Five days on the Ligurian Riviera, including three days of sea kayaking to discover the villages and landscapes of the Cinque Terre from the water, with a 3-star hotel in Levanto as our base.
Sea kayaking in the Cinque Terre, away from the crowds
Between Levanto and La Spezia, the Ligurian coast drops steeply into the Mediterranean. Terraced vineyards cling to the hillsides, while the colourful villages of Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore appear one after another as we round the headlands.
Everything looks different from the sea. We paddle beneath the cliffs and discover the villages without the bustle of the paths and waterfronts. Stops ashore give us time to enjoy their atmosphere before we continue along a coastline that alternates between inhabited areas and remarkably wild sections.
The trip is designed around three point-to-point stages. Folding kayaks and the coastal railway allow us to start and finish each day in a different place, then return to the comfort of our hotel in Levanto.
Trip overview
Italy · Liguria · Cinque Terre
Available on request
No departure is currently scheduled. This trip can be considered on request, particularly for an existing group. Contact us with your preferred period and the number of participants.
- Duration
- 5 days / 4 nights
- Kayaking days
- 3 days
- Accommodation
- 3-star hotel in Levanto
- Technical level
- Level 2
- Trip style
- Point-to-point stages · Folding kayaks · Train returns
- Guiding
- Qualified sea kayak guide
- Price
- €800 per person
The programme, launch and landing points, and distances are indicative. They may be adapted to the sea conditions, weather, the group’s ability and access to the shoreline.
Why discover the Cinque Terre from the sea?
- A different view of the villages: colourful façades, tiny harbours and terraced vineyards reveal themselves from the water.
- Away from the crowds: once afloat, we recover a sense of space and enjoy a perspective that cannot be reached from the coastal paths.
- Three distinct routes: Moneglia–Levanto, Levanto–Riomaggiore and Riomaggiore–La Spezia form a genuine coastal journey.
- One hotel throughout the trip: there is no need to move your luggage each evening; we return to Levanto after every stage.
- Original and flexible logistics: the folding kayaks travel with us by train, making point-to-point routes possible.
Perched villages, cliffs and vineyards above the sea
The Cinque Terre form part of a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape shaped by generations of local people. The villages occupy the few available ledges and valley mouths, while cultivated terraces rise across the spectacularly steep slopes.
By kayak, we follow the coastline at water level. Every headland opens a new view towards the harbours, stacked houses and cliffs. Between the villages, the coast becomes more mineral, exposed and wild.
Folding kayaks: the key to this journey
On this trip, the train is more than a way to reach the destination: it is part of our daily logistics. We use our own fleet of folding sea kayaks, allowing us to carry them between Levanto and the different launch or landing points.
This setup makes genuine point-to-point stages possible. We do not have to paddle back to the morning’s launch site or take a trailer along the narrow coastal roads.
- Before paddling: the folded kayaks travel with the group on the train in their transport bags.
- On the beach: we assemble the kayaks, prepare the equipment and set off on the day’s stage.
- At the finish: the kayaks are dismantled and packed away before we take the train back to our hotel in Levanto.
Our Cinque Terre fleet
- Single kayaks: TRAK 2.0, high-performance folding kayaks with the handling qualities of genuine sea kayaks.
- Tandem kayaks: folding Nautiraid models, available according to the needs and composition of the group.
- Paddles: Werner Paddles with carbon shafts, either straight or ergonomic.
- Equipment provided: personal flotation device, spray deck, safety equipment and the kit required for the day’s paddle.
Would you like to understand the logistics in detail?
Request the Road Book for the full programme, travel advice and practical information about the folding kayaks.
Five days in Liguria — three days on the water
This programme shows the intended route. It may be changed or reorganised according to the weather, sea conditions, the group’s ability and access to the launch and landing sites.
- Day 1 — Arrival in Levanto
Arrival in Levanto and meeting with the guide and the rest of the group at the hotel. Check-in, trip presentation and a review of the weather and logistics for the three kayaking days. Night in a 3-star hotel. Dinner at your own expense. - Day 2 — Moneglia → Levanto
After breakfast, we take the folding kayaks on the train to Moneglia. We assemble the boats on the beach, become familiar with the equipment and set off on an initial stage of approximately 15 km to Levanto. We finish directly beside our hotel base. Picnic lunch included; dinner at your own expense.
- Day 3 — Levanto → Riomaggiore
We paddle south to discover the iconic landscapes of the Cinque Terre from the water. Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and finally Riomaggiore punctuate the route. Depending on the conditions and timing, stops ashore allow us to explore some of the villages. In Riomaggiore, we dismantle the kayaks and return to Levanto by train. Picnic lunch included; dinner at your own expense. - Day 4 — Riomaggiore → La Spezia
An early train takes us to Riomaggiore, where we assemble the kayaks and resume our journey south. This final stage follows a wilder stretch of coast before reaching the La Spezia area. After packing the boats away, we return to Levanto by train. Picnic lunch included; dinner at your own expense.
