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Killarney Lakes & Ring of Kerry

Ireland Cultural Walking Tour

6 DaysStarting at $5,455

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

Highlights

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• 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

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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.

Dates & Prices

The earlier you book, the more choice you’ll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind — you won’t be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due. Talk with one of our travel experts at 800-200-3887.

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Family Departure

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

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.

Accommodations

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

  • All breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 4 dinners
  • Full-time experienced guide(s) who are with you throughout the trip, handle behind-the-scenes logistics and are there to help with anything
  • Admissions to tastings, historic sites and other scheduled events as noted in the detailed daily itinerary
  • Gratuities for hotels, meals and baggage
  • All land transportation during the trip

Above & Beyond Benefits

Privileged Access Events

  • One-of-a-kind access to remarkable people, places and activities arranged just for you.

Invisible Check-In

  • When your group arrives, we whisk you and your bags to your room immediately. No waiting – no tipping.

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