Hiker on Diamond Hill, Connemara, Ireland

Ireland Active Adventure

Sea kayaking in Ireland

Ireland Active Adventure

Hiker on Diamond Hill in Connemara National Park, Ireland

Ireland Active Adventure

Hike, Kayak, and Taste Your Way Around the Emerald Isle

Days: 8 | From: $10,660/per person

  • Enjoy accommodations at best-in-class boutique hotels.
  • Curated tours with outstanding private guides: you’ll have an instant local friend with insider access.
  • Journey through Ireland as you discover its history, stunning landscapes, fine food, and culture.

From Connemara’s mountains, lakes, and castles to the limestone landscapes of Clare and the windswept Aran Islands, this active itinerary has it all. Enjoy experiences such as falconry in a historic estate, fishing and picnicking on a remote island, kayaking beneath coastal cliffs, hiking up rolling hills, and whiskey tasting in a village pub. With expert local guides and handpicked stays, this itinerary offers a balance of adventure, culture, and authentic Irish hospitality.

Talk to a Vaya Travel Specialist

We tailor itineraries to your dates and interests, adjusting hotels, excursions and length as desired.

5-Star Reviews

We consistently receive 5 star reviews from our discerning clients.

At a Glance

  • Dublin
    1 night: introduction to Irish history and culture
  • Ballynahinch
    3 nights: hike, fish and explore the castles, mountains, and isles of Connemara
  • Gragan East
    3 nights: discover Galway, kayak along cliffs, and walk the Aran Islands

All itineraries are fully customizable. We will send you a personalized variation that reflects your interests and travel dates at no extra cost. Call to discuss your travel plans with one of our Specialists who know this region firsthand.

5-Star Reviews

Find out why our discerning travelers consistently rate us with 5-stars.

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Dublin

Céad míle fáilte – one hundred thousand welcomes – to Ireland’s capital city. Upon arrival, a private transfer will take you into Dublin and to your hotel. After settling in and enjoying a bite to eat, set out on a private walking tour with a local historian. As you stroll through the city’s streets and squares, your guide will bring Dublin’s past to life, sharing stories of the figures and events that have shaped it across the centuries.

Accommodations: The Davenport Hotel

Located near Merrion Square in Dublin’s city center, The Davenport Hotel combines historic architecture with contemporary interiors. The property has 115 rooms and suites, each featuring modern amenities, marble bathrooms, and comfortable lounge spaces. Dining options include an all-day restaurant serving Irish and international cuisine, as well as a bar offering cocktails and afternoon tea. The hotel’s location places the National Gallery of Ireland, Trinity College, and Grafton Street all within easy walking distance.

Alternative lodging options:
The Merrion Hotel , The Westbury , The Fitzwilliam Hotel Dublin

Day 2: Connemara and Falconry Experience

Today you’ll travel from the bustle of Dublin to the quiet, untamed beauty of Connemara. Your accommodation is an elegant former hunting lodge set within a historic walled garden, the perfect setting for today’s immersive falconry experience.

Begin with a close-up introduction to a variety of birds of prey as your falconer explains their traits, behaviors, and the centuries-old traditions of the sport. Then set out on a guided Hawk Walk through the estate’s woodlands, feeling the exhilaration as a hawk takes flight and returns to your gloved hand.

Accommodations: Ballynahinch Castle Hotel , 3 nights

Set on a 700-acre estate in Connemara, Ballynahinch Castle Hotel is an 18th-century castle overlooking the Ballynahinch River. The property offers 48 rooms and suites, many with river or woodland views, furnished in a country-house style with modern comforts. The Owenmore Restaurant highlights seasonal Irish produce, while the Fisherman’s Pub provides a more casual setting with open fires and traditional atmosphere. Interiors feature antiques, wood-paneled rooms, and historic details that reflect the castle’s long heritage.

*Includes: Breakfast

Alternative lodging options:
Ashford Castle Hotel

Day 3: Fishing and Island Picnic in Connemara

This morning, a short transfer will bring you to Roundstone Bay, where you will step aboard The Benbaun, a traditional local fishing boat. Try your hand at mackerel fishing and help pull in lobster pots, keeping watch for seabirds and marine life along the way.

