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Hidden Ireland South Walk
Galway
Ireland
Walking holidays of Hidden South of Ireland - Irish Hiking & Walking Vacations
Enjoy astonishing cliffs that jut
from the Atlantic, wildflowers that tickle your ankles and traditional Irish
music and dance that will have you up on your feet. Hike your way through the
south of hidden Ireland and encounter strange rock structures, quaint shops and
villages, lovely coastal views, peaceful beach walks, historical structures and
nights in comfortable accommodations.
Fully escorted by professional and
experienced guides, this trek takes you through a wild yet serene piece of Ireland.
Immerse yourself in the wildlife and greenery, explore ancient structures and
find yourself charmed by the traditional way of like that this regions still
follows. If you would like to discover the natural beauty on Ireland on your
own two feet, then Hidden Ireland South is the trek for you!
Tour Highlights
- The Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare
- Wild flowers of the Burren
- Unusual geology of the Burren
- Ancient Rock of Cashel Walk
- Shop Dingle Town
- Wonderful Kerry scenery
- Inch Beach, Lovely coastal views
- Music and Dance centre Traditional music
- 2 nights in the Burren, County Clare
- 3 nights on Dingle Peninsula
- 2 nights in Gougane Barra, County Cork
- 1 night in Cashel, County Tipperary
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Rates and Dates for 2012
Rates include:
+ Galway City pick-up and Dublin Airport drop-off;
+ 8 nights 3-4 star accommodation (en suite);
+ All land transport;
+ 8 guided walks;
+ Escort of full-time guide;
+ Escort of local guides;
+ Evening transportation to pubs / music;
+ 8 breakfasts;
+ 8 packed lunches;
+ 5 evening meal
| A | 2012 | 9 day trip | 9d / 8n | €2199 | $2950 |
| Single room supplement | €320 | $430 |
Group Leader - FREE with group of 8+
Minimum Deposit:
~$600.00 per person
Transfer Option:
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2012
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Transfer from Galway City included at 12 noon - drop off Dublin airport by 2 PM
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Arrival Galway City 12 noon
Return Dublin Airport 2pm
Day 1 Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)
From Galway City, we will head south to the Burren Region of
County Clare - a huge plateau of limestone and shale aptly summed up
with the words, "savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a
man, nor a tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury him";.
Our walk today is at the highest point in the Burren: Slieve
Elva. We will be rewarded with great views across Galway Bay to the
Aran Islands.
For the next two nights we will be accommodated in the
Kincora Guest House in Lisdoonvarna. After dinner, we can venture into
the village in search of traditional music in the pubs.
Day 2 Walking Distance 10 miles - option of 5 miles (16.1 km/16 km)
Today we will be accompanied by our local expert guide. He
will take us to sites of botanical, geological and archaeological
interest. This will include walking in two separate parts of the Burren
with a break for lunch.
The Burren region is famous for its flora: you will never
see anything like the carpets of primroses, or the white flower of the
blackthorn cascading over all the hedgerows. Rare and spectacular plants
occur in abundance. Nowhere else in Ireland, Britain or even north west
Europe can such quantities of the blue Spring Gentian, cream Mountain
Avens or yellow Shrubby Cinquefoil be encountered. Orchids grow
everywhere in the Burren and 23 out of the 27 Irish species are to be
found here. At the end of the afternoon we may have time for a pint in
County Clare's oldest pub.
Day 3 Walking Distance 5 miles (8 km)
The Cliffs of Moher: one of Ireland's most notable sights.
Towering 660 feet above the wild Atlantic, these cliffs are noted for
abundant bird life including puffins. There is a new state of the art
visitors centre built unobtrusively in to the hillside.
Leaving County Clare, we will drive south to County Kerry
via the Killimer to Tarbert ferry across the Shannon (look out for
dolphins!). Weather permitting, we will walk part of the Dingle Way.
Alternatively we will stop to walk the beach from Castlegregory.
.For the next three nights we will stay in the heart of
Dingle town: an excellent base for some wonderful craft shops,
galleries, quaint pubs and restaurants.
Day 4 Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)
We will drive across the highest road pass in Ireland, the
Connor Pass. A lovely walk is on today's agenda: at Beenbo Mountain and
the spectacular green valley of Magha na Bo. Enjoy the peace and tranquility of this valley and witness 40 shades of green!
We then cross over the top of the pass and drop down to
Annascaul village via Lake Annascaul. On arrival in Annascaul if is
almost compulsory to take some liquid refreshment in the South Pole Inn.
Day 5 Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)
Some say this is the best walk in Ireland: weather
permitting, we will climb Mount Brandon, Ireland's second highest peak.
This is a steady ascent with spectacular views of Brandon Bay and then
the Pater Noster Lakes. This is excellent walking country in a
mountainous landscape dotted by a series of small lakes.
We will then return to Dingle for an excellent meal and a review of the day?s activity.
Day 6 Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)
Today we will walk at Inch Beach (the setting for the film,
Ryan's Daughter). We begin with views across to Glenbeigh and Ireland's
highest mountains, the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, then on rounding the
peninsula we have views back towards the Dingle Peninsula and the Slieve
Mish Mountains. Look out for rabbits and lots of estuary birds.
