Frequently AskedQuestions

Our expeditions are vigorous but not excessively rugged. However, they are not for totally inexperienced paddlers. We would like you to have done wet exits, and if you haven't, we can do that on the first day. An advanced beginner would be fine. On our 9-night trips, some days, we will be covering rather long distances on the water, so we expect all participants to be reasonably fit. Our 5-night trips are more relaxed.

Age should not be a factor. Our groups often include paddlers in their seventies. We paddle together as a group, and the slowest paddler determines our speed. Typically, we average 4 km/h when headwinds are mild. This is flat water paddling with minimal current.

We get on the water early enough each day to avoid the headwinds that usually pick up around noon. Early starts also allow us to arrive at our daily destination in time to stretch our legs and explore the area. Our kayaks are very stable, seaworthy, single- and tandem expedition models.

We stay in small family-operated hotels and Quintas, where our neighbors are Portuguese. Breakfast will be in our lodgings. Lunches will be prepared by our guides or eaten in local restaurants.

We will enjoy regional Portuguese cuisine in restaurants for evening meals. All our meals will be made with locally grown products, mostly purchased at that day's market. In several cases, the restaurants will prepare meals using produce grown in fields adjacent to the restaurants.

We will do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions, but we must be informed at the time of registration.

Footwear: One pair of lightweight walking shoes, a pair of sandals, and whatever you wear in the kayak, which could be the same sandals. Flip-flops are not acceptable as kayak footwear. There are more accidents getting into and out of kayaks than at any other kayaking moment. Flip-flops tend to slip when wet, and we can't risk slipping.

Kayaking wear: Some of these items you might not need, but I prefer to err on the safe side. All this must be quick-drying (i.e.), not cotton. Shorts or bathing suits suitable for wearing in any bar or restaurant, a paddling jacket/rain and windproof paddling pants if you tend to get cold easily. Long-sleeved shirt, head protection from the sun, sunglasses with a strap. A buff is something I find very practical for sun protection.

Off-water wear: Long pants, skirts, dresses, t-shirts, and other clothes you might like, but do travel as lightly as possible.

The electrical current in Portugal is 220 V 50 HZ. Most telephone, camera, and computer chargers are prepared for 100-240V and 50-60HZ. If this is the case for your electronics, you only need a European round two-prong plug adapter.

If you plan to use your phone, you will want to ask your provider to enable roaming. Be sure to ask about the charges and be aware that voice connection differs from data connection.

If you plan to use your smartphone for email you might find the charges are very high. A way to avoid this is to disable your phone data connection and only use Wi-Fi where it is available along our route. Most days, we have Wi-Fi, but not always.

PADDLE ACROSS PORTUGAL: A Beautiful Journey Jack Atkinson 2023. It was written for a self-supported paddle across Portugal, but it contains valuable information for any paddle on the Douro. Available in both print and Kindle versions on Amazon.

Cork Boat John Pollack 2004. Mr. Pollack takes us on a dream-fulfilling journey down the same route we follow on the Douro River. The last part of the book is very relevant to our expedition. In any case it's an enjoyable read. Amazon has this in both paperback and Kindle versions.

The first Global Village Martin Page 2002. Mr. Page has written what could be the most enjoyable book on Portuguese history. The paperback edition is available on Amazon.

All our expeditions will start and finish in Porto (IATA code OPO). We recommend flying into and departing from either Lisbon or Porto.

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 excellent. Recently, some of our guests took the bus from Lisbon to Porto and were very satisfied with their experience.

Included: Experienced professional guides • Individual Expedition kayaks, paddles, life jackets, wet skirts, paddling jackets, and a small dry bag • Tandem kayaks are available on request • Support vehicle for the entire expedition • All our luggage is carried from one accommodation to the next • You will not need to carry anything in the kayaks except a little money and your camera • Transfers to the launch sites • All meals from dinner on the first day to our farewell dinner on the last night • House wine, beer or bottled water is included • On your tab, you may select fine wines from the wine list.

Not included: Personal incidental purchases (souvenirs etc.) • Entrance fees for museums • Tips other than meals and hotels • Travel Insurance • Travel to the pickup sites (flights, trains, etc.) • Traveling to the train station on the first day is not included, but the train is included.

Remember that we would like you to pay the final balance of your trip cost in cash. We typically operate in a cash economy, where we must pay in cash or face significantly higher costs. This is the reason we need to be paid in cash. If you absolutely must pay by bank transfer, please use the exact bank transfer details that you used for the second payment. Please let us know once you have made the bank transfer.

In our travel information links, you will find sites for ATM machines that accept VISA and Master Cards. Generally, the ATM machines have a daily limit of 200 Euros. Most international airports have exchange banks. Traveler checks are not a good idea as they must be changed at banks and the process is very time-consuming.

After you pay the tour charges you will only need money for personal purchases such as gifts and tips. Tips at restaurants are included. If you have enjoyed your tour, the guides greatly appreciate your tips. When I'm asked about the amount for tipping staff I say 10 to 15% of the tour price and this should be given to Rui and he will divide the total amount between the guides.

Days in Portugal this time of year are usually sunny and comfortably warm, similar to Atlanta, Georgia. The temperatures are about 23 °C (73 °F) during the day and 14 °C (57 °F) at night.

Evenings are cool but not cold. Rain is unpredictable but not common. A fleece sweater is suitable for cooler evenings. However, you should also be prepared for cooler-than-usual weather. Having a windbreaker handy is always a good idea.

Kayaking has some inherent risks. Sickness and accidents can spoil an otherwise enjoyable time and wreck a budget. Therefore, you must have a comprehensive travel insurance policy.

You should be covered against loss of baggage, illness, accidents, trip cancellation, and the very unlikely necessity of emergency medical evacuation. Please revise the claim process and inform us of the contact information.

Here is information from the Official Visit Portugal page: Citizens of other member states who are staying in Portugal, Foreign citizens, nationals of countries outside the European Union or with which there are no bilateral agreements, who need to use the care network of the National Health Service in Portugal, should observe the following procedures:

a) Have an identification document (passport or identity card in force in your country of origin);

b) Have a document proving valid health insurance; If the foreign citizen does not present proof of health insurance, he must be informed that he will have to pay in full for the health care provided.