Frequently asked QUESTIONS

These are some of our most repeated questions – reach out if you have others…we will have an answer!

We have organized our trips on rivers that can be enjoyed by paddlers with limited experience. There are no high risk sections, or strong water currents involved. During most of the kayaking days, the water flow will be slow, and we will have little to no wake (with exception of when cruise boats pass, which is more fun wake than a capsizing risk). Medium to advanced kayakers will consider the water “calm”.

Our kayaks are stable and comfortable even for those guests with less experience. A pre-launch training session will give you some of the basic skills that will help keep you safe. Additionally your guides are well versed in paddling, the area and general safety. They are right there with you the whole time to ensure your safety and enjoyment.

Our Tour Leader will constantly be gathering information on weather to limit impact of wind, rain or storms. They are rare in most of our trips due to the seasons we organize them in, but never the less we keep our attention on all those factors. Our kayaking portions will always occur in the morning after breakfast to avoid the stronger headwinds that tend to develop in the afternoon (if they do – this varies by season).

Our standard is 1 Guide per 5 paddlers. We adapt to the needs, depending on the experience of the group of paddlers, and also the mix of tandems and single boats that are used.

Each day is slightly different, as some will include additional activities (such as visiting a UNESCO site, or hiking down from a village mountain to the river). The average distance in most days will be 8 miles / 13 kms, which tends to work out to an average of time of 4 hours per day in the water (including short breaks for food and stretching). We do have a couple of trips with longer distances (11 miles / 17.5 kms) when the exit locations do not allow for the lower average. In those longer trips we plan for a good break and do not mix with other activities (apart from relaxing by the pool or a short optional village walk).

Kayaking does not require a big strength or stamina, but it does use a repetitive movement of the shoulders, arms and core. Our guides will help with tips and practice during the trip to reduce the impact if needed. We tend to stop and stretch every 2 hours when the landscape and landing beaches allow, but sitting on a kayak for 4 hours for a few days generally requires some stamina (if not huge). If you kayak, canoe, row, jog, or play any active sport or walk frequently, you will be more than fine. People of all ages and fitness levels join our trips. Everyone can complete them, but the more active you have been before the trip…the more you will enjoy it!

If you have upper body conditions affecting arms, wrists or hands, or any other pathologies, please inform and contact us.

Our support vehicle is always available for paddlers who want to skip a day when tired, or have to drop out for any reason. It rarely happens!

This trip is not ideal for totally inexperienced paddlers.

Before each stage the Tour Leader will check the temperature and the wind. That way we`ll know what to expect. It is important to say, that sudden and unpredictable natural phenomena may occur, but our guides are well trained to deal with such situations and there is always a plan B! Tipping over is very rare and when it happens our Guides are quick to assist in getting the paddler back on the boat, to the shore and dry. Given the river conditions we paddle in, the risk is minimal and usually it creates more of a fun story and photo opportunity than anything of concern.

Part of your pre-launch training session will include instruction and demonstration of what to do in the event of capsize. Should it happen, our qualified guides have had extensive training in rescue and have the skills to deal with any situation that may arise. Their focus is on prevention rather than cure. Also it is good to mention that all the participants wear life jackets! Safety First!

We recommend that you bring two sets of clothing for your kayaking tour. One for on water and activities, and the other for relaxing and dinners. Our support van carries your personal luggage, so you will have access to all your personal items when you need them in the afternoons / evenings. However, we always recommend to reduce your “go to” luggage to the 2 sets so you don’t have to be packing and unpacking everything when we change accommodations.

When we refer to a “set” we are including changes of specific items such as t-shirts, socks, under garments, etc. We don’t expect paddlers to use the same clothing during 6 to 10 days…

There are professional washing services in Porto, but very limited during our tour. However, we do stay in accommodation which has full bathrooms where clothing can be washed and terraces where they can be dried. (If you plan to wash clothes bring small washing liquid pouches or similar.)

Day Set (Kayaking / Activity) This should consist of layered clothing that will cope well and remain comfortable should they get damp or even wet. Avoid jeans, cotton shirts or sweaters, as once they get damp they can be very tough to dry and provide you with minimal residual warmth. If you can stick with synthetic quick dry materials or wool for your clothing, you will likely have a much better experience in our wilderness. Water shoes or booties without laces are recommended. No flip flops to be used in the kayaks.

Evening Set (Accommodation / Dinning) The second set of clothing is for comfort in the accommodation and walking in the villages, or for dinner time. These should be selected to keep you warm and cozy during the evening. Reach out to us before your trip for expected average temperatures. We do travel to areas which will have different climates to the starting point at Porto. We want our guests to be comfortable and relaxed – there will be no “dress up” dinners or “fashion police”!

Clothing

1-2 pairs quick dry long pants

1-2 pairs quick dry shorts

1-2 bathing suits

2-3 T-shirts

2 long sleeved sun-guard shirts for paddling

1-2 thin ‘inner’ warm layers, such as a light merino t-shirt

1 light fleece or down sweater

1 mid range weight sweater (merino wool is ideal)

1 light wool cap

1 light rain jacket or kayak jacket

1 pair sandals suitable for water – e.g. Teva or Chaco

1 pair of water shoes or booties

Sun hat with wide brim that will stay on in the wind

1 week’s supply of socks and underwear

Casual clothes and shoes for use in towns, villages and our accommodations. “Dress up” is not required.

