Cairngorms NP Explorer Tour
Cairngorms National Park
Itinerary Day by Day
The hikes below are suggestions to give you a sense of what's possible. Every private tour is fully customisable — we'll tailor the itinerary to your interests, fitness level, and dates.
Day 1
Travel to Aviemore
On this self drive tour, you make your way to the town of Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park, and check in to your accommodation. Enjoy dinner at one of the excellent local restaurants, before getting a good night’s sleep before your first day of hiking tomorrow! Your guide will contact you today to confirm plans for tomorrow – route choice, meeting place and time.
Overnight: Aviemore
Day 2
Loch an Eilean and Rothiemurchus
Meet your guide this morning at the start of the hike, just a 10 minute drive from the centre of Aviemore. Today you’ll go for a lovely scenic walk around the famous Loch an Eilean, enjoying the views of the Cairngorms. You’ll walk amid some of the finest parts of the Caledonian Forest, and your guide will tell you all about the nature of these stunning ancient woods.
Hike details
Distance 7km Ascent 70m Grade 2B Loch an Eilean
Overnight: Aviemore
Day 3
Hiking Ben Macdui
If you feel more ambitious today, your guide can take you higher today on to the Cairngorms to explore the hidden reaches of the Cairngorm Plateau. The summit of Ben Macdui is a worthy objective, at 1,309m the second highest peak in Scotland. The hike begins from the Cairngorm ski centre. Hiking up a long ridge to the rolling plateau, you then stay at high level all the way to Ben Macdui and back, wandering through a unique arctic environment that is home to mountain hare, ptarmigan and even reindeer.
Hike details
Distance 17km Ascent 900m Grade 4C Cairngorm Plateau
Overnight: Aviemore
Day 4
Hiking in Glen Feshie
Glen Feshie is often called the most beautiful of all Cairngorm glens – a reputation that is only enhanced by the pine forests that are regenerating in the glen thanks to the efforts of a sustained re-wilding plan. Hike up the length of the glen, passing the Ruigh Aiteachain bothy. Reaching the top of the glen, you’ll be strolling among the heather and pines, amid wild and remote feeling surroundings. Return by the same route. At the end of the walk your guide will make their farewells, as you head back to Aviemore to enjoy your last night in the Cairngorms.
Hike details
Distance 19km Ascent 320m Grade 4B Glen Feshie
Overnight: Aviemore
Day 5
Departure
Check out from your accommodation this morning after a last Scottish breakfast. Before leaving the area for your onward travel, you may like to visit one of the area’s many attractions such as the Osprey Centre at Loch Garten, or one of Speyside’s many whisky distilleries for a tour.
All elements of the itinerary are subject to change due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances.
What's Included
Price includes
Accommodation
Hiking with an expert guide.
Not included
Insurance
Meals
Transport to and from the start point.
Upgrades & Extensions
Want to make this trip even more special? Here are some options to upgrade or extend your experience.
Go Fully Guided
+ £1,200 per personInstead of self drive, make this tour fully guided. Your guide will be your driver for the whole tour, collecting you from an agreed start location and returning there at the end of the trip. Adds two guided days to the tour, with options for more hiking on those days.
Accommodation Upgrade
+ £350 per personUpgrade your accommodation to the highest standard available hotel in the area (subject to availability) with a luxurious king suite.
Red Squirrel Photography Session
+ £150 per personSpend a morning in the forest at a local wildlife hide, with the opportunity to photograph or simply enjoy watching the charismatic red squirrels as they leap from branch to branch.
Highland Estate Tour
+ £150 per personSpend an afternoon touring a traditional Highland estate, guided by the laird himself! Enjoy a tour of the estate house to discover the family history before taking to the hillside in a 4x4 tour of the forests and moorlands. Learn how a traditional estate operates in the 21st century.
Interested in any of these? Just mention it when you get in touch and we'll build it into your itinerary.
Accommodation
4 Star Guesthouse
Your accommodation for this tour will be a 4 star guesthouse where you will be accommodated on a B&B basis. Aviemore and its surrounding area has many welcoming, high quality options where you will be well looked after by friendly hosts.
Specific accommodation choice will depend on availability and will be agreed with you before booking confirmation.
Trip price based on 2 people sharing 1 room.
Trip Grading
Grade Flexible View full grading guide →
Grade: Flexible
This is your trip, tailored to your group's fitness level and goals. We'll plan each day's hiking together, choosing routes that suit your pace and aspirations — whether that's gentle glen walks or summit days with a view.
Gallery
About Cairngorms National Park
Cairngorms National Park, Scottish Highlands
Scotland's largest National Park, the Cairngorms dominate the central Highlands just south of Inverness. Famous for its stunning mountain scenery, ancient woodlands, and of course the heart of whisky country along the River Spey.
Discover Cairngorms National Park → Exclusively Private
Plan Your Own Departure
This tour runs on dates of your choice, exclusively for you and your group. There are no fixed departures — every trip is planned around you.
Prices from £1750 per person based on 2 people — contact us for a tailored quote for your group size.
Plan Your Dates & Enquire
Your guides
Our guides are local to the Highlands and bring years of experience leading trips in some of Scotland's most spectacular terrain. Qualified Mountain Leaders, warm and welcoming, they're passionate about sharing the places they know and love — from hidden glens to high ridgelines. Small group sizes mean every day can be tailored to what works best for your group.
Mountain Leader qualified Fully insured First aid certified Local to the Highlands Highly experienced Max 8 guests per guide
Get in touch
Got a question about this tour?
We'll get back to you within one working day. No obligation, just honest advice.
Reply within one working day No obligation Expert, personal advice
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