should fly on or before the evening of May 10th to meet us on May 11th. You will likely arrive early enough for Jeanne and David to lead a short walk to some lovely falls and return in time for our first afternoon tea, giving time for a rest before gathering later for a short orientation meeting and our first gourmet dinner.
Day 2 (Monday) - The strenuous hikers will hike one of the lake district most beautiful mountains and circuit a ridge line overlooking the lovely lake, Coniston Water, along with several smaller lakes (tarns). The light hike will take you on a wonderful loop starting and ending in a lovely town where a small National Trust museum will permit you to see some of Beatrice Potter's original paintings. We all return in time for a lovely full afternoon high tea at our hotel (as we will everyday).
Day 3 (Tuesday) - Both groups travel a short distance to the town of Grasmere. The strenuous hikers do a wonderful ridge hike up to a summit above Grasmere and Grasmere Lake (see picture at the top of this page). The light hikers go through a beautiful valley filled with dramatic scenery to a tarn for lunch and continue to Grasmere and then take the "coffin route" back to Ambleside. This day will provide a chance for both groups to tour the town of Grasmere and visit Wordsworth's Dove Cottage and other interesting historical sites.
Day 4 (Wednesday) -The strenuous hikers do a wonderful ridge hike up to a summit of Fairfield Horseshoe (see picture at the top of this page). They then descend on the ridge back to Ambleside. This day the light hikers will visit a dramatic waterfall as they make their way over a fell to a historic pub where they will have lunch. The light hikers will then continue by a scenic path including a visit and tour of a National Trust historic farm before returning to our hotel (and tea).
Day 5 (Thursday) - Both groups will visit the Great Langdale Valley. The strenuous hikers will hike the famous Langdale Pikes while the light hikers will traverse some smaller fells into the Langdale Valley. This valley is arguably the most beautiful valley in the Lake District and both groups will get a wonderful panoramic view of it. Both groups will meet at a famous Hiker's Pub before returning to the hotel and our daily afternoon high tea.
Day 6 (Friday) - The tour ends after breakfast as we say farewell to the Lake District. Most of you will train back to London, spend a free afternoon in the city and perhaps enjoy a London musical production during the evening. You can also continue your vacation with Yankee Travels by joining us for the Northern Lake District Tour. Friday will be a day of rest if you continue your stay with us; the morning will be spent relaxing or walking into Ambleside for a bit of sightseeing or shopping. The Northern Tour is a short van ride during which we will visit one or two historic sites before reaching our hotel.
Day 7/8 (Optional)(Saturday/Sunday) - You may enjoy a day in London and/or return to Heathrow Airport for your flight home. Others may use Friday night (Day 7) as a rest day and explore some of the other sights in the Lake District before joining us for Tour 4 in the Northern Lake District. You may stay at the hotel we use for Tour 4 or make arrangements at another destination for this night. You may call us for suggestions.
Tour
Profile:
Two Levels of Hikes Each Day
Dates:
May 11-16, 2008
5 nights/6 days
Cost:
$1795/person/do
$225 Single Supplement
Guaranteed Price
Travel:
Includes all travel on itinerary above
Includes:
Room with Private Bath
Breakfast and Dinner
All Taxes and Gratuities
All Travel as per Itinerary
Call 603-783-9131 or email us djhkswis@comcast.net
OUR ITINERARY
Tour 4: Northern Lake District May 17- 23, 2008
Day 1 (Saturday) - The tour leaders, Jeanne and David, meet you at our lovely manor house hotel in the village of Grange-in-Borrowdale on May 17th. You should fly on or before the evening of May 16th to meet us on May 17th. You will likely arrive early enough for Jeanne and David to lead a short walk along Derwent Water and return in time for our first afternoon tea, giving time for a rest before gathering later for a short orientation meeting and our first gourmet dinner.
Day 2 (Sunday) -
This is a day to acclimate a little. The strenuous hikers go on a
moderate ridge hike with dramatic views overlooking Derwent Water while the
light hikers stroll along a lovely stream to a small town, making a visit to one of the National Park Information Centers before taking a moderately higher route back to Grange. The walk back to Grange offers wonderful views of the Borrowdale valley, the town of Rosthwaite and Derwent Water.
Day 3 (Monday) -
Both groups take a small bus to the gorgeous area around Buttermere and Crummock
Water. The strenuous hikers do a high hike above the lakes summiting two
mountains while the light
hikers start at a higher elevation and summit one of the same mountains (fells)
as the strenuous hikers while enjoying a fabulous panoramic view. Then both
groups descend into the valley and make our way along a beautiful lake before stopping at a lovely pub
for a pint (compliments of Yankee Travels) before returning to the hotel.
