Northern Adventure - 5 Day Tour
Experience the powerful drama of Ulster..
The 5 Day Northern Adventure
The North of Ireland encapsulates all that is Irish. From the intriguing, turbulent political undertones to the dramatic coastline, cliffs and crashing waves. This 5 day private tour of Ireland takes you on a journey through what it means to be Irish leaving on our island. A true Irish experience getting away from the crowds and off the beaten path.
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Including...
Professional Driver Guide - Luxury Private Tour Transport - 4 Nights Boutique & Luxury Style Accommodation with full breakfasts - A selection of activities and sightseeing each day - Off the beaten path & away from the crowds.
Distance Travelled:
Approx 750km
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Highlights:
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Newgrange & The Boyne Valley
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The Giants Causeway
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The North East Coast
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Glenveagh National Park
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The Wild Atlantic Way
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Malin Head
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The Inishowen Peninsula
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Meet the Locals:
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Local Sheep Farmer
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Local Belfast Black Cab Driver
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Local Small Farmer
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Tour Pace: Medium Pace
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Choose Your Style...
Remember you can always change this tour to suit your own pace, interests and requirements. Just contact us and tell us what you would like.
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Northern Adventure
5 Day Private Tour of Ireland
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Dublin City to The Mournes
via the Boyne Valley
Our first day will see us depart your hotel in Dublin and make our way north on the start of our northern adventure. We will drive into the sacred and mystical Boyne Valley in the heart of the Royal County of Meath. This incredible landscape on the banks of the river Boyne is host to some of the worlds most important prehistoric sites including the world famous Newgrange. Standing over 5,000 years old, this site not only predates Stonehenge but also the Great Pyramids of Egypt. Our tour will take you inside this ancient tomb for a recreation of the lightshow on the winter solstice when the sun shines through lighting up the inner chamber of the tomb. We will then continue our journey north with a stop at the beautiful coastal village of Carlingford. Here you can take a stunning walk with vistas right up to The Mourne Mountains and the sea. We will then take the ferry across Carlingford Lough, arriving into Northern Ireland where we will take the mountains drive through the Mourne Mountains enjoying highlights such as the Silent Valley. Our journey will end in the Mourne region with an overnight stay in the town of Newcastle.
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Activity Options - The Hill of Slane Walk, Mellifont Abbey, Monasterboice, Carlingford walk, Mourne Mountains Walk
Tour Timings - 8:00am to 4:00pm
Overnight - The Mourne Mountains Region
Day 2
The Mournes to The North East Coast
via Belfast City
Today we will continue our journey north, leaving the Mournes and heading towards the capital of Northern Ireland - Belfast City. Here you will have the opportunity to learn of this fascinating city with its deep history. You will have the option of enjoying the brilliant Titanic Belfast Exhibition and learn all about the heroic shipbuilders of Belfast of the 19th century. There is also the possibility to join a Black Cab Political tour with a local guide. This tour will show you the peace wall and murals that are a poignant memorial to Northern Ireland's turbulent recent past. After enjoying the highlights of Belfast we will continue our drive north towards the coast and the stunning north east coastal drive. This world famous coastal drive offers beautiful coastal views across to neighbouring Scotland. Our day will end with a stay in one of the quaint villages along this scenic route.
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Activity Options - Black Cab Taxi Tour, Titanic Belfast, Hillsborough Castle, Stormont, The Gobbins Cliff Path
Tour Timings - 8:00am to 4:00pm
Overnight - The Glens of Antrim, Northern Ireland
Day 3
North East Coast to Derry City
via The Causeway Coast
Today we will continue our journey north along the nine glens of Antrim and onto the Causeway coastal route. This journey will take us through some of the nine glens of Antrim where the mountains meet the sea. The drive offers spectacular views across to our neighbours Scotland on a clear day and through many quaint towns and villages along the way. Our first activity option of the day will be the Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge. If you are brave enough you will cross this shaky bridge suspended 30 metres above the waves of the ocean. We will then pop into the beautiful fishing village of Ballintoy before journeying on to the world famous Giant's Causeway where geology meets mythology. Here you will have plenty of time to enjoy the stones and learn all the myths of Fionn MacCumhaill. We will then continue on our coastal drive this time taking us to some of the island's best beaches before arriving in Derry City where we will spend last night in the eclectic, unique city.
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Activity Options - Giant's Causeway Exhibition Centre, The Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge, Cliff Walks, Bushmills Whiskey Distillery Tour, Titanic Exhibition, Games of Thrones Sites
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
Overnight - Derry City
Day 4
Exploring Wild Donegal
via The Inishowen Peninsula
Today we will take a drive to the wilds of North Donegal and the Inishowen Peninsula. Our drive will take us across the backroads and across the border to the ancient ringfort of Grianan an Aileach. From this magnificent ancient site you can take in the stunning panoramic views across the whole of the north coast. Our journey will then take us north onto the Inishowen Peninsula. Here we will encounter some of the wildest stops on the island of Ireland including the most northerly point - Fanad and Malin Head. We will take the Mamore Gap drive and visit the Doagh Famine Village. Other highlights include hidden gems such as Bocan Stone Circle, Glenevin Waterfall and five finger strand. This day is truly off the beaten path and away from the crowds in the wilds of Donegal.
Activity Options - Slieve League Walk, Slieve League Boat Trip, Knocknarea Climb, Carrowkeel, Carrowmore, Foxford Woolen Mills,
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 5:30pm
Overnight - Derry City
Day 5
Derry to Dublin City
via Mid Ulster
Our final day on our private tour of Northern Ireland will see us explore the western parts of Northern Ireland with trips around Derry City and then a visit to the excellent Ulster American Folk Park where we will learn of Ulster's extraordinary contribution to the rest of the world through emigration. After this educational stop we will then enjoy the lake lands of Enniskillen and take in the sights and sounds of the town. After Enniskillen we will make our way south back across the border, enjoying the area of outstanding beauty - The Ring of Gullion before making our way back to County Meath. Here we will end the days travels with a tour of one the most impressive castles in Ireland - Trim Castle before arriving back in Dublin City and completing your 4 day adventure.
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Activity Options - Ulster American Folk Park, Lake Boat Trip, Loughcrew Megalithic Tombs Walk, Trim Castle Tour
Tour Timings - 9:30am to 6:30pm
Overnight - Arrive Back in Dublin City
Accommodation Options
on the 5 Day Ireland Private Tour
Where would you like to stay?
We offer a varied portfolio of boutique and luxury options of accommodation from the exclusive to the less expensive. We believe variety is the spice of life and we encourage a mix style of accommodations to enhance your private tour experience. All of our partner accommodations are of the highest standard and offer a special, memorable, local experience.
Below you will find some examples of our partner accommodations.
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5 Star - Castles, luxury hotels & city hotels
4 Star - Manor houses, deluxe hotels and city hotels
3 Star - Country houses, gourmet hotels & retreats
Speciality Lodgings - B&B's, guesthouses & farmhouses
Others - Hostels, Private Rentals, Camping, Glamping & Quirky
We will tailor the tour using your accommodation option.
Why not add a
Full Package Upgrade?
Why not let Little Gem handle your entire vacation in Ireland!
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Just add an airport to airport upgrade...
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We will greet you at the arrivals of whichever airport you arrive into in Ireland and take you to your hotel. We will cover all accommodations during your time in Ireland and we will drop you back at the airport to wave goodbye at the end of your travels :)
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