Come ashore on Inishlacken Island, a quiet and uninhabited isle known for its sandy beaches and calm waters. Here you will enjoy a bespoke picnic, surrounded by sweeping views that capture the rugged beauty and tranquility of Connemara.

Accommodations: Ballynahinch Castle Hotel , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 4: Hike Diamond Hill and Visit Kylemore Abbey

This morning your private driver-guide will meet you at Ballynahinch to begin your first day of hiking. Set out on the captivating 7-kilometer trail in Connemara National Park, ascending the narrow path to the summit of Diamond Hill, the region’s most iconic peak. From the top, sweeping views stretch across the rugged mountains on one side and the sparkling Atlantic on the other.

Below, you will spot the turrets of Kylemore Abbey, a 19th-century neo-Gothic manor nestled against the slopes. After descending, visit the abbey and its Victorian walled gardens before returning to your hotel this evening.

Accommodations: Ballynahinch Castle Hotel , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 5: Galway City and Whiskey Tasting in Clare

Bid farewell to Connemara and travel to Galway City, the lively capital of Ireland’s west. Known as the “town of the tribes,” Galway’s cobblestone streets, colorful storefronts, and bustling squares give the city its cosmopolitan feel. Here you will meet a local military historian in the main square for a guided walk through the alleys and lanes, learning about Galway’s pivotal roles in European conflicts and Ireland’s fight for independence.

From Galway, continue south into County Clare and check in to your 18th-century manor house. Later, head into the village of Ballyvaughan, where a local pub landlady will welcome you for a private whiskey tasting drawn from one of Ireland’s largest personal collections.

Accommodations: Gregans Castle Hotel , 3 nights

Overlooking the Burren and Galway Bay, Gregans Castle Hotel is a 250-year-old manor house known for its peaceful setting and historic character. The property has 21 individually decorated rooms and suites, furnished with antiques, art, and modern comforts. Its award-winning restaurant emphasizes seasonal Irish produce, much of it sourced locally. Guests can relax in the drawing room or gardens.

*Includes: Breakfast

Alternative lodging options:
Dromoland Castle Hotel

Day 6: Kayaking Liscannor Bay amd Kilkee Cliffs Walk

This morning you will set out on a half-day sea kayaking adventure in Liscannor Bay, paddling through clear waters beneath the dramatic cliffs of County Clare. As you glide along the coastline, watch for seals, seabirds, and other marine life, all against the backdrop of the Wild Atlantic Way. In the afternoon, continue to Kilkee for a scenic cliff walk. The two mile trail hugs the edge of the Atlantic, revealing striking rock formations, sweeping ocean views, and the rugged beauty of Clare’s coastline.

Accommodations: Gregans Castle Hotel , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 7: Exploring Inis Mór, the Aran Islands

Today you will journey to Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands, for a day of discovery with local guides. Traveling by off-road adventure vehicles, you will reach areas of the island rarely accessible to visitors without local knowledge. Along the way, learn about the islanders’ unique culture, traditions, and Irish language, as well as the flora and fauna that shape daily life here. You will also visit filming sites from The Banshees of Inisherin, adding a modern touch to this deeply traditional landscape.

Accommodations: Gregans Castle Hotel , 3 nights

*Includes: Breakfast

Day 8: Departure

Say goodbye to Ireland and head to the airport to catch your departing flight.

*Includes: Breakfast

Popular Ways to Customize This Itinerary

  • Spend time in Killarney exploring lakes, wild landscapes, and castles

  • Add a stopover in London on the way to Ireland

  • Combine with a few days of hiking and exploring in the Scottish Highlands

Contact us to learn about more options for designing and customizing your trip.
Contact Us +1 (800) 342-1796

Superb Private Guides

Learn More

Environmentally and Culturally Respectful Travel

Learn More

Best In Class Accommodations

See Testimonials

Thoughtfully Designed Itineraries

See Testimonials

Sustainable Travel

We take our environmental and social responsibilities seriously.

Learn More
Contact Us