800-200-3887
FIND A TOUR
FIND A TOUR
All Tours
Killarney Lakes & Ring of Kerry

Ireland Cultural Walking Tour

6 DaysStarting at $5,995
Download itinerary Book Now

Overview

The Ring of Kerry. Ross Castle. The Killarney Lakes. You may have heard of them, but that's just where Classic Journeys begins. We also take easy walks on the high peninsulas and wild seashores. You'll get a not-very-useful but absolutely fascinating lesson in how farmers cut peat. There's optional golf on spectacular links. And for the name alone—MacGillycuddy's Reeks—we love Ireland's highest mountain range, and we'll show you why. Maybe you can tell: Ireland makes us happy. It's stunningly beautiful and the people are even warmer and more good-humored than the cliché. Join us from sheep-clogged country lanes overlooking the sea for a complete and memorable taste of Irish life.

Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe.”
Travel + Leisure

Itinerary Highlights

Download Full Daily Itinerary

• Meet in Killarney and explore 15th-century Ross Castle and nearby Torc Waterfall for an easy warm-up walk in Killarney National Park.

• Take a beautiful and gentle footpath through the Gap of Dunloe en route to lunch at Lord Brandon's cottage.

• Sail across the Killarney Lakes to our manor house hotel in Killarney town.

• Drop in on the local pub for some traditional music and dancing.

• Visit with friends who will tell us about their herd of a thousand mountain sheep that have been carefully bred for over 150 years.

• Enjoy a favorite island walk past colonies of seabirds to an ancient, ruined monastery.

• Stroll to Muckross House and Gardens and to the 15th-century Muckross Abbey.

Download Full Daily Itinerary

Map

  • Starting Point:

    Killarney – 12:00 pm – Great Southern Killarney lobby

  • Ending Point:

    Killarney – 1:00 pm – Rail Station
Itinerary Map

Click map to enlarge

Walking Level

  • Daily Mileage Options: 2-8 miles

  • Route Notes:

    The terrain on this trip includes a mix of paved and cobblestone streets in Killarney, Kenmare and other villages; as well as well-maintained coastal, countryside, riverside and shepherds’ paths of compressed dirt and stone. The footpaths offer a selection of level, rolling and hilly terrain with some elevation gain and loss.
To See Mileage Daily, Download Full Itinerary

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more options you’ll have and the lower your price. Secure your spot with a deposit of just $500 per person at the time of reservation. Plus, you can always change your mind — there’s no fee to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

Talk to an expert
Family Departure

Select our “Family Departure” to travel with other families.

Hotels

We spend years cultivating personal relationships with our hoteliers to provide you thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region. Here is a sampling of our favorite hotels on this tour. 

Great Southern

Built 160 years ago, this grand Killarney hotel has hosted demanding guests from Jackie Kennedy to the Duchess of York. The gracious rooms are a modern take on classic elegance. At breakfast, you’ll appreciate that the hotel has its own in-house bakery.

Sheen Falls Lodge

Located near the village of Kenmare and overlooking picturesque Sheen Falls, this upscale property welcomes guests to its collection of luxury cottages and villas. Sheen Falls Lodge was rated the #1 hotel in Ireland by Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List.

What’s Included

  • Meals: All breakfasts, two lunches, and four dinners.
  • Hotels: Award-winning boutique properties, thoughtfully selected for their exceptional location, design, history, and regional character.
  • Tour Leader(s): Expert guides who are your well-connected local friends and provide you access to people and places you wouldn’t find on your own.
  • Supplemental Experts: Additional regional guides and specialists on select tours.
  • Transportation: All land transportation as listed in the daily itinerary, including fares for trains, ferries, and other modes of travel.
  • Privileged Access Events: One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places, and experiences arranged just for you, as noted in the daily itinerary.
  • Admissions & Entry Fees: Entry to tastings, historic sites, and other scheduled activities listed in the daily itinerary.
  • Baggage Transfers: Upon arrival, we whisk you and your bags directly to your room—no waiting, no tipping.
  • Gratuities: All gratuities at hotels, restaurants, and for baggage handling.
  • Dedicated Guest Services Coordinator: Your pre-trip concierge and tour expert, available to answer questions and ensure you’re fully ready to get the most out of your tour.
Not Included: Tour Leader gratuities, travel to and from your trip’s start and end points, and any meals or activities taken independently.

