vagabond 6 day to the edge of the world tour
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"The Real Ireland"
A fantastic six day introduction to Ireland, covering an area that typifies Ireland’s best scenery and an area once thought to be the edge of the world.
Tour description and map Highlights Clockwise itinerary Booking Information and prices
Table of contents
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Revel at some of Europe’s very best scenery, including: o Ireland’s highest mountain range The Macgillycuddy Reeks o The Green fields and stone walls of Dingle o Ireland’s wild and rugged Atlantic coastline o The Caha Mountains of the Beara Peninsula o The green inland scenery of areas such as the Golden Vale in Tipperary Enjoy some of Ireland’s most popular and worthwhile tourist destinations: o Blarney Castle to kiss the magical Blarney Stone o Killarney National Park Enjoy some fantastic activity options o Walking and hiking through some of Ireland’s best scenery o Horse riding on the Dingle Peninsula o Sea-kayaking in Dingle o Try your hand at surfing an Atlantic Wave o Learn the ancient arts of Gaelic football or hurling
About the tour
Highlights:
The tour concentrates on the South West of Ireland, mainly counties Cork and Kerry and the three diversely beautiful peninsulas’ of Beara, Iveragh (better known as ‘The Ring of Kerry’) and Dingle. The tour now spends two nights in the buzzing little fishing town of Dingle to give you more time to partake in activities, get to know the area and the locals, to explore the shops, pubs, galleries and restaurants that abound there – or simply to chill out and catch your breath.As usual the trip is Vagabond's unique mixture of outdoor activity, great scenery, relaxing pubs and loads of laughs. If you don’t have a fantastic time, we’ll eat the spare tyre!
Wonder at some of Ireland’s historical treasures and experience the rich historical past of the region, from Stone Age man to the modern age. o Visit The Rock of Cashel o Optional trip to the Skellig islands, one of Ireland’s UNESCO World Heritage sites o Optional cruise around the Skellig Islands with stunning views. o Ancient Neolithic Stone circles, Celtic ring forts, castles, monastic sites and built tombs Explore three of Ireland’s most diverse south western Peninsulas and the West coast: o The majestic Iveragh peninsula (better known as the Ring of Kerry) o The rugged Beara Peninsula (also known as the ‘undiscovered peninsula’) o The rolling hills of the Dingle Peninsula Take some free time to explore local communities and meet the Irish people in locations such as: o The galleries and pubs (about 54 in total!) in Dingle town (pop. about 2500) o The shops and boutiques of picturesque Kenmare Some fun little side trips: o Visit a working sheep farm for a demonstration of working dogs and also sheep shearing o Take a boat trip to try spot Dingle’s most Friendly occupant - Fungie the Dolphin in Dingle Bay And at night: o Live music and excellent food in some of Ireland’s best pubs and restaurants.o Overnight in quality, locally owned guesthouse and small hotel accommodation in small, friendly local communities.
Highlights (continued)
6 day tour- sample itinerary
Please note that this itinerary is a framework for the tour. The overnights are pretty much set in stone and then we base each tour on the items in the list below. Your guide will discuss the options with you throughout the tour and make a plan from there. This gives us flexibility to adapt each tour to suit you and fit in with the weather conditions. This of course means that some things may not be included in your tour, but if there is something that you particularly want to do or see on your tour, mention it to your guide and he or she will see if it can be included. Please also note that this tour runs in both directions. Both are exactly the same but if you have other travel plans or you plan to meet up with anyone along the way, please do check with Vagabond at the time of booking.
