Hemisferios

Who they are

Hemisferios is a river cruise and Ribeira Sacra travel company based in Luintra, the capital of Nogueira de Ramuín, on the Ourense bank of the Sil. Its legal notice identifies it as Hemisferios, S.L., with an address in the Plaza Mayor of Luintra. The website does not say since when it has been sailing or who runs it, and does not publish a tourism registration number. It works with catamarans and also puts together tailor-made trips, group outings and cultural activities, such as the "Noites en Sto. Estevo" in the monastery cloister.

Where they leave from and what they offer

It operates from the San Esteban (Sto. Estevo) landing stage, in Luintra, at the foot of the Santo Estevo de Ribas de Sil monastery. The website gives directions from Ourense and from Monforte de Lemos and warns that the LU-P-4103 road is cut at Lornis. The Abeleda landing stage, on the Lugo bank, is listed as not operating.

It has three main products:

• Sil canyon, return trip to Sto. Estevo. About 1 h 15 min along the steepest stretch of the canyon, with a guide's commentary. It runs every day, with times that change by day.
• Full-day Ribeira Sacra. About 7 hours: welcome at 10:00 at the landing stage, an hour-and-a-half cruise, a visit to a vineyard with a tasting, a viewpoint over the Sto. Estevo dam, lunch in a typical restaurant and, in the afternoon, Santo Estevo monastery, the Cabezoás viewpoint and the San Pedro de Rocas monastery. It includes a guide all day and road transfers; minimum four people.
• All-inclusive Sto. Estevo–Abeleda. About 8 hours: boat to Abeleda, bus to a winery with a tasting, viewpoints such as the Balcones de Madrid or Cabezoás, lunch and the two monasteries, returning around 19:00. Minimum six people. As the Abeleda landing stage shows as closed, it is worth confirming the route when booking.

The boats

According to its website, the boats have heating and air conditioning, a public address system, screens, background music and a toilet. Pets and pushchairs are not allowed on board, and eating and smoking are not permitted.

Prices, ages and bookings

The return cruise costs €12 for adults aged 18 to 65, €10 for over-65s, €6 for ages 5 to 17 and €3 for under-5s. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The two full-day excursions cost €125 per person, at the same rate for all ages. Groups of more than 20 people on the cruise, or more than 10 on the full day, must enquire beforehand to ask for a discount.

You book online, choosing date, time and number of passengers by age, or by phone: 626 793 228 for information and 620 900 265 for bookings. Also by email, at [email protected]. The website does not publish the cancellation policy or season dates, and does not say in which languages the commentary on board is given; the page is in Spanish and Galician. For the full day, it is worth confirming times because visits may change time.