These are the best paddling tours

From Germany to Ecuador

Copyright © Raili Löyttyniemi via Unsplash

Whether you're looking for sporting adventures or some peace and quiet in nature - everyone gets their money's worth on a well-planned paddling trip. Where to go depends entirely on how long and how far you want to travel.
With our tour guide, paddling can now be experienced in a completely new way.

Alone in nature - paddling on the Peene River

Through a lush landscape of moors and lakes, the Peene flows 85 kilometres through eastern Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Germany) from Lake Kummerow to the Baltic Sea. What makes it so special is that its entire course lies below sea level without any gradient and can therefore even flow in the opposite direction in strong easterly winds. The breath-taking nature that can be observed from this stretch of river appears almost jungle-like in its exotic diversity, which makes every paddling trip a very special experience. One reason why the Peene is also called the "Amazon of the North".

And not only the flora, but also the fauna in the Peene Valley has a lot to offer. With a bit of luck, you can encounter white-tailed eagles, kingfishers and beavers, among others. Throughout Germany, the Peene is considered one of the most exciting waters for paddling fans. From individual day tours to guided safaris at sunrise and sunset to a canoeing holiday lasting several days with the nights spent in a tent, there is something for everyone here.

From the Alps to the Adriatic Sea - Paddling on the Tagliamento River

Northern Italy also offers a paddling experience that sports enthusiasts would normally only expect to find in Alaska or Canada. The Tagliamento is one of the last rivers of its kind: a natural, unregulated Alpine stream that can be paddled continuously from the high mountains to its mouth in the Adriatic. With its many main and side arms, islands, floodplain forests and boulder fields, it winds for over 170 kilometres through its riverbed, which is two kilometres wide in places, but only 150 metres wide at its narrowest point.

If you want to paddle the entire route, you should plan a trip of about three to four days. However, this can be easily organized, as many spots on the riverbanks are ideal for canoe camping. But be careful: taking your own paddling tour on the Tagliamento requires adequate know-how in dealing with currents, rope ferries and the canoe paddle, as well as a good sense of orientation. Guided tours with experienced guides, on the other hand, can be mastered even by beginners.

White water adventure in Ecuador - paddling on the Amazon River

If you’re looking for a very special paddling adventure, you’ll definitely find it in Ecuador. The long journey to the South American equator is well worth it because a true tropical white-water paradise awaits you there. The region in eastern Ecuador around the Amazon basin is called the “Oriente” by the locals. This is exactly where the provincial town of Tena is located, with a paddling area that has become increasingly popular in recent years.

Once you arrive in Tena you can quickly reach the nearby rivers, which get every paddler's heart racing. By the way, local operators also offer tours for beginners. In general, you should avoid “going it alone” here anyway, as an experienced guide not only knows the water conditions, but can also better assess any dangers from the local wildlife during breaks on the riverbanks.

Copyright © Matthew McBrayer via Unsplash

Good advice with Destination Seaside at the boot Düsseldorf

In the “Destination Seaside” theme world at the fair, paddling holiday-makers can not only find out about canoeing areas worth seeing, but also book their adventure holiday on the water right there.