HIGHLANDS | 20 TO 25 APRIL 2027
From ridge to loch
Through the Scottish Highlands through the Scottish Highlands: hiking, packrafting and fishing by the river.
The story of this expedition
You fly from Belgium to Scotland. From the last road we head into the Highlands on foot, away from villages and coverage. From then on we move completely off-grid: through valleys, over ridges and along silent lochs, carrying everything we need on our backs. Hiking, packrafting and camping wherever the terrain allows.
You hike through valleys, over ridges and along silent lochs. This is not a tourist route, it is an expedition. Physically demanding, mentally rewarding, and every step takes you further from the ordinary.
Deep in the wilderness you reach the lochs. You take the packraft out of your backpack, inflate it and glide on across the water. The calm, the flow and the freedom make this one of the most striking moments of the expedition.
Along the way we reach a river, where we try our hand at fishing: patience, technique and a bit of luck. If conditions allow, a rappel is on the programme as well.
We deliberately choose late April: the snow has mostly gone, the days are long and the midges have not arrived yet.
The story of
this expedition
You fly from Belgium to Scotland. From the last road we head into the Highlands on foot, away from villages and coverage. From then on we move completely off-grid: through valleys, over ridges and along silent lochs, carrying everything we need on our backs. Hiking, packrafting and camping wherever the terrain allows.
You hike through valleys, over ridges and along silent lochs. This is not a tourist route, it is an expedition. Physically demanding, mentally rewarding, and every step takes you further from the ordinary.
Deep in the wilderness you reach the lochs. You take the packraft out of your backpack, inflate it and glide on across the water. The calm, the flow and the freedom make this one of the most striking moments of the expedition.
Along the way we reach a river, where we try our hand at fishing: patience, technique and a bit of luck. If conditions allow, a rappel is on the programme as well.
We deliberately choose late April: the snow has mostly gone, the days are long and the midges have not arrived yet.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
Once we start, we are off-grid. We filter water from rivers, cook our freeze-dried expedition food and set up our camps in places where nature allows it.
You learn survival basics, energy management, navigation and outdoor decision-making under the guidance of an experienced X- Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
Veiligheid & begeleiding
Safety is the basis of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold WFR certificates and have years of experience in extreme conditions. Exactly the calibre of guidance an expedition like this requires.
Every expedition has satellite phones, GPS tracking, clear safety procedures, a detailed evacuation plan and local support in Scotland.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Guided by real expedition leaders.
You step into nature, away from the
beaten track, but always with the certainty of experienced guidance
and safety first.
Veiligheid & begeleiding
Safety is the basis of every Element X expedition. Our X Guides are professionally trained, hold WFR certificates and have years of experience in extreme conditions. Exactly the calibre of guidance an expedition like this requires.
Every expedition has satellite phones, GPS tracking, clear safety procedures, a detailed evacuation plan and local support in Scotland.
Before departure we also carry out a thorough risk analysis and prepare everything down to the last detail.
Self-sufficient,
but never alone
Once we start, we are
off-grid. We filter water from rivers, cook our freeze-dried expedition food and set up our camps in places where nature allows it.
You learn survival basics, energy management, navigation and outdoor decision-making under the guidance of an experienced X-Guide whom you meet well in advance during the preparation programme.
We let no one step into the unknown unprepared.
An expedition of this calibre starts months in advance. The preparation programme consists of an individual phase and a group phase.
Individual phase
Starts immediately after registration. You receive an inspiration pack with practical tips, insights and exercises to start moving like an expedition member. You gather your expedition gear using the packing list (do not buy anything yet: bring what you already have to the kick off). And you share your medical information, because the best preparation is a plan for when things go wrong.
Group phase
Starts 3 to 6 months before departure with the kick off: a full day on which you meet your team, taste the expedition atmosphere and take the first steps as a group. There we plan the follow-up moments together and the WhatsApp group starts. Training includes, among other things: getting to know the group and roles, physical screening and analysis, a personalised training schedule, technical and resilience training, gear, nutrition and sleep setup, and a final check.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
Accredited service provider for the KMO-portefeuille
To help entrepreneurs and KMO leaders grow as much as possible, a leadership programme/training is linked to this expedition, which closely aligns with the adventure. This programme falls under the theme Business strategy and is eligible for subsidy via the KMO-portefeuille.
As an entrepreneur, you can receive up to 30% subsidy on the training costs of this programme. Important (!): only the training itself is eligible. Travel, accommodation, and expedition costs are not covered by the subsidy.
As seen in
Imagine: endless valleys, silent lochs, mist lifting off the ridges and not a single sound that does not come from nature.
On this expedition in the Highlands you are immersed in one of the last true wildernesses in Europe: valleys, ridges, lochs and rivers. All off-grid, all under your own power.
Imagine: endless valleys, silent lochs, mist lifting off the ridges and not a single sound that does not come from nature.
On this expedition in the Highlands you are immersed in one of the last true wildernesses in Europe: valleys, ridges, lochs and rivers. All off-grid, all under your own power.
Frequently asked questions
No. You do not need to be an elite athlete, though a good base level of fitness helps: we walk day after day carrying your kit, over uneven terrain and in changing weather. Through our preparation programme (screening, training schedule and targeted training) we build your level up to expedition standard in 3 to 6 months.
Very safe. We work with WFR certified expedition leaders, satellite communication, GPS tracking and a detailed evacuation plan. On the water you always wear a buoyancy aid and we assess every day whether conditions are safe.
Almost everything is included: professional X Guides, packrafts and paddles, survival equipment and sleeping setup, all overnight stays and meals during the expedition, all local transport and tips. Flights to Scotland, personal clothing and insurance are not.
Frequently asked questions
No. You do not need to be an elite athlete, though a good base level of fitness helps: we walk day after day carrying your kit, over uneven terrain and in changing weather. Through our preparation programme (screening, training schedule and targeted training) we build your level up to expedition standard in 3 to 6 months.
Very safe. We work with WFR certified expedition leaders, satellite communication, GPS tracking and a detailed evacuation plan. On the water you always wear a buoyancy aid and we assess every day whether conditions are safe.
Almost everything is included: professional X Guides, packrafts and paddles, survival equipment and sleeping setup, all overnight stays and meals during the expedition, all local transport and tips. Flights to Scotland, personal clothing and insurance are not.
Ready for six days of Scottish wilderness?
Taking an option is free and without obligation; your spot is only confirmed after the intake.
Philippe Van Vaerenbergh
A powerful experience, professionally guided from start to finish. The preparation was thorough: you leave with peace of mind because everything has been thought through. And then the scenery: stunning, and we were lucky with beautiful weather.
CEO - Technicarro-CAP
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