Difficulty Rating : 6 Start: Reinosa Finish: Guardia Terrain: Moderate cycling with some climbs Daily Average: 47-55km Weekly Average: 289-370km Tour Type: Self Guided Teaser: Welcome to Spain's wine region at the very heart of the country where our Safari meanders along the River Ebro, the longest river in Spain,
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Welcome to Spain's wine region at the very heart of the country where our Safari meanders along the River Ebro, the longest river in Spain, flowing from its source in the Cantabrian Mountains down to the distant Mediterranean.

Your jouney is characterised by magnificent vineyards, a landscape of gorgeous flora made up of alpines and orchids etc, canyons with sculptured limestone and small rustic villages offering a unique culture and history.

Your tour takes you through the beautiful valley of Valderredible and offers the chance to explore characteristic churches carved into rocks before you visit the 'fairytale village' of Orbaneja del Castillo with its waterfalls running through its center. You cycle along quiet country roads and spend a night in the spectacular Frias, a town built around its castle and with fine views of the Ebro valley. You spend a night in Haro where you can sample the local Rioja before heading to your final destination is Laguardia, with its historic walls dating back to the 13th century.

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Itineraries

Day 1

Transfer to Campoo

Arrival in Santander or Bilbao and transfer to our hotel in Campoo.

Day 2

Campoo ~ Polientes (59km or 97km)

This stage takes us through some fabulous and unspoilt scenery. From the green mountain pastures of the Cantabrian Mountains, along with the shores of the Ebro Reservoir, past the Monastery of Montesclaros surrounded by forests to finally rejoin the Ebro in the Valley of Valderredible and tonight’s stop in Polientes.

Day 3

Polientes ~ Valle de Zamanzas (43km)

We begin by cycling through the Valley of Valderredible, where you can visit the Romanesque church of San Martín de Elines. As you progress down the river, the sides of the valley begin to close into a marvellous canyon of ever-increasing dimensions, where eagles soar overhead. Stop to visit the fairytale village of Orbaneja del Castillo en route to our nights stop.

Day 4

Valle de Zamanzas ~ Medina de Pomar (36km or 63 km)

A beautiful route which follows the river through the most picturesque, quiet villages. An optional extension takes you to the dramatic village of Puentedey, built on a natural rock bridge over the River Nela. Tonight you stay in the Castillian town of Medina de Pomar with its old Jewish quarter and the castle dominating the town and the surrounding landscape.

Day 5

Medina de Pomar ~ Frías (58 km)

From Medina, you head back to the Ebro, The route heads along a quiet country road running parallel to the river where the valley begins to open out again. Visit the Romanesque church of San Pedro de Tejada en route to yet another canyon, which then opens out into the fertile valley around Frías. This is a spectacular village built around its castle and enjoying fine views of the Ebro Valley.

Day 6

Frías ~ Haro (62 km)

You cycle through another spectacular canyon and along the shores of a reservoir surrounded by high mountains and through short tunnels carved out of the rock. The route crosses the little town of Miranda del Ebro before passing through imposing peaks towards the enormous open valley of La Rioja. Overnight is in the wine-producing village of Haro, a chance to drink a glass or two of Rioja in its birthplace.

Day 7

Haro ~ Laguardia (50 km)

You cycle through endless vineyards and numerous picturesque villages of La Rioja, with the backdrop of the Sierra de Cantabria mountains and the Ebro never too far away. We finally reach the superb walled medieval village of Laguardia where, as in Haro, wine is almost a way of life.

Day 8

Tour departure

After breakfast, you will be transferred from Laguardia to Santander or Bilbao at 9 am. (transfer time to Bilbao is approx. two hours)

  • 7 nights bed & breakfast accommodation
  • 5 meals with wine
  • Luggage transfers
  • route descriptions and maps
  • GPS route files
  • Transfer on arrival day ( from Bilbao / Santander )
  • Transfer on departure day  ( to Bilbao / Santander )

Bike rental is not included in the tour price. This is an additional:
€125.00  Touring bike
€200.00  E-bike
€170.00  Road bike
€42.00    Garmin Rental
€60.00    If bringing your own bike the supplement to transfer your bike case 

On a self-guided tour we will organize your bike hire, the accommodation, and the luggage transfer. On this tour, we will also organize your airport transfers for you. Your tour package will be waiting for you in your first night’s accommodation. You will set off by yourself and the luggage will be transferred to the next stop by our local taxi transfers.

