Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

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$1565

$1096

Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

5 Days Starting in Edinburgh, Scotland and ending in Fort William, Scotland

Visiting: Edinburgh, Ullapool, Isle of Skye

Tour operator:

On The Go Tours

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

2 - 16

Physical rating:

Medium

Age range:

5-

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Sightseeing

From: $1565 $1096 Operator discount: -$470 -30%

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

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

Tour Overview

Embark on a captivating 5-day journey through the Scottish Highlands, starting from Edinburgh and culminating in Fort William. This small group tour offers an intimate exploration of Scotland's breathtaking landscapes and rich history. Discover the mythical Loch Ness, wander through the charming village of Ullapool, and marvel at the palm trees of Plockton. Experience the rugged beauty of the Isle of Skye, with opportunities for hiking and sightseeing. Visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle and learn about the tragic history of Glencoe. Travel in comfort aboard a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, guided by a knowledgeable local driver. Enjoy four nights in simple guesthouses and savor daily breakfasts. This tour promises an unforgettable adventure through Scotland's most picturesque and storied regions.

Highlights

  • Loch Ness - Hunt for 'Nessie', the mythical beast believed to dwell in the dark waters of Scotland's most famous loch

  • Ullapool - Stay in this pretty whitewashed fishing village, on the shore of Loch Broom

  • Plockton - Spend some free time exploring this 'tropical' village, famous for its loch-side palm trees

  • Isle of Skye - Take in the highlights of this beautiful island, with plenty of hiking and sightseeing to enjoy

  • Eilean Donan Castle - Admire this historic 13th Century castle, located on an island where three lochs meet

  • Glencoe - Soak up the stunning mountain views and learn about the tragic and famous massacre that took place here in 1692

Places You'll See

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Edinburgh

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Location: Edinburgh

Accommodation Name: Foinaven, Ullaviews, The Sheiling Guest House or similar

Edinburgh - Dunkeld - Cairngorms National Park - Loch Ness - Ullapool. Setting off from Edinburgh this morning, our first stop is in the charming highland village of Dunkeld. We then pass through the ancient pine forests of the Cairngorms National Park to Loch Ness. Scotland's most famous loch is allegedly home to a fearsome monster. Keep your eyes peeled as we have some free time to look for Nessie!





We then complete our drive to Ullapool, a pretty whitewashed fishing village on the edge of Loch Broom.





Please note: Check-in closes at 08:45 on day 1 (tour departs at 09:00) - Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, inside Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.





Accommodation: Foinaven, Ullaviews, The Sheiling Guest House or similar

Day 2: Ullapool

Location: Ullapool

Accommodation Name: Foinaven, Ullaviews, The Sheiling Guest House or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

On today's day trip from Ullapool, we take in some of the north-west Scottish Highlands. Admire views of the mountains of Assynt and visit the 15th century ruins of Ardvreck Castle, which was once home to a powerful clan, the MacLeods of Assynt. We also see the picturesque white beach at Achmelvich Bay and the traditional fishing settlement of Lochinver, before returning to Ullapool for the evening.





Accommodation: Foinaven, Ullaviews, The Sheiling Guest House or similar

Day 3: Skye

Location: Isle of Skye

Accommodation Name: Caledonian, Duirinish, Dunborrodale or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ullapool - Applecross - Plockton - Skye. Leaving Ullapool behind, our first stop today is the Corrieshalloch Gorge, where we can see the River Droma plunge 60 metres over a precipice. We then drive past the mountains of the Beinn Eighe nature reserve and skirt around Loch Torridon. We stop for lunch in Applecross before taking one of Scotland's most scenic drives, Bealach na B, a twisting single track road.





We also make a stop in 'tropical' Plockton, where the palm trees rising on the edge of Loch Carron look slightly out of place. After a short visit, we make our way to the coast and board the ferry to the Isle of Skye. We're staying in the harbour town of Portree.





Accommodation: Caledonian, Duirinish, Dunborrodale or similar

Day 4: Skye

Location: Isle of Skye

Accommodation Name: Caledonian, Duirinish, Dunborrodale or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we will be exploring the remote Isle of Skye, but there is no fixed itinerary for the day. The weather can be unpredictable, so your guide will choose the best highlights to show you in accordance with the conditions and any events that may be happening on the island during your visit. We are likely to be hiking, in order to enjoy the dramatic scenery of the island. Options include The Quiraing hill walk and the Old Man of Storr Walk, probably the most famous trail on the island. We can also see the Neist Point Lighthouse. Spend the day taking photos, sampling the view and enjoying everything this pristine environment has to offer. In the late afternoon, we return to our accommodation.





