MASTER TEMPLATE Wild Wales

Number of Travellers: 2
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights

Overview

Known for its sweeping coastlines, mountainous national parks, charming language and Celtic culture, Wales is the perfect destination for those with an adventurous spirit. On a trip that showcases the best of this wild and captivating country, join an expert Wilderness guide to hike through winding, quiet valleys and among misty mountain peaks. Discover the rugged beauty of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park (Parc Cenedlaethol Arfordir Penfro), taking a boat trip out to Ramsey Island and spotting a myriad of coastal birds. Explore Eryri (Snowdonia), hopping on the train up to the summit of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), while also having time to visit quaint villages and engaging museums. Each evening, relax in the warmth of bespoke, luxury accommodation, each hand-picked for their local charm, exquisite food and welcoming hospitality.

Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 | Welcome to Wales | Overnight: Caernarfon

Day 2 | Exploring Yr Wyddfa | Overnight: Caernarfon

Day 3 | Visiting Portmeirion | Overnight: Caernarfon

Day 4 | Travel to Pembrokeshire | Overnight: St Davids

Day 5 | Exploring the Coast | Overnight: St Davids

Day 6 | Ramsey Island | Overnight: St Davids

Day 7 | Hiking in the Brecon Beacons | Overnight: Llanhamlach

Day 8 | Visiting Hay-On-Wye | Overnight: Llanhamlach

Day 9 | Exploring Blaenavon Ironworks | Overnight: Llanhamlach

Day 10 | Hike and Depart

Highlights

  • Spend time hiking along the stunning Pembrokeshire coastline.
  • Explore picturesque Welsh villages that brim with rural charm.
  • Stay in luxury, bespoke accommodation, hand-picked for their wonderful location and warm hospitality.

Day by Day

Day 1 - Welcome to Wales

Meet your charming Wilderness guide at Chester Train Station this morning and kick off your adventure with a visit to the striking medieval fortress of Conwy Castle. Still towering over Conwy town after 700 years, make your way up the restored spiral staircases for views of the winding streets below and Eryri’s craggy mountains beyond. Offering the most complete set of residential rooms inhabited by the medieval monarchy anywhere in England or Wales, a visit to the Castle is a fascinating experience. Later, continue down the coast to your lovely country house hotel and relax before a delicious dinner.

Overnight: Caernarfon | Plas Dinas Country House
Meals Included: Lunch

Day 2 - Exploring Yr Wyddfa

Rising 3,560 feet over Snowdonia’s glacier-carved landscapes, Snowdon (or Yr Wyddfa to give it its rightful Welsh name) is the country’s highest peak. From the summit, the views are spectacular, and on a clear day you can see the mountains of Ireland rising into the blue sky. You may wish to hike to the summit, or if you fancy a bit more of a mellow day, hop on the rack-and-pinion railway, which winds its way from Llanberis to the top instead. Return to your hotel this evening, perhaps sitting out in the warm evening light to enjoy a drink before dinner.

Overnight: Caernarfon | Plas Dinas Country House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Visiting Portmeirion

After a lovely, relaxed breakfast, head out with your guide to explore Portmeirion, an enchanting village in Gwynedd. Designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975, the village sits on a private peninsula and is a fantastic blend of rural Wales and the Italian Riveria. A fascinating, almost fairytale-like place to explore, it’s a riot of colour, stunning architecture and spectacular gardens, now owned by a charitable trust. After exploring the village, enjoy afternoon tea and a drink by the water as the sun sparkles across the gently waving sea. Tonight, make sure to step outside after dinner to look up at the dark sky and its smattering of bright white stars.

Overnight: Caernarfon | Plas Dinas Country House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Travel to Pembrokeshire

This morning, leave the misty mountains behind as you travel south to Pembrokeshire. A stunning salt-soaked county, it encompasses 186 miles of magnificent coastline where you’ll find hidden bays, golden beaches and towering, rugged cliffs. Along the way, enjoy an invigorating and beautiful walk. As you hike, keep your eye out for the bright orange beaks of choughs; surely the most enchanting member of the crow family, they like to nest in inaccessible caves, cracks and crevices in the cliffs. This evening, enjoy a warm Welsh welcome as you settle into your hotel – a former windmill full of contemporary art.