We move on then to the Gougane Barra region of County Cork.
Our accommodation is the Gougane Barra Hotel: we stay here for 2 nights.
This is a stunning location on the shores of a lake in a deep valley.
Day 7 Walking Distance 7 miles (11.3 km)
Wake up to peace and tranquillity and fine lake views.
Catherine, our local guide today will take us on a circuit of Gougane
Barra Lake and the source of the River Lee. We will be able to walk
directly from the hotel. This is a walk that follows very little in the
way of track. It can be rugged and tough underfoot, but well worth the
effort.
If you prefer a more restful day then this is the ideal spot to enjoy the quiet tracks beside the lake and forest.
Day 8 Walking Distance 3 miles (4.8 km)
Cahir in County Tipperary: the town is dominated by a 13th
century castle, one of the largest in Ireland. After taking a tour of
the castle we will walk alongthe banks of the River Suir to the "Swiss
Cottage": an exquisite thatched cottage designed by John Nash as a
retreat for the 12th Baron Cahir.
We will be accommodated in the town of Cashel at a wonderful
guest houuse with the most amazing views of St Patrick's Rock. Highly
recommended entertainment tonight comes in the form of music and dance
"Riverdance" style at the Bru Boru Centre.
Day 9 We must say Goodbye to Ireland after our 2 hour drive back to Dublin Airport.
Meeting:
Galway
Airport:
Galway / Dublin
Transfer:
Galway to Dublin
Arrival Galway City 12 noon
Return Dublin Airport 2pm
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Tack:
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Horses:
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Pace:
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Level:
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(2
to
3
out of 5)
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Riders:
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Min
4 riders
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Max
12 riders
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This holiday, guided by someone who really knows and cares for Ireland,
is the best way to see this enchanting country; imagine yourself hiking
(or walking) over Irish mountains, pausing by Irish lakes, drinking in
Irish pubs and listening to traditional Irish music.
These
hiking trips show you the best of Ireland, its picturesque scenery, the
grandeur of its mountains, the warmth and hospitality of its people and
the magic of their music. Call it an Irish walking holiday; a hiking
vacation in Ireland; even a sabbatical - maybe you're researching
Ireland, perhaps for a thesis or book; or perhaps you want to see the
Ireland of your Irish ancestors. Call it any or all of these, but treat
yourself to a tour of Erin's Isle anyway.
Our hiking tours of Ireland are fully escorted by experienced,
professional guides. We travel through Ireland in groups of no more than
twelve people. We will escort you on hikes through Ireland's most
scenic trails, walk through undiscovered routes lined with extraordinary
vistas.
Ireland
has a lot to offer the walker: dramatic sea cliffs, high mountain
ridges, quiet green roads, butter roads, fuchsia-lined lanes, heath and
moorland, sweeping expanses of beach. And then there are the sleepy
villages, oak woods, sky-blue lakes, torrential waterfalls and babbling
brooks.
Ireland's
climate ideally suits the walker as generally it rarely gets too hot to
be uncomfortable. Rain and cloud-formations are what bring the
interesting light patterns and rainbows. The Western coast and islands
are known for magnificent sunsets.
Don't
be surprised at the very few people you will meet whilst walking, after
all, the entire population of Ireland is only around four million!
Ireland is a birdwatcher's paradise with many rarities such as the
corncrake. It is also a great place for botanists, especially the area
of the Burren, Co. Clare.
Maybe
the best attraction of all is the people, you'll never find another
place like it for hospitality, friendliness, warmth, generosity, humor,
love of life and love of the land.
Passport and Visa Requirements:
Passports Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except: (a) 1. persons born in the UK travelling direct from the UK (applicable to British passport holde. more
The following items are essential:
- Good strong waterproof hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Comfortable hiking trousers (jeans are not recommended at all as they are too hot in fine weather and too heavy if they get wet)
- Small day rucksack for lunch, drinks, coat etc.
- Water Bottle
- Gloves (even in summer it can get really cool in some hilly and coastal areas)
- Warm Hat
- Personal toiletries and medication
- General warm clothing such as sweaters, track suit bottoms (sweat pants), fleece jacket, etc.
- Sun cream / sun block / after sun cream
- Spending money in Euros (due to the remote nature of our accommodations, it is sometimes difficult to get to banks and cash machines).
- Credit cards are accepted everywhere.
The following items are suggestions:
- Shorts
- Waterproof trousers
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Flask (Thermos)
- Walking pole / stick
- Torch (flashlight)
- Book
- Alarm clock
- Drawing / painting equipment
- Swimsuit
- Insect repellent
- Your favourite remedy for blisters. (I highly recommend a product called “Compeed” which is available in most pharmacists. In the USA and Canada it may be sold under a different brand name. It is manufactured by Johnson and Johnson)
(Note: Only one suitcase per person please)
Cell phone rental is available and can be pre-booked through www.rentaphone-ireland.com
If you are travelling from the USA you may wish to check out unlocking your cell phone to use and Irish SIM card. Check out www.unlockitfree.com or www.bilemo.com/unlock
Sorry, no video is currently available for this tour.
