Kayak Rio Douro Portugal
For the kayaker who likes to delve into history, drink good wine and feast on opulent fare, this trip is a dream come true. Unlike many of our trips that explore remote seas and wild lands, this is a trip through hills and valleys that have been shaped by humans for hundreds of years. Proof of this is found during our visit to an ancient rock art site and museum, as well as the age-old agricultural terraces. Yet, there is wild nature left as well. Rolling mountains terraced with vineyards and olive trees are also home to rabbits, and falcons, eagles and hawks above keep an eye out for their prey. Most of our voyage passes through a wide V-shaped valley, however we also pass through a dramatic and steep rock-walled canyon during part of our adventure.
This trip is not only a culinary feast, but also a kaleidoscopic delight for our eyes paddling through Portugal’s Port wine region. Each evening we toast the good life in the family-run inns where we stay, some of which are wine estates and all of which are comfortable and inviting. These are places to learn more about the local culture from our hosts and rest from our day’s activities that also include wine tastings and walks through vineyards. This carefully crafted trip features visits to three different UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Historic Center of Porto, the prehistoric rock art site at the Coa Valley and the Alto Douro Wine Region.
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Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Portugal!
Join us at the tour hotel at 3:00 PM to meet your local guide(s) as well as Sea Kayak Adventures President, Peter Grubb, for an orientation meeting to help prepare you for the trip and answer last-minute questions. After this we set off for a three-hour walking tour of the historic center of Porto, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, to explore the rich history and charm of Porto. We visit the grand Avenida dos Aliados, where Belle Époque architecture and the City Hall building set the scene. We continue with a visit to climb the iconic Clerigos Tower for panoramic views of the city and the Rio Douro, our kayaking destination. We visit the Ribeira District along the Douro River and cross the impressive Luís I Bridge. This handsome metal bridge was designed by Théophile Seyrig, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel. It has been updated and repurposed for various forms of public transport over the years and remains a fascinating and iconic landmark in Porto.
We share a welcome dinner together and set the stage for a fantastic week ahead.
*Note: We encourage you to arrive in Portugal, or Porto, at least a day or two early. One good reason is that airline delays seem to be getting more common, so building in a cushion is wise. Another reason is to recover from jet lag. A third is that if your luggage is misplaced it has time to catch up with you. If you want to arrange any additional guide services ahead of time we can help.
Day 2
Train ride and visit to the Coa Park Rock Art Museum
After breakfast at the hotel we go to the Sao Bento train station, famous for the intricate azulejo tile panels that make this station unique in the world. We board our morning train, the Linha Do Douro, which is a local train that parallels the Douro River. We travel east about three hours to the end of the line near the Spanish border. After a delicious lunch at a family-run restaurant we transfer by van to the nearby Rock Art Museum. Set on a hill with expansive views of the confluence of the Douro and Coa rivers, this has been a significant place of human activity for thousands of years. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the rock art of the Côa Valley illustrates the economic, social and spiritual life of these prehistoric ancestors. The Park is set on an expansive area and includes over 80 sites of rock art with over 5000 engravings. We enjoy a fascinating visit and later in the afternoon we drive to our lodging, set within a wine and olive oil-producing vineyard that, in the Middle Ages, belonged to the Templar Knights. Dinner is in the vineyard dining room.
Day 3
Kayaking the Douro
After a safety talk and orientation, we begin our paddle on the scenic and wonderful Douro River. We start early in the morning in order to avoid midday headwinds. Today’s paddle is through one of the most beautiful and isolated parts of the river and, if the weather is warm, we may stop along the way for a brief swim.
Our lunch is a splendid picnic at the ending point of our paddle and after lunch, we drive to our lodgings, where we spend two blissful nights. There’s time to relax in the afternoon, with a possible sauna and swim in the pool. Later we have a real treat for you - a Port and Douro wine tasting. The Douro Valley, home to Port wine, was designated as the first demarcated wine region in the world in 1756. Wine, Port, culture and the cuisine of this region are inextricably linked and make for many beautiful pairings. Dinner will be at another family-run restaurant nearby.
- Kayaking: About 7.6 miles (12.2 km) from Fos do Sabor to Mos. 12.231 Km. Relaxed pace with planned rest stops every 1 ½ hours or so.
