Ribeira Sacra Tour: The Sil river Canyon

This is the most complete excursion to visit the Ribeira Sacra in one day, in it we combine the main attractions of this unique territory: its Romanesque heritage, the amazing landscape, the river routes along the Sil River and wine tourism.

Note: exclusive product only available on this website and with our partners. It is not available on platforms such as Civitatis, Getyourguide or similar. For groups of 5 or more people, you can book here through our main website and you will get an automatic discount depending on the group size. You can also contact us to do the booking.

We will begin the excursion from the San Lazaro Park in the center of Ourense to head towards the Santo Estevo pier and make a boat trip along the Sil River.

During the navigation you will cross the Sil Canyon (the most abrupt area of the Ribeira Sacra), where you can see forests located between abrupt areas of great slope and the most heroic vineyard terraces located in these almost inaccessible areas, this being one of the most representative images of the viticultura heroica (havest of heroes) in the region.

At the end of the boat trip, we will continue the tour and on the way to Parada de Sil we will enjoy one of the Viewpoints of the Sil Canyon, we will stop at the Cabezoá Viewpoint, one of the most acclaimed in the Ribeira Sacra.

Continuing our itinerary we will arrive at Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil Monastery, hidden among chestnut forests and located on the slopes of the Sil Canyon, is another of the symbols of the Ribeira Sacra and one of the best examples of rural Romanesque in Galicia.

Note: if for logistical reasons it is not possible to visit this monument, we will instead visit the Santo Estevo Monastery or the San Pedro de Rocas Monastery.

After the visit to the monastery we will have 1 hour 20 minutes in Parada de Sil with free time to have lunch and regain strength before continuing our tour through the Ribeira Sacra (lunch is not included in the price, it is the client's responsibility to arrange their own lunch. VE offers the possibility of making a reservation at the same restaurant where the guide will go).

Once the meal is finished, we will continue the tour in the afternoon to go to the Santa Maria de Montederramo Monastery. Built originally in the 12th century and modified between the 16th and 17th centuries, it has been one of the most powerful and largest monasteries in this territory, and its foundation is linked to the origin of the term Ribeira Sacra.

Monastery of Montederramo

Monastery of Montederramo

Monastery of Montederramo

Monastery of Montederramo

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After this visit we move back to the river banks of the Sil River where we can enjoy the impressive views of the Pena de Matacas Viewpoint. From there we can see the vineyards located on the slopes of the mountains.

To end the day, we will stop in the municipality of A Abeleda, and we will visit the Adega Vella winery and we will carry out a tasting of some of their Ribeira Sacra appellation wines.

Note: If you have no interest in the world of wine and prefer a more cultural option, we offer you the alternative of visiting the Castro Caldelas Castle instead of making the visit to the winery.

After saying goodbye to the Ribeira Sacra, we will begin the journey back to Ourense where we will drop off the clients at their respective starting points.

Note: it is possible that on some date the tour may have to be modified for reasons of force majeure, and that changes may arise in different places to visit or in the duration of the tour. Customers will always be notified of any changes.

Meeting Point and Schedule

Departure Time

• Ourense - San Lazaro park – 09:30 (bus stop at the bottom of the park). Due logistics we might have to depart later at 09:45, we will let you know in advance.

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 - San Lazaro park – 20:00 (in case we depart at 09:45 we arrive at 20:20)

Price

• Departure from Ourense:
• Price – Adults: 79 €, Children under 13 years-old: 39 €, 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 show the receipt or electronic reservation that you receive in your email to be able to join the excursion or, in other case you can bring it printed.

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.

Cancellations

The tour will take place as long as we have a group of at least 8 people, in other case the tour can be canceled by notifying with at least 5 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.