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Ireland: The Numinous North
Prepare to discover Ireland’s wild north country. For 12 days and 11 nights, we invite you to embark on an awe-inspiring journey through the unforgettable landscapes and culture in the North of Ireland and Northern Ireland (UK). Prepare to come alive as you behold the jewels of the Emerald Isle.
Key Details
Tour Length: 12 Days, 11 Nights
Start: Dublin, Ireland
End: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Tour Type: Small Group (12-16 pax)
Age Range: 12-90
Physical Rating: ★★★☆☆
Cost: $5,295 per person sharing
Operated By: Sloan Tours
Upcoming Tour Dates:
Tour Summary & Highlights
Embark on an unforgettable 12-day, 11-night journey with Sloan Tours as we explore the northern ancient province of Ulster in Ireland and Northern Ireland (UK). Get ready to witness wild landscapes, a rich heritage, cliffs, castles, and music, as each day promises incredible and culturally rich experiences.
✔ Explore some of the rarely visited landscapes in Ireland and Northern Ireland
✔ Get the opportunity to visit areas like County Donegal, The Inishowen Peninsula, the Causeway Coast, and the Mournes, each showing off a different form of grandeur that the Emerald Isle has to display.
✔ Handle and Fly birds of prey as you become a falconer for a day.
✔ Travel on the north end of the incredible Wild Atlantic Way.
✔ See Slieve League, some of Europe’s tallest sea cliffs, three times that of the Cliffs of Moher.
✔ Discover the lively and rich heritage of Irish traditional music and dance.
✔ Explore stunning castles, abbeys, and formal gardens.
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We are not shy about saying that some tour experiences can be physically demanding. If you imagine sitting on a bus and watching the country pass you by through panes of glass, Sloan Tours may not be for you.
We hike, walk, and move throughout our trip. However, unless noted, our trips do not require extensive experience or training in hiking. And we lay our our tours to try and balance physical excursion with rest and recharging. If ever, you are concerned about the level of physical activity, feel free to reach out to our team. The beautiful part of our tours is that there are extensive opportunities for you to explore at a pace that is comfortable for you.
Note: Aside from the overall activity score for this tour, the itinerary will hold a daily activity rating. When judging the activity level of each day, we examine the essential elements of length, elevation gains, and the way types (paved vs. natural). All these elements determine the level of activity for each phase. We distinguish activity levels on a five-star rating from easy to moderate, intermediate, challenging, and very challenging. -
Derry, Donegal, Belfast, Dublin, Galway, and Coleraine are among the most notable cities on tour.
What’s Included?
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Two meals are included each day throughout the tour.
While breakfasts are provided daily, we also include seven lunches and five dinners during the journey.To allow for greater flexibility, cultural variety, and the unique timing of our daily activities, not all meals are pre-planned. This gives you the chance to explore local fare on your own while still enjoying thoughtful, nourishing meals together as a group.
Vegetarian options are available for most group meals. Gluten-free options are generally available as well, though we strongly encourage guests with dietary restrictions or food intolerances to inform us in advance. If you have specific health-related needs, we recommend packing a few snacks or backup options to ensure comfort and consistency throughout your trip.
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Enjoy twelve nights in hand-picked, quality accommodations chosen for their charm, comfort, and proximity to each day’s adventures. We curate a mix of small hotels and self-catered lodges, offering a balance of local character and restful retreat.
Should you wish to extend your stay before or after the tour, we’re happy to assist with additional accommodation arrangements—reach out to our team.
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All site admissions and featured experiences on the tour are included—no surprise add-ons.
Unlike many tours, even our more adventurous excursions are included in your tour package, including high-ticket activities carefully chosen to elevate your journey.Our goal is to offer a truly unforgettable experience for every guest. If you have concerns about participating in a particular outing—whether due to a fear of heights, physical limitations, animal phobia, or other factors—please don’t hesitate to contact us in advance. We’re happy to discuss accommodations and help ensure your experience is both safe and meaningful.
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All transportation during the tour is included—whether by van, coach, train, boat, or taxi. If it’s on the itinerary, we’ll get you there comfortably and reliably.
While our adventures do include walking, we’ve thoughtfully designed the itinerary to keep it minimal and manageable. Walking is only required where necessary, and we always prioritize accessibility and ease for our guests.
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Wi-Fi is available throughout the tour and is complimentary in most accommodations and public areas. While connectivity can vary in more remote regions, you’ll have regular opportunities to check in as needed.
Although it’s possible to purchase an international data plan for your time abroad, Sloan Tours highly encourages their guests to unplug and be present, embracing the rhythm and beauty of the journey without constant digital distraction.
Having a familiar level of accessibility on our tours has an eroding effect on the guest experience, which is why we issue this warning. -
Your guide is more than just a navigator—they’re your host, storyteller, and companion throughout the journey. In addition to providing seamless transportation, they offer a level of hospitality that sets this experience apart from anything else in the industry.
From home-cooked meals to thoughtful coffee and tea service during your self-catered stays, every detail is infused with care. This isn’t just a tour—it’s a hosted journey, marked by personal connection, generosity, and genuine welcome.
