Viana desert

The departure is in Sal-Rei, with 4-wheel vehicles for 2 people. Driving the quad is pure fun, very stable and it gives the impression of flying. After passing through Rabil, a small town, you arrive at the dunes of the Viana desert, magnificent sand walls that move with the wind and offer a breathtaking view.

Near the desert, there is a bar where you can stop and take a walk on foot. During the tour you travel in the queue, to avoid ending up in chasms or dangerous points. The dunes are soft, silent and the sand does not burn because it is very clear. Once you leave the desert, you will go north to visit the Cabo Santa Maria, one of the last shipwrecks of Boavista. Here the terrain is more impervious but doesn’t worry because the expert guides know perfectly every path!

The excursion is also suitable for children, from 7 years. No special technical knowledge is required and the excursion ends where it started.

2 POSSIBLE DEPARTURES (every day):
– Riu Touareg: 08.00 / 13.30
– Iberostar: 08.15 / 13.20
– Royal Horizon and Sal Rei: 08.30 / 13.30
– Marine Club: 08.40 / 13.40
– Riu Karamboa/Palace and Chaves: 08.45 / 13.45

RETURN: Expected after about 5h.

TRANSPORT INCLUDED: Pick-up or bus directly at the hotel or in the city. Further details will be provided after booking.

EXCURSION PRICE:
€ 90 double motorbike (2 people)
€ 75 single motorbike (1 person)

Starting from Sal Rei or from the hotels, the first stop is in Rabil, the nice village 1km near the airport, where you can admire the ancient pottery processing at the “ollaria”, one of the few forms of local craftsmanship. Leaving from Rabil you cross the small palm-lined oasis and immediately after you arrive at the Viana Desert. The desert has been formed over the years, from the Alisei winds coming from North Africa, loaded with sand from the Sahara. Viana changes continuously over time, stretches, widens, and every time the landscape offers different beauties.

It’s beautiful walking barefoot on the sand and rolling off the dunes, in front of the curious gaze of the goats that live there. Leaving the desert, it proceeds towards Cabo Santa Maria, in order to admire an old wreck and the sea eagles.

Proceeding towards Sal Rei, a stop at the Church of Fatima, recently renovated, which offers a breathtaking view of the sandy coves in the middle of the volcanic rocks. To end the trip, a walk in Sal Rei, the main town of Boavista.

2 POSSIBLE DEPARTURES (every day):
From all hotels and Sal Rei:
Morning: 09:00 AM
Afternoon: 2:00 PM

RETURN: Expected return after about 4h.

TRANSPORT INCLUDED
Pick-up directly at the hotel or at your accommodation. Further details will be provided after booking.

EXCURSION PRICE (for the car)
1-2 pax € 90; 3-4 pax 120€

On the road to the history and tradition of Boavista, the first stop is the terracotta factory of Rabil, the ancient Olarìa, where skilled artisans work the red earth by hand and create very nice statues. Leaving Rabil we turn towards the Viana desert, formed with the sands that the winds bring from Africa: you can slide down from the dunes and walk to “hear” the magical silence of this place. The tour continue on a road still made of cobblestones, towards the villages of the North: João Galego, Fundo das Figueiras and Cabeça dos Tarafes, very colorful, full of flowers and hospitable people.

From Cabeça the path take a black run, crossing a surreal landscape of volcanic stones, which leads to one of the highest points of Boavista: the Morro Negro lighthouse. Then go for a 10 minutes walk, where the view on the Atlantic Ocean is breathtaking. On the way back the path is the same, but by changing the direction and view, the emotions are also renewed.

2 POSSIBLE DEPARTURES (every day):
From all hotels and Sal Rei:
Morning: 09:00 AM
Afternoon: 2:00 PM

RETURN: Expected return after about 4h.

TRANSPORT INCLUDED
Pick-up directly at the hotel or at your accommodation. Further details will be provided after booking.

EXCURSION PRICE (for the car)
1-2 pax 90€; 3-4 pax 120€