Portugal’s Villages & Hikes

Hiking Tours

LENGTH

8 Days

DIFICULTY

Moderate

START & END

Porto - Porto

DISTANCE

54 Km

GROUP SIZE

8 to 12 Max

LODGING

Standard

From 2650€ / per person

 4.5/5

LENGTH

8 Days

DIFICULTY

Moderate

START & END

Porto - Porto

DISTANCE

54 Km

GROUP SIZE

Min 8 Max 12

LODGING

Standard 2* or 3*

From 2.650€ / per person

 4.5/5

OVERVIEW

We set out to discover Portugal. We will discover a remote and less known Portugal,hiking along unhurried paths, listening to the sound of water, time, people and tasting flavors. Starting by the coast and in a city full of history, Porto. We set out in search of the Portuguese Douro and its changing scenery, villages and its wine legacy. We will continue walking through historic villages seeking to understand the historical changes in the stones of their castles and streets. We will walk through secular foot-prints ...

Looking at the mountains and their remote populations kept away from the 21st century, in their calm and soul. In the natural park of the Sierra da Estrela we will look for unknown valleys.

The tour continues in the search of small Schist villages hanging by the mountains and valleys of central Portugal. All this before returning to the city that received us on the first day of this itinerary through an unknown Portugal ...

GALLERY / PHOTOS

HIGHLIGHTS

UNESCO Heritage sites
Porto City
Douro Valley
Portugal Historical towns

Local Wines and gastronomy
Natural Park of Serra da Estrela
Schist villages of Portugal
Of the beaten tracks Portugal

ITINERARY

DAY 1 - ARRIVAL & VISIT PORTO

Late morning meeting and briefing in Porto. Visit of the vibrant Porto, its streets full of history. Porto old center is a Unesco heritage that we will discover walking and stopping to unveil its history. We will also visit a winery and toast at the begin- ning of this tour through an unknown Portugal … At the end of the day transfer to the Douro Valley to the city of Lamego

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities: City Tour & Wine tasting

DAY 2 - BESTANÇA VALLEY (Hiking 13.5km)

The Bestança is small river that feeds the river Douro. We are go- ing to follow its margins from one side to the other. This is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Atlantic Douro area. We are not in the vineyards! The Douro valley is not only made from wine. Through the forest we will walk along ancestral paths and we will seek to find this unknown Portugal.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

DAY 3 - DOURO’s VINEYARDS (Hiking 15.8km)

This day is totally different from yesterday, through the vineyards and terraces of the Douro vineyard. We will look at this change in the drier landscape, conditions that drive to the growing of wine. A stop at a farm (Quinta) to see how this world-famous wine is made. After this visit and tasting we will walk through one of the 9 wine villages of Portugal by the slopes of the Valley. After the hike, transfer to the Côa region with a stop in Penedono to reach another unknown area of Portugal.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

Included Activities: Wine Tasting

DAY 4 - MARIALVA VILLAGE & CÔA (Hiking 4,3km)

Leaving early in the morning and starting with a hike through Marialva Historic Village of Portugal. Small village almost deserted of people with its castle in defense of no one to day… Later we will visit the Côa Museum, an impressive display and presentation of the Neolithic discoveries made nearby: The famous engravings of the Côa valley.In the afternoon we will have the oportunity to visit one of the archaeological sites. Time to verify the value of the place, the one that brought declaration of universal value to Unesco. After this visit, transfer to the Sierra de Estrela Natural Park.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Included Activities: Côa Museum Visit + engraving site

DAY 5 - SORTELHA Y BELMONTE VILLAGES (Hiking 9,5km)

Before reaching the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, we will made a stop in historical Villages. Beginning with a transfer to Sortelha village to start our day hike walk. Through the small in castle village and surroundings. Time to learn about the history linked to the two Iberian countries… Later in the afternoon and returning to the Zêzere and Manteigas valley, we will stop at Belmonte Town to visit the Jewish Museum and learn about the importance of this place for it. world. Transfer to the hotel.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

Included Activities: Visit to Jewish Museum

DAY 6 - LORIGA VALLEY (Hiking 15,8km)

Morning transfer through the Natural Park to Loriga. A village in the foothills of the Serra de Estrela. We seek to connect this village to another one while on the hike, both villages typical of this mountain environment. We will follow an old path that connected them from Loriga to Vide. Descending by the river and through forest and more open areas until we reach Vide . Why not take a bath if the weather allows… In Vide a transfer awaits us to Piodão, a beautiful Schist village that we visit before the arrival in Lousã for the night.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

DAY 7 - MOUNTAIN VILLAGES OF LOUSÃ HILLS (Hiking 5,8km)

Today our hike goes up and takes place in an area of Portugal known for its Schist villages: Aldeias de Xisto in Portuguese. Leaving Lousã, we look for the castle, lost in the bottom of the valley. From here we continue towards the Villages up in the hills. Casal Novo, Talasnal. And if the legs allow us and If you still feel strong why not one other village. Through the forest and chestnut grove we will discover these villages that years ago were almost deserted and today have a gain life again. After walking along these traditional paths, time to rest in Lousã.

Accommodation: Standard

Meals: Lunch Box, Dinner

DAY 8 - END OF TOUR

Time to return to the City of Porto.

We will finish with our lunch hoping that these days away from a modern life have been unforgettable moments and experiences in a Portugal different from what you knew before… The tour ends with tthe lunch. If you have free time, you can request the luggage storre and return to a walk in Porto, before returning home.

TOUR GUIDE

INCLUSIONS

INCLUDED

Reception & Briefing at Porto
English speaking Guide
7 Nights in hotel Standard (2* or 3*)
Private en suite rooms on a twin share basis
Daily breakfast
Transportation during all tour (MINIBUS)
All mealls as described.
Wine tastings in Porto & D 3
Visit to Côa Museum and engravings.
Visit to the Jewish Museum in Belmonte.
Travel insurance.

EXCLUDED

Personal expenses.
Travel to and from Porto
Dinner day 8
Extra drinks

OPTIONAL INCLUSIONS

Individual Room.
Transfer from Airport / Train Station to the meeting point.
Extra nights in Porto.
Transfer from hotel in Porto to the Airport / Train Station.

DATES & PRICES 2024

Starting

October 19th, 2024

Ending

October 26th, 2024

Avaiability

Available

Prices from

EUR €2,650

WHAT TO EXPECT

This trip has an activity rating of moderate; travelers should be experienced hikers, physically fit, and prepared for multiple hours of activity each day, as well as some full-day hikes. Hikes range from 3 to 6 hours (5 to 13 miles) on good trails with moderate to steep grades. Vehicle support is provided at various points along the way.

Accommodations

We will stay 7 nights in Standard hoteles that are ideally located and reflect the Portuguese charm.

Expedition Team

One or two seasoned adventure guides will lead this trip, often accompanied by local guides.

MAP

REVIEWS

James Fair

This was a fantastic trip with lots of free time to explore the cities on your own. The local transport used was extremely good and the included activities, particularly the tapas and the Camino walk, were excellent.

14 Oct 2019

Susan and Dave

A great trip, with a wonderful group of fellow travellers. Incredibly well lead by Helder. Enabled an opportunity to get to know a little about Spain and to appreciate the diverse nature and history of the country.

15 Jun 2019