In this context, yes. Some mistakenly believe that trekking is a sport, others confuse it with mountaineering. However, this form of travel is not a test of resistance, nor does it expose you to risks. It’s about being able to walk for an average of 6 hours a day, at a normal pace.
The difficulty levels, ranging from 1 to 4, are designed to provide guidance on the physical effort required for a particular activity. They exist to guide you in the decision when considering a trip, indicating the level of challenge involved.
See the description of levels of difficulty (in the section below – Travel information).
It depends on what kind of trip it is. On some Papa-Léguas trips, the group is entirely formed in Portugal. In others, participants join a group made up of people from different nationalities.
Flights are made using regular airlines in tourist class, allowing passengers to transport up to 20 kg of luggage. The transportation used intends to be the most comfortable and well adapted to the destination in question. They may be 4×4 vehicles, minibuses, local boats, sailboats, rafting boats or bicycles.
Not always, but in cities, yes, it is based on a double room regime. In other places, depending on the country and the type of program, the overnight stay can be done in hotels, small guesthouses, mountain refuges, village houses, campsites, or even in a bivouac. These trips are definitely not for enjoying hotels as they are used merely for spending a few nights.
When the availability of accommodation is limited, we try, as much as possible, to keep it clean, simple and with a friendly atmosphere. See the degrees of comfort.
Visiting a country that is culturally different from ours can be challenging. The main goal should be to respect the beliefs and customs of the local population and minimize the impact caused by the visitor.
Shorts or tight clothing are not appropriate. A certain care with clothing, so as not to draw attention, would be more comfortable for both the visitor and the locals. Try to be as discreet as possible.
Yes. All Papa-Léguas trips have a minimum and maximum number of participants. In the formation of groups, there are always people who travel alone, inserting themselves in the group with the greatest of ease, as they usually share the same interests and the same traveler spirit.
Yes, it would be convenient. When you sign up for a Papa-Léguas trip, you will receive a list with some examples of what you should have in your first-aid kit.
To book the trip you desire, go to the trip’s webpage and click the “book” button next to your preferred date. Then, follow the system’s instructions and provide the requested information.
Probably not. To get the best flights and the best rates, you should book your Papa-Léguas trip as far in advance as possible. Three or four months before the trip is not too much.
No, when signing up, you need to pay 30% of the trip’s price. The remaining 70% should be paid within 30 days before the departure date.
If you withdraw from the trip, you will have to pay all the costs incurred by your sign up and subsequent withdrawal, as well as an amount that can reach 15% of the price of the trip. The client may be reimbursed for the difference between the amount already paid and the amounts referred to above. See the general conditions.
Altitude sickness can appear from 2500 meters. Headaches, nausea and vomiting can happen because the volume of oxygen present in the air we breathe begins to be rare. In this way, to maintain the levels required by the body, the heart accelerates its rhythm, pumping blood more frequently to all parts of the body, thus minimizing the oxygen deficit. Acetylsalisilic acid, present in Aspirin and Aspegic, for example, activates blood circulation, facilitating the work of hemoglobin, and making the symptoms of altitude sickness disappear more quickly.
Theoretically, we can all suffer from altitude sickness if we climb above 2500 meters and especially if that climb is abrupt. In most cases, symptoms typically go away within 24 or 36 hours. However, if the symptoms persist, you should inform the guide, who will determine the most suitable course of action
Campsites are almost always along water courses or near lakes. You can therefore use these places to take care of your daily personal hygiene. When this does not happen, some team members (porters or cooks) will be responsible of looking for and collecting enough water for your hygiene.
Look for a secluded spot, behind a rock or vegetation. Remember to always carry toilet paper with you, which should be buried after use.
Our trips are designed to make the most of the best weather season in the countries we visit. However, weather conditions are beyond our control, and unexpected rain, wind, snow, or hail may occur. If this happens, the guide will assess the situation and determine the best solution on site. If you choose not to continue with the trek, you will need to provide alternative suggestions.