Day 4 (Tuesday) - This is your free day. You can visit the picturesque village of Keswick and enjoy a lovely boat ride on Derwent Water or make a visit to Grasmere, stopping at the famous Sarah Nelson's Gingerbread Shop and enjoying a guided tour of Dove Cottage, one of William Wordsworth’s homes, and visit the Wordsworth Museum next door. You can choose to go on to a tour of Rydal Mount and a walk past Rydal Water or visit the inspiring Castlerigg Stone Circle and finish with a free afternoon in Keswick. Your tour price includes an all day unlimited bus pass for this day's independent travel and adventures.
Day 5 (Wednesday) - The strenuous hikers do a hike at the end of Borrowdale Valley. It will include summiting a dramatic mountain and a long ridge hike before descending into a dramatic valley with tea in a local tea room. The light hike starts directly from the hotel and ends its day in the lovely village of Rosthwaite. The light hike will visit a remote tarn and lovely farm village of before reaching Rosthwaite and a tea (included in the tour price) in a charming local tea room.
Day 6 (Thursday) - This day we may return to the Buttermere area for our hikes. The strenuous hike will climb to a wonderful ridge and stay high as we look down on the lakes while the light hike will visit one of the high fells by a gradual trail and return to this glorious valley. Alternatively will continue to explore the Borrowdale area climbing one of the highest mountain in England. The light hike will explore the end of the Borrowdale Valley and do a hike past two dramatic tarns and return via a very exciting descent past a cascading waterfall.
Day 7 (Friday) - The tour ends after breakfast as we say farewell to the Lake District. Most of you will train back to London, spend a free afternoon in the city and may enjoy a London musical production during the evening.
Day 8/9 (Optional) (Saturday/Sunday) - You may enjoy a day in London and/or return to Heathrow Airport for your flight home. We will help coordinate your stay in London and we may enjoy a night of theater together or you may make your own plans and arrangements.
Tour
Profile:
Two Levels of Hikes Each Day
Dates:
May 17-23, 2008
6 nights/7 days
Cost:
$2045/person/do
$300 Single Supplement
Guaranteed Price
Travel:
Includes all travel on itinerary above
Includes:
Room with Private Bath
Breakfast and Dinner
All Taxes and Gratuities
All Travel as per Itinerary
Call 603-783-9131 or email us djhkswis@comcast.net
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We organize our tours so that everyone can feel comfortable. Participants will come from all parts of the USA and Canada and sometimes further afield. You will find yourself developing a camaraderie with your fellow adventurers and guides, forming friendships that will last. You will also have time to explore on your own.
If you like to hike or you would like to rekindle your sense of adventure you will feel comfortable with us. We offer two levels of excursions each day so that you can enjoy yourself each day. We stay in lovely hotels that are elegant without being "stuffy".
There is no requirement of previous experience though you should be in good health and prepare yourself so that you can enjoy a hiking vacation. All the hikes on this tour are well within any fit hiker's comfort range.
We offer two levels of excursions each day . The "strenuous hike" each day will be from 8-10 miles with an elevation gain of 2000-2800 feet. The "light hike" each day will range from 4-7 miles with an elevation gain of less than 1500 feet.
David and Jeanne will lead each hike. They are very fit and experienced adventure travel leaders, are interested in a variety of subjects and are "fun to be with". This will be our 15th year of guiding hiking tours. See the page, Tour Leaders and About Our Low Prices, for more details.
You will need comfortable hiking boots or hiking shoes if you are only doing the light hikes, a daypack and rain gear. A pair of trekking poles is recommended. We will provide a complete travel clothing list when you register.
We know that the quality of the accommodations can make a huge difference in your enjoyment of your trip so we have carefully chosen manor house hotels that are the finest in the area. They are rated four crowns (out of a possible five) and are noted in many publications of the British Isles' finest inns as well as Karen Brown's Charming Hotels of England, Scotland and Wales. You will find each room uniquely furnished and the food superb (you'll love the afternoon teas, too!). Our evening meals will include 4 courses with choices for each course. Vegetarian meals are offered each evening. A full English breakfast will be available each morning.
If it happens to rain will we still walk?
Yes, it is part of the adventure. The weather in the Lake District is very changeable and it is often quite sunny. Early May is one of the drier times of the year. Of course, if you do not want to hike, the leaders can suggest alternative activities.
Oh yes! If you would like references just call or email David and Jeanne at 603-783-9131 or email them at djhkswis@comcast.net . We also will be glad to answer any other questions you might have.
Home | Tour Leaders and About Our Low Prices | Payment & Cancellation | Reservation Form
