MASTER TEMPLATE – West Coast Adventure

Number of Travellers: 2
Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

Day by Day

Day 1 - Arrive and Explore the Dingle Peninsula

Arriving in Ireland today, meet your expert Wilderness guide and set out for the Kingdom of Kerry to explore the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. This is a Gaeltacht county, where the Irish language is still widely spoken and the culture and traditions of the country run deep. Our route today ribbons its way through a landscape rich with ancient sites, including Iron Age forts, beehive huts, inscribed stones, and historical churches. Following part of the Wild Atlantic Way, enjoy the stunning coastal views and stop to visit the dramatic Slea Head – Europe’s most westerly point. This evening, settle into your lovely hotel, which has great access to Dingle’s artisanal shops, traditional pubs and delicious restaurants.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 - Iveragh Peninsula and Coastal Foraging

Today, head to the wild and windswept southern Iveragh Peninsula on the famed Ring of Kerry to meet John – a charming fisherman, forager and poet. Join him on a mindful ramble along the shore, identifying and collecting edible seaweed and listening to stories so old they’ve woven themselves into the very bones of the land. After lunch, enjoy an afternoon of exploring with your guide. Discover hidden sandy beaches and rocky coves. Spot a myriad of coastal birds and wildflowers that pepper the rough ground in bright splashes of colour. This evening, return to your lovely hotel and relax before dinner.

Overnight: Dingle | Pax House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3 - Exploring the Burren

After a relaxed breakfast, head north into county Clare to continue exploring the Wild Atlantic Way. Said to be an inspiration for JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth, this fascinating region was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site because of its unique limestone landscape. Home to a fascinating mix of flora, fauna, geology and ancient archaeology, it’s a wonderful place to traverse on foot. This afternoon, meet a local farmer and his brilliant working sheepdogs. Against the backdrop of a 1000-year-old fort, watch them at work and learn about this traditional way of life. Bring your lovely day to a close by visiting a cosy pub for a bespoke whiskey tasting experience.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Sailing the Cliffs of Moher

Head out into the morning sunshine for a unique boat trip. Leaving Doolin, sail along the stunning coastline and beneath the Cliffs of Moher. Undoubtedly impressive when viewed from above, there is something even more special about seeing these incredible cliffs from below. Visit An Branán Mór – a sea stack home to Ireland’s largest seabird colony, and a dark cave used in the Harry Potter films. After a lovely lunch back in Doolin, join your guide for a coastal hike which gives panoramic views across the Atlantic Ocean. After a day spent in the salt-soaked air, relax back at your hotel, which has been run by the same family since 1976.

Overnight: Ballyvaughan | Gregans Castle Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - Food Tour of Galway

After breakfast, enjoy a day spent in the city of Galway – the cosmopolitan, bohemium capital of Ireland’s west. Colourful, picturesque and bolstered by a creative student population, it’s a vibrant, musical and engaging place to spend time. It also has a reputation for being at the forefront of Ireland’s organic food movement – which means it’s the perfect place for a food tour. With a chatty, local guide weave your way through Galway’s tangled streets sampling the culinary best of the west. Later, arrive at the final accommodation of your trip – a fitting finale for your time on the Wild Atlantic Way – one of the country’s most luxurious castle hotels.

Overnight: Recess | Ballynahinch Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Seafood, Abbeys and Walled Gardens

Today, in a remote and pristine bay, meet a local shellfish farmer and enjoy a tour of his oyster farm. Learn about the process of growing and harvesting the shellfish, as well as enjoying the opportunity to shuck your own and taste the unique sea-fresh Atlantic tang of an oyster grown in these clean, clear waters. After a delicious seafood lunch, spend the afternoon with your guide exploring the beautiful Kylemore Abbey. A haven of history, nature and serenity, the Abbey has been home to a Benedictine order of Nuns for the past 100 years and welcomes visitors from all over the world to embrace the magic of the magnificent 1,000-acre estate.

Overnight: Recess | Ballynahinch Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Morning Hike and Depart

Enjoy a mellow morning, perhaps enjoying a lovely early walk around the magnificent grounds, listening to the chirping call of the blackbird and watching songbirds flicker through the trees. After a cup of coffee and a slice of cake, bid farewell to Ireland’s rugged west coast and hop in with your guide who will transfer you to Shannon or Dublin airport so you can begin your journey home.

Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Trip Details

Inclusions Read More
  • All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 7
  • Most meals as indicated above
  • Services of an experienced and knowledgeable qualified guide from Day 1 to Day 7
  • Ground transportation from Day 1 to Day 7
  • All guided hikes and activities mentioned in the itinerary
  • Personalised trip design and delivery
  • Snacks throughout the trip
  • 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
Exclusions Read More
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
  • Gratuities for the main driver guide