The Quiet Villages On The Mountains Guided

The Quiet Villages on the Mountains Guided

Road Bike | Guided | Landscape

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This tour takes place in a gorgeous region and it is one of the most well preserved regions in Portugal still maintaining many Portuguese ancient traditions and the small and traditional villages made of granitic stones. The luxuriant vegetation completes this awesome scenery in the National Park.

The overall difficulty level of this tour is 4, Advanced (more precisely, level 3.7 between 1~5). It is recommended for enthusiast cyclists. It is supposed that you are fit and in good shape.

This gorgeous bicycle tour in Portugal starts in a small village called Casas Novas (near Chaves) where we can see several manor houses dated from the 17th and 18th centuries. We cycle along the river banks and the dam, and our way leads us to one of the most picturesque villages in the region and then to a town famous for its castle and its witch nights.

We go on cycling along traditional villages within the amazing luxuriant landscape of oak trees. We visit the highest village in Portugal and admire the breathtaking landscape around, its traditions and its people.

We cross the border into Spain at 1213m (3980mi) high and we cycle within the Natural Park of Xurès and visit some of its villages.

Our day without cycling is spent at a thermal hotel where you can relax or you can opt to make a small walking tour near the hotel.

Our bike tour in Portugal goes on, taking us to the hills and to a small town where we can admire the walls of the old castle dated from the 11th century and located on the top of a granite mountain and its Roman bridge.

We cross a forest of cedars and birch-trees which leads us to a Sanctuary. The landscape is amazing and the winding mountain roads take us to Lima valley and the land of Vinho Verde, the typical wine of this region.

We cycle along the river banks admiring an astonishing view and luxuriant vegetation. This bike tour in Portugal ends in Ponte de Lima, a beautiful small town whose name derives from the bridge (ponte) which was the only safe way to cross the Lima river in the Middle Ages.

From

Euro 2850

Guided

Tour

7

Days

Level 4 (3.7)

Advanced

Distance

231km/144mi

Average

58km/36mi day

Trails

100% asphalt

Start | End

Chaves | Ponte de Lima

Dates

Start-End

Availability

Booking

Price

Per Person

08 Jul – 14 Jul, 2018

Unavailable

Euro 2900

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Minimum number of people: 2

Location: Porto and the North

Price per person:

Single room supplement:

Price includes:
7-day Road Bike Tour with a Guide | Superior quality bicycle rental | Transfers from and to Oporto/Lisbon Airport | Accommodations (6 nights): 5 four-star hotels and 1 three-star hotel | Double bedroom occupancy | 6 Breakfasts | 4 nourishing and energetic picnics | 6 Dinners (including our famous wines, our amazing cheeses and lovely desserts) | Daily energy-bars and water | Luggage transport from Hotel to Hotel | Documentation about PortugalBike Tour | Personal Accident Insurance and Liability Insurance | First-Aid assistance on location | Techno-Mechanical Assistance | Permanent Backup Vehicle | Free day: Scenic transfer on the National Park and Guided 5-hour hike.

Please note:
Longer tour: You can join two PortugalBike Tours and have a 2-week program (10% discount on the second tour) | Groups: Discount for Groups of 4 or more people | E-Bike rental: + Euro 100 | If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability.

DAY BY DAY

Day

1

Arrival

Welcome at Porto (or Lisbon) airport. 1H30 drive to Chaves. Briefing about the tour. Lodging in a Rural 4* Hotel whose building is dated from the 18th century.

Day

2

Lakes and Castles

58km (36mi), 1070m total climbing (3510ft), level 4 (3.6).
After breakfast we cycle around the mountains within the fields under different crops. We follow the banks of the dam and then continue to a small town with its beautiful castle. Lodging in a 4* hotel which was recently renovated and whose building was once the Jailhouse.

Day

3

Crossing the border to Spain

65km (40mi), 1000m total climbing (3280ft), level 4 (3.7).
After breakfast we cycle towards several typical villages surrounded by lime fields and windmills. The highest village in Portugal is one of the highlights today. Then we cross the border to Spain and continue cycling within beautiful sceneries and lost villages. Lodging in a 4* Thermal Hotel located in a paradise-like environment.

Day

4

Peneda Gerês National Park

FREE DAY.
After breakfast you can opt for a hiking tour (12km/5 hours hiking) and go to a beautiful waterfall, or you can have a relaxing massage or a revigorating swim in the thermal pool. Lodging in the same hotel as the day before.

Day

5

The Quiet Villages on the Plateau

46km (29mi), 1370m total climbing (4500ft), level 4 (3.8).
After breakfast we cycle to a small town which is known for its castle and its breed of dogs. The views are amazing: there are huge rocks everywhere, many oak trees. We cross a forest of cedars and birch-trees. Lodging in a 3* beautiful hotel which was once a lodging-house for pilgrims.

