Can I get a refund if I need to cancel my trip?

Cancellation policies can vary, it’s best to review our terms regarding cancellations for detailed information.

What happens if I arrive late to the meeting point?

If you arrive late, allow a grace period before contacting the tour leader at the designated meeting point.

Will transportation be provided for luggage between destinations?

Yes, transport between destinations will carry your luggage, but a small backpack is recommended for daily necessities.

What should I know regarding visas and passports for my trip?

It's your responsibility to carry a valid passport and obtain necessary visas for the countries being visited. Please check your country's foreign affairs website for the latest information.

What if I have additional questions before booking?

You can reach out to us via the Ask a Question button for any further inquiries.

how far are the individual walks! I can walk but i am a slow walker and i have to rest after about a mile.. i do have a walking stick. but am scared i will not be able to keep up with the group or slow every one down

Walking grade: Leisurely and Moderate. Walks on 4 days for around 3-4 hours. The longer walk from Stromness to Skara Brae is 4 to 5 hours. Walking on grassy trails and moorland paths on flat or undulating terrain. Surface can be rough and boggy with some steep sections though generally on the flat. Daily distances: Day 2: 3hrs 10km, Day 3: 3hrs 9km, Day 4: 4-5hrs 12.5km, Day 5: 1hr 3km, Day 6: 3-4hrs 9km. Total distance: 43.5 kilometres.

Do I need to bring cash for daily expenses?

It’s advisable to bring some cash for daily expenses, as not all places may accept cards.

How can I provide my flight details for transfers?

Ensure that you provide your flight information to Explore 48 hours prior to the trip. If not provided, you will need to arrange your own transfer.

What is included in the final trip documents?

Final documents include the itinerary, trip joining instructions, hotel details, and emergency contact information.

How do I check my booking status?

You can check your booking status by logging into your customer dashboard and reviewing the details there.

From

$3,100

US $2,830 per person

Walking Scotland’s Orkney Islands

7 days

•

Start and end in Inverness

4.5

33 traveler reviews

View all
The Explore! tour that we found through Tourradar was wonderful, and we saw all of the ancient Neolithic sites.
Lawrence DiCostanzo, traveled in July
5.0
View all

From

$3,100

-9%

US $2,830 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Operator: Explore!
Hiking & Trekking: Epic trails and breathtaking landscapes await
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Medium Intensity: Travelers should be comfortable with somewhat-demanding activities
Guided in English
Group Size 7 - 16
Ages 16+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Inverness to Kirkwall
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (The Orkney Hotel), Hotel (The Orkney Hotel (or similar))
Optional Activities
- Dinner on the ferry across Pentland Firth
Landmarks
St. Magnus Cathedral
Bishop's Palace
Earl's Palace
Day 2
Westray
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (The Orkney Hotel), Hotel (The Orkney Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Circular walk to Noup Head to view seabird colonies (approximately 3 hours, 9 kilometres/5.6 miles, 200 metres/656 feet total ascent and descent)
- Walk along west coast of Westray
- Visit Noltland Castle ruins
Optional Activities
- Visit Pierowall Village (weather and time permitting)
Landmarks
Noup Head
Noltland Castle
Pierowall Village
Day 3
Deerness Peninsula
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (The Orkney Hotel), Hotel (The Orkney Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walk to Brough of Deerness (approximately 3 hours, 10 kilometres/6.2 miles, 150 metres/492 feet total ascent and descent)
- Visit Gloup collapsed sea cave
- Walk along coastline around Mull Head
- Visit Covenanters Memorial
- Explore Churchill Barriers and Scapa Flow
Optional Activities
- Visit Italian Chapel on Lambholm Island (small entry fee)
Landmarks
Brough of Deerness
Gloup
Mull Head
Covenanters Memorial
Italian Chapel
Churchill Barriers
Scapa Flow
St. Magnus Cathedral
Day 4
Stromness to Skara Brae
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (The Orkney Hotel), Hotel (The Orkney Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walk along west coastline from Stromness (approximately 4-5 hours, 12.5 kilometres/7.8 miles, 300 metres/984 feet total ascent and descent)
- Visit Skara Brae Neolithic village site
Optional Activities
- Visit Skail House (17th-century Laird's manor house)
- Visit Earl's Palace (16th-century castle ruins)
- Visit Kirbuster Museum (1595 house, free entry)
Landmarks
Yesnaby Sea Stacks
North Gaulton Sea Stacks
Skara Brae
Skail House
Earl's Palace
Kirbuster Museum
Day 5
Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (The Orkney Hotel), Hotel (The Orkney Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Explore Ring of Brodgar archaeological site
- Explore Stones of Stenness archaeological site
- Visit Orkney Museum housed in Tankerness House
Optional Activities
- Visit Ness of Brodgar Excavation (open July-August only)
- Explore Stromness town
- Visit Arts Pier Centre
Landmarks
Ring of Brodgar
Stones of Stenness
Ness of Brodgar Excavation
Stromness
Arts Pier Centre
Tankerness House
Day 6
Rousay Island
Meals
Breakfast
Accommodation
Hotel (The Orkney Hotel), Hotel (The Orkney Hotel (or similar))
Included Activities
- Ferry to Rousay Island
- Visit Midhowe Neolithic chambered cairn
- Visit Midhowe Iron Age Broch Tower
- Walk over moors to Knitchen Hill and Blochnie Hill (approximately 3-4 hours, 9 kilometres/5.6 miles, 350 metres/1,148 feet total ascent and descent)
Optional Activities
- Walk at Faraclett Head in far northwest (weather and time permitting)
Landmarks
Midhowe Neolithic chambered cairn
Midhowe Iron Age Broch Tower
Knitchen Hill
Blochnie Hill
Trumland Reserve
Faraclett Head
Egilsay
Wyre
Day 7
Kirkwall to Inverness
Meals
Breakfast

