This is the most complete group tour to visit the Ribeira Sacra and the Sil Canyon in one day, in it we combine the main attractions of this unique territory: its Romanesque heritage, the amazing landscape, the navigation along the Sil River and the wine tourism.
We will leave from the city center of Ourense at 9:30 and from the Parador de Santo Estevo at 10:00 to dedicate the day to visiting one of the treasures of Galicia, the Ribeira Sacra and the Sil Canyon.
We will do a boat trip through the Sil Canyon to contemplate the steepest part of the Ribeira Sacra at river level.
With forests located in inaccessible areas, vineyard terraces located in places with difficult access, the location of some of the most emblematic viewpoints and part of the fauna of this protected area (Biosphere Reserve).
Already in the upper area, we will stop at one of the most visited and photographed viewpoints of the Sil Canyon: the Cabezoa Viewpoint. Perfect moment to take a photo and contemplate the area you have previously navigated.
Through a winding road, we will reach the Monastery of Santa Cristina de Ribas de Sil. Hidden in a chestnut forest 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.
After the last visit of the morning we will have free time to eat and regain strength before continuing our tour to the Ribeira Sacra and the Sil Canyon. You can include the meal with the group during the reservation or arrange it on your own. There are also picnic areas around.
Break of approximately 1h 20 minutes at Parada de Sil.
We continue our tour to visit the Santa Maria de Montederramo Monastery. Building originally from 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.
This 2024 marks the 900th anniversary of the document that refers to the founding of the Monastery of Montederramo and the origin of the name Ribeira Sacra.
Already on the river banks of the Sil River, we can enjoy the impressive views offered by the Pena de Matacás Viewpoint. From there we will contemplate the vineyards located on the slopes of the mountains.
To finish the one day tour to the Ribeira Sacra and the Sil Canyon we move to the municipality of A Abeleda, to visit the Adega Vella winery and taste some of their wines from the Ribeira Sacra Appellation.
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 wine tourism visit to the winery. If there are several in the group, you can divide up and some go to the winery and others to the Castle.
After saying goodbye to the Ribeira Sacra, we will begin the way back to Ourense all together (both those who visited the winery and the castle) to say goodbye around 8:00 p.m. in the San Lázaro Park in the center of Ourense (we will say goodbye before clients who have left from the Parador de Santo Estevo)
In our tour programming we have taken care of down to the last detail so that it is entertaining and as educational as possible. Exclusive, updated and high quality content so that you take away the experience of having known a very special place and in very good company.
Our one day tour to the Ribeira Sacra and the Sil Canyon has the following schedule:
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 a visit or in the duration of the tour. We will aways notify clients about any changes in itinerary, time, etc .
If due logistical reasons it is not possible to visit a monument, it will be replaced by another, and the same applies to the viewpoints in case the weather affects visibility.
Changes in itineraries: On September 14, the Monastery of San Pedro de Rocas will be visited instead of the Monastery of Santa Cristina due to the closure of the latter for the celebration of a concert. On September 20, the Monastery of San Pedro de Rocas will be visited instead of the Monastery of Montederramo due to a change of schedule due to the Ribeira Sacra rally that takes place that weekend.
The meeting point in the center of the City of Ourense it is theBus Stop located at the bottom of the San Lázaro Park, as shown in the image .
You can see a yellow postbox to the left of the meeting point marquee, and opposite (on the other side of the road), a statue with two people sitting in a car. Check exact location on Google Maps.
The meeting point at the Parador de Santo Estevoit is themain entrance of the Parador next to the parking lot, as shown in the image.
9:30 en Ourense Parque de San Lázaro – Please be at the departure point at least 10-15 minutes before the scheduled time. The tour will leave on time and if you are not at the meeting point you will lose your reservation.
10:00 en Parador de Santo Estevo – Please be at the departure point at least 5-10 minutes before the scheduled time. The tour will leave on time and if you are not at the meeting point you will lose your reservation.
20:00 /20:10 in Ourense Parque de San Lázaro – Approximate arrival time if there are no delays due to external causes.
20:20 / 20:25 at Parador Santo Estevo – Approximate arrival time if there are no delays due to external causes.
Tour:
Note: departure from the Parador de Santo Estevo has an extra fee of between 15 and 40 EUR/person, the price depends on the number of people who join the excursion from this point.
Lunch (optional booking):
For groups of 5 or more people, automatic discounts apply during the booking process.
The booking is confirmed immediately with payment of either the full amount or the 25% deposit if this option is chosen at the time of payment. If you opt for the deposit, the remaining 75% will be paid on the same day of the tour by card or cash.
The tour will be carried out as long as a group of 8 or more people is formed, otherwise the tour can be canceled by notifying at least 5 days in advance.