On a self-guided tour it is possible to add extra days or shorten the trip if you wish to or we can customize the route for you.

As this is a self-led trip you do not have the back-up of a guide and support van. Our aim is to allow you to feel like an independent traveler, free to cycle each day at your own pace while at the same time having the security of knowing that your luggage will be waiting for you in your next accommodation.

If you experience small problems with the bike (e.g., a puncture) you will have a spare tube, pump and tire lever. You also have access to a 24-hour helpline.

Bike rental is included not included in the basic tour package.

However we can of course rent bikes to you .

You are provided with hybrid-type tourist bicycles with conventional handlebars and with triple chain ring and easy-to-change gear ratios for comfortable and easy cycling. Road bikes may also be available on request. We can also provide tandems, children’s bikes, tow bikes and child seats for those with children.

Hybrid bikes will carry a handlebar bag, useful for carrying money, documents, camera and lots of other useful items which may be needed close at hand. This bag is easily removed it from its click fastening and carried around with the shoulder strap. They are also equipped with a rear luggage rack and one or two panniers, or a rear rack bag to carry just what you need for each day's cycling. Road bikes carry a seat post bag if required.

In addition, all cycles are equipped with pump, spare inner tube, water bottle, bike lock and basic toolkit. Extras such as lights or toe clips are available on request.

E–bikes & Road bikes are also available

On a scale from 1 - 10 (1 being the easiest and 10 being the hardest) we are giving this tour 6 points

Moderate cycling with some climbs

Daily Ave: 47-55km

Weekly Ave: 289-370km

Continental breakfast is included each morning. Also, five meals with wine are included on this tour.

Specialized cycle clothing may be handy but not strictly necessary. What you do need (among other things) is the following:
• shorts/ long trousers/ tracksuit/ legging
• shirts/ sweater/ rain clothing
• gloves (only when you book a tour in April. It can be chilly in the morning at that time of year!)
• good shoes
• sunglasses/ cap/ swimming costume
• extra towel
• soap/ insect repellent
• swimwear

We had a fantastic time on the Rioja tour, all the travel arrangements went according to plan and the guide was very obliging in terms of the airport transfer. We were very happy with the bikes, excellent condition. We loved this tour, the scenery was amazing, the cycling was excellent, the people were friendly, the wine and tapas went down very easily!

Nicola Martin (La Rioja group)

2024 SELF LED TOUR 
€1140 per person sharing 
€1420 for single occupancy 

Self Guided Tour Information

Tour runs from 1st April to 31st October and can begin any Sunday
* Groups of 4 or more can choose any start date at no extra cost
* Groups of 2 – 3 people can start any day at a supplement of €110 per person
* One person travelling on their own can start any day at a supplement of €300

The closest airport for arrival is Santander Airport and the most convenient for departure is Bilbao Airport which we would prefer if possible.  It may be easier to book a return flight from Bilbao Airport.

It is important to remember that at the end of the tour, the transfer time from Laguardia to Bilbao is 90 minutes, so if you allow for a 2-hour check in time, then it means departure time from Laguardia would be three and a half hours before flight time.  Departure time from Laguardia is scheduled for 9 a.m. so customers should take this into account before booking their flights.

Another option is to spend an extra night in Bilbao and visit the city and the Guggenheim Museum (remember the museum is closed on Monday except during the months of July and August when it is open every day).

Take note that you may not need to go to Bilbao after the tour, depending on what your plans are. For example, if you are going to Barcelona or Madrid then it is a lot easier to transfer to nearby Logroño and then take the train or the bus to either of these cities.

Ormas (Campoo)

Ormas (Campoo) image 1Ormas (Campoo) image 1

Polientes

Polientes image 1Polientes image 1

Valle de Zamanzas

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Medina de Pomar

Day 4: Hotel Romanca

Medina de Pomar image 1Medina de Pomar image 1

Montejo de Cebas

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Haro

Day 6: Hotel Arrope

Haro image 1Haro image 1

Laguardia

Laguardia image 1Laguardia image 1

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available

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Booking Form

Primary Contact Details.

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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Other members of your group if applicable.

Please indicate below how many people are in your group including yourself.

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Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

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Other Information

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.