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www.extremeireland.ie

CONNEMARA EXPERIENCE Type : Mixed Adventure ( FREE Day Tour with this tour ) Duration : 7 Days

Lough Inagh - Connemara

Tour Type : Mixed Adventure Group Size : 16 Max Accommodation : Guesthouses Grade : Easy / Moderate

Departure Dates 2018 : 21st May | 18th June | 16th July | 6th Aug | 3rd Sept

Tour Highlights Tour Essentials • Kayak along Killary Fjord Accommodation : 6 nights in quality guesthouses • Visit a Mountain Sheep Farm Included Meals : 6 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners • Hike around Inishbofin Island Start Point : Dublin • Visit Kylemore Abbey End Point : Dublin Transport : Minibus – 16 Max • Hike around Lough Corrib Inclusions : Listed in notes Exclusions: Listed in notes Details

A man pulls the goatskin tightly around a circular piece of wood as he works to get the right amount of tension. What is he crafting? A Bodhran ( 'Bouraun'), an ancient Irish drum that has hand-painted Celtic symbols on its surface. On our Connemara Experience, we will go to the Bodhran factory to see this process firsthand. Following this traditional and ancient practice, we will fill our time with a variety of culturally insightful experiences as well as striking landscape that will leave you in awe. We will kayak in Killary Harbour and try a hand at trout fishing. Venture into the Connemara countryside on horseback experiencing the surreal landscape in a relaxing and adventurous way. This trip will surely Route Map leave you with images of Ireland’s gorgeous landscape engrained in your heart. What's Included ? • 7 full days of pure adventure • The best and friendliest guides in the business. • All your tour transport for 7 days • 6 hearty Irish breakfasts • Bike hire in Roundstone • Bodhran Factory • Inisbofin Ferry • Connemara Pony Trek Keem Bay – Achill Island • Kayak along Killary Fjord • Mountain Sheep farm visit • Mt Mweelrea hike • Kylemore Abbey entry • Beach BBQ • Tullamore Dew Whiskey Experience

What’s Not Included ? • Lunches, evening meals, drinks • Travel insurance • Flights Kylemore Abbey - Connemara • Seaweed Baths - Optional Ex - €35

Cliffs Of Moher - Co’ Clare

1 Dublin to Roundstone DAY Once you depart from Dublin city, your tour will travel across the country to the wild west where your begin your adventure. After a short stop along the way, you will stop in the bohemian city of Galway. This city is one of our favourite places and holds a fascinating mix of buskers, craft stalls and street performers to entertain you while you are there. Afterwards you will arrive at the village of Roundstone. Once you check into your accommodation and freshen up, we'll get you on a bike and take in some fresh sea air and beautiful view of the surrounding area. On your return, you will visit the world famous Bodhran factory. A bodhran is an ancient Irish drum and you can see this age old, handcrafted instrument being made with skillful hands.

Highlight of the day: Bike Ride around Roundstone Overnight : Roundstone Restaurant Suggestion: Vaughans Restaurant

2 Inisbofin Island DAY

After your breakfast, you'll strap your hiking boots on and we'll travel to Inisbofin Island from Cleggan. The drive there is spectacular and the boat ride to the island is even better. After some lunch upon arrival, we'll begin our hike around the island and view its many birds, wild flowers and seal colonies along the route. The island is 5 miles off the Galway coast and is home to many white sandy beaches and coves. Maybe we'll take a dip along the way, if it takes our fancy.

Highlight of the day: Inishbofin Island walk Overnight: Roundstone

Restaurant Suggestion: The Bogbean Cafe

3 Connemara National Park DAY

The Connemara Pony is known worldwide as a breed that is hardy, handsome and strong like the landscape they were born into. You'll be brought on a pony trek through Connemara's beautiful countryside. In the afternoon you will be taken to a real working mountain sheep farm. After a tour of the farm, the farmer will give you a sheep dog demonstration. Watch the skill of the farmer, as well as the sheep dog as he rounds the flock up in a matter of minutes. The farmer will then teach you the ancient art of turf cutting. Turf is a natural fuel source cut from the ground and then dried.

