PortugalBike - Cycling on the Cliffs

Sagres, Portugal Bike Tours

	Guided	Unguide	Notes
May, October	1,885 Euro	1,445 Euro	Per person/week
July	2,015 Euro	1,575 Euro	Per person/week

*Please contact advertiser for rates & availability for your travel dates.

Sagres, Portugal Bike Tours

Active Adventure

Tour Highlights

1. The Natural Park of SW Alentejo and Vicentine Coast
2. The most preserved coast all over Europe
3. Tasty fresh fish of the Atlantic Coast
4. Vast fields of vegetable crops
5. Crossing a deep Cork Oak Forest
6. The limpid and clear water of the sea
7. Cape S. Vicente - the birds and the sunset into the Atlantic Ocean
8. Sagres - the south-westernmost town of Continental Europe
9. The gorgeous beaches and the beautiful coast of the Algarve region
10. Lagos - the cosmopolitan and oldest town in the Algarve


Summary

SW Alentejo and Vicentine Coast Natural Park extends itself along the Portuguese coast and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. This SW landscape is 300 million years old and it is one of the most preserved landscapes all over Europe; human intervention has been less visible throughout its history. Once submerged (about 2 million years ago), this is a vast area with many different coastal habitats and countless beaches and cliffs. Our daily tours include going to the wonderful beaches of this Natural Park and taking a swim in the clear, blue sea. Cliffs are steep, almost 100m high and right above the ocean. Countless rocks and isolated islets complete this beautiful and unique scenery. You will cross a deep cork oak forest constantly riding up and down. You will feel alone with the Nature in a Mediterranean environment, where you must be aware that there aren´t nobody around you until get the sea. The west coast boasts a diversity of rare botanical species, with very interesting flora and a variety of maritime birds that nest here. Cape S. Vicente is a passing area for thousands of birds of prey. The tour also goes to Sagres, which is the south-westernmost point in continental Europe, the place from where our brave forefathers sailed on their caravels seeking new peoples and continents. Finally, you will visit some of the beaches of our famous Algarve including the cosmopolitan city of Lagos. This is one of the oldest towns in Algarve. We can still see evidence of the wall surrounding the town for protection. Lagos also has an old fort and its former Slave Market is now an art gallery.

Typical Day

Programme

Day 1: Arrival - Welcome at Lisbon airport. 1H30 drive to Comporta, briefing about the tour followed by dinner. Lodging in a 3* Hotel that invites you to the beauty and calmness of the Natural Reserve of Sado

Day 2: Crossing a deep Cork Oak Forest - 64km (40mi), 982m alt. gain, level 4. Breakfast. Our day starts in the quiet village called Comporta with an amazing view of rice-fields and storks. We ride towards the hills with a Mediterranean environment where cork-oak trees are abundant. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a modern comfortable 3* hotel overlooking the castle and the main church.

Day 3: The Cork Oak Forest and the Sea - 49km (30mi), 680m alt. gain, level 3 (+ Beach). Breakfast. We ride from the hills towards the sea. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a small town classified as a Touristic Paradise, near the beach.

Day 4: The vast fields of vegetable crops - 66km (41mi), 575m alt. gain, level 4 (+ Beach). After breakfast we ride towards Cape Sardão, a paradisiacal spot perfect for meditation. We visit Zambujeira do Mar and we end in Odeceixe, another village near the sea. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a Bed & Breakfast unit with a refreshing swimming-pool that is waiting for you.

Day 5: The beautiful Beaches at Vicentine Coast - 85km (53mi), 910m alt. gain, level 5. After breakfast we ride towards Aljezur with its castle on the top dated from the 10th century. We continue riding southwards, we cross the woods, hills and valleys until we get to Carrapateira, always full of surfers, and we end in Sagres, the south-westernmost town in Europe. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a 4* new hotel with swimming-pool, surrounded by stunning deserted beaches and the wild nature of an unforgettable beauty.

Day 6: The Coast of Algarve (The Single-Track Day) - 53km (33mi), 930m alt. gain, level 4 (+ Beach). After breakfast we start riding; this is the day of the single-tracks. We ride along the south coast of the Algarve and we can see the difference when the Natural Park ends and the touristic Algarve starts. Before getting to Lagos we visit Ponta da Piedade where the sea and the wind have shaped beautiful rocks creating an amazing view. Picnic on the way. Dinner with the group. Lodging in a 4* hotel with swimming-pool, that epitomises the Algarve culture, with blue and white corridors which link the rooms, patios, restaurants and bar.

