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    Private Departures

    Exploring Ireland’s Wildflowers

    Duration: 7 Days / 6 Nights

    From: £3,500.00

    Travel Planning & Advice

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    Trip created by Patricia Doe
    View Patricia's Profile

    Region: West – Connemara, Burren & Aran Islands
    Trip Type: Private Departures
    Accommodation: Deluxe
    Deposit From: £875

    Grading: Your Own Pace

    Carbon Footprint: 144kg ? What does this mean?
    Click here to find out about our carbon labelling project and what we're doing to be more sustainable.

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

    Download Itinerary

    The west coast of Ireland – and the Burren National Park specifically – has some of Ireland’s (and Europe’s) most diverse range of wildflowers. Here, in this craggy alien landscape, you’ll find wildflowers native to the Arctic all the way down to the Mediterranean growing between the rocks.

    On this hiking journey across Ireland’s west coast, not only will you explore the Burren and its flowers, but you’ll also hop on a boat to sail out to the Aran Islands, home to ancient archeology sites as well as holding true to long-held Irish tradition – such as language, music, dance and crafts. Walk along the breath-taking 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.

    Trip Highlights

    • Visit some of Ireland's most diverse wildflower landscapes in the lunar-like landscape of the Burren National Park
    • Meet an outdoors expert to try your hand at foraging
    • Walk along the Cliffs of Moher in the quiet off season
    • Island hopping to the ancient sites of the Aran Islands

    Day by Day Itinerary

    Day 1 - Galway

    The ‘town of the tribes,’ Galway City is the west cost’s most vibrant urban centre and a great place to start your trip. Cobbled pavement and street performers await as well as some of the best and freshest food Ireland has to offer. Wander the historical streets and XXX.

    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 diversities of wild flowers 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. Tolkein’s Middle Earth – while marvelling at the beautiful flowers.

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

    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 of unfolding 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 array of 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.

    Day 4 - The Cliffs of Moher

    Start your morning off with a truly impressive 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 of spotting puffins nesting on the cliffs if you’re lucky! 

    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.

    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, you’ll get a crash course in edible plants and for lunch, you’ll even get to taste a few wild dishes on a picnic in this remote area. 

    Day 7 - Galway & Depart

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

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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.

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    Price from: €3,500
    Duration: 7 Days 6 Nights

    Trip Details

    Accommodation Read More

    This trip features Classic standard accommodations chosen for their excellent luxury, location and comfort. Expect high-end, comfortable and characterful lodging in luxurious guesthouses, boutique hotels and historic manor-houses.

    Accommodation is a choice of double or twin rooms, which are en-suite with a shower. Evening meals will be taken either in local towns, which offer a good choice of restaurants to suit every taste, or perhaps in a different location along the route depending on the day’s activities

    Inclusions Read More

    This trip includes the following:

    • 6 nights classic grade accommodation in a hand-picked, family-run guesthouses, B&Bs & boutique hotels
    • Meals as indicated incl. all Breakfasts and Lunches (Meals included indicated as B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
    • The services of an experienced and knowledgeable guide / driver throughout
    • All transport throughout the trip starting and finishing in Galway City
    • Activities stated in itinerary, including:
      • Foraging with a local expert
      • Visits to ancient sites such as the Du00fan Aonghusa fort
    • Optional upgraded / seasonal activities stated in itinerary, including:
      • Meet a local wildflower expert for your hike in the Burren

    This trip includes all accommodation, guiding and travel, as well as mosts meals. It does not include drinks or any gratuities you may choose to leave.

    Trip Grading Read More

    At Your Own Pace

    On this adventure, you will be accompanied by a Wilderness Ireland hiking guide for several days, who will be able to suggest and lead you on a range of hikes from gentle, low-level rambles to challenging days visiting remote summits. Just let them know what type of hike you would like to do and they will be ready.

    On the other days of the trip, you will self guided and can explore at whatever pace you feel comfortable.

    Other Read More

    Optional upgraded / seasonal activities stated in itinerary, including:

    • Meet a local wildflower expert for your hike in the Burren

    Photo Gallery

    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

    Difficulty Grades Explained

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