*Important Notice: The following ratings have been submitted by guests and do not necessarily represent the views of Hidden Trails, its partners or employees.
Every care is taken to ensure accuracy but Hidden Trails is not liable for any errors or omissions.
..view other reports for different trips
All our accommodations have been carefully selected and are approved by the high standards of the Irish Tourist Board. We have chosen locations of outstanding natural beauty, so that you can enjoy the best of Irish rural life and scenery.
You will enjoy top quality accommodation in small, family run guesthouses and hotels whilst being charmed by the hospitable and friendly hosts.
All rooms are en suite twin, double or single. Singles are available on request for a small supplement. We stay in small hotels, guest houses, farmhouses, B & B's and occasionally castles.
+ 2 nights in the Burren, County Clare
+ 3 nights on Dingle Peninsula
+ 2 nights in Gougane Barra, County Cork
+ 1 night in Cashel, County Tipperary
Meals
The first meal included in the tour is dinner on day one and the last is breakfast on day nine. The cost of three evening meals is not included in the price of the tour: these will be taken on days 3, 4 and 5 in Dingle.
Each day you can choose from a full Irish, Continental or vegetarian breakfast. We take packed lunches to eat during our walks.
Our evenings are a time for reviewing the day's activities and shared experiences on the hills. Our evening meals are taken either in the places where we are staying or in local restaurants: relax with an excellent 3-4 course dinner. You will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of meals in Ireland.
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Tack:
|
|
|
|
Horses:
|
|
|
|
Pace:
|
|
|
|
Level:
|
|
(2
to
3
out of 5)
|
|
Riders:
|
|
Min
4 riders
|
Max
12 riders
|
|
This holiday, guided by someone who really knows and cares for Ireland,
is the best way to see this enchanting country; imagine yourself hiking
(or walking) over Irish mountains, pausing by Irish lakes, drinking in
Irish pubs and listening to traditional Irish music.
These
hiking trips show you the best of Ireland, its picturesque scenery, the
grandeur of its mountains, the warmth and hospitality of its people and
the magic of their music. Call it an Irish walking holiday; a hiking
vacation in Ireland; even a sabbatical - maybe you're researching
Ireland, perhaps for a thesis or book; or perhaps you want to see the
Ireland of your Irish ancestors. Call it any or all of these, but treat
yourself to a tour of Erin's Isle anyway.
Our hiking tours of Ireland are fully escorted by experienced,
professional guides. We travel through Ireland in groups of no more than
twelve people. We will escort you on hikes through Ireland's most
scenic trails, walk through undiscovered routes lined with extraordinary
vistas.
Ireland
has a lot to offer the walker: dramatic sea cliffs, high mountain
ridges, quiet green roads, butter roads, fuchsia-lined lanes, heath and
moorland, sweeping expanses of beach. And then there are the sleepy
villages, oak woods, sky-blue lakes, torrential waterfalls and babbling
brooks.
Ireland's
climate ideally suits the walker as generally it rarely gets too hot to
be uncomfortable. Rain and cloud-formations are what bring the
interesting light patterns and rainbows. The Western coast and islands
are known for magnificent sunsets.
Don't
be surprised at the very few people you will meet whilst walking, after
all, the entire population of Ireland is only around four million!
Ireland is a birdwatcher's paradise with many rarities such as the
corncrake. It is also a great place for botanists, especially the area
of the Burren, Co. Clare.
Maybe
the best attraction of all is the people, you'll never find another
place like it for hospitality, friendliness, warmth, generosity, humor,
love of life and love of the land.
Passports
Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all except:
(a) 1. persons born in the UK travelling direct from the UK (applicable to British passport holders only).
Note: Whilst UK citizens do not require a passport or visa to enter Ireland, most carriers by air or sea now require some form of identification with photograph, usually a passport or driving licence with photo. Visitors should check what form of ID is required with the individual airline, ferry company or travel agent before travelling.
(b) 2. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.
Note: EU nationals are only required to produce evidence of their EU nationality and identity in order to be admitted to any EU Member State. This evidence can take the form of a valid national passport or national identity card. Either is acceptable. Possession of a return ticket, any length of validity on their document, sufficient funds for the length of their proposed visit should not be imposed.
Passport Note
3. Imposition of a return ticket as a condition of entry is at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at point of entry.
Visas
Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for the following durations:
(a) nationals of EU countries for an unlimited period (nationals of EU countries wishing to stay for longer than three months must register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau).
(b) nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA for stays of up to 90 days.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements
| Passport Required? |
| British |
1 |
| Australian |
Yes |
| Canadian |
Yes |
| USA |
Yes |
| Other EU |
2 |
| Visa Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
No |
| Canadian |
No |
| USA |
No |
| Other EU |
No |
| Return Ticket Required? |
| British |
No |
| Australian |
3 |
| Canadian |
3 |
| USA |
3 |
| Other EU |
No |
This information is not being updated on a regular basis. Hidden Trails does not
take any responsibility for the accuracy of the above information. Please, consult
the embassy or consulate for updated info.
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Hidden Ireland South Walk
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