Ribeira Sacra Tour: The Sil river Canyon

IMPORTANT: due to the current situation in relation to COVID-19, we have implemented protocols that affect all our services and that must be respected at all times. We are also applying provisional cancellation conditions in this situation. For more information check COVID-19 Information.

Departure from “Parque de San Lázaro” in the city center of Ourense after picking up passengers with departure from Ourense train station. After completing the check-in of all passengers, we will head to the Monastery of San Pedro de Rocas, the oldest monastery in Galicia (Spain), with most of its medieval church carved directly in rock.

Monastery of San Pedro

Monastery of San Pedro

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After visiting the monastery, we will head to the pier of Santo Estevo to start the boat trip on the Sil River. During the navigation you will cross the Sil Canyon (the most abrupt area of the Ribeira Sacra), where you will be able to see terraces of vineyards located in areas of great slope, being one of the most representative images of the viticultura heroica (harvest of heroes) in that region.

Once the boat trip is finished, we will continue the excursion and on our way to Parada de Sil we will have time to visit a Sil Canyon viewpoint, we will stop at Cabezoas viewpoint, one of the most famous viewpoints in the Ribeira Sacra.

We will continue to a village called Parada de Sil, with several restaurants where we will have a 1h 20min break for lunch, and regain strength before continuing our tour through the Ribeira Sacra. Note: lunch is not included in the tour price, unless you request it during the reservation process.

Afterwards we will visit the Monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil, hidden among Chestnut trees and located in the slopes of the Sil Canyon, is one of the symbols of the Ribeira Sacra and one of the best examples of the Galician romanesque architecture.

Note: if for logistics constraints we cannot visit Santa Cristina, we will head to the village of Castro Caldelas, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Spain. Over there, we will visit the Castle of the Condes de Lemos.

After visiting this monument, we will head again to the riverside of Rio Sil where we will enjoy the incredible scenery that you can be seen from the Peña de Matacás viewpoint. From there you will be able to observe the vineyards located in the slopes of the riverbanks.

To end the day we will stop at the village of A Abeleda, where we will visit the winery "Adega Vella". In this winery the will explain us the whole wine making process, and also we will taste some of their wines.

After saying goodbye to the Ribeira Sacra, we will head back to Ourense and drop our customers off at their departure points.

Info: it might be possible that some tours are done in the opposite order of visits, for operational reasons. Changes may also arise on any tour visit or in relation to its duration to maintain security in relation to the COVID-19. Clients will always be notified of any changes.

Meeting Point and Schedule

Departure Time

• Ourense - Train station – 09:45 (Bus stop next to the old bus station (show in Google Maps))
• Ourense - San Lazaro park – 10:00 (bus stop at the bottom of the park)

IMPORTANT: departures times are very strict, the tour won't wait for customers that show up late. We recommend you to arrive 10 minutes before to the departure point.

Arrival Time to departure location (approximate)

• Ourense - Train station – 20:20
• Ourense - San Lazaro park – 20:30

Price

• Departure from Ourense:
• Price – Adults: 75 €, Children under 13 years-old: 37 €, Babies: free
• Optional lunch – Adults: 13 €, Children under 13 years-old: 11 €

Details

• Approximate duration: 10h30min from Ourense.
• Language: Spanish / English
• Included: Transportation by Bus or VAN, Official Tourism Guide, Boat trip, Tickets, Visit to winery and wine tasting, Basic travel Insurance.
• Not included: anything not mentioned in included.
• Ticket: you will need to print or show the receipt that you receive in your email to join the tour.

Recommendations and notices

• If you get dizzy easily, it is recommended that you take some medication for sickness like biodramine with cafeine because the roads in the area have many curves.
• There are not many places where you can go to the restroom, try to go when instructed by the guide.

Mandatory (measures against COVID-19):

• To wear a mask in any mean of transport (including the boat)
• Follow the instructions of the staff at all times and respect the rules.

Cancellations

The tour will take place as long as we have a group of at least 6 people, in other case the tour can be canceled by notifying with at least 3 days in advance.

If it gets cancelled we will offer the possibility of making the trip on another available date, or in other case the refund of the amounts that have been paid.

• The management costs of 3.5 € / person, plus the cancellation costs, if any.
• A penalty, consisting of 15% of the total tour if the withdrawal occurs within 48 hours and 7 days prior departure day, and 25% within 48 hours prior to departure day. If you do not show up at the scheduled time for departure, you will not be entitled to any refund of the amount paid, unless otherwise agreed by the parties.

Note: this cancellation policy is provisional due to the status of COVID-19. As a general rule, the minimum will be 8 people and notification of cancellation at least 5 days in advance.