Traveling to remote places that have different lifestyles and living conditions than what we are accustomed to can be an unexpected experience. Those who take these adventure trips must be prepared to face new and unpredictable situations. Despite having the best intentions, things may not always go as expected. In such cases, having a sense of humor, understanding, and patience can work in your favor. The Papa-Léguas trips that we present are definitely not suitable for people who expect and demand that everything goes exactly according to plan.
Therefore, with the greatest respect, for you and for the whole group, if these situations do not fit your personal nature, we strongly advise against taking this type of trip.
No. Depending on the trips, walking days are usually 4 to 5 hours long. There may occasional be longer days, around 7 to 8 hours, on some trips with a higher level of difficulty.
Ideally, it is best to assume that you are in good health before starting a trip. Preferably you should be in good physical shape, that is, a few months before the trip try to practice some sport or activity that improves your aerobic resistance. For instance, you could start by walking instead of driving for short distances or opting for stairs instead of elevators. In sum, if you are not in good physical shape, it does not mean that you cannot make a Papa-Léguas trip, you would have to do it with more effort compared to those who are physically fit. However, do not forget, that psychological motivation can often overcome physical exertion.
For several reasons. Flight prices can vary based on the time of year, availability during the booking, traveler preferences regarding flight options suggested by Papa-Léguas and the air and land route prices. However, you can still make flight bookings through Papa-Léguas.
It depends on the concept of adventure. If for you an adventure means getting to know countries and peoples with cultures and landscapes that are different from ours, walking along trails that few people use, doing so without luxury hotels and restaurants to feel the authentic taste of unique and ancestral ways of life, then, we can say that our trips are adventure trips.
It largely depends on the selected destination. You will receive a detailed list of necessary equipment after signing up for a Papa-Léguas trip.
The food during the trip typically consists of local cuisine from the visited places, adjusted to western tastes. So, you will hardly find the dishes you are accustomed to. However, whenever possible, efforts are made to accommodate the participants preferences by adapting the local gastronomy to their taste.
Yes , they can. However, you will have to inform Papa-Léguas that you have a particular diet when you sign up.
It depends on where you are. You must have travel insurance that covers medical supervision, medical expenses, pharmaceutical expenses, and hospitalization (see travel insurance). If you are in the mountains, you will always be accompanied by an experienced guide who can assess the situation, assist you, and evacuate you as quickly as possible if necessary. Please refer to the health link on this website: https://www.papa-leguas.com/saude.asp
It varies depending on the destination you’re visiting. Being cautious and skeptical about food and water is essential to prevent complications, especially in tropical destinations. In general, all uncooked or unpeelable foods, water (including ice) and unpasteurized milk are potentially disease-causing. Never drink tap water and always peel the fruit before consuming them.
Not always. Most of our trips are guided by experienced local guides, who are very knowledgeable about the territory, its habits and customs.
However, we have trips where the tour leader is Portuguese. They leave Portugal with the group or will be waiting for travelers at the destination airport.
Usually English is the spoken language. Of course, when traveling in Latin America, it is very likely that Spanish will also be spoken.
Not necessarily. If you are open to sharing accommodations, you may be paired with another participant who has registered for the same trip. Papa-Léguas may group customers who register individually for the same trip in pairs, by gender and chronological order of registration. In the case of an odd number of participants, the one who remains without a roommate will be required to pay an additional single supplement fee.
In principle, the meals included in these trips consist of breakfast in the cities and full board during the hikes. However, there are programs that deviate from this rule either by offering full board throughout the entire trip or by providing some meals in the cities. After your registration, you will receive a detailed program itinerary that specifies the number and types of meals included in the price.
Yes, of course. For these trips, the most important thing is the state and youth of mind, which when combined with good health and fitness, will make you a perfect traveler. Check the “details” section of the trip you want to book to see if there are any exceptions to this rule.
It would be misleading to say “yes” for all trips. Depending on your children’s interest and curiosity, there are many programs that can become truly attractive, others, however, can become tiring and boring, which would not benefit your children, yourself and, ultimately, the group.
Certainly, yes. If you choose this option, please inform us as soon as possible, so that we can check hotel and flight availability and offer you the best price accordingly.
