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8-Day Explorer Tour of The Wild Atlantic Way

Highlights

  • Discover beautiful landscapes as you partake in some of the best hiking and biking in Ireland.
  • Escape the crowds at lesser visited sections of Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way.
  • Indulge in Irish hospitality, cuisine and culture. Visit Dingle, Cliffs of Moher and Aran Islands.
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What you'll do

Overview

During the 8 Day Explorer Tour, you will get a true sense of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Your experience of Ireland will not be through the bus window; you will witness her immense beauty as you traverse by foot or by bike along rugged coast lines and as you sail the waterways that flow beneath the peaks of the Kerry Mountains.

Available dates:

2-9 May, 2022
27 June-4 July, 2022
8-15 August 2022

The 8 Day Explorer Tour begins in Cork City. The tour travels north along the west coast of Ireland to the town of Westport in County Mayo. The tour calls to the top Wild Atlantic Way discovery points along the route. On each day of the adventure tour there is a hike or cycle in a stunning location.

Explore magical Ireland as you cycle along stunning coast lines in Cork, Kerry and Mayo. Travel through unimaginably rugged and beautiful landscapes. Discover the splendour of Connemara, its countless lakes and its beautiful coast line, from the top of one of its many hill tops.

Voyage by boat across the waves and visit some of Ireland’s unique islands, including the Island of Inis Mór where you will visit the Celtic fortress of Dun Aengus.

Experience this ancient land as you hike its paths and trails, including a breath-taking hike to the stunning Cliffs of Moher where you can watch the powerful waves of the Atlantic Ocean crash far below, the best of Ireland walking tour.

Relax and travel in comfort throughout this small group tour of Ireland.

Meet up & Blarney Castle

After meeting in Cork City, the first stop is to the world famous Blarney Castle, here you can explore and enjoy the Castle’s beautiful grounds and gardens.

If you choose to, you will have the opportunity to climb to the top of Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone, which is reputed to give the gift of Irish eloquence to anyone who kisses it.

The tour then travels into West Cork for lunch. The activity on day one is a hike on the magical Sheep’s Head Peninsula, which is a place of outstanding beauty. The hike is a perfect opener for the adventures ahead.

Accommodation

You’ll be staying in 3* & 4* accommodation, carefully selected by your host James to ensure you have the best place to rest your head and recuperate after each days travel.

The accommodation is a mixture of hotels and B&Bs offering authentic Irish hospitality. The standard for all accommodation includes private en-suite bedrooms with TV, WiFi and breakfast daily.

On the first night, the tour will stay in West Cork Hotel.

Beara Peninsula & Kenmare

On the second day the tour begins in the heart of West Cork. Today’s activity is a cycle on the quiet roads on the western tip of the Beara Peninsula. The roads here wind slowly along Ireland’s coastal edge, gently rising and falling to reveal awesome views around each corner.

Lunch is in the small fishing village of Castletownbere. After lunch, drive along a scenic route to Kenmare. Explore this heritage town and visit an ancient stone circle. Continue on what is one of the most spectacular drives in Ireland, through Moll’s Gap and Ladies’ View to Killarney.

Accommodation

On the second, night the tour stays in Killarney. The town is set on the edge of Killarney National Park, a perfect place for an evening or morning stroll with great eating options and excellent Irish Bars.

 

Killarney's National Park

Today is a real gem with minimal time spent in the tour bus. Firstly, there is a boat trip through the lakes of Killarney followed by a cycle through the Gap of Dunloe. On the boat trip there is magnificent wildlife to be seen. Watch out for native Red Deer and the recently reintroduced White-tailed Eagles. Coffee at Lord Brandon’s Cottage is followed by a 15-minute walk to the ‘Head of the Gap’.

Then it is pure joy on a cycle through a spectacularly formed glaciated valley. The cycle through the Gap of Dunloe will certainly be one you’ll remember. The final section of the cycle is through the wonderful woodlands of Killarney National Park.

Accommodation

On the third night, the tour again stays in Killarney.

 

Muckross House & Dingle

On the morning of day four the the tour begins with a cycle around Muckross House and Gardens. This is by far the best way to explore the area, during the cycle you will visit Muckross Abbey, Muckross House and Cycle around the lakes of Killarney.

In the afternoon, the tour travels west from Killarney to the salty fresh-air playground of Inch Beach. If you fancy the surf, then you can take a life affirming plunge in the Ocean. The tour then continues with the breathtakingly beautiful drive around the wild and beautiful Slea Head.

Accommodation

The tour stays in Dingle on the fourth night. Dingle was once a quiet fishing village, today it is a vibrant town with much to offer, boasting excellent restaurants and lively bars with live traditional music.

Cliffs of Moher

In the morning, travel north and cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry into County Clare. Hike along an awe-inspiring path perched high above the sea. On the hike there are fantastic views out to sea towards the Aran Islands. This is a lesser travelled path to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher.

