IRELAND – WALKING TRAILS OF THE EMERALD ISLE

Dingle, Smerwick Harbor, Great Blasket Island, Killarney National Park, Glengarriff Nature Reserve/

ACTIVITY LEVEL – Easy to moderate walking and hiking 3-5 hours per day

Experience the charming town of Dingle, walking the beautiful coastline past ancient beehive huts or boarding a ferry for a hike on Great Blasket Island — a trip back in time. Gaze out over famed Kingdom of Kerry, with dramatic mountains, lush valleys, and the tranquil lakes surrounding Killarney. Visit a 6th-century monastery and take a boat ride across the lakes. Cork is home to some of the Ireland’s most fertile farmland, wildest peninsulas, and most colorful towns. Discover Ireland’s true colors at Killarney National Park, prized by nature lovers for its lakes, mountain peaks, and oak and yew woodlands. Walk along the magnificent Glengarriff Reserve with many paths, and several viewpoints within easy reach.

What’s Included:  Expert leadership, 7 nights’ accommodations, all meals except two dinners (Days 2 & 6), local beer and wine with included dinners, all transportation, park fees

Discover hidden jewels in the Dingle Peninsula’s crown on this Dingle and Blasket Island. Head along the Dingle Peninsula’s coastline, and gain insight into its archaeology and history. Gaze out over sandy beaches and rocky outcrops, and discover a magical landscape far removed from the city.

DAY 1 – Transfer to Dingl

Activity Overview: Walk / Activity Level: Easy to Moderate

Activity Length: About 3 hours, 2-3 miles in the morning; About 4 hours, 3-4 miles in the afternoon with a 700′ climb

ACCOMMODATION – Benners Hotel – Dingl for 3 nights

DAY 2 – Smerwick Harbor

Activity Overview: Walk  /  Activity Level: Easy

Activity Length: 3-4 hours, 5 miles

DAY 3 – Great Blasket Island

Activity Overview: Walk

Activity Level: Moderate

Activity Length: 4 hours, 4-5 miles

DAY 4 – Killarney National Park

Activity Overview: Walk  /  Activity Level: Easy

Activity Length: 2-3 hours, 4-5 miles

ACCOMMODATION – Cahernane House Hotel – Killarney – 2 nights

DAY 5 – Old Kenmare Road

Activity Overview: Walk  /  Activity Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Activity Length: 4-5 hours, 9 miles (shorter options available)

DAY 6 – Glengarriff Nature Reserve

Activity Overview: Walk  /  Activity Level: Easy

Activity Length: About 3 hours, 4.5 miles

ACCOMMODATIONS – Bantry House – Bantry – 2 nights

DAY 7 – Sheep’s Head Peninsula

Activity Overview: Walk  /  Activity Level: Easy to Moderate

Activity Length: About 5 hours, 7 miles

After a hearty breakfast, set out for a memorable day’s hike along the Sheep’s Head Peninsula. With Bantry Bay to the north and Dunmanus Bay to the south, this promontory offers rugged beauty and jaw-dropping sea-cliff views. For those who know this area, it is a place of breathtaking beauty and peace.

Your hike along the Sheep’s Head Way leads us along the spine of this narrow peninsula affording stunning panoramas over two bays and four headlands. We follow ancient byways and sheep trails, learning about the region’s deep history.

After a delicious home-cooked lunch at the lovely Heron Gallery in Ahakista, carry on for an afternoon walk around the tip of the Sheep’s Head Peninsula and past the spectacularly-situated lighthouse.

This evening,  dine at Manning’s Emporium, a founder of the “Slow Food” movement, where they specialize in locally-produced and grown artisan meats and cheeses.

DAY 8 – Departure
Today, you will be transferred to the Cork Airport by 11 a.m. or you may continue to explore the charms of Ireland on your own.

Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary due to weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these or the order visited should the need arise.

A single supplement is paid by participants who specifically request single accommodations, subject to availability.* This is generally limited to the first one or two solo travelers to reserve, and the reduction is outlined in the pricing for each trip. Please note, free or reduced single supplements are not combinable with other offers or promotions.

Contact us today for a more detailed itinerary or more information on this trip!

PLUS book by August 31, 2018 and receive a $75 Visa Gift Card compliments of us!

Tour Code: JB