Adventourus Active Vacations

8 day Independent OR Escorted tour

Our Safari starts and finishes in Galway city, Ireland’s liveliest city with cobbled streets of entertainers and pubs spilling over with merriment with the wonderful backdrop of Galway Bay. The cycling starts from the village of Cong made famous by the 8 day Independent OR Escorted tour.

Our Safari starts and finishes in Galway city, Ireland’s liveliest city with cobbled streets of entertainers and pubs spilling over with merriment with the wonderful backdrop of Galway Bay. The cycling starts from the village of Cong made famous by the film “The Quiet Man” starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.

Our route takes in the best of the area including the colourful town of Westport, the pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick, the stunning Delphi Valley, Killary Harbour, Kylemore Abbey, Clifden and the famous Sky Road.

However for many it is the lesser known sections of this route that are the real draw as we ride across spectacular open bogland, pass deserted beaches and opt for the charming seaside village of Roundstone for our rest day. If this were not enough we take a ferry over to the Aran Islands to give an insight into this unique way of lift and to visit the dramatic hill fort of Dun Aengus. New this year is the overnight stay on the Island!

We run both guided & self guided tours in Connemara for you to choose from.

DAY TO DAY ITINERARY

Day 1: Individual arrival in Galway City

Meet with the guide at 6.30pm in the bar of Jury’s Galway Inn Hotel in the centre of Galway city. Galway is a very historical city with a great atmosphere so you can spend the afternoon pottering around the many shops in the old town or calling into one of the many pubs to listen to some traditional music.

After dinner and an introductory chat from the guide we take a coach transfer to the village of Clonbur which lies on the peninsula between Lough Corrib and Lough Mask, on the Galway/Mayo border. Once settled into our accommodation there is a chance to enjoy a drink and some traditional Irish music.

Day 2: Clonbur - Westport (60 km)

Once fitted out with bikes, we head north along the quiet backroads 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 - Leenane (50 km)

We cycle between Croagh Patrick and the beautiful Clew Bay with its many small islands, to the village of Louisburgh where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we head south through one of the highlights of the week, the stunning Delphi Valley with its beautiful lakes overlooked by Ben Bury the highest mountain in Connemara. That night we stay in the small village of Leenane which looks out over Killary Harbour, Irelands only fjord.

Day 4: Leenane - Roundstone (70 km) 

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 back roads past small fields with grazing cattle to the seaside village of Cleggan where we stop for lunch. In the afternoon we follow the scenic coast road to Clifden where you can watch cars travel across the beach to Omey 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 surrounded by small lakes and freshly cut peat with wonderful views of the Twelve Ben mountain range. That night we stay in the picturesque fishing village of Roundstone where we will spend the next two nights.

Day 5: Rest day in Roundstone 

The day can be spent in rest and relaxation or you can take part in a variety of activities including a day sailing cruise, walking, a game of golf or horse riding. You can also spend the day just relaxing on one of the two beautiful white sandy beaches just outside the village, overlooking a clear blue sea.

Day 6: Roundstone - Aran Islands (50 km)


 

We cycle along beautiful waterways and another picturesque bog road with its freshly cut peat waiting to be harvested, 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: Rorschach/Arbon - Constance/Kreuzlingen (27-36 km) 

The daycan then be spent touring the unique landscape of the island with its wealth of anciant 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 and night on the town together before going our separate ways the following morning.

Day 8: Journey home or extension of stay


 

After breakfast your cycling tour comes to an end and you may begin your journey home. We would also be more than happy to extend your stay in Europe.

PRICE & DETAILS


 

Price & Schedule 

INDEPENDENT TOUR


 

DEPARTURE DATES: 

Independent tours depart everyday from April to October, except on escorted tour start dates.

Included 

- 7 nights in excellent quality, small family run guesthouses and B & B's; all rooms with private facilities.

- Breakfast each day plos one dinner

- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel.

- Ferry ticket to the Aran Islands

- Coach transfer from Galway to Clonbur

- Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.

- 21 speed Trek hybrid bike with pannier.

Note: The optional cruise of Killary Harbour is approx. 21€. 

The entrance to Kylemore Abbey is 7€. 

Price & Schedule 

ESCORTED TOUR 

DEPARTURE DATES: 

May 19         June 9         July 7, 21          August 4, 11, 18, 21         September 22

Included 

- 7 nights in excellent quality, small family run guesthouses and B & B's, all rooms with WC and shower.

- Substantial breakfast each day plus one dinner.

- Professional tour guide at your disposal each evening, in an accompanying van during the day.

- Daily tour discussion in the morning

- Luggage transport from hotel to hotel

- Bus transfer from Galway to Clonbur

- Maps with indicated routes, detailed route description, tourist information about places of interest.

- 21 speed Giant hybrid bike with pannier, mudguards & water bottle.

Note: The optional cruise of Killary Harbour is approx. 21€. 

The entrance to Kylemore Abbey is 7€. 

Rate 

MODERATE: The roads are all sealed and the route is designed to ensure that you spend most of the week on quiet back roads, away from the main tourist routes.

Airport / Transfers 

The nearest international airport is Shannon, with Dublin a little further afeild. Buses depart each city to Galway on a regular basis. There is also a regular train service from Dublin to Galway.Schedule are provided in your tour package.

Other Information 

Escorted Tour

Our escorted bicycle tours include all services provided to our “Individual” riders, as well as the following additional services:

- Tour Escort, well familiar with the region, who handles the luggage and drives the van.

- Daily personal tour introduction.

- Opportunity to ride the van if your legs need a rest.

- By common consent the tour escort will organise sightseeing and picnics.

- Entrance fees and guided sightseeing are (partly) included in the price.