Boat Trip from the Serradilla Jetty

An hour and a half on the Tagus aboard a boat that leaves from the Serradilla jetty, in the Monfragüe Biosphere Reserve, and sails to the edge of the National Park. It is run by Monfragüe Vivo, an ecotourism company from Plasencia that sells its outings under the Destino Activo brand. There is no walking or rowing: you sit, look at the sierras from the water and, in the distance, Salto del Gitano.

As far as the park allows

Boating is not allowed inside the National Park, so the boat stays in the part of the reservoir that belongs to the Biosphere Reserve. From there you see Salto del Gitano and the cliff of Peña Falcón from afar, which from the road is seen up close and from the river is understood in its true size. The company says it follows an environmental protocol to disturb as little as possible. It does not promise specific species: in its photos there is a griffon vulture, but what you see gliding over the water depends on the day.

July and August, at 11:30

It is a summer activity with fixed days: in July it sails Thursday to Sunday and in August Wednesday to Sunday, always at 11:30. Outside those weeks there is no published calendar; if another date interests you, ask, because the company says it depends on availability. You need to be at the Serradilla jetty a quarter of an hour before sailing. The activity's page links the exact spot on Google Maps: save it before you set off and arrive with it to hand.

Prices by age and the family rate

Adults pay €18, seniors €16 and children aged 3 to 12 €14. There are two family rates: €55 for two adults and two children, €65 for two adults and three. All ages are admitted. Groups of 25 people or more ask for a separate price and can have the boat to themselves, with a tasting of Extremaduran products, a cocktail or an aperitif on board.

How it fits into a summer day

The trip ends around one o'clock, the hour when in summer you no longer feel like walking. If you want to see the park from land the same day, leave the viewpoints for the afternoon: the Portilla del Tiétar and Salto del Gitano are next to the road and ask no more than getting out of the car. The same company suggests combining the boat with its 4x4 route through the dehesas, which runs all year.

Form, phone or email at Destino Activo

You book with the form on the website, which asks for your name, email, telephone, number of people and dates, by phone on 620 941 778 or by email at [email protected]. The website accepts online payment. It does not publish the number of seats on the boat or the cancellation conditions: ask when you book, as you should if you plan to bring a dog.