Day 4
Continuing Downstream on the Douro, Quinta Visit & Tasting
Another beautiful and relaxing day awaits. After breakfast, we paddle down the river for about 2 miles to the most famous Quinta (winery) on the river. The history of port wine and the Douro River would be very different without the Quinta da Vesúvio that planted its first vineyards in 1823 and opened as a winery in 1827. Owned by the Symington family, this “Queen of the Douro” produces some of the region’s finest wines. We may be able to stop and enjoy a tour and light tasting (since we still have paddling ahead of us) and then continue downstream past another Quinta, the Quinta de Vargelas and on to Ferradosa. Slopes of vineyards, groves of olives and almonds, and chestnut forests make for a stunning landscape.
Once we reach our takeout, we have another tasty picnic. On our way back to our accommodations, we stop to visit an 8th-century castle and learn more about the diverse and intriguing history of this corner of Europe. Dinner will be nearby.
- Kayaking: Kayaking Mos-to Ferradosa 7.4 miles ( 12.3 km).
Day 5
Kayaking the Douro and Through the Valeira Lock
One of today’s highlights is our passage through the Valeira Lock. The Valeira Cataract was the greatest obstacle to navigation on the Douro River until the first great hydraulic project was carried out between 1780 and 1791. This project was motivated by the need to transport wine from the wine country near the border with Spain, to the sea, where it could be shipped abroad. The falls were destroyed to allow passage of boats that carried the wine. However, this ambitious project didn't eliminate the dangers of the river, and each voyage encountered great risk. Since there were sometimes collisions with rocks along the route, the wine casks were filled only halfway so that if the boat was destroyed and casks fell into the river, they would float and thus could be recovered.
Navigation on the Douro today is aided by the existence of five locks that are of the same size and allow boats up to 272 ft. in length, 37 ft. beam, and a draft of 12.5 ft. The Valeira Lock is one of the most impressive locks in the world and was finished in 1975. In the lock, we are lowered 108 ft. to continue our journey down the river. Going through a lock in a kayak for the first time is an exciting experience and you will likely feel rather dwarfed by the towering lock walls and gates that surrounds us.
After the lock, we paddle to the small village of Tua where we enjoy a simple picnic lunch. We then head to our hotel to relax and perhaps take a swim in the pool, walk around the village, or cozy up with a book. We have dinner a locally owned restaurant which promises to be another feast of locally harvested produce and other delicacies.
- Kayaking: Ferradosa to Tua 7.7 miles (12.4 km).
Day 6
Kayaking on the Douro
Today’s paddle takes us downriver to Pinhao, another important wine-producing center. You paddle past some of the finest wine estates along the river and it’s a time to reflect on the long traditions of wine making that are at the heart of the cultural identity of this region. At Pinhao we take out and have lunch. Then we drive a short distance to our evening accommodations.
Latre, enjoy a walk, visiting with fellow kayakers or relax however you like. Dinner in a local restaurant in Peso da Regua.
- Kayaking: From Tua to Pinhao, 7.7 miles (12.4 km).
Day 7
Kayaking on the Douro
We launch from Peso da Regua for another beautiful day on water. The valley is broad and inspires breaths of fresh air. We pause for lunch on the banks just before the river narrows. After lunch, we will also stop at Porto Rei beach for a break and a swim in the river should the weather be suitable. This beach is an excellent place for those who wish to practice rolling their kayaks, bracing, or any other maneuver. After our break, we continue our paddle downriver, passing under a Roman Bridge and on to a natural spring with a beautiful small waterfall. From there, we move to our lodgings for the night. The Quinta de Ermida is a beautiful baroque-style manor house built in the early 19th century with significant structural and decorative renovations in the early 20th century. Enjoy the lovely swimming pool and stroll around the grounds. Dinner is at the Quinta.
- Kayaking: Pesa da Regua to Ermida 11.5 miles (18.5 km).
Day 8
Return to Porto
Today, after a superb breakfast, we return to Porto by train to the Sao Bento Station, and this is the end of our services. We recommend you spend another night in Porto before traveling home or to points beyond.
An Important note: Our itinerary is always subject to change due to the weather or other unforeseen situations requiring modifications. Our objective is to spend delightful days on the river and not be stressed by rigid planning.