Why Choose Classic Journeys

Travel + Leisure has awarded Classic Journeys the #1 World’s Best Tour Operator multiple times and says, "Classic Journeys provides unbeatable access to experiences around the globe." Here’s what that access means for you.

  • Experience the world on foot and at eye level. Each day, join your guide on the most cinematic footpaths in the region.
  • Exceptional full-time local guides who become your well-connected friend. Our amazing guides are with you throughout each day of the tour, share their lifelong connections as well as engaging anecdotes about the history and culture of the region.
  • Small groups that provide you unrivaled access. An average of fewer than 10 guests per departure means we can offer you special access to sites like Stonehenge so you experience the stone circle when it’s closed to the general public, a guided visit to Zion Narrows that other companies cannot arrange because of larger group sizes, and vineyard walks with a count and countess in Tuscany.
  • Award-winning hotels are waiting for you at the end of every day. Luxuriate in the finest and most distinctive accommodations in the region you’re exploring, including rainforest lodges, 16th century villas, and award-winning properties that show up on World’s Best and Gold lists.
  • Eat like (and with) the locals. Food is a foolproof way into the hearts, homes and history of the places you visit with us. From gourmet picnics to coveted local restaurants, our meals offer you opportunities to explore native food traditions and fine dining.
  • Handcrafted itineraries with all activities included. With our long-term friendships, we know our walking tour regions more personally than anyone else. So you get thoughtfully curated itineraries that combine explorations of the villages, organic farms, archeological sites and the people who know them best.
  • Sustainable travel that supports the places you’re visiting. We put our local currency into the pockets of the people who live where we travel. It’s your guarantee that you’ll have authentic, up-close experiences on your trip. Best of all, our person-to-person approach helps sustain their ways of life.

Guest Reviews

Trustpilot

Similar Tours

See All Tours

From the Blog

All Posts

FAQs

Why is Classic Journeys the best tour company for Ireland tours?

Classic Journeys unlocks the magic of Ireland, walking you into vibrant villages, hidden valleys, and local pubs that most visitors miss. With expert local guides who feel like old friends, you’ll enjoy insider experiences—think private tastings, hands-on baking, and evenings filled with music and stories—plus boutique lodging and seamless access to the island’s most soulful landscapes.

Which locations does the Classic Journeys Ireland itinerary include?

Your walking adventure takes in Ireland’s must-sees and secret gems: tours of Muckross House and Gardens and to the 15th-century Muckross Abbey, the wild landscapes of Gap of Dunloe, lakeside rambles in Killarney National Park, sweeping coastal views and days spent strolling the colorful villages in Killarney, Kenmare and others along the way. You’ll be led by an expert local guide who will help you discover the best of the Emerald Isle, on foot at eye level.

When is the best time to visit Ireland?

Ireland shines May through September, with long days, mild temperatures, and blooming landscapes—perfect for walking, exploring, and enjoying local festivals. Spring and autumn are ideal for quieter trails and cozy village evenings, letting you stroll beside lakes and clifftops with just the right balance of sunlight and serenity.

How active is the Ireland cultural walking tour?

These walks are designed for discovery, so you can expect 3–7 miles daily, from gentle rambles along coastal cliffs to strolls beside blue lakes in Killarney. Routes are mostly easy to moderate, with options to match how you feel each day, making it perfect for mixed abilities and families.

Do Classic Journeys’ Ireland tours feature food & music experiences?

Absolutely—food and music are at the heart of your Ireland journey. Share a singalong and a pint at an authentic local pub, sample award-winning chocolates and then roll up your sleeves for an ‘only with Classic Journeys’ chocolate-making lesson alongside the expert himself, and pause for a lunch of local specialties (fish and chips, perhaps?) Every meal and tune offers a window into real Irish life as you eat like (and with) the locals while on tour.

How many travelers are in each small group on your Ireland tour?

Classic Journeys keeps groups small—usually fewer than 10 guests and never more than 18—ensuring access, flexibility, and genuine connections. This ensures personalized attention from your expert local guides as well as genuine camaraderie from your travel companions while exploring Ireland.

How does Classic Journeys’ Ireland itinerary compare with other Ireland tours?

With Classic Journeys, you walk quieter byways and scenic overlooks most tours never reach, led by expert guides whose local roots unlock authentic encounters at every stop. Handpicked boutique lodging, lively meals with local hosts, and a focus on immersive, off-the-beaten-path walks make this journey richer and more rewarding than standard, crowd-heavy tours. Exploring on foot at eye level helps you discover the best of the Emerald Isle.