Day one
Dublin to Gougane Barra
We’re off! Meet at Grand Canal Hotel 08.10am in Dublin and head for the south west of Ireland Pass through the Curragh Racecourse – Braveheart film set The Magnificent Rock of Cashel Pass through Cork, Ireland's second city Kiss the World Famous Blarney Stone Follow the Lee Valley to the source of the River Lee Walk in the forest park or along the Beara Way in Gougane Barra o Duration: up to 90 mins o Terrain: Path uphill from valley floor. Return same way. Views of lake, valley and hotel Overnight in the stunning Gougane Barra Hotel or the Castle Hotel, Macroom (Average driving time for day 3hrs 30mins – 4hrs)
An action packed day as we journey down to the Atlantic coastline before heading out on to the ‘undiscovered’ Beara Peninsula. It is an amazing coastline, wild and rugged and extremely scenic. And while we are there we have to option of some great walks, castles and lunch in one of Ireland’s most famous pubs, before heading for Kenmare for some dinner and excellent music Meet Atlantic Coastline at Bantry Bay Seal Spotting in Glengarriff - 15 minute walk along the shoreline Head out onto Beara Peninsula, the undiscovered Peninsula Hike the Bullig Bay Coastal walk past the castles at Dunboy o Duration: 90 mins o Terrain: Path and paved road. Some uphill. Great coastal scenery Great views of the Caha Mountains and Sheepshead Peninsula Lunch at McCarthy's Bar in Castletownbere Shortcut via old copper mines and over Mountain pass Explore Beara’s stunning coastline, views across to Iveragh Peninsula Visit the ancient Uragh Stone circle Overnight in the Coachman’s Townhouse Hotel, The Lansdowne Arms Hotel or the Brass Lantern Guesthouse, Kenmare( Average driving time for day 2hrs 30mins – 3hrs)
gougane barra to Kenmare
Day two
kenmare to portmagee
Day three
After a relaxing start in Kenmare, one of the most picturesque towns in Ireland, we are off to join the world famous ‘Ring of Kerry’! We only have an hours driving all day, so there is loads of time to spend on walks, on the beach, visiting a working sheep farm or maybe a Celtic ring fort. And we then spend the night right out on the Ring of Kerry in one of our favourite locations, the remote fishing (and once upon a time smuggling!) village of Portmagee. Depart Kenmare after a free morning in the town Walk the ‘Old Kenmare Road’ through the ancient oak forest of the Killarney National Park. o Duration: 60 mins o Terrain: Path, uneven in places. Uphill to start, return same way. Watch out for Sika Deer and the thickest moss you will ever see. Join Ring of Kerry scenic route on the Iveragh Peninsula Adopt a Sheep - visit a family run Kissane sheep farm and witnesse first hand sheep shearing & sheep dog handling. It’s also a great opportunity to learn about farming life in Ireland (Included in tour price) o Non-sheep farm option: shopping stop at Avoca handweavers. Guiding Cycling Tour of the Killarney National Park (€30) o Duration: 2 – 2.5 Hours o Terrain: Path and paved road, mainly even but a level of fitness is advised Non cycling options: · Walk with your guide above Torc Waterfall · Explore the magnificent ruins of Muckross Abbey · Visit Muckross House (entrance fee €7) and gardens and grounds (free) · Free time in Killarney town Visit one of the many celtic ring forts found on the Iveragh Peninsula, including: Staigue Fort or Loher Fort Detour down to Derrynane Beach for a game of Gaelic Football or Hurling. And tide permitting you can walk across to the ruined church and graveyard on ‘Abbey Island’ Overnight in the picturesque fishing village of Portmagee(Average driving time for day 2hrs 30mins)
Day four
It’s the Dingle Bay day, as we follow the northern half of the Ring of Kerry around the Iveragh Peninsula and then we join up with the Dingle Peninsula. Not forgetting the option of a cruise around the incredible Skellig Islands, which are truly breath taking though not for the faint hearted! For more details on these amazing islands, you can look here: http://www.skelligsrock.com/ Skellig Cruise Please note that the cruise around the Skellig Islands is very weather dependent and also seasonal (open between mid-May and September) so we outlined below a daily itinerary for days when we can or can’t cruise around the islands. The cruise costs €35 and takes about 3 hours. You depart Portmagee at 10.30am and cruise out to and around Little Skellig and Skellig Michael with views up to the ancient monastery. A commentary of the islands, their amazing birdlife and fascinating history is given during the cruise before returning at approx. 1pm. For those not wishing to visit the Skellig Islands or if the trip is not available, the options include: · Visit the Skellig Chocolate Factory for a free tasting! · Walk to Bray Head on Valentia Island (60 minute walk) · Visit the Skellig Experience Centre for a taste of life out on the Skellig Islands (entrance fee applies) · Explore Valentia Island with your guide And either way, we then head for Dingle… Off-road adventure to the top of a mountain overlooking Dingle Bay Pass through Killorglin (home of the Goat Fair) and Castlemaine (home of the Wild Colonial Boy) Drive along Inch Strand – one of Ireland most impressive beaches Walk to waterfalls above Lough Annascaul o Duration: 60-90 mins o Terrain: Path, broken in places. Boots advised. Lunch or a drink in Tom Crean's ‘South Pole Inn’ Overnight in Dingle Town – a town of 2000 people and 54 pubs(Average driving time for day 2hrs 30mins)