Landmarks
St. Magnus Cathedral
Bishop's Palace
Earl's Palace

Landmarks
Noup Head
Noltland Castle
Pierowall Village

Landmarks
Brough of Deerness
Gloup
Mull Head
Covenanters Memorial
Italian Chapel
Churchill Barriers
Scapa Flow
St. Magnus Cathedral

Landmarks
Yesnaby Sea Stacks
North Gaulton Sea Stacks
Skara Brae
Skail House
Earl's Palace
Kirbuster Museum

Landmarks
Ring of Brodgar
Stones of Stenness
Ness of Brodgar Excavation
Stromness
Arts Pier Centre
Tankerness House

Landmarks
Midhowe Neolithic chambered cairn
Midhowe Iron Age Broch Tower
Knitchen Hill
Blochnie Hill
Trumland Reserve
Faraclett Head
Egilsay
Wyre

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

The Orkney Hotel
Hotel
Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
The Orkney Hotel (or similar)
Hotel
Days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Operated by

Explore!

4.5

(8,631 reviews)

Number of tours

589

Age Range

16 to 85 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

96%

Explore Worldwide has over 40 years’ experience in creating expert-led small...

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Other

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Reviews

4.5

Overall rating based on 33 Reviews

Itinerary
4.8
Transport
4.3
Guide
4.8
Accommodation
4.1
Food
4.3
Tour Operator
4.5

A
Giselle
May 21st, 2023
4.3
The walk from Stromness to Skara Brae - flowers, birds, interesting geology, fossils and archaeology, a real day of...
Show more
Traveled in May 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Peggy
May 22nd, 2023
4.8
I will never forget the day we hiked to Skara Brae, along breathtaking cliffs on a sunny windy day. We loved seeing...
Show more
Traveled in May 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Alison
May 29th, 2023
4.7
Puffins on Westray, cliff walks, Stromness, Skara Brae
Traveled in May 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Kevin
May 29th, 2023
4.7
Seeing puffins on Westray and the wide collection of Neolithic sites across the islands.
Traveled in May 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Paula
May 30th, 2023
4.2
Being watched by a couple of puffins about 2m away from us.
Traveled in May 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Sally
June 4th, 2023
4.3
Seeing the wildlife birds and seals. The knowledge of the guide was excellent and helped bring it all to life
Traveled in May 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Moira
July 1st, 2023
4
Fantastic coastal views, approaching Scara Brae from the sea, wonderful guides at Ring of Brodgar and Maes Howe
Traveled in June 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Tony
July 4th, 2023
4.5
The Stromness museum was a good recommendation. Local history that I did not know.
Traveled in June 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Jeffrey
July 9th, 2023
4.2
Puffins, flowers in abundance, rock stacks and stone circles, brochs. Old Man of Hoy from the ferry. Enjoyed...
Show more
Traveled in June 2023
Review collected by Explore!
A
Martin
July 11th, 2023
3.8
Difficult to put in any order - the flora, fauna and archaeological remains will all remain in my memory.
Traveled in June 2023
Review collected by Explore!

