Douro Valley Walking Tour, Portugal

Things to know

• What’s included?

  Included:

  • • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
    • 6-day Douro valley walking tour
    • Accommodation for 5 nights in charming hotels
    • Transfers during the trip
    • 5 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
    • Gratuities for all accommodations and group meals
    • Entry fees for specific monuments, events, and activities as in the itinerary
    • Baggage transfers and handling
    • Guilt-free support van with snacks and water
    • Optional transfer to the airport at the end of the trip
    • Digital group photo album of the trip

  Add-ons (available to add at checkout):

  • • Single occupancy room

  Not included:

  • • Flights to Portugal 
    • One dinner
    • Anything not mentioned in the “Included” section above
    • Insurance — recommended, available to add at checkout
    • Guide gratuities — optional
• How fit do I need to be?

  To join this Douro Valley walking tour, a basic level of fitness is all that’s needed. You should be comfortable walking for a few hours, but there’s no need to be an athlete. Daily distances reach up to 6 miles (10 km) at most, and guides can easily adjust the route, with optional sections available to suit different fitness levels.

  You’ll mostly be walking on packed dirt trails and cobblestone, with occasional paved trails and cycling paths along the river.

  Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Portugal walking & hiking tours here!

• What do I need to bring?

  Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

  • • Day pack large enough to carry everything you might need throughout the day (around a 25-40L bag)
    • Hiking poles — optional
    • Water bottle or hydration bladder (2L capacity)
    • Lightweight hiking boots or shoes
    • Comfortable hiking clothes 
    • Spare clothes for layering
    • Waterproof rain jacket
    • Sunhat
    • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, tissues, etc.)
    • Sunglasses
    • Camera — optional (but recommended)

  Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

• How much driving will there be?

  Driving on this tour is kept to a comfortable minimum and is mainly used to connect the most scenic walking areas. Transfers are well spaced, with most drives ranging from short hops of 10-50 minutes.

  The longest driving day is Day 1 from Porto into the upper Douro (around 3.5 hours), which allows us to reach a more remote and less-visited part of the region. After that, driving is generally limited to 45 minutes to 2.5 hours on select days, often combined with walking, wine visits, a scenic train ride, or a river boat cruise. Overall, the itinerary balances walking and travel well, avoiding long days in the van while still allowing you to experience the full beauty of the Douro Valley comfortably.

• Group sizes and age requirements

  Group sizes and pricing

  • • For this Douro valley walking tour, there will be 2 guides for 4-7 guests, i.e., 3 guides for 8-14 guests.
    • It takes a minimum of 4 people for this tour to operate. The maximum group size is set at 14 participants.

  Douro valley walking tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

  Min. age requirements

  • • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
    • Minors above the age of 14 may be permitted to join the Douro valley walking tour on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

  If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

• Is a single occupancy room available?

  The price for this Douro valley walking tour is based on twin-share rooms, but a single occupancy room can be arranged at an additional fee. You can add it to your booking at checkout.

• Getting there and meeting location

  The starting point of your Douro valley walking tour is Porto, Portugal. To get there, most people fly into Porto Airport (OPO), just 30 minutes away from downtown Porto by public transport, shuttle, or a taxi. Alternatively, if you fly into Lisbon Airport (LIS), it will take you circa 3 hours to reach Porto by a train or a bus, or you can rent a car.

  You will meet your guide at 9 am on Day 1 at Vincci Porto Hotel, Porto.

• Safety measures and insurance

  We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.

  Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

• Deposit and cancellation policy

  Deposits

  Secure your spot with a 30% deposit upon booking! The remaining 70% of the trip price must be paid 90 days prior to departure at the latest. If booking within 90 days of departure, the full amount is required at the time of booking.

  Cancellations

  Booking fees are non-refundable after a 48-hour grace period. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options—Basic, Flexible, or Super Flexible. Depending on which one you choose, a different cancellation policy will apply to your booking.

  Basic

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a 70% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 59 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 60 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30-59 days before departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, no refund will be issued.

  Super Flexible

  • • If cancelled within 48 hours of booking, a full refund will be issued.
    • If cancelled 30 or more days before departure, a full refund of the total trip price will be issued.
    • If cancelled within 29 days of departure, a 50% refund of the total trip price will be issued.