Canoeing on the Dordogne
Canoeing on the Dordogne
Canoeing on the Dordogne
9 Days Starting in Rocamadour and ending in Carsac-Aillac
Visiting: France
Tour operator:
Tour code:
B08DO
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This canoeing holiday offers a leisurely way to explore one of France's most interesting waterways. The Dordogne River runs alongside glorious golden-pink limestone cliffs and passes the walnut groves and truffle woods of the Perigord; an area rich in history and striking views.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Rocamadour
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our family run 3 star hotel is set within its own parkland just outside Rocamadour's ancient town walls. Wander round the town's medieval alleyways before dinner, which is included. You stay at the Hotel Les Esclargies (breakfast included)
Day 2 : Rocamadour To Carennac
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, we take you upstream to the small hamlet of Thezel, just south of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne for the briefing and canoeing lesson. Then it's an easy paddle down to Carennac. This is one of the Dordogne's most picturesque villages, with lovely 16th century houses. Our hotel, with outdoor pool, is right in the heart of the village, overlooking the river. (Staying at Hostellerie Fenelon)
Day 3 : At Carennac
Meals Included: Breakfast
A fairytale village with a jumble of cottages and 16th century turreted manor houses along with the remains of the ramparts and the once-magnificent priory. Fenelon, still celebrated as the village's most famous son, was the very popular bishop here in 1681, and a local aperitif is named after him! It's fun exploring the narrow streets and alleyways and walks around the village, and on the causse, provide some of the very best views of the Dordogne. To explore further afield, you might like to hire a bike (request at time of booking) or take a taxi and visit the Gouffre de Padirac (9km away, via an uphill route), one of the region's important spectacles where you'll find amazing caverns, huge galleries, and a boat trip on the underwater lake. (Staying at Hostellerie Fenelon)
Day 4 : Carennac To Meyronne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
On the first part of the journey you pass below massive cliffs, paddling past four impressive riverside chateaux before arriving at Meyronne and our spectacular 11th century chateau hotel. (Staying at Hotel La Terrasse)
Day 5 : At Meyronne
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Why not relax at the hotel's pool, or visit the south of the river, by the Rochers Sainte-Marie and the Grotte de Lacave? Rocamadour (only a 15km taxi ride away, or use our cycling and walking route notes), together with the Mont St-Michel, is France's most venerated religious site. Kings once climbed the steps to the basilica on their knees, sailors prayed to the Black Madonna when in peril and the bell of her chapel rang each time she rescued another ship. The chapel is full of little model ships presented in gratitude. (Staying at Hotel La Terrasse)
Day 6 : Meyronne To Souillac
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is an easy paddle, with lots of interesting things to see along the river, including some beautiful riverside chateaux (look out for Belcastel and the impressive Chateau de la Treyne in particular). (Staying at La Vieille Auberge)
Day 7 : At Souillac
Meals Included: Breakfast
The prosperous farming country around Souillac was created from marshland by industrious 12th to 13th century Benedictine monks. Of the powerful abbey they built, just the abbey church remains, with outstanding bas-relief sculpture. Today Souillac is a bustling town, with good shops and a weekly local market. Visit the Musee de l'Automate, the largest collection of mechanical toys and dolls in France. (Staying at La Vieille Auberge)
Day 8 : Souillac To Carsac-Aillac
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today it's relaxed canoeing down to Grolejac via St-Julien (a lovely village and a good lunch stop) through the heart of peaceful and prosperous Perigord countryside, with lots of time for swimming or lazing by the river. We pick you up from here and take you to your hotel in time for a dip in the infinity pool before dinner. (Staying at La Villa Romaine)
Day 9 : Leave Carsac-Aillac
Meals Included: Breakfast
The tour ends after breakfast in Carsac- Aillac.
What's Included
-
Meals
9 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 3 dinners.