Note: Please come prepared with clothes that can be layered during kayaking and walking activities.

Equipment – Essential items

1 dry bag – to store camera and other items while kayaking.

Water bottle

Toiletries

First aid kit which should contain anti-inflammatory tablets (e.g. Tylenol or ibuprofen), Band Aids, lip salve, medication (such as Cipro) for cases of traveler’s diarrhea, a mild laxative (constipation is the most common travelers’ complaint!) and any prescription drugs you might require.

Sun block / protection

Insect repellant

Sunglasses with retainer strap

Spare pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses when used.

Optional items

Collapsible trekking pole (we have one optional trek, and other short walks)

Camera and film or memory cards, spare camera batteries

Small laptop or iPad (they can be stored in the support vehicle when travelling and all accommodation has standard electricity for charging)

Fingerless gloves for paddling

Binoculars

Reading and writing material

Essential Documents

Passport (with photocopies). Note: The expiry date should be at least six months later than the trip start date.

Travel insurance certificate (with photocopies)

Money: There are ATMs in the towns and villages we visit, where you can get Euros. Our accommodations will accept credit cards for extra drinks or any service required outside the original program.

The meeting point of all our expeditions is in Oporto, thus if possible fly to Porto (Francisco Sá Carneiro). Otherwise, the closest airport is Lisbon which is a 3 hour drive (about 195 miles / 314 kms).

If you fly into Lisbon, you can either take a flight or take the train to Porto. The train connections between Lisbon and Porto are fast and efficient. Please reach out with your travel plans if it is not Porto so we can organize a pick up.

Visit the website www.portugal.com and www.visitportugal.com

Experienced professional guides.

Kayaks, paddles, life jackets.

Liability insurance and accident insurance. (Please buy additional Travel Insurance for emergencies also).

Support vehicle for entire expedition.

Train tickets on the Douro Train Line (when part of the trip).

A small dry bag for personal items needed while on the river.

Transfers from and to the Porto Airport.

3 meals per day (except on Arrival and Departure day where it will be Dinner or Breakfast).

Bottled drinking mineral water.

Tickets to activities when included in the Tour option (such as the UNESCO Rock Art Park or Se de Porto Cathedral visit).

Port wine tasting.

In some meals wine (white and red) will be offered to the guests. Otherwise alcohol is not included in the package.

Kayaking and travelling itself have some inherent risks. Sickness and accidents can spoil an otherwise enjoyable time. All our participants are covered by accident and liability insurance, but we always request that guests have a comprehensive travel insurance policy. You must be covered against loss of luggage, illness, accidents, trip cancellation and the very unlikely necessity of emergency medical evacuation.

All accommodation is in hotels and rural village houses which we have tested and selected over many years. In most places we know the owners and employees and allow ourselves to feel at home. There is no camping, hostels or bunk beds in our trip…rest and good sleep quality if part of the concept offered.

Depending on the season and group size we will vary where we stay at some points of the trip, but most nights we do stay at the same location that we have for many trips before. What is guaranteed is that you will have your own bedroom and bathroom. Most locations also include a swimming pool.

Single Travelers: please note that a “Single Room Supplement” will apply if not sharing with another person. Please check the price list.

Please see our Accommodation photo gallery for some good examples. We always try to contribute to the development of the local population.

Yes. WIFI is available in all the accommodation we stay at. We have had not had issues with connectivity in most trips…but we cannot guarantee 100% satisfaction!

Cell signal is quite decent during most of our hiking and kayaking also. Make sure you enable your roaming services when you travel from abroad if you are going to need consistent service.

The electrical current in Portugal is 220 V 50 HZ. Most of your chargers are prepared for 100-240V and 50-60HZ (double check just in case before the trip). You will need a European round two-prong plug adapter.

If you fly to or from Porto (Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport) our guide will pick you up and drop you off. No need to worry about logistics once you have passed the airport exit!

Key Seasonal Characteristics

Rainfall: Heaviest rainfall occurs from November to March.

Spring/Autumn: Pleasant with temperatures often in the high teens to low 20C (60-68F) Ebfc3adb 1ad6 4214 A90a 6d42acccdb8a , but frequently overcast mornings.

Summer (June–August): Warm and sunny, with temperatures occasionally reaching up to 30-35C (86-95F) in inland areas. Evenings remain cool.

Winter (December–February): Mild but rainy, with low temperatures rarely falling below 5C (41F) 92d5e109 8f46 47b6 83bf 914edd476d75 3f582118 7c4f 4a4c 9167 1d629878e89a in the city.

Unless you are travelling with your own group, we have a good mix of people joining our trips: from single travelers, to couples and groups of friends. A majority of our guests arrive from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia. Our guides are fluent in English.

Porto city has many ATM machines, as well as a couple of the more popular stops on different trips (Pinhão for example). So you will have access to those.

However, if you want to avoid exchange rates and fees, a good amount to consider is around Euro 200 per person.

Once the trip starts the only additional expenses that you will need to take into account are:

Souvenirs
Alcoholic drinks apart from those offered during dinners
Snacks, ice creams, soft drinks at the end of trips
Tips for the tour guides (always be appreciated if you have found everything to be great)

Yes! Our license is RNAAT 338 / 2020

Please go to our “Contact” section and send us and e-mail with your request. We will get back to you fast!

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