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28 Sep 2025
4 Oct 2025

DISCOVER: Northern Portugal

Experience Portugal Like Never Before

28 Sep 2025
4 Oct 2025

Northern Portugal

$8,950
Lead Guide:

Manuel Cardoso

ABOUT THIS TRIP

On this week-long, point-to-point odyssey we’ll explore Portugal, from the sea to the mountains and from the mountains to the valleys, all from the vantage point of your saddle — and the dinner table, of course, because this is inGamba.

Starting in Porto, you’ll head north, turning skyward and into the mountains where the real riding begins in the Serra da Estrella National Park, which boasts the highest roads in the country and some truly spectacular views. Then, you’ll find your way to the unforgettable Douro Valley, with every inch of its steep hills wrapped in precious vineyards, for some well-deserved wine tasting before finishing in the enchanting city of Porto.

This trip will reveal Portugal’s unique landscape and culture, staying in a hand-picked selection of unique and charming properties along the way, taking you right to the heart of what we think is European cycling’s best-kept secret. Expect quiet roads and hours of fun on rolling roads through beautiful countryside.

Included With Trip:

  • All lodging*†
  • All food and beverages**
  • Pinarello Dogma F Disk with SRAM RED eTap AXS
  • Daily Bike Wash
  • Custom Q36.5 × inGamba cycling kit
  • Daily post-ride massage from a professional soigneur
  • Laundry service for cycling clothing

*Pre/post-trip lodging is not included
†Flights are not included
**Beverages ordered by guests beyond normal amounts and away from group activities will incur additional charges

MEET THE GUIDES

MANUEL CARDOSO

The Quiet Crusher

Manuel Cardoso is no longer sitting on the front of the pack, pulling everyone along at what some would describe as a “brisk” pace and what others are unable to describe at all, because they’re too busy gasping for breath and holding onto the wheel in front of them for dear life. Manuel is now sitting just slightly off the back of the pack. As I look back, I realize he has that look on his face. The look which struck fear in the hearts of the Pro Peleton for many years. The look which is part grin, part mischievous child and all business. He is about to start some shenanigans. Sure enough, just a few kilometers later and Manuel has picked one lucky contestant out of the pack and they are sitting-in, waiting, like predators, for the perfect moment. For Manuel, just like when he raced pro, this is when the road turns slightly up, a spot in the road where it gets tough for everyone. And he accelerates with his breakaway “partner” in tow. It is something to see. He ramps it up to a speed with which no one can latch onto the back and with such precision you have to question whether or not you actually want to try and close the gap he has created. And you can’t see it, but you just know, he is grinning from ear-to-ear.

Rui Vinhas

Rui Vinhas

Born in the North of Portugal, Rui has been riding his bike since he was 10. In 2011, he became a professional cyclist and just five years later he won the Tour of Portugal. The following year, in 2017, he was the runner-up in the Portuguese Cycling Championship. His talent and incredible bike skills will be by your side during our trips.

THE TRIP AT A GLANCE

START LOCATION:

Porto

FINISH LOCATION:

Porto

TOTAL ELEVATION:

8,341m

TOTAL DISTANCE:

478km

DAYS RIDING:

6

GROUP SIZE:

8-14

LONGEST DAY:

Day 6. Peso da Régua – Porto. 113km

BIGGEST CLIMBING DAY:

Day 2. Unhais da Serra – Penhas Douradas. 2,357m

View Bike Options

DAY BY DAY BREAKDOWN

1

Unhais da Serra - Tortosendo Loop

Sunday | 46km & 694m

Bem-vindo a Portugal! Our first ride is an easy spin to shake off the cobwebs, but it’s also very pretty, in the northern part of Portugal. This is the time to make sure everything with your bike is perfect – if something’s not quite right, let a mechanic or a guide know and we’ll be sure to fix it before the tough riding begins.
2

UNHAIS DA SERRA — PENHAS DOURADAS

Monday | 81km & 2,357m
Today we climb into the foothills of the Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s highest mountain chain. From there our picturesque ride will take us through the towns of Unhais da Serra and Seia before the ascent to Penhas Douradas – a “Hors catégorie” climb of 20km with about 1,000 meters of elevation gain. After a tough day on the bike, we will be welcomed into the peaceful surroundings of the national park of Serra da Estrela.
3