* All continental breakfasts and 4 evening meals
* Canadian canoes or sit-on-top kayaks
* Buoyancy aid and helmet
* Luggage transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
-
Travel insurance
-
Single supplements
-
Visas and vaccinations
Food
All breakfasts and 3 evening meals included.
The Dordogne has a rich cuisine based on produits du terroir (locally grown
produce). Typical first courses include tourain, an onion and garlic soup
cooked in a broth with duck or goose fat, and ladled over slices of country
bread and cheese. Pâté, often duck or goose, is equally popular, as is foie
gras - ideally washed down with a glass of Sauternes or Monbazillac. Main
course specialities also include duck and goose, often served in light cream
sauces and, in the autumn, fresh cèpes. Duck or goose fat is also used for
the accompanying pommes de terre sarladaises - slices of potato sautéed in
goose fat, with garlic, parsley and wild mushrooms - delicious! Traditional
desserts include tarte aux noix (walnut tart), gâteau aux noix, and
flognarde, a type of flan with fruit and liqueur. A local cheese worth
tasting is Bleu des Causses, similar to Roquefort, as well as Rocamadour
goat’s cheese.
Some of the finest wines of France come from the south-west. Bordeaux is the
largest wine region in the world, producing over 500 million litres a year.
There are over 40 different appellations, including some of the most
prestigious in France - Sauternes, Saint Emilion and Pauillac. Monbazillac is
a renowned sweet dessert wine, while many of the lesser known regional wines
are much cheaper but well worth trying. Bergerac reds and whites are also
highly recommended; there is a delicious rosé too. Pécharment red is
another one to try. See the section on Wine Service in our ‘All you need to
know Guide’.
Accommodation
We have chosen lovely, friendly hotels throughout, all with their own swimming pools. These include a converted 11th century chateau, a 4 star Villa that sits on the ancient site of a vast Gallo-Roman farm and a country house overlooking two valleys. You'll also savour delicious evening meals, taking in the best of the region's delights.
Check out our Q&As
-
Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum age 12 and above age people can join this tour.
-
Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Only Luggage transfers between hotels
-
Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
-
What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
4 star
-
What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Tuesday - Wednesday
Sep 24, 2024 - Oct 02, 2024Wednesday - Thursday
Sep 25, 2024 - Oct 03, 2024Thursday - Friday
Sep 26, 2024 - Oct 04, 2024Friday - Saturday
Sep 27, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024Saturday - Sunday
Sep 28, 2024 - Oct 06, 2024Sunday - Monday
Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 07, 2024Monday - Tuesday
Sep 30, 2024 - Oct 08, 2024Sunday - Monday
Jun 01, 2025 - Jun 09, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jun 02, 2025 - Jun 10, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jun 03, 2025 - Jun 11, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jun 04, 2025 - Jun 12, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jun 05, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jun 06, 2025 - Jun 14, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jun 07, 2025 - Jun 15, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jun 08, 2025 - Jun 16, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jun 09, 2025 - Jun 17, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jun 10, 2025 - Jun 18, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jun 11, 2025 - Jun 19, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jun 12, 2025 - Jun 20, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jun 13, 2025 - Jun 21, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jun 14, 2025 - Jun 22, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jun 15, 2025 - Jun 23, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jun 16, 2025 - Jun 24, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jun 17, 2025 - Jun 25, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jun 18, 2025 - Jun 26, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jun 19, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jun 20, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jun 21, 2025 - Jun 29, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jun 22, 2025 - Jun 30, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jun 23, 2025 - Jul 01, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jun 24, 2025 - Jul 02, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jun 25, 2025 - Jul 03, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jun 26, 2025 - Jul 04, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jun 27, 2025 - Jul 05, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 06, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jun 29, 2025 - Jul 07, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jun 30, 2025 - Jul 08, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 01, 2025 - Jul 09, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jul 02, 2025 - Jul 10, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jul 03, 2025 - Jul 11, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jul 05, 2025 - Jul 13, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jul 06, 2025 - Jul 14, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jul 07, 2025 - Jul 15, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 08, 2025 - Jul 16, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jul 09, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jul 