An independent tour of self guided walking, cycling, horse riding, a boat day trip and bus tour of Dingle peninsula. Perfect for families (children aged 10 upwards) and those who wish to try out different activities at a leisurely pace.

TOUR: 8 days

DATES 2013: Any day throughout the year.

Price 2013: from €550 per person sharing (minimum of 4 people).
(Please see booking information)

GRADE:

to

Walking Grades explained

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Two days self guided walking, one on the Kerry Way and the other a coastal walk on one of Ireland’s most spectacular blue flag beaches. An option day allows you to partake in sightseeing, visit Killarneys craft and book shops, play golf/pitch & putt, fish in the local rivers and lakes or relax in a local spa. Cycle (up to 32 km/20 miles) for a day around Killarney's Lakes and Fells, with a choice of route descriptions and maps. Discover the Dingle peninsula by bus. Finish your week with a wonderful boat trip through the famous Lakes of Killarney followed by a trip on a horse jaunting car through the Gap of Dunloe.

Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrival
Arrival at your accommodation in Glenbeigh (3 nights).

Day 2 Walking on The Kerry Way (Glenbeigh-Glencar)
You are transferred to the lush Valley of Glencar, you then walk along the “Kerry Way” to the seaside village of Glenbeigh,.
Via Windy Gap - Distance: 13km/ 8miles Ascent 350m/1,150ft - Via Treanmanagh - Distance: 17km/10.5miles Ascent 270m/ 900ft

Day 3 Walk & Horseride on Rossbeigh Beach
In the morning you do a circular walk from your guesthouse up Rossbeigh Hill and along the 6 golden miles of Rossbeigh beach (award winning blue flag beach). Pass the site of Tonn Toime, which according to old Irish legend, the magic wave that allowed Oisin and Niamh of the Golden Hair to travel on water to Tir na nOg, the land of everlasting youth.
In the afternoon experience the fresh Atlantic air while riding along Rossbeigh beach with great views of the Dingle Peninsula and Atlantic Ocean. Also option of going for a cycle for those who do not want to horse ride. After returning from your ride you can have fun solving the maze at the The Stables.

Day 4 Transfer /Option day
Transfer to Killarney which is renowned for its world-famous lakes, combined with the rugged beauty of it's valleys and mountains, and its extraordinary wealth of trees and rare flowering-plants.
Options: Doing other activities, eg golf, pitch & putt, spend the afternoon in one of the many leisure centres and spas or just spend the day rambling through the many craft shops in the town.

Day 5 Cycle through Killarney National Park
Bike Fit. Cycle on traffic free trails through Killarney National Park, shared only with pedestrians and jaunting cars. Dramatically weathered limestone crags and lush vegetation surround the beautiful lakes. You can stop at the medieval Abbey at Muckross (15th C) or at Dinis cottage for some tea. Quaint stone bridges are crossed to bring you to the spectacular Torc waterfall (12 miles/19 km)
Finish the afternoon at Muckross Traditional Farms where you can stroll down memory lane and visit Ireland in the 1930s and 1940s. This was a period before the widespread use of electricity, when all work was carried out using traditional methods.
You will visit three separate working farms (small , medium and large), each complete with animals, poultry and horse drawn farm machinery. You will also visit a labourer's cottage, a carpenter's workshop, a harness maker and a blacksmith's forge

Day 6 Discover the Dingle Peninsula.
Today you take a bus tour of the Dingle Peninsula. There is no other place in Ireland with such a concentration of historical monuments, Gaelic culture and literature. The history of the town dates back to 1257. It was here that Ryans Daughter was filmed in the early 1970s. The scenery is spectacular along the Slea Head region where you have great views of the Blasket Islands.

Day 7 Lakes of Killarney Boat Trip
Today, you can enjoy a breathtaking boat trip through the famous Three Lakes of Killarney. Enjoy lunch at Lord Brandons Cottage before you choose to either walk, go on horseback or in a jaunting car through the Gap of Dunloe (7 miles). The tour starts at Ross Castle (15th century) and ends at the renowned 19th century Kate Kearney’s Cottage where you can enjoy an Irish coffee before being transferred back to Killarney.

Day 8 Departure

DATES 2013: Any day throughout the year.

Price 2013: from €550 per person sharing (minimum of 4 people).
(Please see booking information)

Price includes:
• Seven nights accommodation, based on two adults sharing, in Irish Tourist Board approved guesthouse with en-suite facilities.
• Return transfer from Shannon or Kerry airport to Kerry on Saturdays for a small supplement (please see below)
• 7 full Irish breakfasts.
• Transfer to start of walk on day 2
• 1 hours horse riding on Rossbeigh Beach Day 3
• Transfer from Glenbeigh to Killarney on Day 4.
• Hire of Bikes on day 5.
• Entry to Muckross House,Gardens & Farms
• Bus Tour of Dingle Peninsula (Day 6)
• Boat trip on Killarney Lakes. (Day 7)
• Horse ride through Gap of Dunloe (Day 7).
• Walk/cycle route descriptions & maps by Sean O Suilleabhain (founder of the Kerry Way and author of walk guide book).