Dates & Availability

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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

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Ends on 25 Mar, 2026

-9%
From Saturday
9 May, 2026
To Friday
15 May, 2026
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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US $2,830 per person
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To Friday
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To Friday
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To Friday
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To Friday
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To Friday
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To Friday
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Guaranteed departure
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From Saturday
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To Friday
18 Sep, 2026
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This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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To Friday
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This departure date is available and will 100% depart
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Instant Confirmation
From Saturday
22 May, 2027
To Friday
28 May, 2027
English
This departure date is available and will 100% depart
Guaranteed departure
From:
US $3,320 per person
Multiple Room Types

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

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Try a different search term or ask a question to this adventure's experts

K
Karin
Asked on December 30th, 2024
Can I get a refund if I need to cancel my trip?
Payments
- Explore!Operator•Written January 2025
  Cancellation policies can vary, it’s best to review our terms regarding cancellations for detailed information.
T
Tamara
Asked on December 26th, 2024
What happens if I arrive late to the meeting point?
Tour Details
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
  If you arrive late, allow a grace period before contacting the tour leader at the designated meeting point.
C
Charo
Asked on December 20th, 2024
Will transportation be provided for luggage between destinations?
Transport
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2024
  Yes, transport between destinations will carry your luggage, but a small backpack is recommended for daily necessities.
B
Barbara
Asked on November 21st, 2024
What should I know regarding visas and passports for my trip?
Visa
- Explore!Operator•Written November 2024
  It's your responsibility to carry a valid passport and obtain necessary visas for the countries being visited. Please check your country's foreign affairs website for the latest information.
C
Cornelia
Asked on October 16th, 2024
What if I have additional questions before booking?
Travel Support
- Explore!Operator•Written October 2024
  You can reach out to us via the Ask a Question button for any further inquiries.
A
Abigail
Asked on September 9th, 2024
how far are the individual walks! I can walk but i am a slow walker and i have to rest after about a mile.. i do have a walking stick. but am scared i will not be able to keep up with the group or slow every one down
Tour Details
- Explore!Operator•Written September 2024
  Walking grade: Leisurely and Moderate. Walks on 4 days for around 3-4 hours. The longer walk from Stromness to Skara Brae is 4 to 5 hours. Walking on grassy trails and moorland paths on flat or undulating terrain. Surface can be rough and boggy with some steep sections though generally on the flat. Daily distances: Day 2: 3hrs 10km, Day 3: 3hrs 9km, Day 4: 4-5hrs 12.5km, Day 5: 1hr 3km, Day 6: 3-4hrs 9km. Total distance: 43.5 kilometres.
H
Harry
Asked on May 29th, 2024
Do I need to bring cash for daily expenses?
Meals
Payments
- Explore!Operator•Written May 2024
  It’s advisable to bring some cash for daily expenses, as not all places may accept cards.
R
Rocio
Asked on May 4th, 2024
How can I provide my flight details for transfers?
Flights / Transfers
- Explore!Operator•Written May 2024
  Ensure that you provide your flight information to Explore 48 hours prior to the trip. If not provided, you will need to arrange your own transfer.
M
Muhammad
Asked on January 18th, 2024
What is included in the final trip documents?
Tour Details
- Explore!Operator•Written January 2024
  Final documents include the itinerary, trip joining instructions, hotel details, and emergency contact information.
I
Ibrahim
Asked on December 19th, 2023
How do I check my booking status?
Payments
Travel Support
- Explore!Operator•Written December 2023
  You can check your booking status by logging into your customer dashboard and reviewing the details there.

From

$3,100

-9%

US $2,830 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 208645

Currency
£
Pound Sterling
Scotland
Plugs & Adapters
As a traveler from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for type G.
Type G
Scotland
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before June 2nd, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after June 2nd, 2026, a minimum payment of 10% is required to confirm your booking with Explore!. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 75 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Explore! will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Explore!" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Explore!. Please familiarize yourself with the Explore! payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Sustainability

Walking Scotland’s Orkney Islands

Itinerary

Inverness to Kirkwall

Optional Activities

Westray

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Deerness Peninsula

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Stromness to Skara Brae

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Ring of Brodgar and Stones of Stenness

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Rousay Island

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Kirkwall to Inverness

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What's Included

What's Not Included