10, 2025 - Jul 18, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jul 11, 2025 - Jul 19, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jul 12, 2025 - Jul 20, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jul 13, 2025 - Jul 21, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jul 14, 2025 - Jul 22, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 15, 2025 - Jul 23, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jul 16, 2025 - Jul 24, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jul 17, 2025 - Jul 25, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jul 18, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 27, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jul 20, 2025 - Jul 28, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jul 21, 2025 - Jul 29, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 22, 2025 - Jul 30, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jul 23, 2025 - Jul 31, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jul 24, 2025 - Aug 01, 2025Friday - Saturday
Jul 25, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Jul 26, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025Sunday - Monday
Jul 27, 2025 - Aug 04, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Jul 28, 2025 - Aug 05, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Jul 29, 2025 - Aug 06, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Jul 30, 2025 - Aug 07, 2025Thursday - Friday
Jul 31, 2025 - Aug 08, 2025Friday - Saturday
Aug 01, 2025 - Aug 09, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Aug 02, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025Sunday - Monday
Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 11, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Aug 04, 2025 - Aug 12, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Aug 05, 2025 - Aug 13, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Aug 06, 2025 - Aug 14, 2025Thursday - Friday
Aug 07, 2025 - Aug 15, 2025Friday - Saturday
Aug 08, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Aug 09, 2025 - Aug 17, 2025Sunday - Monday
Aug 10, 2025 - Aug 18, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Aug 11, 2025 - Aug 19, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Aug 12, 2025 - Aug 20, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Aug 13, 2025 - Aug 21, 2025Thursday - Friday
Aug 14, 2025 - Aug 22, 2025Friday - Saturday
Aug 15, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Aug 16, 2025 - Aug 24, 2025Sunday - Monday
Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 25, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Aug 18, 2025 - Aug 26, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Aug 19, 2025 - Aug 27, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Aug 20, 2025 - Aug 28, 2025Thursday - Friday
Aug 21, 2025 - Aug 29, 2025Friday - Saturday
Aug 22, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Aug 23, 2025 - Aug 31, 2025Sunday - Monday
Aug 24, 2025 - Sep 01, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Aug 25, 2025 - Sep 02, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Aug 26, 2025 - Sep 03, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Aug 27, 2025 - Sep 04, 2025Thursday - Friday
Aug 28, 2025 - Sep 05, 2025Friday - Saturday
Aug 29, 2025 - Sep 06, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Aug 30, 2025 - Sep 07, 2025Sunday - Monday
Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 08, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Sep 01, 2025 - Sep 09, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Sep 02, 2025 - Sep 10, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Sep 03, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025Thursday - Friday
Sep 04, 2025 - Sep 12, 2025Friday - Saturday
Sep 05, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Sep 06, 2025 - Sep 14, 2025Sunday - Monday
Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 15, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Sep 08, 2025 - Sep 16, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Sep 09, 2025 - Sep 17, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Sep 10, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025Thursday - Friday
Sep 11, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025Friday - Saturday
Sep 12, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Sep 13, 2025 - Sep 21, 2025Sunday - Monday
Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 22, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Sep 15, 2025 - Sep 23, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Sep 16, 2025 - Sep 24, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Sep 17, 2025 - Sep 25, 2025Thursday - Friday
Sep 18, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025Friday - Saturday
Sep 19, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Sep 20, 2025 - Sep 28, 2025Sunday - Monday
Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 29, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Sep 22, 2025 - Sep 30, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Sep 23, 2025 - Oct 01, 2025Wednesday - Thursday
Sep 24, 2025 - Oct 02, 2025Thursday - Friday
Sep 25, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025Friday - Saturday
Sep 26, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025Saturday - Sunday
Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 05, 2025Sunday - Monday
Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 06, 2025Monday - Tuesday
Sep 29, 2025 - Oct 07, 2025Tuesday - Wednesday
Sep 30, 2025 - Oct 08, 2025Book with Confidence
-
Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
-
Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.