Itinerary
- Day 1
Belfast
You'll arrive in Belfast whenever works for your schedule. If you booked through Explore and provided your arrival details a month ahead, an airport or ferry transfer will be waiting for you. The tour leader meets up with everyone at 5pm for a briefing and takes you on a short walking tour to get oriented. There's a group meal available if you want to join (though it's not included in the package). If you land early enough, you could squeeze in a Black Cab Tour, check out the Titanic Museum, or browse St. George's Market before the evening meeting.
Optional Activities
- Black Cab Tour of Belfast
- Titanic Museum visit
- Hillsborough Castle visit
- St. George's covered Market exploration
- Group meal
Landmarks/POIs Titanic Museum Hillsborough Castle St. George's covered Market - Day 2
Ballycastle
Start with breakfast, then head to Titanic Belfast museum to learn the ship's story through the exhibits. After that, you'll walk through different parts of Belfast to get a sense of its history and culture. Grab lunch somewhere, then travel toward your overnight spot. Before settling in for the night, there's a scenic walk through Glenariff Forest Park along the Rainbow Trail, a 4km loop that takes about 1.5 hours. You'll walk through a river gorge with waterfalls, so expect some steps and uneven ground underfoot.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Titanic Belfast experience - immersive museum visit
- Walking tour of Belfast
- Glenariff Forest Park walk - Rainbow Trail (4 km circular walk, approximately 1.5 hours)
Landmarks/POIs Titanic Belfast Glenariff Forest Park - Day 3
Rathlin Island
Board a public ferry heading to Rathlin Island, a small place with only 160 residents and layers of history. A local guide will walk you around, pointing out seabirds, plants, animals, and stories about island life, including where Robert the Bruce hid out. There's free time built in for lunch. Later, you'll visit the RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre, which has an unusual upside-down lighthouse where you'll descend 98 steps down the cliffside. The ferry brings you back to Ballycastle with enough time to have dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Public ferry to Rathlin Island
- Guided walk on Rathlin Island (6.4 km leisurely walk, approximately 1.5 hours on flat route)
- RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre visit
- Public ferry return to Ballycastle
Landmarks/POIs Rathlin Island RSPB Rathlin West Light Seabird Centre - Day 4
Derry
Start with a hike from Dunseverick Castle to the Giant's Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its hexagonal basalt columns. You'll head down the steep Shepherd's Steps to see them up close. Stop at Dunluce Castle for photos, then trade the bus for a scenic train ride to Derry that runs along Benone Strand with its golden sands. The day finishes with a walking tour through Derry's historic city walls, the Bogside murals, and the Guildhall.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Hike to Giant's Causeway (9 km moderate walk, approximately 3 hours including Shepherd's Steps descent)
- Dunluce Castle photo stop
- Train journey Coleraine to Londonderry/Derry
- Walking tour of Derry - city walls, Bogside murals, Guildhall
Landmarks/POIs Giant's Causeway Dunseverick Castle Dunluce Castle Guildhall - Day 5
County Donegal
Drive into County Donegal and climb to Grianan an Aileach fort, which sits at 250 metres and offers views across the peninsula. Later, explore Glenveagh National Park where you'll walk along a lakeside with views of a 19th century castle sitting across Lough Veagh. You'll then tour a local distillery to learn how Irish whiskey gets made, and there's a tasting included. The night is spent in Donegal Town where you'll stay for two nights total.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Grianan an Aileach
- Glenveagh National Park walk (3.5 km leisurely walk on flat gravel path, approximately 1 hour)
- Local whiskey distillery guided tour and tasting
- Option to return to visitors centre on foot or by bus
Landmarks/POIs Grianan an Aileach Glenveagh National Park - Day 6
Killybegs
Travel to Slieve League cliffs, some of Europe's highest at over 600 metres elevation. A shuttle bus takes you 4.5km to the viewing point, then a guided walk along the cliff path shows off panoramic views of the Atlantic and the rugged coastline below. From there, head to Killybegs, a fishing village with free time to wander the harbour, visit the fishing centre, sit in cafes, or do some shopping. You'll head back to Donegal Town by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Slieve League cliffs visit with shuttle bus transfer
- Guided walk along cliff paths (1.5 km leisurely walk, approximately 1 hour)
Optional Activities
- Killybegs International Carpet Making & Fishing Centre visit
- Harbour exploration and fishing boat watching
- Local café visit
- Shopping in Killybegs village
Landmarks/POIs Slieve League cliffs Killybegs International Carpet Making & Fishing Centre - Day 7
Ballymena
Head to Northern Ireland's Sperrin Mountains for your final walk. With a local guide, you'll climb Carntogher Mountain and hear stories about Irish migrants along the way. From the summit, there are great views across Lough Neagh, the Sperrin range, and toward the Mourne Mountains. You'll then visit a working sheep farm to watch sheepdog herding and see traditional farming skills in action. Lunch is included and happens at a local pub, after which you drive to Ballymena for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local pub)
Included Activities
- Carntogher Mountain guided walk (6 km moderate circular walk, approximately 3 hours)
- Sheep dog farm demonstration
- Lunch at local pub
Landmarks/POIs Sperrin Mountains Carntogher Mountain Lough Neagh - Day 8
Departure
The tour ends after breakfast at your hotel in Ballymena, so there's nothing scheduled and you can leave whenever suits you. Luggage storage is available if your flight leaves later in the day. Your tour leader can arrange an airport transfer if you need one, though that costs extra and you'll arrange it directly with them.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer arrangement
