Orkney Express (Hotel) - 3 days

Orkney Express (Hotel) - 3 days

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3 Days From

$975

$731

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

HOTEL UPGRADE: From Inverness, set out to discover the remote northern archipelago of Orkney on this 3-day escorted group tour, staying in 3-star hotels. Pass through the scenic northern Highlands and visit John o'Groats before taking the ferry to Orkney and heading to the capital, Kirkwall. Discover the 5,000-year-old settlement of Skara Brae, the Viking inscriptions at Maeshowe and the mysterious Brodgar Stone Circle. After exploring Orkney, it's back Inverness. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Ring of Brodgar – Marvel at an ancient stone circle steeped in enigma and grandeur

  • Skara Brae and Maeshowe – Immerse yourself in prehistoric life and explore some of Europe’s most remarkable ancient sites

  • Kirkwall – Wander through a historic Norse settlement and admire its stunning Medieval cathedral

  • Caithness Fishing Villages – Discover the charm of Scotland’s remote coastal communities and their picturesque settings

  • Italian Chapel – Visit a famous chapel built by Italian prisoners of war during World War II

  • John o' Groats – Pass through Scotland's northernmost mainland village

  • Dunrobin Castle – View the grand castle along the dramatic northeast Highland coastline

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Inverness

brian.oliver.96
vickyfee

Location: Inverness

Accommodation Name: Kirkwall Hotel or similar

Inverness - Kirkwall. We start early, leaving the 'Capital of the Highlands' and crossing the Black Isle, passing by the grand Dunrobin Castle. Our journey takes us along the dramatic northeast Highland coastline, through Scotland's northernmost mainland village, John o' Groats, to Gills Bay. Here, we board the ferry and cross the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Archipelago.





Upon arrival, we take a short drive to visit the famous Italian Chapel before continuing to Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney. In Kirkwall, we explore the magnificent Viking Cathedral and enjoy wandering its historic, winding streets in the evening.





Please note: Check-in closes at 07:45 (tour departs at 08:00) - Inverness Pick Up, Bus stop next to Inverness Cathedral, Ardross Street, Inverness, IV3 5NS.





Accommodation: Kirkwall Hotel or similar.
...more ...less

Day 2: Kirkwall

Location: Kirkwall

Accommodation Name: Kirkwall Hotel or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, we delve into the modern and ancient wonders of this captivating archipelago, where lush green pastures meet golden sandy shores, washed by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. We visit the 5,000-year-old village of Skara Brae, the mystical prehistoric stone circle at Brodgar, and the ancient standing stones of Stenness.





Our exploration continues at the cairn of Maeshowe, which houses one of the largest collections of Norse runic inscriptions left by Vikings in the 12th century. After this memorable day, we return to Kirkwall for our second night.





Accommodation: Kirkwall Hotel or similar.

Day 3: Inverness

brian.oliver.96
vickyfee

Location: Inverness

Meals Included: Breakfast

Kirkwall - Inverness. We start our day with a final chance to shop for gifts and visit the local cathedral in Kirkwall. After taking the ferry back to the mainland, we journey through the historically rich regions of Caithness and Sutherland. Along the way, we delve into the Highland Clearances, a pivotal and somber chapter in Scotland's history, and catch glimpses of some of Scotland's most remote fishing villages. We conclude our adventure, arriving back in Inverness by early evening.





Please note: This tour ends at 19:00 - Inverness Drop Off, Bus stop next to Inverness Cathedral, Ardross Street, Inverness, IV3 5NS

What's Included

  • 2 breakfasts

  • 2 nights 3-star hotel

  • Escorted by a local driver-guide

  • Transportation in 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning

  • Admission to Maeshowe

  • Admission to Skara Brae

  • All road tolls

  • 14kg luggage - see Trip Notes for details

  • Note: This tour is operated in conjunction with our trusted partner and you will join travellers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

What's Not Included

  • International flights & visas

  • Airport transfers (pick up and drop off information can be found in the Trip Notes)

  • Meals not specified in itinerary

  • Tipping - an entirely personal gesture!

