Explore adds Isle of Skye to UK portfolio

Explore has added the Isle of Skye to its UK programme along with extra departure dates as demand for domestic holidays increases for this summer.

The adventure tour operator has introduced a three-centre walking holiday in Scotland’s North West Highlands and Skye, offering a week long moderate-graded holiday.

Walk the North West Highlands and Skye offers three departures on July 3, and August 7 and 21, from £1,799. It offers mountain and coastal hikes across the island with an experienced mountain leader.

The operator has also just launched a walking holiday to Scotland’s Orkney Islands, which follows other recent additions of walking, cultural and cycling trips nationwide.

Walking Scotland’s Orkney Islands costs from £1,699 and departs on July 17. It includes clifftop walks, and the chance to see puffin colonies and visit Skara Brae village.

The operator has also on an extra departure, on July 17, for one of its most popular UK trips, Walk the Lake District, after it sold out for this summer. The itinerary explores the northern Lake District and includes Scafell Pike, Haystacks and Cat Bells. It costs from £1,160.

Ben Ittensohn, head of global sales, said the UK programme should provide agents with cross-selling opportunities for clients who want to holiday in the UK this year and book longer-haul adventure trips in the future.

He added: “We’re really proud of the UK programme we’ve developed over the last year. We’ve been able to create the same Explore recipe of small-group adventures with tour leaders, but here on home turf.”

The operator said its UK breaks were selling fast as a result of high demand. Other trips include a Snowdonia Walking Short Break, from £650; Walk the South Downs, from £499, and North Wales Adventure, from £1,590. Agents are encouraged to book via the operator’s online appointment booking platform.