Day

6

The rural life in the valleys

62km (39mi), 1040m total climbing (3410ft), level 4 (3.7).
After breakfast we cycle towards Peneda Hills and we can admire an amazing view. In the afternoon we cycle to Lima valley where we find a different landscape: we are in the land of Vinho Verde (wine of the region). Lodging in a new 4* hotel overlooking Lima river and very near to the historic center.

Day

7

Departure

After breakfast we drive to Porto airport (45 min) or Lisboa airport (4 hours).

Total distance 231km (144mi) | Average 58km/day (36mi/day) | 100% asphalt

SEE CLIMBING PROFILE

TESTIMONIALS

“This was our second trip with Portugal bike, this time doing The Quiet Villages on the Mountains. Spectacular scenery, great hotels and as always amazing hosts. If you want to see Portugal by bike, this is the group to go with. On day one, Jose and Cristina are your guides, on day two they are friends and by day three they become part of your extended family! We have done the south and the north of Portugal and both trips were outstanding yet different. The descriptions of the biking are very accurate. The bikes are high end and very well maintained. Jose and Cristina go out of their way to ensure that everyone has a great time and is comfortable with the biking. Don’t look any further if you plan to bike in Portugal.”

Carolyn Baer, 53 – Moncton, Canada

“This is my second trip with Jose and Cristina, and they provide that personal touch that make cycling in Portugal feel more like a family adventure. I went on their Quiet Villages on the Mountains road bike tour this year. (…) I would highly recommend Portugal Bike to anyone who enjoys cycling, and I hope to go on a 3rd trip with Jose and Cristina next year or the following. They offer a wide variety of trips from easy to difficult. Portugal is one of the most beautiful places I have visited and the Portuguese people are so friendly and nice.”

Dedrick Burch, 67 – Georgia, USA

“This was our second trip with Jose and Cristina, and we were extremely happy with all aspects (we took The Ancient Medieval Villages tour in May 2013). Jose and Cristina have planned a challenging, scenic and interesting route, with very quiet roads of smooth pavement. The bikes were of highest quality and a pleasure to ride. (…) We had a 5 hour hike on Day 4, which was a nice diversion from cycling and offered scenery we would not otherwise have experienced. Cristina provided refreshments at desirable locations along the route and nutritious lunches. Hosts are both very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable of the region. They accommodated our specific needs with a smile (dropped us off at our hotel instead of at the airport which was wonderful and much appreciated). We hope to take another trip with Portugal Bike! Thank you, Jose and Cristina! “

Barbara Cooper, 58 – Mississauga, Canada

“My husband and I just returned from the Quiet Villages on the Mountains trip with Jose and Cristina. Accommodation was very good, daily lunches had a nice touch of local specials, cheese, fruit (flat peaches in Portugal are simply delicious) and other lovely local produce, whilst dinners were fabulous, with a generous supply of quality local wine. We have done several other guided cycling trips in other countries (which were also very good), this one was the most enjoyable. Jose asked me what made the difference, I think it’s a combination of the hosts, the choice of route, the excellent bikes (Scott carbon fiber bikes) and other well thought through touches. (…) Portugal is a gem of a country, I highly recommend Portugal Bike if you are considering a cycling trip with hosts who are clearly passionate about their country and what they do.”

Danielle Bennett, 62 – Dieppe NB, Canada

See detailed testimonials

TOUR GEAR

On this tour you can ride with one of these bicycles

SCOTT CR1 COMPETITION

ULTRA LIGHT AND FAST

The SCOTT CR1 20’s IMP Carbon frame offers the perfect balance of performance and comfort. Designed to save the rider from shock and vibration, the CR1 is the ideal choice for the enthusiast who wants to enjoy long rides but doesn’t want to feel beat up at the end of the day. Providing the perfect balance of stiffness and weight, Scott CR1 is so precise, elegant and advanced that you’ll have a tough time going back to anything less.

SCOTT SPORTSTER

COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE

Sporster 20 Solution emphasises comfort and convenience for touring and transportation. Equipped with a lockout fork and Syncros components, the Sportster is set up perfectly for your excursions with a more vertical and comfortable position.

BOSCH SYSTEM

E-BIKE

Now you don’t have any excuse for not participating on a Portugal Bike Tour! Don’t be afraid of not being able to keep up with the group. Now you can ride an e-bike without feeling too exhausted! The system works as if someone is pushing at your back! The more you pedal, the more electric assistance you have.

CANNONDALE TANDEM

TANDEM BIKE

Riding a Tandem bike is fun and is something that is not usual. People always smile to you and wave. Your partner (stoker) don’t need to know how to ride a bicycle. However we highly recommend to ride this kind of bicycle if you already are used with it at your home.