Accommodation: Caledonian, Duirinish, Dunborrodale or similar

Day 5: Fort William

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Location: Edinburgh

Meals Included: Breakfast

Skye - Eilean Donan Castle - Fort William - Glencoe - Edinburgh. Leaving Skye, we travel by land to Eilean Donan Castle, a 13th century fortress, located on an island. We then journey south through Glen Garry and past Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. There's a stop for lunch in Fort William and we visit Glencoe in the afternoon. This picturesque area hides a turbulent history, as it was the location of the 1692 Glencoe Massacre. Around 30 members of Clan MacDonald of Glencoe were slaughtered here for failing to pledge allegiance to King William III and Mary II. After our visit of Glencoe, we return to Edinburgh, where our tour ends.





Please note: This tour ends at 19:00 - Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Simple guesthouses

  • 4 breakfasts

  • 4 nights simple guesthouse

  • Escorted by a local driver-guide

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

  • All necessary ferry journeys between Scottish Islands and the mainland

  • All road tolls

  • 20kg 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

Age Policy

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

Mode of Transport

Travel in comfort with a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach equipped with air-conditioning, ensuring a smooth journey through the Scottish Highlands. All necessary ferry journeys between the Scottish Islands and the mainland are included, along with road tolls.

Accommodation

Enjoy 4 nights in simple guesthouses, such as Foinaven, Ullaviews, The Sheiling Guest House, Caledonian, Duirinish, or Dunborrodale, offering a cozy and comfortable stay amidst the stunning landscapes of the Scottish Highlands.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of transportation is used during the tour?

    The tour uses a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach with air-conditioning for transportation.

  • Is there a guide accompanying the tour?

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

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    The tour includes 4 nights in simple guesthouses.

  • Are ferry journeys included in the tour?

    Yes, all necessary ferry journeys between the Scottish Islands and the mainland are included.

  • What is the luggage allowance for the tour?

    The tour allows for 20kg of luggage per person.

  • Is the tour suitable for children?

    Yes, the tour is suitable for children aged 5 and above, with a child discount available for those aged 5-15 sharing with two adults.

  • What happens if the weather is bad on the Isle of Skye?

    The itinerary on the Isle of Skye is flexible and the guide will choose the best highlights to show based on the weather conditions and any events happening on the island.

  • 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 from travellers on this tour

Robert Caniglia  

Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

03-Oct-2024

We had a fantastic tour. Graeme was so knowledgeable and accommodating. His stories made the tour outstanding. It helped that we were with a great group of people who were so polite and respectful. Personal thoughts: - Would have liked some time to explore Ullapool and Portree. - Next time we'll request ground floor rooms. We were on a European holiday so had suitcases. Carrying these up stairs was very tricky for these two slightly senior citizens. 😋 - Finding somewhere to eat on Sunday night in Portree proved impossible. Found the supermarket, though.

Martine Byrd  

Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

03-Oct-2024

An excellent tour and a remarkable driver/guide. I know the Highlands quite well but we went to many interesting and scenic locations of which I had no knowledge. Our driver, Graeme (I'm sorry I don't know his surname), not only drove exceptionally well, but also delivered entertaining 'mini lectures' on what next we were about to see. Graeme was great. He also offered advice and guidance during the tour, for instance on where to stand to take the best photographs and where best we might eat in the evenings. The standard of B&B accommodation throughout the tour varied slightly: from very good to superb, so no complaints there, either! At our first stop, in Ullapool (one of my favourite towns), our B&B room, the view of Loch Broom and our breakfast were all particularly exceptional. Congratulations to hosts Maureen and Michael at Sheiling. The pick-up and drop off point at Edinburgh bus station was easy to find and convenient to get to. The coach we travelled in was relatively comfortable (I could have done with an on-board loo) and each morning arrived spotlessly clean. All in all, we thoroughly enjoyed our tour and would recommend it to anyone. PS: the weather during our trip was surprisingly good; the midges not too bothersome.

Christine Eskandary  

Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

05-Oct-2024

Excellent! Very enjoyable indeed. The guide was knowledgeable and fun, something everyone on the tour would agree. A bold statement but nonetheless true, I believe. Thank goodness my trip was delayed for a week, because the weather was perfect; sunshine and blue skies. The accommodation booked through the tour was very good, in particular the B&B., where the breakfast was especially delicious. Thank you.

