Everything you could ever want to know.

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

 

What sights will we visit?

 

None, actually, at least not in any typical sense. We will not visit any place you will find in the guidebooks: Instead, we will leave all the "sights" behind for a fully immersive, full-sensory exploration of the natural world. 

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Where does the trip take place?

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We will journey to the Algarve's West coast, the Costa Vicentina Coast Natural Park, in the regions of the towns of Sagres, Vila do Bispo, Carrapateira, and Aljezur. Each trip is handcrafted from scratch, so the exact locations are unknown, even to me, until just before the tour begins :)

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Will we visit the "7 Hanging Valleys" ? 

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My hike is totally unrelated to the Instragram-famous "7 Hanging Valleys" hike, in a good way :)

 

My hike takes places on the Algarve's West Coast, about 1.5 hours drive from the 7 Hanging Valleys. The two places are different in every way:

 

The 7 Hanging Valleys is an touristic walk along the most typical, famous, and popular stretch of the Algarve coastline. There are boardwalks, signs, crowds, maps, restaurants, pavement and parking lots, as well as lots of great Instagram opportunities. You don't need my help to find it or explore it, and there are plenty of tour guides to choose from if you want one. 

 

My hike is a true nature and wilderness experience, not a touristic attraction. With me, we get way off-the-beaten-path to explore undiscovered parts of the Portuguese coastline that you cannot get to on your own, and that no other guides go to. I am the one-and-only West coast hiking guide. I follow only my only paths and itineraries, go where no one else goes. In fact, I made the trails myself.

 

Honestly, I recommend both hikes if you want to get a full impression of the Algarve landscape. But, if you dojust one hike, and you want it to be as memorable and awesome as possible... then there is no comparison to the West coast

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Can you tell me more about the experience?​

 

Let go of your need to know and plan everything! Follow me for this very special journey full of surprises, and you will not be disappointed.​

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If you really want more exact details about what we will do, then send me a quick message and I'll be happy to provide details :)

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I've already been to the West coast... will this be new for me?

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Yes! I guarantee that we will go places you have not already been, and would not find on you own, or with any other tour. There is no chance of overlapping or repeating experiences. This will be something entirely unique, guaranteed.

 

Aren't group tours kind of... lame?

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Not this one. Sharing this experience with a group is part of the fun! My small-group tours are designed to build a sense of team and shared purpose. It is an experience that is better together than alone. We will begin as strangers, turn into teammates, and grow into friends.

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Who will the other guests be?

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My guests come from every corner of the globe, but a majority come from Europe and North America. Pretty much all speak some English. Some have lots of outdoor experience, others have none. All people are welcome and encouraged.

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CHALLENGES & CONCERNS

 

How far will we hike?

 

The hikes are not of great distance: Usually around 8-12km.

 

What is important is quality, not quantity; not the length of trail, but the experience of traveling it :) That short distance will feel like worlds!

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How difficult is the hiking? Is it hard?

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Despite the big day, you will find the experience is never strenuous or exhausting. We go at a relaxed pace, take plenty of breaks, spend lots of time resting, and are flexible to adapt to everyone's needs.

 

The potential challenges are also part of the fun: Uneven trails, steep ascents, loose rocks, and rugged, "off-trail" terrain that requires a bit of balance and full-body mobility.

 

The entire tour is suitable for any beginner in normal-good health and fitness, as long as you have the desire to put in a bit of effort and the ability to overcome some challenges with a smile :) 

 

I am afraid of heights... 

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Fear of heights is perfectly normal and will not prevent you from completing and loving this experience. The only requirement is that you have an adventurous spirit, a positive attitude, and the desire to (potentially) expand your comfort zone at times. Adventure begins where comfort zone ends :)

 

If you are really "terrified" of heights, then you should simply let me know ahead of time, and I will take precautions to keep you feeling comfortable and secured. 

 

However, if you have a true phobia of heights; if you get scared just thinking about heights; if heights can paralyze you or send you quickly into panic or dizzy-ness; if standing even a few meters away from a cliff might cause you significant stress or discomfort... then you might find this tour is not right for you.​

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I'm a bit older... Is this tour for me?

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My tours are designed to be inclusive and accessible to a wide range of ages and abilities. I have plenty of guests in their 60's, and sometimes well beyond! 

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By far the most important thing is your "attitude": As long as you have the desire to put in an active effort, and the ability to overcome some potential challenges with a smile, then you will love the experience, guaranteed :)  

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More specifically, the physical requirements are very simple: During our 4.5+ hours "on the trail", you should feel confident that you can handle...

 

(1) 3-4 hours of low-level aerobic activity: i.e. Walking on flat ground and hiking gentle hills, at an easy-going pace, taking plenty of breaks throughout to learn, rest, hear stories, smell the flowers, enjoy the views, etc..

(2) Short, interspersed stretches (say, 5-10 minutes at a time) of medium-intensity activity: i.e. Hiking up a steep hill, going at your own pace and taking breaks as needed... we are in no rush!