As part of the Sloan Tours experience, we strive to care for our guests with a heightened level of attention and consideration. This is a massive part of what it means to have a tour that is “set apart” from the rest.
Please Note: Tipping is customary for travel guides and drivers, though not required. If you have experienced excellent service and wish to acknowledge your guide and driver at the end of your experience, a recommendation of $20 per touring day for guides and $10 per day for drivers, per person, is acceptable and always appreciated. -
Your tour package includes two airport transfers for your convenience:
Arrival transfer: Departing the airport at 10:00 AM on the morning the tour begins.
Departure transfer: Leaving your accommodation around 7:00 AM on the final day of the tour.
For guests opting to arrive a day early with our Day Zero option, please note that while the standard departure transfer on the final morning remains included, you will be responsible for arranging your airport transfer upon arrival.
Additionally, if there is a better time for airport arrival on departure day, we are only 15 minutes from the airport, and taxis can be arranged. -
Flights are not included in the cost of your Sloan Tour—for two important reasons.
First, we believe you deserve the freedom to choose the most direct, convenient, and comfortable route to Edinburgh, tailored to your own schedule and preferences. Group airfare often limits that flexibility.
Second, bulk airfare purchases rarely benefit the traveler. While many companies mark up group rates for their own gain, we’d rather empower you to find the best deal possible.
That said, we’re here to help. Our team is happy to assist you in finding and booking flights that meet your needs. We’ll even scout options on your behalf. If you’d prefer to explore on your own, we recommend starting with Google Flights to compare routes and track prices with ease.
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We recommend that guests consider the purchase of travel insurance prior to departure. A comprehensive policy can offer valuable peace of mind, covering unforeseen circumstances such as trip delays, medical needs, cancellations, or lost luggage.
More information—including guidance on what to look for in a policy—will be included in your travel packet. If you have questions or would like recommendations, our team is happy to assist.
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Immerse yourself in the beauty of visits to historic Kylemore Abbey.
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Embark on your Irish adventure as we journey from the historic city of Dublin and cross the center of the country to the Connemara region to begin our tour.
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As we head into Ulster, we will visit Achill Island and travel through tremendously beautiful terrain in an often-forgotten part of Ireland.
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Welcome to the province of Ulster. Explore the cities of Sligo and the surrounding abbeys and forests within. Then, onto the town of Donegal.
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Explore the heights of Ireland’s largest sea cliffs, Slieve League, some of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe, reaching over 2,000 feet tall, Nearly 3 times the height of The Cliffs of Moher to the south.
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Heading further north, we get to behold the wonder of Grianan of Aileach and enter the United Kingdom for the first time. Explore the town of Derry.
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Spend a day visiting local sights Mussenden’s Temple and the Dark Hedges and try your hand at one of Ireland’s national pastimes, ‘Pitch & Putt.
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On this action-packed day, prepare to be wowed as castles, rope bridges, and natural wonders take center stage. Along Northern Ireland’s Coast, we will visit the rope bridge at Carrick-A-Rede, discover secret caves at Dunluce Castle, and descend to the coastline of Giant’s Causeway, a natural wonder that boggles the mind.
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A day designed for rest and relaxation on Kinnegoe Bay. Read, rest, walk the beaches, hike, and create your own respite adventure tucked away in our own little corner of Ireland.
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Experience some incredible sights on a drive back across the border and through the most remote parts of Ireland in Country Donegal. See Eire 80, and experience a local hike with special guests.
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Heading south, back into the Republic of Ireland, we will stop to enjoy a hike at Slieve Muck in the Mourne Mountains.
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Savor a day immersed in the history and culture of Ireland's capital city, Dublin. Visit its iconic landmarks, museums, Trinity College to see the Book of Kells, a transcribing of the biblical gospels, written around 800 A. D.
Scholars estimate that it took seventy-five years to complete as the book was hand-written and painted on pages of vellum, which is calf-skin that has been tanned to paper thinness. -
Bid farewell to the beauty and wonder of Ireland and Northern Ireland, as you wrap up your 12-day journey with cherished memories of the time shared and sights seen throughout the Northern half of Ireland.
Itinerary
Why Book With Sloan Tours?
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Value Beyond Belief
We had worked tirelessly to create a unique and competitive approach to touring, both in experience and in cost. Plainly put, our private tour prices are thousands less than our closest competitors for compatible days, group sizes, and itineraries.
But, more than saving money, our tours are designed as unforgettable immersive experiences that leave you marked by getting to experience the authentic richness of a geographic region. We know that some of you might be only able to do one of these trips, others of you might come every year, but each experience is designed to make its mark and leave you with memories that last forever. -
Guides You Can Trust
At Sloan Tours, we take immense pride in our commitment to providing every guest with a seamless and enriching travel experience. Unlike other tour companies, we do not outsource any aspect of trip planning or tour guide operations, ensuring that your journey is crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a personal touch. You can trust that your adventure is in good hands from start to finish.
Our dedicated guides possess a hands-on approach, offering expertise and knowledge beyond the ordinary. We strive to supply security, reliability, and a genuine connection to the places you explore. Every moment of your journey with Sloan Tours is thoughtfully curated, providing you with not just a vacation, but an immersive and brilliwant experience that we hope exceeds your expectations.