Unspoilt Ring of Kerry Cycling
Unspoilt Ring of Kerry Cycling
$2285
Tour Overview
The Iveragh Peninsula is a stunning region of islands. With Killarney at its epicentre, it is the largest of the 'five fingers' of Ireland, better known as the Ring of Kerry. Mystical, beautiful and grand, the route is also a tourist hotspot, so can be a little unkind to cyclists. Our routes maintain the same beauty and splendour but take you off the path to enjoy a more leisurely and quieter mix of inland and coastal scenery.
You'll pedal through lush countryside and lively, friendly towns, soaking up the charming Irish welcome, which is certainly as great as people talk about. Starting in the large town of Killarney, which offers an array of bars and restaurants where live Irish music can be found every night.
After a lovely warm-up day seeing the sights around Tralee, the routes follow quiet country roads and lanes (boreens in Irish), passing dramatic mountains, sparkling blue loughs, boulder-strewn fields, lush green meadows, fast running rivers and spectacular beaches and bays. This small corner of Ireland is quite rightly famous but still holds on to its traditions and general rural feel - with enough sites to explore for longer than one week. From 19th century Muckross House to the UNESCO World Heritage (and, more recently, of Star Wars fame), Skellig Islands.
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Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Tralee
Location: Killarney
Accommodation: Lodge
Check into your B&B and then explore the town, choosing from one of its many restaurants for dinner or enjoying some live music. (Staying at Abbey Lodge)
Day 2 : Tralee to Glenbeigh
Location: Killarney National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
A short warm-up ride through the stunning Killarney National Park follows a series of cycle trails where you'll see the meeting of the waters where two of the 'Three Lakes of Killarney' converge. Marvel at Torc Waterfall, the second highest in Ireland, visit Muckross House and its magnificent gardens, looking out for the famous red deer. (Staying at the Abbey Lodge)
Day 3 : Glenbeigh to Cahersiveen Cycle
Location: Killarney, Glenbeigh
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leaving Killarney behind, you'll follow the Fossa Way cycle route, before heading on small country roads as you slowly climb up to the pretty Lough Acoose, below the peak of Carrauntuohill, Ireland's highest mountain. Descending, you'll cycle along the shores of Lough Caragh and on to charming Glenbeigh and its blue flag beach. If you have time, pedal down to Rossbeigh Strand and dip your toes in the Atlantic. (Staying at the Towers Hotel)
Day 4 : Free Day in Cahersiveen/ Optional Loop Cycle
Location: Cahersiveen, Glenbeigh
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
You'll follow the route of the coast today, passing small farms and on to the beautiful and peaceful shores of Kells Bay. Heading along a scenic narrow road fringed by large green meadows and peaks in the distance, a circular loop at the end takes you past Ballycarbery Castle and a wonderful seaside view and two early Christian stone forts. You'll arrive in the lively town of Cahersiveen, the birthplace of Daniel O'Connell, the Irish political leader (1775-1847). (Staying at the San Antoine Hotel)
Day 5 : Cahersiveen to Sneem
Location: Blackstones Bridge, Cahersiveen
Accommodation: Blackstones House
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today's route takes you on coastal roads to your next destination of Sneem, passing through the quaint little town of Waterville on your way, the home away from home for Charlie Chaplin and his family throughout the 60's. Leaving Waterville you take on the climb of Coomaskista, to be awarded with stunning coastal vistas at the viewing point on the summit of the climb before skirting the Derrynane coastline and beaches on your final push to Sneem. Options to visit Derrynane House, the ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell, one of Irelands most important historical figures. (Staying at the Coomassig View)
Day 6 : Sneem to Kenmare
Location: Kenmare, Blackstones Bridge
Accommodation: Rockcrest House
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departing Sneem the routes heads back inland on rolling country roads, surrounded by Emerald Green farmland and dense ancient hedges with dry-stone walls. Your day will finish in the vibrant heritage town of Kenmare, well renowned for its cuisine and live music. (Staying at Rockcrest House, B&B)
Day 7 : Kenmare to Killarney
Location: Killarney, Kenmare
Accommodation: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
As final bike rides go, they don't get much better than this. You'll cycle to Moll's Gap - a panoramic spot that reaches a summit of 860 feet - and continue to the Black Valley. This is one of the last remaining areas of Ireland that is still remote and untouched; with rich fertile meadows and a roaring river, it feels like a land that time forgot. From here you'll climb to one of the most beautiful places in Ireland, the Gap of Dunloe, which was created during the Ice Age. Cycling along this glaciated valley, you'll meander around the many glacial lakes dotted throughout and marvel at the sheer jagged rock faces towering above you. You'll head back into Killarney through the National Park, passing the 15th century Ross Castle, before returning to your B&B for your last night (and perhaps a final Guinness). (Staying at Abbey Lodge)
Day 8 : Leave Killarney
Location: Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departure after breakfast. Transfers can be arranged at a supplement, perhaps enjoy extra nights in Killarney to finish your trip.
What's Included
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All breakfasts
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High Quality Bikes
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GPS route directions and maps
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Luggage Transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single supplements (available on request - compulsory supplement)
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Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
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Arrival and departure transfers (available for a supplement)
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Visas and vaccinations
Accommodation
You'll stay in a mix of bed and breakfasts, where you'll enjoy an Irish breakfast (one which is quirky and located off-the-beaten-track on the banks of the Curragh river) and an historic hotel. Along with the stunning scenery, you'll receive a hearty welcome everywhere you stay.
Food
All breakfasts and one evening meal included. Irish food is not exactly famous, but what you will find is extremely good ingredients used to create basic and classic dishes, both Kerry beef and Kerry lamb, are certainly well known all over Ireland and further afield. You will see rack of lamb, lamb stew and shepherd’s pie, in most places. The county’s other basket is the Atlantic Ocean, and its rivers and loughs. Sea bream and Sea Bass are popular.Trout and Salmon can be served in many different ways, and there is an abundance of shell fish, local chowders are excellent and look out for crab gratin.Wine is readily available but of course one of the symbols of Ireland is Guinness, and we can say from experience that it tastes better in Ireland, but if have a thirst after a long walk, beware the Guinness is not poured quickly, many might say there is a certain amount of time you need to leave after filling the glass halfway up the harp. However it should be left until you see a vivid distinction between the dark body and the creamy white head. Only then can the rest of the glass be filled. Learning from the locals, you should order your second pint before you have finished your first! Craft beer is making a name for itself in Ireland and there are some excellent local ones. Then there is the Irish whiskey, the famous one being Bushmills and Jameson’s, and there are many local whiskies for you to try, the Dingle distillery produces a good whiskey and an excellent gin.
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Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
No vaccinations are obligatory.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
12+ age people can go on this tour.
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not. ...more ...less
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
Unspoilt Ring of Kerry Cycling
8 Days Starting and ending in Killarney
Visiting: Killarney, Killarney National Park, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Blackstones Bridge, Kenmare
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C07KE
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements