Connemara/Burren and Aran Islands 8 Days
One of the most famous counties in Ireland and deservedly so with spectacular mountains, lakes, charming towns and village, and archaeological sites that date to 5000BC . This tour will take you to some of the most scenic and remote areas of Ireland. You will stay in the amazing Connemara, travelling to the Aran Islands and then finally stay in Doolin and the Burren National Park. Nice relaxing walking with amazing views each day.
March 18th / April 15th, May 20th / June 17th / July 22nd / August 19th / September 16th
8 Days - €850
Day 1: 8:00 a.m. Pick up the city centre Dublin – Dublin Tourism Office. This is where your journey will begin.
All people will be introduced to each other on the bus. I like to get each person to sing a song from their country to start things off! Your national anthem will do! You will have the option to be picked up from Galway this day at 1 pm if this is suitable.
The first day will be spent in the town of Clifden, the principal town of Connemara. We will arrive down there by early afternoon and you will get to walk around the town and visit some of its local attractions. We will go for a walk before we arrive into town so you can breathe the air of Connemara and see its beautiful mountains and lakes for the first time. You will be in Clifden for 3 nights.
Day 2:
Wake up to a great Irish breakfast for your first day of walking. Today you will be heading up Killary Harbour and walking the famous famine relief road. You will be following the fjord for the majority of the day before finishing the walk on a beautiful beach in Glassilaun. You will also get to see the village of Leenane and see how life in Connemara really is.
Day 3:
We begin our day by driving to the through the valley of Lough Fee. We will be parking the bus at Lough Fee and walking up the spur towards Garraun and Benchoona with amazing views over the whole of this side of Connemara looking over on one side to Mweelrea, west to the Atlantic, the other side the 12 Bens and then you can also see the Maumturks over the valley. What amazing views to be had here! We will continue down the other side of Garraun before traversing the hill down to arrive surprisingly at the back of Kylemore Abbey.
Day 4:
On day 4 we will be taking the ferry from Rossaveal over to the Aran Islands, in particular Inis Mór. We will be staying in the village of Kilronan for 2 nights where we will be discovering this amazing and historic island. On the first day we will discover the southern half of the island with a nice easy walk. You will see some age old settlements and see how island life is for the locals. Enjoy their company that evening in a local pub listening to stories and music.
Day 5:
From Kilronan we will follow a cliff walk and make our way to the infamous Dun Aonghus fort today. This is one of the most amazing places in Ireland and you will not be disappointed. The walk will follow roads, green roads, small trails and cliff edges. Some of the most beautiful and wild scenery will be seen today. Don’t be surprised to see numerous bird colonies along the way. Let the Atlantic air take you away on this day.
Day 6:
On your 6th day with Extreme Ireland you will be taking the ferry from Kilronan but will be taken to the village of Doolin where you will be staying for the next 2 nights. You will be looking head on to the Cliffs of Moher on the way over, a place that you will be visiting later that day and walking back to Doolin from. Doolin is famous for its Irish music and its proximity to the Burren National Park, a large limestone region that is great for easy walking, flower spotting and animal watching. It is one of our most diverse national parks in Ireland and a very unique and beautiful experience is to be had here. You will be going for a beautiful walk the following day with your guide.
Day 7:
On your pulmultimate day let the Burren take you for a walk! This special and majestic landscape will bowl you over with beauty. With wild orchids in abundance and the most dramatic Gentian Blue growing wild for over 40 square miles this national park is a memorable experience. But like all places in Ireland, you will not really get to experience it unless you walk around it and feel the land.
Day 8:
Unfortunately you will have to depart the tour today and make our way back to Dublin. Say farewell to everyone on the tour and exchange email addresses and lots of tears! We will make a couple of stops on the way back but you can expect to arrive back in Dublin by 5 at the latest on this day. It is possible to stop in Clonmacnoise on this day to visit a monastic site. Just ask your guide!