(3) Terrain underfoot that might be loose, rocky, uneven, or slippery, requiring normal balance and, at times, a bit of full-body mobility: e.g. The ability to bend, duck, squat, or sit down on the ground and stand up again unaided.

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As well, its important to realize that I always tailor the hike and the trails to meet the interests, abilities, and needs of each group. So, I will make sure our hike is appropriate for our group, including you! If there is a wide range of fitness levels within our group, I will provide alternative, more "gentle" trail options for those who want to skip the "harder" parts.

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Let me know if you have any further doubts.

 

A full-day of hiking? That seems like too much...

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Don't worry, we are not hiking the whole time. Total hiking time for my Classic Tour is about 4-5 hours, spread out over the whole day. 

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Is it dangerous?

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This is an outdoor adventure, not an extreme sport. I've guided over 7,000 guests hiking in the Algarve: You are in good hands.

 

Of course, anytime you go into the outdoors, you expose yourself to inherent hazards and risks. I manage these risks with the upmost care and professional responsibility, but the only way to eliminate them completely is to stay at home.

 

I am prepared to handle most medical situations in the backcountry. I am trained and have multiple professional and up-to-date certifications in Wilderness First Response, Wilderness First Aid, and CPR from the industry-leading International Wilderness Medicine School.

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Will we be swimming? 

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Potentially, but it's always optional, and we only go if the conditions are right. However, all swimming is done on beaches without lifeguards or facilities, and care must be taken. 

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I am pregnant. Can I still join?

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As long as you feel that you still have normal-good balance, coordination, range of motion, and stamina, then you will be just fine. Much of this will depend on your particular pregnancy, how advanced you are, and what your level of physical fitness it.

 

I have lots of information elsewhere (above) regarding what to expect from the tour, and basically those same things will apply to you if you're pregnant.

 

I've taken plenty of women in their 1st and 2nd trimesters, and they do great. If you're in your 3rd trimester (7-9 months), then it might start to become challenging, and you should consider carefully, and ask me for more information, or book a Private Tour, where I can customize the experience to meet your abilities.

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I do not speak English / não falo inglês / no hablo inglés / ne parle pas anglais...

 

This tour is conducted in English, and is best experienced with some understanding of English. You do not need to speak fluently, however, but a basic understanding will be very helpful and will enhance the experience.

 

If you speak no English at all, then the tour will be different for you, but you can still join! You might be unable to talk with me or the other guests, and you will miss a lot of the stories and learning about the history and nature.

 

However, the landscapes always speak for themselves, and adventure is a universal language, so you can still enjoy the experience even with minimal or no english.

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BOOKINGS & PRICES

 

What is the Booking process?

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-  You: Click "BOOK NOW!" and fill out the form.

-  Me: I respond by email to confirm your date.

-  You: Pay a 1/2 deposit online.

-  Me: I respond with the tour details, and we're set!

 

What is the Cancellation Policy?

 

The deposit is fully refundable up to 1 week in advance of the tour and non-refundable after that.

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When should I book?

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I am a tiny company, and space is very limited. In the summertime my tours usually sell out, sometimes weeks in advance. The best way to assure you get a spot on a tour is to book as early as you can. You can always try last minute and see if you get lucky!​

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What months do you operate?

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Generally, April through October, and sometimes in the winter.

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Your tour is expensive... what's the deal?

 

Basically, you get what you pay for.

 

But, it's also not as expensive as you think: For example, a two-hour kayak tour (the most popular outdoor activity in Lagos), costs €35, and this includes no food, no transportation, no personal attention, 20-30 other tourists in your group, etc...​

 

My tour is bespoke, small-batch, hand-crafted, exclusive, and one-of-a-kind.

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Do you offer any discounts?

 

See here for more on that.

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TRAVEL & LOGISTICS

 

What do I need to bring on the tour?

 

You do not need anything special. I will provide you with a list of “What to Bring” after you book, but it’s very easy. Basically: shoes, jacket, snacks, water. 

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Do you provide transportation?

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I provide transportation from and back to Lagos in my comfy, classic Volkswagon van.

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Where is the pick-up/meeting point?

 

We meet 15 minutes walk outside Lagos city center, in a small residential parking lot.

 

If you are staying West of Lagos, we can also meet that direction, in Vila do Bispo. Exact details will be given after booking

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I'm not staying in Lagos. How do I get there?

 

If you are staying East of Lagos: You will need to get to/from Lagos on your own. With your own car, that's easy. If not, then here are links to find train and bus times. Uber and Bolt are also available; Bolt is cheapest. A good price estimate is about €1 per km traveled.

 

Note: For my Classic Tour, public transport will no longer be running after the tour ends, so you will need your own car, or a taxi/Uber.
 

If you are staying West of Lagos: You can meet me the town of Vila Do Bispo, on the West Coast, 25 minutes West of Lagos. We will arrange this when you book. 