PENHAS DOURADAS – MARIALVA

Tuesday | 89km & 1,181m

Today we will go deep into the part of Portugal known as Beira Alta and near the birth town of João’s father, Sarzeda. We will start by riding down the glorious descent from the Serra da Estrela National Park and finish in the town of Marialva, a picturesque walled village that Literature Novel Prize novelist José Saramago describes as “…this complex of ruined buildings, and the mystery that unites them, the present memory of all those who lived here, that suddenly moves the traveler, brings a lump to his throat and tears to his eyes.”
4

MARIALVA LOOP

Wednesday | 61km & 1,075m

The historic village of Marialva was once a strategically important border fort, but these days it’s better known as charming medieval granite cottages and the imposing castle. This hilly route explores the peaceful countryside of the Beira region, passing through several quaint little towns along the way.
5

MARIALVA – PESO DA RÉGUA

Thursday | 89km & 1,080m

Today we ride towards Portugal’s most enchanting slices—the Douro Valley. This region is composed of mountains undulated into the distance, precipitous slopes, and mesmerizing patchwork of reds, greens, grays, and browns. And at the base of those slopes: the Douro River, the highest-flow river of the Iberian Peninsula, which zig-zags as it twists into and out of the view.  The first 50km of this route is on rolling terrain with a few easy climbs, while the last 30km follows the banks of the river into the town of Cambres.
6

PESO DA RÉGUA – PORTO

Friday | 113km & 1,953m

The climbing starts right away on this route, as we leave Peso da Régua behind and head for Porto. With more than 1,800 meters in elevation gain throughout the day, it won’t be an easy ride, but the stunning panoramas as we wind along the Douro River will more than repay your efforts. The gradients will get easier in the second half of the ride as we get closer to Portugal’s second city, where we’ll end our adventure in style.
7

DEPARTURE

Saturday

This is our final morning together and after a leisurely breakfast, it will be time to say goodbye, or at least arrivederci, until we meet again. Transfers to the airport will be arranged by our hard-working crew but if you’re planning on staying a few extra days, let us know if we can help with reservations or a few recommendations.

STAYING LONGER?

Adventure Continues…
Do you plan to come a few days early, or stay on after your inGamba adventure has ended? Our concierge can help you plan with a carefully curated selection of hotels, restaurants, bars, and guides. All of our recommendations have been hand-picked by a team of local experts, so you can spend more time enjoying all that this destination has to offer.

The latest version of the DOGMA features an advanced fiber with remarkable tensile strength, which enables Pinarello to improve the bike’s lateral stiffness performance. With this enhancement, the New DOGMA F is engineered to tackle any road challenges, establishing itself as a reliable option for all kinds of rides.

In addition, it comes equipped with the new SRAM RED AXS, the lightest electronic groupset to date. The controls have been redesigned to offer smooth, comfortable ergonomics for a wide range of hand sizes. What makes this groupset stand out is the effortless braking, allowing for one-finger braking with minimal effort. The RED brakes now require 80% less effort when braking from the hoods and 33% less effort from the drops, delivering more power and reducing hand fatigue.

WHEELSET:

Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless

FRAMESET:

Pinarello New Dogma F

COCKPIT:

MOST Talon Ultra Fast

TIRES:

Vittoria Corsa N.Ext

GRUPPO:

New SRAM RED AXS (Powermeter Included)

BOTTLE CAGES:

Elite Custom Race

PEDALS:

Speedplay

BIDON:

Elite Jet

SADDLE:

Prologo

COMPUTER:

Garmin Edge 1040

COLOUR:

inGamba Red

The NYTRO GRAVEL has a pure road racer DNA which upon launch marked an era in the E-BIKE/GRAVEL world. Featuring an iconic design, the Nytro Gravel is perfect for anyone looking for a road bike with powerful support for the toughest climbs.

WHEELSET:

Zipp 303 S Carbon Tubeless

FRAMESET:

Nytro Gravel E-Bike
(available for an additional fee)

COCKPIT:

ZIPP Service Course SL

TIRES:

Vittoria Corsa N.Ext

GRUPPO:

SRAM RED eTap AXS

BOTTLE CAGES:

Elite Custom Race

PEDALS:

Speedplay

BIDON:

Elite Corsa Team

SADDLE:

Prologo

COMPUTER:

Garmin Edge 1030

COLOUR:

Saturn Silver

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