Active Journeys Self Guided & Guided

Road Cycling Tour

Connemara and Mayo

A lacy net of inlets and islands along the coast, rugged mountains in the interior and swishy bogs in between make up this region. Ireland’s largest gaeltact stretches along the coast.

Starting in Galway city, you will find literary and theatrical culture in both of Ireland’s languages. Cycle west in between the pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick before heading south via Delphi Valley to the town of Leeane. Pedal through the open bog land of Connemara to the seaside village of Roundstone.

Ferry out to , the largest of the , where 437 kinds of wildflowers rise from the stony terrain. See the stark limestone landscapes plunging straight into the sea, ancient ruins, and islanders that still main- tain their traditional lifestyles.

Tour Details 2012 Guided Dates: May 19, Jun 9, Jul 7, 21 Aug 4, 11, 18, 25, Sep 22 Self Guided-every day except Saturday April to October

Length: 8 days/ 7 nights Fast Facts Cost: $1225 per person

$50 p/p supplement for Jul and  Fully supported cycling adventure  Experience the local culture, and enjoy Aug  Charming B&B’s and hotels with a craic (a traditional get-together, where Difficulty: Moderate breakfast included the locals sing and dance) Bike Rental: Included  Bicycle rental included  Services of local guides and van support Starts/Ends: Galway City  Taste the many local brews

Active Journeys Contact: 1-800-597-5594 or 416-236-5011 Email : [email protected]

Day 1: Arrive Galway City Arrive in Galway City. Meet group at 6:30 PM in at the Jury’s Inn Hotel. After dinner and an introductory chat from the guide we take a coach transfer to the village of which lies on the peninsula between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, on the Galway/Mayo border where we spend the night.

Day 2: Galway to Westport (39 miles/ 62 kms) We head north along the quiet back roads through rolling green fields full of grazing sheep, before descending down to Lough Mask and a wonderful cycle along the shores of the lake. After lunch we have our biggest climb of the week over the Partry Mountains and then cycle along a quiet back road with stunning views of the surrounding landscape all the way to colourful village of Westport.

Day 3: Westport to Leenane (30 miles / 50 kms) We cycle between Croagh Patrick and the coast into the village of Louisburgh for lunch. Then, we head south through the beautiful Delphi Valley overlooked by Ben Bury, the highest mountain in Connemara to the tranquil village of Leanne.

Day 4: Leenane to Roundstone (31 miles / 72 kms) We cycle into the heart of Connemara overlooked by the Twelve Bens mountain range and visit Kylemore Abbey, a wedding gift from a wealthy Liverpool businessman to his wife in 1868. We then cycle along quiet backroads past small fields with grazing cattle to the seaside village of Cleg- gan where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we follow the scenic coast road to where you can watch cars travel across the beach to Island only accessible when the tide is out! After a stop-off in Clifden, the capital of Connemara , we cycle along a quiet country bog road sur- rounded by small lakes and freshly cut peat with wonderful views of the Twelve Ben mountain range.

Day 5: Rest Day in Roundstone We rest day in Roundstone, a small town with plenty of alter- nate activities to partake in. Enjoy the musical pubs and many other things to do and see, or just sit back and relax on one of the sandy beaches for the day.

Day 6: Roundstone to Aran Islands (34 miles / 54 kms) We cycle along beautiful waterways and another pictur- esque bog road with its freshly cut peat waiting to be har- vested, both offering wonderful views of the surrounding countryside before cycling the final afternoon stretch to the ferry in Rossaveel which will bring us to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands where we will spend the night.

Day 7: to Galway City (22 miles / 32 kms) The day can then be spent touring the unique landscape of the island with its wealth of ancient stone forts and monastic sights. In the late afternoon we return to the mainland and take a bus back to Galway city. We have a final dinner (at own expense) and the night on the town before going our separate ways in the morning.

Day 8: End of tour

What to Expect

What will the weather be like? The daytime temperature will be around 15 to mid‐20 degrees C ( 60’s to 70’s F), Getting There with moderate rainfall. It often rains in Ireland, making the countryside lush and  Fly to Dublin or Shannon green. It is usually misty and not torrential downpours, but rain gear is still neces‐ sary, both a jacket and a pair of pants.  From there, transfer to train or bus station to get How many hours of cycling a day? to Galway City. Travel Be prepared to ride between 4 to 6 hours daily. This is fully supported tour, so you can easily opt out and take the sag wagon if you need to take a day off. time is about 3-4 hours.

How fit do I need to be? The fitter the better, so you will be able to ride more instead of sitting in the van. There are some hills and some level terrain, and if required, we will be able to take people up the hills to eliminate the harder climbs.

What is the food like? We have included a full Irish breakfast each day. For lunch, you can stop in a pub and local restaurant for a full meal or mid‐day snack. For dinner, your guide will suggest a location, you can choose to eat with the group or on your own, as you like.

What are the hotels like? They are chosen for their charm and location. Properties are charming B&B’s, well‐ located in the towns. All the rooms have private facilities.

Extra Services How to book your holiday

We have a selection of hotels available for  Contact our office to make sure there is space available. you, both before and after the tour. One of our travel planners will walk you through the entire

process. Hotels in Galway City, Dublin and Shannon can be arranged for you, ranging from B&B’s to deluxe accommodation.  Download the reservation form from our site and send in Contact us for details. the completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space is confirmed and pre-departure packet will be sent.

 A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is re- quired 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & condi- tions are outlined in our Reservation Form.

 Plan your air travel as soon as possible.

 We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either through us or a travel insurance provider directly.

 Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact us for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and fitness requirements.