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How do I get home after the tour?

 

If you are staying in Lagos, then I can drop you home after the tour.

 

If you are staying East of Lagos, then I will bring you back to Lagos and you will need to find your own way to get home, by taxi or hired car.

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Bonus question: How do I get to Lagos from Lisbon, or vice-versa?

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1) Bus: 4 hours, €20. See schedule and buy tickets here. Bus is nice because it is direct: Get on in Lisbon, get off in downtown Lagos.

 

2) Train: 3.5 hours, €28. See schedule and buy tickets here. Train is more comfortable and more scenic than bus, but also more expensive and not direct: It requires an change-over at the Tunes station (which is easy).

 

3) Driving, quick way: If you hire a car, you can drive down in less than 3 hours on the toll road. Tolls are heavy, about €25 each way. When you hire/rent the car, it's easiest to get the "transponder" or the little device that auto-pays the tolls.

 

4) Car hire, scenic way: Alternatively, you can drive the scenic route to the Algarve along the coastal road, and avoiding the tolls. This takes about 4.5 hours if you drive straight... But this is also a great road trip, and there are countless little towns, beaches, and places to explore along the way. You could easily spend a whole day, or several days, driving this route. It's beautiful!

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5) Check out my friend Fabio at Heaps of Tours for a scenic Lisbon-Lagos transfer with sightseeing along the way.

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WEATHER

 

What happens if the weather is bad?

 

All weather is good weather for an adventure! Rain softens the landscape, clouds enhance the atmosphere, and wind intensifies the drama. So, we go in all conditions.

 

In summer it hardly rains at all, and in the Spring and Autumn rain is rare and light and not a problem.

 

Rain jackets are provided if needed, just in case :)​

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Is it too hot to be hiking all day?

 

Surprisingly, not at all! The West coast of the Algarve is a micro-climate that stays cool all year long. Heat is rarely a concern, even on the hottest summer days. You will be surprised how cold it gets, even in summer! 

 

Will we get our money/deposit back in case of bad weather?

 

A tour will never be cancelled beforehand due to bad weather. We always go see the weather with our own eyes, then adapt the tour as needed to meet the conditions.

 

This is because...

 

1) The weather on the West Coast is completely different than in Lagos, so a rainy day here might be a sunny one out there.

2) The weather on the West Coast is notoriously difficult to predict.

3) The weather on the West Coast changes very quickly, from rainy to sunny or vice versa.

 

So, no matter what the forecast says, the tour will begin as scheduled. It's very rare, but in the event that a tour must be cut short due to very bad weather, I will give some money back accordingly.​

 

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FOOD

 

What will we eat?

 

Dinner is a diverse spread of local Portuguese-style tapas, all home-made and hand-selected, friendly to all eaters including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free. Dishes range from grilled meat, to vegetables, beans, salads, spreads, cheeses, and fruit, served with bread and wine. Dishes are selected to reflect the local Western Algarve cuisine and culture as much as possible. Exact meals change with the season. Dinner under the stars is a highlight of the trip, you will enjoy!

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Is the food vegetarian/vegan/gluten friendly?

 

Yes! The food that I prepare will be delicious for everyone but the most picky eaters :) It is mostly vegetarian, and is very friendly for vegan and gluten-free eaters, as well.

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KIDS

 

Can my kids go adventuring?

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In order to create the best tour experience, Group Tours are designed or age 14+ only.

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If you have a family with younger kids, ask about a private tour instead. This way, I can customize the tour to appeal to both young and old(er) and create an awesome adventure just for you.

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Why are kids not allowed on the Group Tour?

 

Young kids simply have different interests, attention spans, physical abilities, and safety liabilities, and so require a different style of guiding, engaging, and risk management. Group dynamics and social interactions are important elements of the tour experience, and so an age limit helps to assure that everyone in the group is on the same page, and a better group tour experience can be had for all. Also, we stay out late, drink wine, etc. It's just an adult experience. 

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TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS

 

Where should I stay in Lagos?

 

I can recommend a few places to stay based on my own personal experience. These are places I would send my own friends and friendly to. All are simple, clean, beautiful, friendly, intimate, and with a great location and moderate price. It's not an exhaustive list: There are lots of nice places in Lagos.

 

-- For a Guesthouse / B&B: I can highly recommend Infante Guesthouse, 3 Marias Guesthouse, Farol B&B, or Casa a Sul. 

 

-- For a small boutique hotel: The Casa a Beira Sol is a special place, with a beautiful garden and pool in a quiet location near to the beaches and 10 minutes walking from town. It's a hidden gem. You can also look at the slightly bigger, but still great Costa d'Orio, Dom Manuel, or Dom Dinis hotels.

 

-- For a hostel / something less expensive: For a clean, mature, quiet, non-party hostel, try Olive Hostel, Gold Coast Hostel, Racing Mackerel Hostel, or Tag Hostel.