Please read the question: What is altitude sickness? (general information). If the symptoms described last longer than 36 to 48 hours, a case of altitude sickness may be present. In these situations, you should rest and descend to a lower altitude as quickly as possible.
We have two types of levels of difficulty. Those shown on most trips and those shown on mountain trips that involve climbing one or more mountains.
In this way, most trips present the following classification:
Level 1: You should expect small and very brief walks on good ground, with no unevenness. You will virtually walk as much or less than in your day-to-day life. Suitable for all sedentary people of all ages.
Level 2: Expect brief walks or other gentle exertion. You will virtually have the same activity as you would in your normal day to day life. Suitable for all minimally active sedentary people of all ages.
Level 3: There will be physical activity on three or more days of the trip. The walks can be more or less extended by trails, footpaths or snow. The duration of the effort to be carried out on the longest day should not exceed 10 hours. Some of the overnight places are above 3500 meters. Suitable for people with regular physical activity.
Level 4: Intense physical activity on most days of the trip. Hiking at medium altitudes that can exceed 5000 m on trails, footpaths, snow or ice with pronounced slopes. In some situations, there may be a need for auxiliary means of progression. The longest day can reach 16 hours of physical activity. Possibility of overnight stays of one or more days above 5000 meters. Suitable for people in very good physical shape.
On mountain trips, where the ascent is a high point of the trip, we present the following levels of difficulty:
Preliminary note – Bear in mind that in this classification we only consider the slope, the number of hours of walking and/or climbing and the technical complexity of the route. We do not take into account the altitude, which in itself is an added difficulty. Furthermore, good physical shape is essential for you to enjoy your trip.
Level 5: Climbing on good trails or footpaths. The tilt is always less than 45°. The steps are short and without the need for any technical equipment.
Level 6: Moderate ascent, generally on easy paths but including some passages that are a little more technical and/or with an incline above 45°. Technical progression and safety equipment may be used, namely crampons and ropes. The stages will last between 3 and 6 hours, exceeding this amount on the summit day.
Level 7: Moderate technical ascent where at least part of the route requires the use of crampons and ice axes/poles for progression and the use of a safety rope. Inclinations above 45° are expected in some sections of the ascent. Moderate daily stages with an average duration of 6 hours, exceeding this value on the summit day.
Level 8: Demanding technical climbing. Slopes above 45° are expected on summit day. It requires technical equipment such as crampons, ice axes and safety rope. You can have demanding daily stages exceeding 8 hours of walking, exceeding this value on the summit day.
Level 1: Accommodation in tents and shelters. Possibility of sleeping in dormitories. Shared bathrooms, or none on two or more days. Transport in public vehicles and some sections in private vehicles.
Level 2: Accommodation in simple hotels in double rooms or dormitories. Two or more days with shared bathrooms. Transport in private vehicles and some sections in public vehicles.
Level 3: Accommodation in tourist class, 3 and 4-star hotels in a double room with private bathroom. Transport in private vehicles and some sections in public vehicles, namely planes, boats and trains.
Level 4: Accommodation in 4 and 5-star hotels in a double room with private bathroom. Possibility of accommodation on a boat in a double cabin or a train in a double or quadruple litter. Transport in private vehicles and some sections in public vehicles, namely planes, boats and trains.
Not, it may not be. The prices displayed on our website for flights on a specific trip represent the lowest price available to us at the time the trip is launched or new dates are introduced. However, please note that this price is only indicative and the actual price will be determined at the time of booking and ticket issuance. Generally, prices tend to increase as the departure date approaches.
There is no definitive answer to this question. Sometimes it is recommended, while other times it may not be.
On the other hand, booking the flight yourself may involve some situations that are easily resolved but may entail additional costs. These can include paying extra for private transfers when your flight schedule does not align with the group’s, the exclusion of the air route(s) from the travel insurance we offer to all travelers, or the inability for us to manage the reservation in the event of missed connections or flight cancellations during your trip, and so on.
There is an insurance policy that is only applicable when the traveler departs from and returns to Portugal. In any other case, you may have to acquire your own travel insurance. Please contact Papa-Léguas for more information.
