Wild Isles

Dublin, bubbling with sights, sounds, tastes and Irish heritage is our first stop. Water sport activities on the River Shannon begin our team-building along with a service project at a local horse farm. We then set out on a two-day horseback ride (optional) through the mountains around Tipperary and stay in a 300-year-old Irish castle. At the famous Cliffs of Moher, 600 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, we spend a day mountain biking (optional) and visit Dublin Castle, Trinity College and O'Connell Street.

Ascending Mount Snowdon, the second highest peak in the UK, and Wales' highest, is a backpacking accomplishment to savor! We go rock climbing and gorge walking in a national park and visit the Gower, the UK's first area declared "An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty." The southwest coast of Wales is an idyllic setting for our surfing adventure camp where we spend two days learning to read and ride the waves.

Our final adventure is a two-day exploration of London's history, heritage and culture including Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Piccadilly Circus. After picking up a souvenir or two on Oxford Street, we head home after the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 1:
You will be met upon arrival at the Shannon International Airport airport by your experienced AAVE expedition leaders. After a complete gear check to assure that you are prepared for the diverse and demanding regions we explore, we load up our custom vehicles and head off! During orientation we get to know each other and learn what to expect in the days ahead. Our daily routine, jobs and safety rules are explained, and the process of growing together as a group begins. We drive to our campsite one hour from the airport and set up camp near the River Shannon, our camp for the next two nights.

Days 2-4:
Our first adventure in Ireland is in the wonderful Tipperary region, where a community service project awaits us at a local horse ranch. After a day of lending a hand, we we set out on top quality, pure bred horses for a fantastic adventure: two days of horseback riding in the Galtee Mountains! We ride through streams, forests, ancient villages and the magnificent rolling hills of the Irish countryside. We camp near a tranquil lake in the mountains and prepare a great barbecue in the evening. Following our horse trip, we make your way towards Connemara and overnight in a historic Irish castle!

Day 5:
Our next adventure is an amazing scenic drive on the West Coast of Ireland. We stop on the way to visit the famous Cliffs of Moher. Here we have lunch while enjoying the view of the Atlantic Ocean pounding the rocks 600-feet below. We have plenty of time to take pictures and explore before we drive on to our next camp.

Days 6-8:
The beautiful and rugged Connemara region has a sterling reputation as the best preserved nature area in Ireland. It is among the pristine mountains and lakes of this region that we enjoy a day of challenging biking. Next, our kayaking guides teach us everything about safety before we get wet and wild! We head down the river to enjoy the amazing views and paddle hard! On our final day in the Connemara region we challenge ourselves on a high ropes course and compete in a friendly game of laser tag.

Days 9-10:
Returning from our outdoor pursuits on the West Coast, we check into Dublin International Youth Hostel, an atmospheric hostel that is the base for our stay in Dublin. O'Connell Street, the hub of Dublin's shopping district, is located near our hostel. We visit the wonders of Dublin, like Trinity College, Dublin Castle and the Liffey River. We have plenty of time to stroll around in the centre, and, after a movie in a theatre, we hit the town for a wonderful dinner to celebrate our adventures in Ireland.

Day 11:
A day of van and ferry travel is necessary to reach our next destination, North Wales. We arrive in our beautifully-situated campsite in the evening, our home for several days of the trip.

Days 12-13:
The unique Snowdonia National Park is the setting for a two-day backpacking adventure. Hiking through the green landscapes scattered with breathtaking views, lakes and peaks, we make our way to the heart of this national park. After staying overnight in a mountain lodge, we start our ascent to the highest peak of Wales and England, Mount Snowdon! After safely negotiating the narrow edge to the top, we enjoy the amazing sight of all of North Wales at our feet. Celebrating this great accomplishment, we have a picnic lunch before descending to base camp, stopping for a swim and a rest.

Days 14-15:
Action packed days of rock climbing await us in another area of Snowdonia National Park. We learn all about this exhilarating sport as certified instructors give us an orientation on safety, equipment and techniques. Climbing steep rock faces will be a challenge for everyone, and climbs are easily adapted to any skill level.

Days 16-18:
Leaving North Wales, we travel to the Southwest Coast where we find The Gower - the first area in the U.K. to be declared "An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty." Surrounded by sandy beaches, we are taught the art of surfing by Wales' number one surfing legend! All of our instructors are charismatic, certified professionals with a lifetime of experience. We also take time to explore the delights of Swansea, the second largest city in Wales.

Days 19-21:
Leaving Wales and traveling on, we stop to marvel at the history and mystery of the world-famous Stonehenge! Our final adventure is an exploration of the British capital, London - a world class metropolis with a long and significant role in world history. We visit the "can't miss" sites of Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and the shops on Oxford Street. There will be plenty of time to discover the city and walk about. We also see one of the famous musical shows at West End. We have an unforgettable last evening out, including a wonderful dinner to celebrate our accomplishments in Ireland, Wales and England!

Day 22:
We travel to the airport early in the morning to say our goodbyes after a summer of incredible travel, outdoor adventure, intense challenges, new friends and great fun!