Highlight of the day: Mountain Sheep Farm Visit Overnight : Leenane Village

Restaurant Suggestion : Blackberry Cafe

4 Hike up Mt Mweelrea DAY

This morning, you will begin your assent of the highest mountain in Connemara called 'Mweelrea'. Once you have made the summit, at a height of 814 meters, you will have the best view of Killary Harbour and of the entire Connemara National Park. It is truly a spectacular sight from the top and one that you'll never forget (unless it's cloudy of course!). After all your hard work today, there is only one way to unwind and relax and that's with Leenan's world famous Connemara seaweed baths. A seaweed bath is hot seawater over fresh seaweed harvested from the bay. This has all sorts of health benefits not the least of which being its best for those who want to detox, de-stress and re-fresh !

Highlight of the day: Hike up Mt Mweelrea – Connemara’s Highest Mountain Overnight: Leenane Village Restaurant Suggestion: Hamiltons Bar

5

DAY Kylemore Abbey

.You will have been looking at Killary Harbour for the last day or so and now it's time to get in! You will kayak along the deepest water inlet in Europe, where U-boats used to hide during World War II. Killary harbour is also one of only two fjords in Ireland, which holds a huge mussel farm industry. Afterwards we will visit Kylemore Abbey, a romantic castle built by Mitchell Henry for his wife in 1867 and sits among the mountainous landscape that surrounds it to present a fairytale sight. Renvyle is one of those hidden gems in Connemara, especially its beach where we will dine tonight. A camp fire and beach BBQ will be set up and you can relax on the beach, listen to the waves crash and gaze at the stars to finish a jam packed day of adventure and culture!

Highlight of the day: Kayak along Killary Fjord Overnight : Leenane Village Restaurant Suggestion: Blackberry Cafe

6 The Inagh Valley Walk - Connemara DAY Today, we will be taking a walk through the Maumturk Mountains. The walk is called the Maunméan walk and it is spectacular. You will walk through a gap in the mountain range and down to the Inagh Valley, where you will find Inage lodge, a wonderful oasis where you can have some lunch or a pint after your walk. We will stay in Leenane again tonight.

Highlight of the day: The Inagh Valley Walk Overnight: Leenane

Restaurant Suggestion: Leenane Hotel

7 Tullamore Whiskey Experience & Dublin DAY

Sadly, we must leave our beloved Connemara and head back to the capital. On the way back, we have one more surprise up our sleeve. The Irish are world famous for our whiskey making. Whiskey was born in Ireland and Tullamore Dew is one of Ireland's many world famous brands. Before we return to Dublin, you will visit their newly refurbished visitors centre where you can learn all about the secrets of whiskey making. You arrive back in Dublin and sadly, we must say our goodbyes for now. You will leave Ireland with newly formed friendships and memories that will last a lifetime !

Highlight of the day: Tullamore Whiskey Experience End of Services : Thank You ! Tour Information

Price €1299

Duration: 8 Days

Departure Time: 08:00

Departure Location: Suffolk Street, Dublin ( outside the old stone church)

Single Supplement: €240

Accommodation & Meals

Accommodation: Your accommodation is included in the price of the tour each night. The standard is a high quality lodge or guesthouse with each room having its own en suite. We see the tour accommodation as a very important part of the overall tour experience and each year we travel around Ireland handpicking the very best quality accommodations relevant to our tours. The hosts are welcoming and very friendly and give our customers a homely feeling when they arrive.

Meals: Each morning you will get a full cooked breakfast with continental options to set you up for the day ahead. Lunches and evening meals are not included however your guide will direct you to where you can get a packed lunch . Normally this would include a sandwich, water and maybe a chocolate bar or something sweet. Do make sure to bring sufficient water for the day ahead. Evening meals are another important part of the tour experience and we always encourage our customers to try local and traditional food on tour. Each night we make a suggestion of where to eat however the night is yours to own. Sometimes the group eats together and if some wish, they can eat elsewhere.

Our Guides

At Extreme Ireland Adventures we put so much energy into handpicking and training our guides. In our view, you can be brought on the most amazing tour, but if the guide is bad then the tour fails. All our guides are born to do what they do. They have a deep love and knowledge of this little island and they want to share it with everyone. Their only aim is to make sure that our customers have an unforgettable time in Ireland. Each guide has their own particular style which we always encourage but all will give a professional and fun tour experience. Budgeting for your Tour

You will need some extra money for tour, for the likes of lunches, meals, drinks, souvenirs etc. Here are some tips and information that will be helpful for you to budget your tour before you arrive.

Lunches Depending on the day, you will either have a packed lunch for a hike or you will have lunch in a pub or restaurant. Each day tour guide will let you know what is the best option and you can choose. Here are some guideline prices for your lunch options.