- Day 5 — End of the trip
Breakfast at the hotel, free time in the morning depending on individual travel arrangements, then the trip ends in Levanto.
A typical day: train, kayak and villages
After breakfast at the hotel, we walk to the station with the folded kayaks. The train quickly takes us to the start of the day’s stage. On the beach, everyone helps prepare the boats and their equipment before the weather and safety briefing.
The day alternates between paddling, exploring the coastline and stops ashore. Lunch is a picnic. At the finish, we rinse the equipment if necessary, pack the kayaks away and take the train back to Levanto. The evening is free, allowing everyone to choose a restaurant and enjoy the village.
Hotel and meals
Levanto is our base throughout the trip. You spend four nights in a 3-star hotel and return to the same room each evening. There is no need to move your luggage, and you can recover in comfort between the three kayaking days.
Meals included
- Four breakfasts at the hotel.
- Three picnic lunches during the kayaking days.
Dinners at your own expense
Dinners are not included. They are taken independently in Levanto’s restaurants, allowing everyone to choose their preferred restaurant, menu and budget.
This trip is for you if…
- You would like to discover the Cinque Terre from the sea and away from the crowds.
- You have the fitness required for three consecutive kayaking days.
- You enjoy an active itinerary combined with the comfort of a 3-star hotel each evening.
- You are curious to paddle genuine folding sea kayaks.
- You understand that the route may be adapted to the weather and sea conditions.
Level 2
The trip is rated Level 2. It is intended for participants with good general fitness who are ready to paddle on three consecutive days and help handle the folding kayaks. Some previous kayaking experience is recommended; the guide adapts the route to the group and the conditions.
Dates, price and organisation
Available on request
There is currently no scheduled departure. We consider requests according to the preferred period and the composition of the group.
The price includes: 5 days / 4 nights; four nights in a 3-star hotel in Levanto with breakfast; guiding by a qualified sea kayak guide during the three kayaking days; TRAK 2.0 or Nautiraid folding kayaks; Werner paddles; personal flotation device, spray deck and safety equipment; train tickets used during the kayaking days; three picnic lunches during the activity.
Meals: four hotel breakfasts and the three picnic lunches during the kayaking days are included. Dinners are at your own expense and are not included in the price.
Not included: travel to and from Levanto; dinners; lunches on Days 1 and 5; drinks; cancellation, assistance and repatriation insurance; personal expenses and any additional nights.
Practical information
Start and finish
The trip begins in Levanto on Day 1 and ends in Levanto on Day 5. The exact meeting time and location are provided before departure.
Getting to Levanto
Levanto has a railway station and is a convenient base from which to explore the Ligurian coast. Travel to Levanto is not included. When preparing the trip, we provide travel advice adapted to your departure city and the group’s schedule.
Weather and programme changes
The coastline can be exposed to wind and swell. The guide may change the order of the stages, distances, launch points or landing points to maintain a suitable and safe route. The folding kayaks and railway provide valuable flexibility.
FAQ — Essential information
How long is the trip?
The trip lasts 5 days / 4 nights and includes three days of sea kayaking. All four nights are spent in a 3-star hotel in Levanto.
Is there a scheduled departure?
No departure is currently scheduled. The trip is available on request, particularly for an existing group. Contact us with your preferred period and the number of participants.
What level is required?
The trip is rated Level 2. You need good general fitness to paddle on three consecutive days and help handle the folding kayaks. Some previous kayaking experience is recommended.
Why do you use folding kayaks?
Folding kayaks can travel with the group on the train. We assemble them on the beach at the start of the stage, then pack them away at the finish before returning to Levanto. This allows us to complete flexible point-to-point routes.
Which kayaks are used?
The single kayaks are TRAK 2.0 models and the tandems are Nautiraid kayaks. Boats are allocated according to the participants’ needs and experience and the composition of the group.
Where do we stay?
All four nights are spent in the same 3-star hotel in Levanto. The hotel serves as our base, so you return to your room and luggage after each paddling day.
Which meals are included?
Four breakfasts at the hotel and three picnic lunches during the kayaking days are included. Dinners are not included and are taken independently in Levanto’s restaurants.
Are the train tickets included?
Yes. Train tickets used as part of the three kayaking days are included. Travel to and from Levanto is not included.
Is the itinerary guaranteed exactly as described?
No. The programme is indicative and may be changed according to the weather, sea conditions, the group’s ability and access to launch or landing sites.
What is the price and what does it include?
The price is €800 per person. It includes four nights in a 3-star hotel with breakfast, guiding and equipment during the three kayaking days, train tickets used for the stages and three picnic lunches. Dinners and travel to Levanto are not included.
Would you like to organise this Cinque Terre trip?
Tell us your preferred period and the number of participants, and we will assess the project with you.