  • Entry fees unless specified

Mode of Transport

Travel in style with transportation provided by a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach equipped with air-conditioning, ensuring a comfortable journey throughout the tour.

Accommodation

Enjoy two nights at the 3-star Kirkwall Hotel or a similar establishment, offering comfortable and convenient lodging in the heart of Orkney's capital.

Age Policy

Min:5yrs with an adultChild discount available for 5-15 yrs sharing with 2 adults

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of transportation is provided during the tour?

    The tour provides transportation in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning.

  • Are there any meals included in the tour?

    Yes, the tour includes 2 breakfasts.

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 2 nights in a 3-star hotel, specifically the Kirkwall Hotel or a similar establishment.

  • Is there a guide accompanying the tour?

    Yes, the tour is escorted by a local driver-guide.

  • Are there any admission fees included in the tour?

    Yes, admission to Maeshowe and Skara Brae is included in the tour.

  • What is the luggage allowance for the tour?

    The luggage allowance for the tour is 14kg. Please see the Trip Notes for more details.

  • What are some of the key historical sites visited on this tour?

    The tour visits several key historical sites including the Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, Maeshowe, and the Italian Chapel.

  • What is the starting and ending location of the tour?

    The tour starts and ends in Inverness.

  • What time does the tour depart and return?

    The tour departs from Inverness at 08:00, with check-in closing at 07:45. It returns to Inverness by early evening, around 19:00.

  • Is this tour operated solely by one company?

    No, this tour is operated in conjunction with a trusted partner, and you will join travelers from different operators, not solely On The Go.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Since 1998

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

Reviews of this operator

Nicola Hodgkinson (Google Reviewer)  

Recently returned from Greece, a...

07-May-2024

Recently returned from Greece, a 5 day tour with OTG. Unfortunately, I had a negative experience on day 2 where I needed local support to get me out of a tricky situation. Thank you to Alexandra Z from Hetco Tours in Athens for helping me continue on with the trip, to the Hotel Zafolia staffing team and to Danielle and team here in the UK for supporting me with the aftermath. Your kindness will not be forgotten and I will pay it forward. I've now booked 3 trips with yourselves and will continue to go back. Thank you all. Honestly, I am SO grateful. Blessings to you all. Nicola ...more ...less

Calvin  

Wonderful experience

05-Jan-2023

Jamal is our tour guide. Right from the start, he created a group chat in whatsapp and if any issues to make sure we contact him. He was on the ball with every issue thrown at him. Luggage being left behind, stragglers wondered off in a different path, hotel room etc. He explains the various site along our route to give us a better understanding of the local cultures. We had a great time, thanks to Jamal. ...more ...less

Trustpilot
Norma Sullivan  

Land of the Northern Lights 5 day tour of Iceland

10-Sep-2021

The Land of Northern Lights tour was a triumph! My tour of Southern Iceland was absolutely wonderful. The venues chosen, the timing allotted at each venue and the variety of things to experience was nearly perfect. Our guide, "Thor", was smart, amusing, full of history and anecdotal stories as well as being incredibly hospitable and helpful. This small group experience was my first, but not my last thanks to On the Go. ...more ...less

Trawls (Google Reviewer)  

On The Go Tours Sri...

05-Feb-2024

On The Go Tours Sri Lanka was an incredible experience that was made even better by our tour guide Akthar. He was incredibly knowledgeable about his country and he loved sharing it with us. The tour covers a wide range of activities so you can truly experience what Sri Lanka is all about. The beautiful 4-5 star hotels at the end of every day was an absolute bonus. Thanks for a great trip OTGT I’m sure this won’t be my last ...more ...less

Xtreme Floor Care (Google Reviewer)  

Traveled through Egypt with On...