Sandwich - €5 Water - €2 Sweet - €2

Pub Lunch - €10 - €15 Coffee - €4 Tea - €3

Evening Meals Each night we will give restaurant suggestions which we choose based on their local produce and quality. This area can vary greatly but this will give you some guideline on what to expect.

Budget Main Meal - €6 - €10 Average 3 course - €25 - €30 High end 3 course - €35 - €55

Glass of Wine - €5 Pint of Beer - €5 Whiskey / Short - €5

Foreign Exchange

ATM Availability: Widely available in main towns

Cash Back : Most pubs, large shops and restaurants will offer a cash back service

Credit Card Acceptance: Widely accepted

Travellers Cheques: Can be changed in most banks and post offices

Local Currency: Euro

Where to Exchange: Your tour leader will advise where you can exchange.

Preparing for your Tour

Climate Ireland has a temperate climate and can be changeable. Our wonderful green landscape doesn't come without a sprinkle of rain once in a while! In general the summers are warm with the hottest months being July and August. Winters are cool and the lowest temperatures are recorded during January and February. Whatever the season it is advisable to prepare for rain.

Gear & Equipment Here are some essentials that we would suggest to bring on tour ; Comfortable waterproof walking boots; Waterproof jacket & over trousers; At least 2 pairs of comfortable walking trousers and breathable tops ; Day pack 25L will do ; Gaiters and walking poles ( personal choice but recommended ) ; Thick socks , hat and gloves ; Water bottle & lunch box ; Sunscreen & insect repellent ; .....and don’t forget your camera !!

Luggage on tour Most people will have two pieces of luggage on tour. Their main larger piece and a smaller day pack used for day hikes etc. The larger piece depending on the day will be secured in the bus or at the accommodation. This tour stops in some accommodations for more than one night to allow less packing and unpacking.

Electric & plug supplies 3 Pin Flat

Airport Transfers You can get to Dublin city from the airport by bus or taxi which run regularly from outside the airport arrivals.

Visas Depending on what country you are travelling from there are different visa requirements needed. We would advise you to go to the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade to check whether you will need a visa for Ireland before your trip. www.dfa.ie

Other General Information

Population : 4,600,000

Size of Country: 70,273 sq km

Major Language: English / some smaller parts in the west speak Irish as their first language

Main Religion: Roman Catholic

International Phone Code: +353

International Phone Calls: We suggest you use ‘Viber’ or ‘Skype’ for free international calls

Some Fun Facts about the Irish & Ireland

• Over 40% of all American Presidents can trace their ancestry back to Ireland • Newgrange passage tomb in Co. Meath is 600 years older than the Pyramids and 1000 years older than Stonehenge • St Brendan is said to have discovered America 1000 years before Columbus • Dublin was originally called ‘Dubh Linn’ meaning ‘Black Pool’ • The national symbol of Ireland is the Celtic harp, not the shamrock.

Free Day Tour

On selected tours we offer a free day tour from Dublin as an extra bonus for booking your tour with Extreme Ireland Adventures. Apart from our adventure travel business we also operate one day tours from Dublin. A day tour will allow you to experience a part of Ireland that may not be on your tour and you can choose from one of seven different iconic destinations free of charge either before or after your tour date. Just get in contact with us and let us know when and where. You can view our day ours from; www.extremeireland.ie

Travel Insurance

Your tour with Extreme Ireland Adventures does not include travel insurance. In-light of this, we would suggest that you get covered before you embark on your Irish adventure. Choosing what insurance company to use is entirely up to you, however if you need a suggestion, we would direct you to World Nomads who specialise in adventure travel. www.worldnomads.com

Booking Your Tour

10% Deposit With any of our multi-day tours we can secure your place with a small deposit of 10%. The remainder of the balance can be paid up to two weeks before departure. Once we have a deposit, your name is added to the tour rooming list and the logistics for your tour is started. You can do this through our website www.extremeireland.ie , just click the 10% deposit box in the booking form. Otherwise you can pay in full online or call us on 00353-1-4100700 / email; [email protected]

Your Tour Advisor

Mike Murphy Adventure Travel Specialist

Mike has been with Extreme Ireland Adventures since the beginning. Having travelled a large part of the globe solo, he still holds Ireland as among the most beautiful countries in the world. Mike will be delighted to answer any questions, queries or indeed assist you in booking any of our tours. You can contact him by phone or e-mail ;

E-mail : [email protected] Phone : 00353-1-4100700 Web: www.extremeireland.ie