Portmagee to dingle
dingle day
Day five
A great day spent enjoying Dingle town and the Peninsula, you can do as much or little as you like on day five as we spend two nights here in the town. At some stage while we are in Dingle we normally take the group out on a tour of the Peninsula, to the most westerly point in Ireland that you can drive to and a selection of the stops we see along the way are below. Plus we can also organise other options for you if you would like something more active, or relaxing. The Dingle Peninsula Tour out to Slea Head: Head out along the Slea Head Drive past Ventry beach Stop at an ancient Beehive Huts – once the dwellings of 5th Century Monks Scenic stop at Europe's most westerly point with views over the Blasket Islands Walk down to Coumeenoule Beach (Film set of Ryan’s Daughter) Photo stop at Smerwick Head – views of back up the Dingle Peninsula and of Mount Brandon Visit Louis Mulcahy Pottery or a local crystal cutter and see some of Ireland most skillful craftsmen at work. Optional Activities on day five: · Boat trip to see Fungie the Dolphin (Price: E20 per person) · Sea kayaking in Dingle bay (€45 pp for a three hour session) · Go horse riding on Ventry Strand (Price: E35 per person) · Surf an Atlantic Wave on Inch Strand or in Castlegregory (Price: E35 per person) · Go for a walk along the Dingle Way from the centre of Dingle town up into the Hills Chill Out in Dingle Town - Explore the picturesque town of Dingle, with its brightly coloured streets, numerous shops, excellent galleries, numerous local craftspeople, restaurants and of course pubs Dingle Brewing Company - visit one of Ireland’s leading craft breweries (Price: €7 including a pint of beer). Golf – Play a round on The Dingle Golf Links (fee’s would apply and you there may be a transfer fee one way by taxi if the guide and vehicle are busy with other group members) Galleries and shops – there are several excellent galleries and numerous local artisan craftsmen and women Walks from town - Go for a self-guided walk along the dingle way from the centre of town up into the hills or along the coast Overnight in Dingle Town(Average driving time for day 1hr 15mins – 1hr 45mins)
On day six we leave Dingle and the mountains of the south west behind and start travelling North. The 7 and 8 day tour carries on and crosses the River Shannon into County Clare, while the 6 day tour boards a train in Tralee (all booked and included in the fare, with seats reserved), but before you go, we still have plenty to do in the morning Take Conor Pass, Ireland's highest road Walk and view over Dingle Bay Possible lunch stop in Tralee, home of the Rose of Tralee beauty pageant. Board train in Tralee and travel back to Dublin for 5.30-6pm arrival, for tearful farewell hugs. (Please note that on certain departures the journey between Dublin and Tralee, which is not particularly interesting, has been replaced with a train journey which is quicker and more comfortable. This is included in the price and organised for you and allows the groups to spend more time in the really scenic parts of Ireland. If you would like further details please do not hesitate to contact Vagabond. If the tour is running in the opposite direction, then the train journey is at the start of the tour. By using the trains it allows us to offer you a much wider range of tour departures).
pricing & whats included
dingle to dublin
Whats Included:
Whats not included:
• Off the beaten track adventure in a Vagabond 4X4 tour vehicle. • Services of highly trained professional Vagabond tour guide • 6 FULL days on tour • 5 nights’ accommodation • 5 Full Irish breakfasts • Most daily activities and visits • Entrance fees to Blarney Castle,Rock of Cashel, and Sheep farm • All relevant taxes • Guaranteed tour price from the moment you make your deposit• Loads of laughs
• Lunches and evening meals • Some optional entrance fees and additional activity options, for example: o Horse riding – E35 for an hour o Sea kayaking – E45 for three hours o Bike touring or mountain biking in Killarney National Park - E30 o Boat trip to the Skellig Islands – E70 o Cruise around the Skellig Islands - E35 o Surfing - E30-35 for a two hours lesson, including all equipment hire We try and keep any additional costs to a minimum and these activities account for only a small part of the daily activities on tour. Most of the places we visit are free to enter. The additional activities we do offer are ones that have proved to be a big success with customers over the years
Day six
Booking Information: For more information or to book a tour please contact us using the details below or check out our website at www.vagabondtoursofireland.com Tel Ireland +353 (0) 1 442 8559 USA 870 619 4059 Email: gillian@vagabond.ie
€1369 Per person sharing €170 Single supplement