After a visit to the Cliffs of Moher interpretive Centre, the tour travels the short distance to Doolin for lunch. We then visit the Burren, a spectacular lunar-like karst limestone landscape and a World Heritage Site.

Accommodation

The tour stays in the County Clare Hotel on the fifth night.

Inis Mór & Connemara

From Doolin, take a boat across the waves to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. On Inis Mór, we slow down to the pace of island life. Travel on quiet country roads, passing field after field enclosed by dry stone walls, creating a masterful tapestry for the eyes to feast on.

Visit the fabulous Iron Age ring fort of Dun Aengus, perched on the edge of a 300-foot high cliff. From Dun Aengus, hike along the Atlantic’s edge through fields, rocky beaches, and green roads. After a day exploring Inis Mór, return via boat to Connemara in County Galway. Here you’ll travel slowly through scenic Connemara, a place of fantastic colours, wilderness, and warm welcomes.

Accommodation

On the sixth night the tour stays in a Connemara hotel.

Connemara

Explore the magic of Connemara, beginning with a hike in Connemara National Park. This is an excellent hike to the top of Diamond Hill, from the summit of which are breathtakingly beautiful views of the landscape below. The landscape is a mixture of blanket bogs, countless lakes, and sandy beaches. After lunch, visit Kylemore Abbey & the Victorian Walled Garden.

In the early evening, drive along the spectacular Killary Fjord before you enter County Mayo. Travel along the banks of Doo Lough where you’ll take a breather and perhaps remember the unfortunate famine victims who walked the same route over 170 years before. From Doo Lough, continue north to meet Clew Bay.

Accommodation

You’ll stay at a hotel or B&B in Westport.

Newport

The adventure continues on the final day of the tour. In the morning, the tour travels the short distance from Westport to Newport. In Newport, the tour again takes to the bikes for a cycle along Ireland’s original Greenway cycle path. The route travels from Newport out past Mulranny to Achill island. This is a fantastic cycle and a great activity to complete the adventure tour.

After the cycle, there is lunch in a local Newport Café before the tour begins its journey to Dublin where the tour finishes.

What's included

Included

  • 7 nights bed and breakfast accommodation
  • 5 guided hikes and 3 guided cycles
  • Transport for the duration of the tour and entrance to all sites
  • The full attention of your knowledgeable and experienced guide
  • Bike and helmet
Your local host

James

I was born and raised in Ireland, studied in Ireland and have spent most of my life here. I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 17 years before I started up my own company but spent all my spare time hiking the hills of Ireland and cycling the coast lines. Even though I’ve travelled to many places, I still would encourage people to explore what’s on their back door. All the places you visit, you will find something amazing, every place will give you a new experience, but personally my heart truly lies in Ireland.

I was born and raised in Ireland, studied in Ireland and have spent most of my life here. I worked in the pharmaceutical industry for 17 years before I started up my own company but spent all my spare time hiking the hills of Ireland and cycling the coast lines. Even though I’ve travelled to many places, I still would encourage people to explore what’s on their back door. All the places you visit, you will find something amazing, every place will give you a new experience, but personally my heart truly lies in Ireland.

James image

Location

This tour will depart from Cork City and, over eight days, you’ll travel across the country to Dublin.

Your meeting point will be at Saint Patrick’s Quay in Central Cork City at 8am, where you will meet James and the rest of the group. Load your bags in the minibus and off you go!

On day 8, your final day, the tour will return to Dublin in the evening. Accommodation is not included on this night.

What our travellers are saying...

Hiking and biking through Ireland was indeed the best way to see the Emerald Island! The itinerary gave us the opportunity to see the towns, eat delicious food and hear traditional music in the evenings. Our Irish born tour guide James was excellent. His wealth of historical knowledge and love for storytelling was enduring. I'm so glad we made the decision to see the Wild Atlantic Way with him. I high recommend it!

Kaile

I would highly recommend this 8 day tour for a once in a lifetime adventure. This is a small group (maximum 12) tour that traverses the western coast hassle-free with included transportation between many of the country’s must-see attractions. I loved how James took us off the beaten path to visit breathtakingly beautiful sites. Delicious breakfasts were included and lodging is only at top-rated hotels. The trip is definitely for outdoor lovers

Lisa

FAQs

When does this tour start?

This tour runs on selected dates in June, July and August.

Who is it suitable for?

Those who love the outdoors and have a reasonable level of fitness. A typical activity is a 3-hour hike on uneven ground or 3-hour cycle on country roads.

I'm a solo traveller - can I join?

Absolutely, this tour is a small group tour which means you will be join an existing group of other solo travellers or friends/partners travelling together. All solo travellers will have there own private room. This is suitable for ages 16 and up.

What should I bring?

- Walking boots & comfortable trainers
- Comfortable and breathable outdoor clothing, including shorts, swimwear, trekking trousers, fleece and hat
- Gaiters & walking poles (optional but recommended)
- Cycling shorts
- Good quality waterproof jacket and trousers (preferably breathable)
- Day-pack/rucksack & water bottle
- Sunscreen and insect repellent

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