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    | Burren Sunrise

    Private Departures

    Exploring Ireland’s Wildflowers


    Deposit From: €875€875
    Region: West – Connemara, Burren & Aran Islands
    Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

    All you need to know about your trip, this essential document is a must for all adventures.

      From: €3,500.00 Book Now

      Trip Overview

      Created by: Patricia Doe


      The west coast of Ireland—and the Burren National Park specifically—has some of Ireland’s (and Europe’s) most diverse wildflowers. In this craggy alien landscape, wildflowers native to the Arctic all the way down to the Mediterranean grow between the rocks.

      On this hiking journey across Ireland’s west coast, you will explore the Burren and its flowers, hop on a boat to sail out to the Aran Islands, home to ancient archaeology sites, and holding true to long-held Irish traditions—such as language, music, dance, and crafts. Walk along the breathtaking edge of the Cliffs of Moher before the summer crowds arrive, watch new lambs bouncing in the fields, and breathe in some of the freshest spring air.

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      Day by Day
      Itinerary

      Day 1 – Welcome to Galway Read Less

      Day 1

      Welcome to Galway

      The ‘town of the tribes,’ Galway City is the west coast’s most vibrant urban centre and a great place to start your trip. Street performers are everywhere, as well as some of the best and freshest food Ireland has to offer. Wander along the historical streets and cobbled pavements, tracing the footsteps of generations past, as you immerse yourself in the timeless allure of our city’s heritage.

      Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner

      Day 2 – Hiking Slieve Carran Read Less

      Day 2

      Hiking Slieve Carran

      The Burren is renowned the world over for its rocky grey limestone landscape. In spring and early summer, the Burren transforms into a myriad of colours, hosting one of the highest diversity of wildflowers in Europe – flowers from the Arctic and the southern Mediterranean blanket the ground here! Today, we will climb the iconic Slieve Carran Mountain to enjoy the view of this strange landscape – a region said to have inspired J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth – while marvelling at the beautiful flowers.

      Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

      Day 3 – The Burren Way Read Less

      Day 3

      The Burren Way

      The Burren is an area of scenic attractions where stone-grey hills and the valleys beneath reveal many prehistoric remains. Today, as the layers unfold to form limestone terraces on the slopes of the hills, you’ll hike part of the scenic Burren Way. The grey stretches are coupled with streaks of colour in the rock fissures. With its innate sense of spiritual peace, extraordinary flora and wildlife, and megalithic tombs and monuments older than Egypt’s pyramids, hiking the Burren Way is perhaps the best way to truly get a sense of this unusual landscape.

      Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

      Day 4 – The Cliffs of Moher Read Less

      Day 4

      The Cliffs of Moher

      Start your morning off with an awe-inspiring sight. You’ll hike along the cliff edges of the staggering 700ft high Cliffs of Moher – approaching the massive cliffs via little-known ‘secret’ paths to avoid other visitors, alive with flowers clinging to the crags in springtime. The Cliffs of Moher are home to the largest colony of nesting seabirds on mainland Ireland – and you’ll even have the chance to spot puffins nesting on the cliffs if you’re lucky.

      Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

      Day 5 – The Aran Islands Read Less

      Day 5

      The Aran Islands

      Cut off from the world, the Aran Islands are a bastion of traditional Irish language, culture, and music, unique in their geology and archaeology and alive with a potent sense of history. Inis Mór (Inishmore) is the largest of the Aran Islands and home to one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe: Dún Aonghusa (Dun Aengus), a semi-circular stone fort that clings dramatically to the top of a 100 metre drop into the sea. We’ll explore the island on foot before settling down to our island retreat with a pint in hand.

      Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

      Day 6 – Foraging in the Burren Read Less

      Day 6

      Foraging in the Burren

      Today, you’ll meet a local forager for a hike through the Burren. Not only will you learn a bit more about the types of plants available in the Burren and on the west coast of Ireland, but you’ll also get a crash course in edible plants. For lunch, you’ll even get to taste a few wild dishes on a picnic in this remote area.

      Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

      Day 7 – Galway & Depart Read Less

      Day 7

      Galway & Depart

      This morning, your guide will take you back to the bustling town of Galway, where you can choose to explore the city streets or make your way onwards.

      Meals Included: Breakfast

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      Private Departures
      Exploring Ireland’s Wildflowers

      To download a PDF copy of our Trip Itinerary, containing full details about this holiday, please complete the form below:

      Fields marked with * are mandatory

      The phone number field is not required but if you would like us to give you a call to help find the trip for you, then enter your telephone number including the country code.

      Book Now

      Price from: €3,500

      Trip Details

      Accommodation Read More

      This trip features Classic standard accommodations chosen for their excellent location and comfort. Expect comfortable and characterful lodging in luxurious guesthouses, boutique hotels and B&Bs.

      Inclusions Read More

      This trip includes the following:

      • 6 nights classic grade accommodation in hand-picked, family-run guesthouses, B&Bs & boutique hotels
      • Meals as indicated incl. all breakfasts and lunches.
      • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout
      • All transport throughout the trip, starting and finishing in Galway City
      • Activities stated in the itinerary, including:
        • Foraging with a local expert
        • Visits to ancient sites such as the Dun Aonghusa fort
      Optional Upgrades Read More

      Optional Upgrade: Meet a local wildflower expert for your hike in the Burren

      Meet a local wildflower expert for your hike through the landscape, learning about the various kinds of beautiful flora growing in the Burren.

      Speak to an Expert

      Patricia Doe

      An avid cyclist and hiker, Patricia enjoys exploring Ireland’s wild landscapes every chance she gets u2013 she particularly loves the under-appreciated regions of Mayo, Connemara, Sligo and Donegal. Having spent nearly a decade in the hospitality industry, Patricia is an expert on Ireland’s luxury and unique accommodations. As Wilderness Ireland’s General Manager and head of the sales team, Patricia is ready to help make your Irish adventure spectacular.

      Ask Patricia a Question

      Our holidays reviewed
      in your own words

      I will cherish the memories of this trip - from the beauty of the Wicklow Mountains, the kindness of my fellow hikers I had the pleasure of getting to know, and the informative and entertaining guide. If you are on the fence about going, I recommend you just do it!

      Elizabeth Snee
      Hiking - The Wicklow Way
      Reviewed on 17/10/2021

      Rated 4.93 out of 5 based on 2,368 reviews

      Read More Reviews
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