Dates & Rates
| Dates | Adult (USD) | Child (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ||
| Apr 22, 2025 to Apr 29, 2025 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 | $3,990£0€0$0$0 |
Supplementary Information
Single Supplement:
Because the accommodations we are using are quite small, we generally cannot offer a private single room and thus singles must be willing to share with a same-sex roommate. However, if we are unable to pair you with another solo traveler, or the trip does not fill and an extra room is available for a single person, there is a $820 single supplement charge.
ALL PRICES IN US DOLLARS. We will do our best to adhere to the itineraries and trip descriptions listed on our website. However, tour itineraries or sub-contractors (such as taxi, trains, cruise boats or hotels) may change slightly due to reasons beyond our control including but not limited to Acts of God, wind, waves, inclement weather or other. You will be sent pre-trip email with latest details within a month of your tour - it is your responsibility to check in with us prior to your trip to see if you have all the information you need. We will always do our best to provide you with the best possible tour and to fully meet your expectations to the best of our ability.
Trip costs quoted are based on foreign exchange rates current at the time of this printing. We reserve the right to raise the trip fee if there are exceptional cost increases beyond our control.
Tour Includes:
- Service of our Adventure Consultants
- Certified professional kayak guide
- Professional tour leader
- Experienced English-speaking guide(s)
- Specialized equipment including kayaks and all kayaking gear
- Accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All meals as noted in itinerary
- Private pre-tour orientation meeting
- House wine, beer and water with meals
Not Included:
- All air fares to, from and within Portugal
- Personal expenses such as non-included drinks, laundry, gratuity to main tour leader and kayak guide, souvenirs, etc
- Hotel before and after your tour dates
- Travel Protection Plan (Travel Insurance)
Reviews
FAQ & More
How do I get to Porto?
This kayak tour begins and ends in Porto (OPO airport code). We recommend that you fly into either Lisbon or Porto and leave from either Porto or Lisbon. If you fly into Lisbon, you can either fly or take the train to Porto. The train connections between Lisbon and Porto are very good and take just under 3 hours. By the time you allow airport check in time the train is just as fast and, from an environmental standpoint, train travel is much less impactful.
What will the weather be like in April?
In late April daytime temperatures should average about 70 degrees F and nights around 50 degrees F. It’s springtime and ideal weather for paddling however, weather is always variable.
Who should go?
This is an active trip that includes walking and sea kayaking, so you should be in reasonable shape. No previous sea kayaking experience is necessary, but you will enjoy the trip more if you’ve been paddling before. People from all walks of life and all ages join our trips. We get a mix of couples, singles, families and friends, usually between 35 and 70 years of age. Everyone comes to have a good time and the variety of people and interests found on each trip makes it all the more fun. Our adventure consultants know that a primary consideration may be the mix of people on the trip, so we're happy to tell you who has signed up and help you choose a compatible group.
Can you accommodate for dietary needs and food allergies in the menu?
As long as we are informed in advance of any food allergies or dietary needs, we can mostly accommodate for it. In some rare instances, where substitutions may not be locally available in Portugal, we may ask that you bring your own substitutions.
What do I need to bring with me?
We will send you a complete packing list for your trip. Packing light is always best when you’re traveling internationally. It is a good idea to pack loosely fitting clothing that can be easily hand washed. Quick-dry clothing for the kayaking portion is essential. See our packing list for a detailed description of what to bring.
Do I need to exchange currency before I go?
The currency in Portugal is the Euro and it's easy to get Euros on arrival and from ATM machines along the way. It’s never a good idea to keep a lot of cash on you while you are traveling, but in local shops and markets having some local currency is helpful.
Is there a minimum age requirement?
This trip is best suited for people ages 16 and over. Given that the trip occurs during the school year we don't expect that kids will join this trip, but if you are interested in a family-oriented trip contact us about a summer date.
What kind of kayaks do we use on this tour?
What is the official language of Portugal?
Portuguese is the official language in Portugal and is spoken throughout the country. English is the second most widely spoken language in the country, particularly amongst the younger generation.
What type of electrical outlets do they use in Portugal?
Portugal uses Type F (two round pins) plugs and operates on a 230V supply voltage at a frequency of 50Hz.
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