Cyril Duggan  

Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

08-Oct-2024

The tour of the Scottish Highlands was all that we hoped for. Duncan, our guide was knowledgeable in the history and geography of the region. He also had just the right blend of information, music and humour (we had to be on our toes to sort out the tall tales). He is proud of the company he works for because of their total support of their guides. The coach was in excellent condition, cleaned daily and was the perfect size at 16 seats to afford attention to each of the guests. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend the tour to anyone.

Stuart Green  

Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

02-Jul-2024

Keith was a wonderfull driver and a knowledgeable guide, especially regarding geology and history. He adapted our itinerary to fit time and weather. Would have liked to stay longer at Talisker distillery, but other tour members weren’t so keen on remaining. So it goes with any tour. I would certainly recommend Rabbies and Keith and be tempted to take another tour should I return to Scotland.

Ariana Turchi-williams  

Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

28-Sep-2024

Undertook 2 tours.Firstly around northern Ireland with TY our guide ..Gabriel..excellent. Seco day we toured the scottish highlands with tour guide ..Bruce..again excellent. Both guides couldn't have done anything else for us. Smaller numbers on the tours made the experiences personal. We thoroughly enjoyed our selves.. will recommend.

Christa Lyons  

Scottish Highlands From Edinburgh - 5 days

12-Oct-2024

I really enjoyed the tour My tour guide was great He shared his vast knowledge well — loved the anecdotes The places we stayed at were clean and warm and the hosts friendly My one suggestion would be that it would have been good for us all to be in the same accommodation —

Read all 7 reviews

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Tuesday - Saturday

Apr 01, 2025 - Apr 05, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Thursday - Monday

Apr 03, 2025 - Apr 07, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Saturday - Wednesday

Apr 05, 2025 - Apr 09, 2025
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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

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Operator discount: -$470

Thursday - Monday

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Operator discount: -$470

Saturday - Wednesday

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Operator discount: -$470

Tuesday - Saturday

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Operator discount: -$470

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Saturday - Wednesday

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Operator discount: -$470

Tuesday - Saturday

Jun 03, 2025 - Jun 07, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

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Jun 05, 2025 - Jun 09, 2025
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Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

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Operator discount: -$491

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Operator discount: -$491

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Operator discount: -$491

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Operator discount: -$491

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Operator discount: -$491

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Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Jun 21, 2025 - Jun 25, 2025
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Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Jun 24, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025
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Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Jun 26, 2025 - Jun 30, 2025
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Operator discount: -$491

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Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Jul 01, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Jul 03, 2025 - Jul 07, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 09, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Jul 08, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Jul 10, 2025 - Jul 14, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 16, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Jul 15, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Jul 17, 2025 - Jul 21, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 23, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Jul 22, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Jul 24, 2025 - Jul 28, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Jul 26, 2025 - Jul 30, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Jul 29, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Jul 31, 2025 - Aug 04, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Aug 02, 2025 - Aug 06, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Aug 05, 2025 - Aug 09, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Aug 07, 2025 - Aug 11, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 13, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Aug 12, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Aug 14, 2025 - Aug 18, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 20, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Aug 19, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Aug 21, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 27, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Aug 26, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Aug 28, 2025 - Sep 01, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Aug 30, 2025 - Sep 03, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Sep 02, 2025 - Sep 06, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Sep 04, 2025 - Sep 08, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 10, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Sep 09, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Sep 11, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 17, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Sep 16, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Sep 18, 2025 - Sep 22, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 24, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Sep 23, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Sep 25, 2025 - Sep 29, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Saturday - Wednesday

Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 01, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Tuesday - Saturday

Sep 30, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025
$1635 $1145

Operator discount: -$491

Thursday - Monday

Oct 02, 2025 - Oct 06, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Saturday - Wednesday

Oct 04, 2025 - Oct 08, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Tuesday - Saturday

Oct 07, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Thursday - Monday

Oct 09, 2025 - Oct 13, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Saturday - Wednesday

Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 15, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Tuesday - Saturday

Oct 14, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Thursday - Monday

Oct 16, 2025 - Oct 20, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Saturday - Wednesday

Oct 18, 2025 - Oct 22, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Tuesday - Saturday

Oct 21, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Thursday - Monday

Oct 23, 2025 - Oct 27, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Saturday - Wednesday

Oct 25, 2025 - Oct 29, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Tuesday - Saturday

Oct 28, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Thursday - Monday

Oct 30, 2025 - Nov 03, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

Saturday - Wednesday

Nov 01, 2025 - Nov 05, 2025
$1565 $1096

Operator discount: -$470

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.