 An upmarket, guided walking tour (easy grade) of the best parts of south-west Ireland. You stay in a wonderful selection of manor houses, hotels and guesthouses in villages throughout Kerry.
The southwest of Ireland , washed by the Gulf Stream, has a mild climate - natives call it sub-tropical. This is reflected in the rich vegetation, particularly the wild flowers and hedgerows, which contrasts with the rugged, craggy coastline and inland mountains and lakes. This tour gives an opportunity to explore the spectacular landscape (including its history and archaeology) of two fingers projecting into the Atlantic Ocean - the Dingle and Iveragh Peninsulas in Kerry, using legs of the waymarked long-distance walking routes, The Dingle Way and The Kerry Way.
What Your Guided Walk Includes:
- 7 nights accommodation, with private bathroom
- 7 full hot cooked Irish breakfasts
- 6 packed lunches
- 7 four course gourmet dinners
- Expert local guide
- Notes and maps
- Luggage transfer
- Boat trip to UNESCO world heritage site of the Skelligs (Day 5)
- Jaunting Car trip from Muckross House to Killarney (Day 6)
- Boat trip through the Lakes of Killarney (Day 7)
- Go Ireland transfer from/to to Kerry and Shannon Airports for a small supplement (Please see details below)
Tour Highlights:
- The Dingle Peninsula boasts the highest concentration of archaeological sites in Ireland.
- Spectacular coastal walks along Dingle Bay
- The fishing village of Dingle with its 50 pubs, craft shops, restaurants and Fungi the Dolphin.
- Boat trip to UNESCO World Heritage site, Great Skellig Island (habited 8th century by Irish monks). Pass the world's largest Gannet colony on Little Skellig island.
- Pass the worlds largest Gannet colony on Little Skellig island.
- Killarney National Park - Muckross Friary (15th century), Muckross House (19th century) and Gardens, habitat of the native Irish Red Deer.
- Boat trip through the Lakes of Killarney
- Irish music, song and dance
Day 1 Arrival in Dingle
Dingle is a harbour town, once fortified and seeped in history. Ryan's Daughter was filmed in the area 30 years ago. The town also is the gateway to the Gaeltacht, where Gaelic (Irish) is the first language. Overnight in Dingle (3 nights)
Options for afternoon: - Boat trip in Dingle Harbour to see Fungi, the friendly dolphin.
Harbour walk to Hussey's Folly; Visit to Ocean World marine centre; Stroll through historic Dingle and visit the numerous craft shops, pubs and restaurants.
Day 2 - The Dingle Way
Distance: 9.6km/6 miles Ascent: 200m/600 ft
Gaeltacht walk from Ventry Harbour (site of an ancient battle which folklore says lasted a year and a day), along the slopes of Mount Eagle to dramatic Slea Head and Dunquin ("the nearest parish to America"). Detour to visit Dunbeg pre-historic fort and other archaeological sites. Visit local pottery. Coach trip back to Dingle can include visits to early Christian sites - Reask and Gallarus (11th Century approximately).
Day 3 - Mount Brandon Area
Distance: 4.8-11km/3-7 miles Ascent: 270m/825 ft
Coach trip through scenic Connor Pass. Return to Dingle by old walking path over the Brandon Range through Mullaghaveal. This may have been used as the route to the workhouse in famine times.
 Day 4 - Transfer/Beach Walk
Distance: optional Ascent: none
Coach transfer along northern and southern shores of Dingle Bay and continuing on the renowned coaching route, the Ring of Kerry to Sneem. Mid-day break and walk on Rossbeigh Beach. Overnight in Portmagee (2 nights).
Day 5 - Great Skellig Island
Distance: 1.6km/1miles (steep) Ascent: 180m/600ft
We take a boat trip to a World Heritage Site, the monastic island of Sceilg MhichÃl, (Great Skellig Island), habited in 8th century by Irish monks. We pass the worlds largest Gannet colony on Little Skellig island. Overnight Portmagee.
Alternative: If weather conditions are unsuitable we will walk on Valentia Island.
Day 6 - Killarney National Park (Half Day)
Morning - Transfer to Killarney. Visit the ruins of Muckross Friary and Muckross House and gardens. Discover the unique flora and fauna of the parkland; perhaps see some of the last remaining Irish Red Deer. Lunch in the Muckross House Tea rooms. Transfer into Killarney via jaunting car.
Afternoon - free for shopping and general sightseeing in Killarney.
Evening - Enjoy some traditional Irish music in Killarney. Overnight in Killarney.
Day 7 - Boat Trip through the Three Lakes of Killarney
Distance: 11km/6.5 miles Ascent: 200m/640ft
The boat trip is by the traditional 12 passenger open wooden boats, and takes approximately 2 hours. This is followed by a 6 mile walk through the dramatically ice carved gorge of the Gap of Dunloe . Finish the
day with an Irish Coffee in Kate Kearney's Cottage.
Other non-walking options: Travel by boat and return the same way to Killarney.
Time to visit Ross Castle (15th Century, recently restored), shopping in Killarney. After the boat trip get a jarvey car and ride through the Gap of Dunloe.
Farewell Dinner. Overnight in Killarney.
Day 8 - Departure
General information on Go Ireland airport transfers
- Prices are per person and based on a minimum of 2 people per transfer.
- All transfers must be confirmed at the time of booking with flight numbers and times for arrival and departure. Otherwise we will assume you are making your own way to the first nights accommodation.
- Private taxis can also be arranged, at the clients own expense, should the Go Ireland transfer timetable or public transport not suit.
- Please note that refunds are not provided for any unused portions of the transfer
DUBLIN AIRPORT
Clients can fly into Dublin and can either get a train from Dublin Heuston Train Station in the city centre to Killarney or Tralee (see http://www.irishrail.ie/) or they can fly with http://www.ryanair.com/ from Dublin to Kerry airport three times a day.
KERRY AIRPORT (CLOSEST AIRPORT)
http://www.ryanair.com/ fly everyday from Dublin, London Stansted, Luton and Frankfurt Hahn to Kerry.
Public transport
There is a great public bus system from Kerry airport to Killarney and Tralee with up to 10 buses a day. See http://www.buseireann.ie/ for details.
Go Ireland transfers from Kerry airport
All Go Ireland transfers from/to Kerry airport to Killarney, Tralee, Camp and Glenbeigh will operate between 08.00 and 18.00 on Saturdays.
Kerry airport transfers run throughout the year.
Kerry airport to Killarney 15 One Way
Kerry airport to Dingle 50
SHANNON AIRPORT
Public transport
There is a frequent shuttle bus from Shannon airport to Limerick. You can then get a direct bus from Limerick to either Killarney or Tralee. See http://www.buseireann.ie/ for details. We recommend that you arrive in Shannon in the morning to make the connections.
Go Ireland transfers from Shannon
All transfers from Shannon airport to Kerry will depart at 12.00 on Saturdays and arrive back at Shannon at 11.00 on Saturdays.
Shannon transfers run from 24 April to 9 October 2010.
Shannon airport to Killarney 50 One way
Shannon airport to Dingle 70
Individual taxis can be arranged as follows: Single
Kerry Airport to Dingle €100
Kerry Airport to Killarney €35
Shannon Airport to Dingle €210
Shannon Airport to Killarney €180
Cork Airport to Dingle €180
Cork Airport to Killarney €160
Group Tour Dates:
- June 12
- July 17
- August 21
- September 11
See Terms and Conditions and Price List
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