Overnight: St Davids | Twr Y Felin Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Exploring the Coast

After breakfast, head out with your guide to visit St Davids Bishop’s Palace. A magnificent medieval palace that now stands in impressive ruins. Learn about its interesting history on a guided tour as you walk around the sun-dappled grounds. Later this morning, enjoy a coastal walk, stopping to soak in the breathtaking views that stretch large and long towards a glittering horizon. Take the opportunity to visit the Oriel y Parc Gallery and Visitor Centre before enjoying some lunch. Suitably relaxed, head out this afternoon to explore one of Pembrokeshire’s most dramatic coastal headlands on a rugged circular walk. This evening put your feet up and relax after a day thoroughly well spent.

Overnight: St Davids | Twr Y Felin Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Ramsey Island

Today, enjoy a boat trip to Ramsey Island. Sail over the salty swell to the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) Reserve and be met by one of the wardens. After learning about the island – which is home to ravens, peregrines and buzzards, as well as guillemots, razorbills and fulmars, set off to walk its perimeter. The southern headlands are a unique combination of heather, gorse and coastal plants, so look out for meadow pipits and skylarks. Ramsey Island is also a fantastic place to spot seals so as you sail by the huge western cliffs, listen out for the huff of these big-eyed, curious creatures. Return to the mainland later this afternoon and relax.

Overnight: St Davids | Twr Y Felin Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Hiking in the Brecon Beacons

Wake up to the irresistible smell of fresh coffee this morning and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Chat with your guide about the many walking choices today before lacing up your boots and heading out to explore the Brecon Beacons. You may wish to hike to the summit of Pen y Fan, a characterful, flat-topped mountain and the highest peak in South Wales. Or, if you fancy a lower-level walk, perhaps wind your way through Cwn Sere, Cwm Oergwn or Cwm Cynwyn, which are peaceful, glaciated valleys nestled at the feet of the central Beacons. This afternoon, learn more about the area’s history on a visit to the Welsh Crannog Centre.

Overnight: Llanhamlach | Peterstone Court
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Visiting Hay-On-Wye

This morning, visit the pretty market town of Hay-On-Wye, which lies just north of the Black Mountains. Full of independent and quirky artisanal shops, it has become famous for its secondhand and antiquarian bookshops – with some specialising in rare and out-of-print volumes. It’s a lovely place to lose a couple of hours exploring, and with many local cafes to try out, once you’ve arrived, it’s a hard place to leave. Later this afternoon, return to your hotel and relax, perhaps beginning a good book picked up earlier in the day. Enjoy an aperitif and another delicious dinner this evening as the honey summer sun is pulled down beyond the horizon.

Overnight: Llanhamlach | Peterstone Court
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Exploring Blaenavon Ironworks

The hills that skirt the Brecon Beacons were once rich with coal, limestone and iron ore — the fuel of the Industrial Revolution. After a relaxed breakfast, head out to visit Blaenavon Ironworks. It was here that Sidney Gilchrist Thomas transformed the world’s steel industry. Explore the ruined furnaces, the impressive remains of the foundry, cast house, and the water balance tower that raised wagons almost 80 feet into the air. After lunch, spend the afternoon on a lovely scenic hike, chatting with your guide about the history of the National Park, home to over 30 standing stones, some of which are many centuries old and shrouded in myth.

Overnight: Llanhamlach | Peterstone Court
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Hike and Depart

After breakfast, head out for a lovely walk. You may wish to go out early, catching the early morning light before it spills across the fields and the hills, making for captivating photos in the rolling atmospheric mist. Or perhaps a more leisurely start to the day is on the cards, taking your time to reflect on the lovely week, before heading out into the quiet countryside to enjoy a stretch of your legs. This afternoon, your guide will transfer you to your chosen destination where you can either begin your journey home or continue on towards your next adventure.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 10
  • Meals as indicated above
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable UK-qualified guide from Day 1 to Day 10
  • Ground transportation from Day 1 to Day 10
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • Map and trip dossier
  • 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions

MASTER TEMPLATE Wild Wales