30-Nov-2023

Traveled through Egypt with On the Go Tours, professional service, very informative and helpful tour guides. The choice of hotels was excellent... Definitely recommend this company

Gavin Harrigan  

King Tutankhamun 10 day tour of Egypt

16-Sep-2021

I have just returned from my tour with On The Go and it was an amazing trip! From arriving at the airport and meeting the OTG representative, everything was well organised and hassle free.  Our tour guide was Amir. He is awesome!! From the beginning he was so friendly and enthusiastic about showing us around Egypt, giving us loads of information at each place and time to explore ourselves. Learnt so much from him about this fascinating place, and he was always happy to answer more questions.   The trip itself was amazing. There's lots of travelling on this trip, but it's really not too bad, and the sights you see when you get to where you are going are worth it. I'm not a big fan of boats, but the Felluca ride across the Nile was pretty fun too.  On the first day I also did the optional tour of Cairo with Ahmed Helal - another excellent guide from OTG. It's worth doing this add on as you don't spend much time in Cairo, and you go to three very different places.  I'm so glad that I decided to do this trip. It was just ace.  If you're thinking about it too, you should probably just book it. And hopefully you get Amir as your guide. ...more ...less

Joyce Heitler (Google Reviewer)  

I would give this tour...

09-May-2024

I would give this tour group no stars if possible. The tour was not guaranteed but they did not inform me when I booked and they did not have enough people. Way after I booked they said I needed a doctors letter because I was over 70. Also way after booking I was informed I needed travel insurance. They knew my age when I booked. They would not refund my tour even though it was 4 months away. ...more ...less

Simla Patel (Google Reviewer)  

This company doesn’t deserve even...

26-Nov-2024

This company doesn’t deserve even 1 star. I would not recommend this company. There are hidden fees which means the cost of the holiday ends up being very expensive. We recently came back from our trip to China where it is not customary to tip in restaurants & hotel staff. Yet we had to make a payment upfront in cash to to the guide for more than £100. The hotel service was appalling. Just think £100 from each person. The trip was suppose to be a Tour yet we had to pay for all entrance fees. We complained about the poor condition of the hotels but no one responded to our emails to date. The after sales service is non existent. Do not use this company. Far far too expensive for what you get. Not competitive at all. They messed up our booking; repeatedly asked for the same information. We spent so much time correcting their errors. Very difficult to get hold of anyone because they all work in S Africa or New Zealand. Absolute nightmare ...more ...less

Sarah Paterson (Google Reviewer)  

Terrible tour of India. For...

27-Dec-2023

Terrible tour of India. For some reason On the Go hadn't realised that my room mate had booked her own room for the first night of tour. So the hotel in Delhi had tried to put me in her room after midnight, by wheeling in an extra bed. She went Crazy!! I then had to sit in hotel reception for hours. While the tour guide said he couldn't find me a room. Throughout the tour the guide consistently ask me and my room mate for money for my room, causing more friction between us. Don't book with this company had the worst experience ever. Go with Intrepid or G Adventure ...more ...less

brandy hoffman (Google Reviewer)  

I had used them once...

09-Aug-2023

I had used them once before and loved them. I decided to try them again for a Baltic tour not knowing that they put me on another Tour group- Baltic vision. Loved that tour but was not impressed they marked up the cost for me over 100%. I understand taking some for yourself because of paperwork, but over double the cost everyone else paid on the tour. Just double check before you book with them that you’re not over paying. ...more ...less

1 Select your preferred date

Monday - Wednesday

Mar 09, 2026 - Mar 11, 2026
$975 $731

Operator discount: -$244

Monday - Wednesday

Mar 16, 2026 - Mar 18, 2026
$975 $731

Operator discount: -$244

Monday - Wednesday

Mar 23, 2026 - Mar 25, 2026
$975 $731

Operator discount: -$244

Monday - Wednesday

Mar 30, 2026 - Apr 01, 2026
$975 $731

Operator discount: -$244

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

Orkney Express (Hotel) - 3 days

3 Days Starting and ending in Inverness, Scotland

Visiting: Inverness, Kirkwall

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

5-

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Small Group

Activities:

Sightseeing, Walking

From: $975 $731 Operator discount: -$244 -25%

NB: Prices correct on 07-Jan-2025 but subject to change.