DESTINATIONS - Ireland (Kilarney / Ring of Kerry)

Ireland is an ancient land – beautiful, mythical, tragic – that casts its bewitching spell upon all who visit her. Ireland is more than just a destination, it has succeeded in preserving not only its culture and traditions, but also its many memorials to the past. Unlike so many other nations which have been completely destroyed or seriously damaged by a succession of conquerors, Ireland has made an outstanding effort to retain and preserve its heritage, monasteries, medieval buildings, ancient villages and traditional arts and crafts that can be seen and enjoyed as though they dated from yesterday.

Landscape and people are what bring most visitors to Ireland. The varied landscape with its spectacular scenery offers a diverse range of options for all types of activities. In this tour you will see the “hidden Ireland” in the company of local guides who will share with you their knowledge of Ireland’s history and the vibrancy of its people as well as the dynamic culture of ancient pedigree. The well versed guides will take you to places completely off the beaten track .

Elder Expeditions is pleased to offer an exhilarating experience in this spectacular part of the world

Minimum participants: 6 | Maximum participants: 15

Language: English

Day 1: (Arrival Day)
The group will be met by Elder Expeditions’ appointed representative at the Shannon Airport at a time to be determined based on participants’ times of arrival. The transfer to Base Lodging in Killarney will take approximately two hours. (Elder Expeditions will assist participants arriving at other locations to arrange the most cost effective alternative transportation to our Base Lodging in Killarney.)
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging

Day 2: (Hiking in Killarney National Park)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging. The first day’s activity is hiking through Killarney National Park, with its lakes, Oak woods, waterfalls, bogland and native red deer. The Old Kenmare road has been abandoned since 1830, there is the option of climbing Torc Mountain with views over the Lakes of Killarney.
Noon: Picnic lunch
Afternoon: Continuing our hike, we will visit Muckross House, (19th Centurey) & Muckross Abbey (15th century).
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging.

Day 3: (Sea Kayaking & Hiking)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging. Today we will travel along the Ring of Kerry through the heritage town of Kenmare and the beautiful village of Sneem. We spend the morning Sea kayaking the beautiful Kenmare Bay with its many Islands and abundance of sea-life.
Noon: Lunch at local pub.
Afternoon: We continue along the Ring of Kerry – stopping off at one of Ireland’s largest forts Staigue Fort. This is one of the largest and finest stone forts in Ireland and was probably built in the early centuries AD before Christianity arrived in Ireland. We visit the home of the Irish Liberator Daniel O’Connell then hike along the famine-mass path and white sandy beaches of Derrynane. We will end the day’s trek in the market town of Caherciveen where we will spend the night.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging in Caherciveen. Learn to play the “Bodhran” (the Irish Drum).

Day 4: (Sea Trip to Skelligs Rock)
Morning. Breakfast at Base Lodging. We depart by boat for the 12 km journey to the Skellig rocks, a UNESCO World Heritage Site 9 (one of 3 such sites in Ireland).
Skeilig Micheal (Sceilig Micheal in the Gaelic language) has the remains of an 8th century monastic site and this can only be reached by climbing over 850 steps to the top. The little Skellig is home to over 27,000 gannets.
Noon: Picnic lunch on the Skelligs.
Afternoon: On return from the Skelligs, we take a tour of Valentia Island with its unique slate Quarry. Continue on the Ring of Kerry to overnight in the seaside village of Glenbeigh.
Evening: Dinner at Base Lodging in Glenbeigh.

Day 5: (Trail Riding)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging. After being assigned horses based on our individual riding level and experience, we’ll head out through Glenbeigh, passing Wynn's castle, through Seafinn Mountain and over the Windy Gap Passing some spectacular views of the breathtaking lakes of Glencar, we will continue our ride through the picturesque Irish countryside.
Lunch: Picnic lunch.
Afternoon. Re-mounting our horses, we will continue through rural Ireland where we will enjoy wonderful views over the ring of Kerry as the Caragh River meets the Atlantic. Towards late afternoon we will return to our Base Lodging in Glenbeigh.
Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant, to be ordered from the menu and paid outside of the tour cost.

Day 6: (Mountain Biking & Boating)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging. Today we do a spectacular bike route, starting in the town of Killarney, cycling to Ross Castle, then boarding traditional boats which take us through the Lakes of Killarney.
Noon: Lunch at Lord Brandon’s Cottage in a covered outdoor area with benches and tables where soup, sandwiches, tea, coffee and confectionary is offered.
Afternoon. We will bike through the remote Black Valley down through the dramatic Ice Carved Gap of Dunloe, stopping at Kate Kearney’s Cottage for refreshments before returning to our Base Lodging.
Evening: Free evening to explore Killarney an, for dinner, to choose among the city’s many restaurants. Meals will be ordered from the menu and paid outside of the tour cost.

Day 7: (Rock Climbing, Abseiling, Fishing)
Morning: Breakfast at Base Lodging. With Ireland’s highest mountain range as inspiration, there are many great climbs in the region. We will spend the morning doing some Rock Climbing and Abseiling.
Noon: Picnic lunch.
Afternoon: Enjoy an afternoon of Fishing on the famous Lakes of Killarney.
Evening: Farewell dinner at Base Lodging.

Day 8: (Departure Day)
Morning: Transfer to the Shannon Airport. (Elder Expeditions will assist participants in arranging transportation to alternative departure points.)
Noon. Lunch not included as part of the trip, but food at the airport.
Farewell to Irish hosts.

2012 DATES
To Be Announced

** There will be a price reduction if there are more than 10 participants. The reduction will be applied to the final payment.

The stated prices includes all transportation from the meeting point at the Shannon Airport on Day 1 to the return to the Shannon Airport on Day 8, all lodging, all meals (except Dinner on Day 5 ), the cost of all equipment, i.e. boats, bikes, horses, kayaks, ropes, and safety (except bicycle helmets).

The stated price does not include soft or alcoholic beverages, bicycle helmets, gratuities, or items of a purely personal nature.

A fifty percent deposit is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance is payable four weeks prior to Day 1 of this expedition.

A single supplement of $250 applies to solo participants unless they are willing to share accommodations and we are able to place them with another solo participant.

BASE LODGING

Base Lodging will be in Family Run Guesthouses in Killarney and Caherciveen. All have rooms have ensuite facilities.

The activities on this trip do not require any particular experience or skill level. As our hosts can accommodate different equestrian abilities, an experienced rider as well as a beginner will be wholly at ease. There is a weight limit of 17 stone (238 pounds; 108 kilo) for the equestrian activity.

Sufficient instruction will be provided for participants who are beginners or who have limited experience with respect to any of the listed activities. All that is required is a spirit of fun and adventure as well as an open mind and a willingness to try something new.

Participants should be generally in good health and able to walk up to 8-10 miles (12.5-17 kilometers).

Elder Expeditions recommends that all participants engage in a physical conditioning and fitness program as part of trip preparation. Our fitness partner, Fit for Trips®, provides custom designed fitness programs designed especially for the activities of each of our ELDER EXPEDITIONS vacations.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Participants who are nationals of countries other than the Republic of Ireland should check with the Irish embassy (or an Irish consular office) in their home countries to determine the applicable passport / visa requirements.

No inoculations/vaccinations are required to enter Ireland, unless you are coming from a country where Yellow Fever is present; in this case you may be required to show a current vaccination. All participants are advised to have a current tetanus shot. Elder Expeditions recommends that you consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov/travel/ or your personal physician to consider whether you wish to get shots for typhoid, hepatitis, and other diseases.