***This is the ultimate tour for mountaineers in Ireland. This is only for climbers who have had experience using ropes, harnesses and can comfortably hike for up to 10 hours in one day. This is a strenuous tour and only recommended for people who can show us they have the experience for this. For those of you who have passed this test so far, welcome on board for the ultimate adventure that Ireland can offer!***

This tour begins in Dublin or pick up in Shannon can be arranged

Price: €895.00

7 days

This tour will take in the Dingle Peninsula, Killarney National Park and Connemara National Park

Day 1: 8:00 a.m.

Pick up in the city centre Dublin - Dublin Tourist Office. This is where you begin your journey that you will never forget.

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!

The first day of this trip involves travelling to the Dingle peninsula where we will be staying in the village of Daingean or the English version of its name "Dingle". A couple of years ago, it was voted that if Dingle wanted to retain its status as a gaeltacht or an Irish speaking region in Ireland, it would have to keep the name Daingean as its first name rather than Dingle. This caused a litle uproar in this sleepy hamlet, as Dingle is known worldwide and is essentially a trademark name, but eventually it was passed and officially is now known as Daingean, although funnily enough I have never heard anyone actually calling it this! Either way, you will love this village, lots of charm and its proximity to Mount Brandon and great beaches is its unique selling point. We will arrive in the afternoon and go for a cliff walk as we arrive into the town. You will have a an option of going to an indoor climbing wall when we arrive just to loosen up your legs and arms.

Day 2:

Breakfast followed by our first ridge walk, which will be Faha ridge on Mount Brandon. It is a grade 2 scramble which is an easy start to the week but will give your guide and yourself a nice introduction to your skills and ability while been on exposed ground. Personally i find this scramble one of my favourite in Ireland and when you get to the top of the mountain, the views you get over the Blasket Sound and all the way back to Tralee will never be forgotten.

Day 3:

After yesterdays exhilirating day on Mount Brandon we will be leaving the village of Daingean and making our way towards the beautiful Killarney National Park where will be spending two nights in the town of Killarney. Today we will be just stretching out legs with a 12 km walk up around the famous Devils Punchbowl. Your guide will teach you a lot today about the local flora and fauna of this region. You will more than likely get to meet with the local jarveys, who tend to attack any bus that moves by and if you are lucky you will get to see the local Red deer which story goes, that they have never mixed with the sika introduced deer. Now in Wicklow, they have mixed successfully but somehow down in Kerry they have never mixed with the locals. Now, thats not to say the locals arent lovely, but to be fair they are an unusual breed down in Kerry. Better to stay away, me thinks! Anyway, enough about that. Todays walk is really as I said to stretch your legs and get prepared for the following day on Howling Ridge. However, saying that I know everyone will enjoy this day in the national park. I havent met anyone who hasnt said that this was one of their favourite walks in Ireland.

Day 4:

Howling Ridge is regarded as one of Ireland's finest mountaineering routes, mostly a summer route, however originally first climbed by local man, Con Moriarty, in winter conditions, in the days when it got plenty of snow. The climb itself is approximately 430m in height gain of climbing/scrambling from the Heavenly Gates (approx. elevation 610m ) to the summit, apparently with eight pitches. Howling Ridge is today generally regarded as Ireland's finest mountaineering route and is climbed hundreds of times annually by both Irish and overseas climbers. Originally it was done as an ice climb but today is best known as a summer route. It isn't the most difficult ascent on Carrauntoohill but is by far the most enjoyable. Indeed, Howling has become a rite-of-passage ascent for many hill-walkers eager to make the transition from mountain rambling to the knee-knocking intensity of scrambling and dangling on rock faces. On sunny days, when the mountain is in friendly mood and sandstone offers excellent friction, Howling provides the heart-lifting feeling that comes with rising rapidly heavenward on a superb mountain face. In venomous mood, however, it lays many traps to snare the unwary and the consequences of simple mistakes have varied from extremely serous and fatal.

The ridge is just one among several on the north east side of the mountain, a bafflingly enormous face composed of crumbling pinnacles and steep grassy gullies. From a distance it looks unnerving and improbable, but the climbing is actually fairly amenable and great fun all the way.

This will be one of the most exhilariting days of the entire trip and you will be wearing a harness and rope for the duration. We will be returning via Benkeeragh ridge after scaling Howling Ridge and Irelands highest mountain. Some even say Benkeeragh Ridge is scary. But after Holwing Ridge, this will be a walk in the park for you all

Day 5:

Today we will be travelling all the way to the mysterious region of Connemara but en route we will be stopping in Galway city for a break and also Limerick to stretch your legs. We will arrive in Connemara in the afternoon where we will go for a stroll up Diamond Hill. We will be staying around the Letterfrack region of Connemara where the great and friendly locals will entertain us till whatever hour you would like! From the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll know you're in Connemara by the light that constantly changes the mood and tone of the landscape.

Connemara has long been regarded as the real emerald of Ireland.

This natural terrain and unspoilt environment offers the visitor a wonderland of sights, experiences, adventure and activities. The people are warm, friendly and extend a hospitality which is the essence of Ireland.

The beautiful spring flowers, buds on the trees, newborn lambs dancing on the hills and the call of the cuckoo all make Spring time a very special and magical time in Connemara. This is an ideal time to take a break as the countryside is totally renewed. On mellow Autumn days, one can enjoy the Connemara countryside, now clothed in different colours with each passing day. In the evening enjoy lovely warm turf fires after a day spent walking, cycling, painting, shooting, fishing or golfing.

Day 6:

Just looking at this fantastic ridge gets me exciting. You can make our the carrot shape of this famous climb in Connemara by the pictures above and if your legs dont start tingling, theres something wrong with you! This is one of the most famous climbs in Connemara and you will be using ropes for the duration of the day again. To make it a full day out, after gettin gto the top of the ridge we will be summiting and making our way over to the col Maumina and down the valley. This will make it into roughly a 9 to 10 hour day on the mountain. What a way to finish off your trip in Ireland! Carrot Ridge is part of the 12 Bens Mountain Range in the heart of Connemara. You wont see many if any people on this route! Happy Days!

Day 7:

Unfortunately guys, we have to make our way back to Dublin today. Stopping off in Galway city for a rest and then Ballinasloe, we will be talking about the amazing week we just spent together. I for one am looking forward to guiding this holiday this year. We will only be organising two of these this year so get in early.