Guidad kayak tour from Ensta och Valsgärde to Uppsala City

A thrilling guided tour through beautiful nature in the immediate vicinity of Uppsala from a kayak. The tour is going to start with a 15 min visit to the one of most historically significant Vendel and Viking age burial sites and boat inhumation graves in Sweden – Valsgärde. The site is situated approximately three kilometers north of Old Uppsala (Gamla Uppsala) and approximately 14 kilometers from Uppsala City. As you are going to be able to see for yourself from tumuli, the river connects Valsgärde with other historically important places such as Old Uppsala church (Gamla Uppsala kyrka), which was the seat of the Archbishopric of Sweden to the 1273, and boat inhumation graves nearby, and all the way to the Uppsala Cathedral (Uppsala domkyrka) near which we are going to disembark. From Uppsala City, Fyrisån runs all the way to the Lake Mälaren.

The route passes Sturvadbadet (a beach near Old Uppsala church) and Ulva Kvarn (a handicraft village built around a mill house dating from the 14th century) where we are going to take a longer break, visit a village and have lunch. A second part of the tour passes by the Fyrishöv (a swimming facility and sports arena in Uppsala) and continues all the way to our last station – Järnbron (an iron bridge built during the years 1846–1848) in the center of Uppsala.

Overview:

This tour is a boat tour. The route is 14 km long and takes approximately 5 hours to finish, depending on the number of breaks taken. It is recommended for those who can row at an easy pace twice for 1.5 – 2 hours. You will paddle with our experienced guides and do not need to be an experienced paddler as the tour will be adapted to your conditions. Before we start paddling, all participants will be briefed on safety equipment and instructions at the level the individual needs. In case that you are in the company of a less experienced person or a child, there is a possibility to reserve a double kayak (contact us before!).

The tour begins with gathering in the parking lot with Sport Adventure Travels, Location. Once everyone has arrived, we are going to walk to The Valsgärde and get an overview over the tour. Upon returning to the starting location, we will choose life jackets according to the size of each person, take paddles and pack things we want to take with us. Here is a place where you can change your clothes, take more water, and use the toilet. After that, we are going to go down to the kayaks, where you will receive instructions on paddling and safety, get in the kayak and paddle to the Uppsala.

Lunch in Ulva: one option is that we order a ready-made simple lunch that you can take with you (paid separately), another option is lunch at a nearby coffee restaurant in Ulva Kvarn, and as a third option, a lunch that you have prepared yourself. We recommend bringing some cash in case the boutiques and restaurants accept only Swish (payment app in Sweden). Fika is included in the price.

At the place where we will disembark, a vehicle that will pick up the kayaks and equipment are going to wait for you. For those who came to Ensta by bus and want to stay in Uppsala, things that were not packed in the kayak will be brought by this car. For those who came to Ensta by car, car drivers will be transported to the parking lot in Ensta. For other support regarding transportation, please contact us by phone or email.

Please make sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before meeting time. Guided tours have to run when scheduled!

Participation conditions: ability to swim. You are going to paddle through calm waters and no prior kayaking experience is required for this tour. From the previous experience of those who participated in this tour, everyone with average fitness and regardless of experience could overcome the distance.

Datum och tid:  from May to September 2023 

Place: Fullerö Ensta 115, Valsgärde, Fyrisån

Start location: Sport Adventure Travels, Fullerö Ensta 115, Google Maps

End location: Järnbron, Uppsala City

Duration: 5 hours

Language: English

Number of people: min – 6, max – 10

Age: from school age

What’s Included: single or double kayaks, life jacket, paddle, waterproof bag.

With us you can: change, leave your excess things, use the toilet, park your vehicle, pour the water, have a coffee.

To take into consideration: shoes for walking in nature, water bottle (can be refilled on site), sunglasses, sun cream, clothing for bad weather (depending on the weather), swimsuit, caps, mobile phone protection, lunch/coffee money, food

Lunch: In Ulva Kvarn – there is a small cafe restaurant with simple lunch, cakes and coffee, etc. Lunch can be organized by us (with announcement and additional payment) or your own lunch box. Coffee breaks as agreed during the tour. Fika is included in the price

Weather: guided tour will be held regardless of weather conditions. Mere info

Instructions: instructions in paddling technique and safety before and during the trip

Parking: available at the address

Price: SEK 890 for adults, SEK 750 for students and pensioners

How to get here:

 – By car from Uppsala: 2 km after Gamla Uppsala turn left at the Sport Adventure Travels and Valsgärde sign.

– From Storvreta/E4: turn right about 1 km after Fullerö Handel at the Sport Adventure Travels and Valsgärde sign.

– By bus: bus 110 and 823 leave from Uppsala Central Station or look in the UL or SL app. Get off at Ensta stop, walk 800m.

– There is a possibility for transportation from the bus station to the location. Car transport option only by agreement.

LARGE GROUPS – BUSES – the possibility of arrangement for groups of up to 30 people in the same period, contact the provider on email info@sportat.se or call 0046 (0)72 3245 832, 0046 (0)73 5302 484.

CANCELATION POLICY

You can cancel up to 48 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 48 hours before the tour’s start time. If you cancel less than 48 hours before the tour’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Any changes made less than 48 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted. Cut-off times are based on the local time tour’s start. The tour is going to be held regardless of weather conditions. If it has to be canceled due to extreme poor weather which may endanger the safety of the group, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. This experience requires a minimum number of participants. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund. Additional info confirmation will be received at time of booking.