Bus, Boat & Jaunting Cart Tour (Jaunting Cart Paid Separately)

The most lovely scenic tour with a mix of activity. The bus pick up and drop off seemed rushed and confused with who was supposed to be on the bus so while we did not start with great confidence our boat captain made up for in history and fun! The jaunting carts - so much fun. Our horse miss Ellie had character and I loved that we were able to get out for walking some. Unbelievable pictures! Thank you Gap of Dunloe tours

The lakes and the Gap of Dunloe were very picturesque. Our boat guide Tony was very informative and made the boat ride very enjoyable. Communication among the various independent people delivering this experience was poor. We were advised to not rush to get the jaunting cart. As we ate our lunch in the pavilion we were told a cart would be available in 30 minutes, this stretched to 45. We went to the designated waiting point and continued to wait with 3 other groups / 12 people for over an hour. More jaunting carts were called for and they had to switch out horses due to overuse and heat. Due to the unusual heat people were asked to get out and walk. Happy to do this for the good of the horses but more carts with less people may have been best. By the time we arrived the bus back to Killarney had left without us, leaving 13 people (1 walker?) across 5 groups stranded. We had to wait an hour for the bus home after a long day.

Our family had an amazing time! Paul was a fantastic boat captain and navigated the shallow waters like a pro and had great stories along the way. Jaunting cart was SO cool and Poi did a great job getting us through the gap.

The countryside is beautiful, especially in good weather, and it was nice to tour it from both the boat/lakes and the jaunting cart. Some tours run the reverse direction, but our tour started with a bus to Ross castle. We had time to see the informative free displays at the castle but not to take the paid formal tour. We boarded our boat and crossed a connected series of scenic lakes, then got to Lord Brandon's cottage where we bought sandwiches and had time for a leisurely lunch. Our boat captain made sure we got hooked up with a jaunting cart and they told us when it was time to go. The cart ride was lovely. They may ask people to get out and walk a bit to ease the burden on the horse, (it was a hot day and there was a section of switchbacks) but if you're incapable of walking it, I don't think they'd force you - I'm an out-of-shape senior woman, and our jarvey asked if I'd prefer to stay in the cart. There were children in another cart who weren't asked to walk either. Overall, a beautiful scenic experience. The lake and river portion was so beautiful, and the carts were a nice option for those who might miss out on the Gap of Dunloe if they weren't up for hiking a 7 mile mountain pass.

I did the boat and jaunting cart thru the gap. It was an overcast drizzly and windy day so the boat ride was cold, wet, and not much fun. It is beautiful out on the lake and it would be wonderful if the sun was shining. There is a stop before the cabin where everyone gets off and hikes a short distance (theres a low bridge and some rapids they are avoiding. The hike has some up/down on gravel and slippery rocks-you need good mobility and good shoes. (Not told of this at booking) The boat trip ends and you have time for a snack. The cafe is open air so it was cold standing in line and sitting at picnic tables. Soup was good. The jaunting carts are small, so 2-3 riders max in each. Our pony was called King, our driver was fun and the ride is a good experience. Open air with plastic tarps yo cover legs if rainy. The area is spectacular and when the sun came out in the last 30 minutes it was the best. If the weather is poor, skip it. You can go to Kate Kierneys cottage and get a cart to take you up to the wishing bridge and back. If short on time or weather is iffy, try that so 4* on a cold drizzle day but no doubt its 5* on a sunny day.