Day 7: Departure - After breakfast transfer to Lisbon airport. 3H00 drive to airport.

Age range, type of group

Technical Data

Type: mountain bike tour
Class: LANDSCAPE TOUR
Version: Guided or Self-Guided
Regions of Portugal: Alentejo and Algarve (coast)
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights / 5 days cycling
Begin: Comporta (Alentejo)
End: Lagos (Algarve)
Difficulty level (1-5): 1 2 3 4 5
Advanced. You are fit and in good shape
Distance: 317km (197mi)
Average: 63km/day (39mi/day)
Trails: 70% off-road �" 30% asphalt

Sleeping and meals

The price includes:

- 7-day mountain bike Tour with a Guide (*)
- Mountain Bike rental with helmet and backpack
- Transfers from and to Lisbon Airport
- Accommodations (6 nights): 3 four* Hotels (1 charming Hotel, 1 Design Hotel front to the ocean, 1 cosy Hotel), 1 cosy three* Hotel, 2 B&B/Rural Tourism. Double bedroom occupancy.
- 6 Breakfasts - 5 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
- Liability Insurance
- Personal Accident Insurance
- Techno-Mechanical Assistance
- First-Aid assistance on location
- Permanent Backup Vehicle (*)
(*) Not included in Self-Guided Tours

Rates

Dates and Prices for 2012:

May 06 - 12:
Guided: Euro 1885 (Single Suppl. + € 180)
Self-Guided: Euro 1445 (Single Suppl. + €180)

July 08 - 14:
Guided: Euro 2015 (Single Suppl. + € 210)
Self-Guided: Euro 1575 (Single Suppl. + €210)

October 07 - 13:
Guided: Euro 1885 (Single Suppl. + € 170)
Self-Guided: Euro 1445 (Single Suppl. + €170)


=> Prices per person, double bedroom occupancy, 4* quality Hotel.
=> If you want a different date, ask us about prices and availability.

Other Information

On this tour you will ride with this bicycle

MOUNTAIN BIKE: BH A60k Expert Disc
DETAILS:
Frame: Light alluminium
Fork: Front suspension 100mm with lock on the handlebar
Brakes: Hydraulic disc brakes
Gears: Shimano XT/LX, 27 speeds
Pedals: Normal (with cages or not) or Shimano SPD
Tires: MTB 26"x2.1
Weight: 11,8kg
Other: Man or woman seat
(please see the picture #26)

Sagres, Portugal Bike Tours

Sagres, Portugal Bike Tours

Cristina Henriques (View My Profile)
Being a Portuguese-owned Company, we know our country better than anybody else and we want to expose people to places and curiosities about Portugal that only a Portuguese knows! Our goal is that you visit Portugal …riding a bicycle!

On PortugalBike Tours you have the opportunity to visit our historical, cultural and landscape heritage in our National Parks, enjoy the sun and the beaches, and at the end of the day you can recover your strength with an exquisite dinner. You can taste our famous wines, amazing cheeses and lovely desserts, and sample typical dishes of each region of Portugal.

Travelling with PortugalBike will connect you deeply with the country, becoming part of its everyday life, observing details that typical tourists miss and enjoying spontaneous encounters along the way. You will rest in cosy and charming accommodations. We always choose 4-star quality hotels whenever possible in each region or Bed & Breakfast units. Our accommodations are always the best offer of each region.

PortugalBike Tours are designed so that we begin at a certain point and we end elsewhere. You do not start and end at the same place. We think that is the best way to discover Portugal ...riding a bicycle! Read the specific information about each ride to learn more details.

PortugalBike Tours have a maximum of 16 participants, and a minimum of two. Larger groups are also possible upon request and according to our availability. Our Bike Tours are prepared for one week (7 days / Sunday to Saturday).

The dates of PortugalBike Tours are according to our calendar, or on request, according to our availability. The prices below are for the scheduled PortugalBike Tours. If you wish a different date, ask us for prices and availability.

WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER YOU A GOOD PRODUCT AND A QUALITY SERVICE