Portugal: Village Walks & the Douro Valley
8 days, Lisbon to Porto
When arranging your transportation, such as flights, please take into consideration the below time restrictions for joining and departing from your group. With these times, we have taken into account travel time to/from the airport in the given destination and required time for check-in or baggage collection/immigration.
Itinerary
Day 1Medelim: Portugal's Countryside
Speckled with charming and picturesque villages, Portugal will transport you into a fairytale from the coast to the mountains. Dream of village-to-village hikes and delicious food as you head off into the countryside towards the Spanish border. We welcome you to Portugal, and invite you to savour the sights, sounds and flavours of the adventure to come.
Depart Lisbon in the morning toward the border of Spain to a town called Penha Garcia with a lunch stop on the way at a local restaurant. Enjoy a moderate 3km walk through varying terrain ending at the Ichnofossils. Later, drive to the town of Medelim for the night.
This tour departs from Lisbon on day 1 and it is required to be at the meeting point hotel no later than 8:00am.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Walk Penha Garcia with Local Guide
A guided walk of Penha Garcia offers a unique blend of natural beauty, geological wonders, and cultural insights. The 3 km Fossil Route takes you through the village streets, up to the ruins of a small castle, and down to the famous ichnofossils, where you can see ancient marine life imprints. The walk includes visits to restored watermills that showcase traditional milling techniques and offers spectacular views of the rocky terrain and the village. The visit also includes Fonte do Pego, a perfect spot for a refreshing dip
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.
Casa Do Cedro (or similar)
Meals included:
Lunch | DinnerDay 2Medelim: Historic Village Hikes
Travel back in time over 1000 years to an era of castles, legends and traditions. Deemed one of Portugal's 12 Historic Villages, hiking to Idanha-a-Velha will connect you to the time of conquerors as you traverse the paths through historic stone walls and castles. Enjoy the tales of this region's fascinating history under fig and olive trees.
Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the stunning Monsanto for a guided walking tour. Opt to enjoy additional time in Monsanto on your own or choose to lace up your hiking boots on a picturesque hike from Monsanto to Idanha-a-Velha. Upon arrival, learn more of this quaint town on a guided walking tour before you head back for a dinner with your group.
Your Discover Moment: Monsanto Visit with Local Guide
Monsanto is often known as "the most Portuguese village in Portugal" and is famous for it's traditional stone houses built directly into massive boulders. The guided tour typically begins with an ascent through the winding cobblestone streets where you'll encounter charming homes and ancient granite doorways. Key highlights include the ruins of Monsanto Castle, which provide stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape
Monsanto to Idanha-a-Velha Hike
This fascinating trail will take you through the history of Portugal. The trail from Monsanto to Idahna-a-Velha is part of the GR7 E12 route from Gibraltar to the Pyrenees Mountains. The entire 1,000km trail passes through Portugal, Spain, and France. The trail ascends at a gentle grade as it passes through varied terrain. Start your journey towards Monsanto, where along the way you will see orange, fig, lemon, olive, peach and plum trees. The foot path lined by stone walls near town promptly changes to a dirt path through hills of scrub that end at an asphalt road providing a view of the Monsanto castle in the distance.
Elevation Gain: 460 meters
Idanha-a-Velha Visit
Nestled between the Pônsul River and three gentle hills, we find the modest Idanha-a-Velha, a town originally settled by the Romans. Beneath its humble urban fabric lie the ruins of a city with a rich history.
Accommodation
Casa Do Cedro (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Manteigas: Hike to a Castle in the Sky
The enchanting Sortelha Castle stands on a crag at an altitude of 760 meters. It looms over the most mysterious of all the historic villages, where you will soon lose yourself in a maze of alleys and lanes as you hike up to the lofty castle. It is a place where time seems to have stood still. The wind whistles round the corners and hardly anyone passes by. This sentiment lingers when you arrive to the town of Belmonte after your hike in Sortelha.
On today's stunning hike, join your guide and wander along the historic stone path from Casteleiros to Sortelha. Visit the beautiful castle before heading to the grandiose town of Belmonte. In the evening, check into your OMG Stay.
Sortelha Visit
Surmounted by a castle built on a formidable crag at an altitude of 760 metres, Sortelha still retains its medieval appearance through the architecture of its rural granite houses. This is the most mysterious of all the historic villages you encounter on your adventure.
Casteleiros to Sortelha Hike
Famous for historic villages, this hike takes place on a medieval road connecting Casteleiro and Sortelha, surrounded by ancient olive groves.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerYour OMG StayCasa das Penhas Douradas
Day 4Amarante: Explore Serra da Estrela National Park
In Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in continental Portugal, rolling hills are interrupted by giant slabs of granite that protrude out of the ground. Pause to admire the beauty of this stark environment as you cross Corgo da Mós before the hike leads you to the beautiful Vale do Rossim Lagoon. In the afternoon, transfer north to Amarante.
Hike through the Serra da Estrela National Park to the Lagoon of Vale do Rossim. Return for a delicious lunch before heading to Amarante for the night.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Corgo Das Mós and Lagoon of Vale Do Rossim Hike
Explore this beautiful valley nestled within the Serra da Estrela Natural Park. You'll be surrounded by lush green, rolling hills, and striking rock formations scattered across the landscape. Witness the two granite peaks, Serra da Estrela, the namesake of the National Park, and Fragões das Penhas Douradas, which hosts your OMG Stay at its peak. The hike will lead to the dazzling lagoon of Vale do Rossim.
Accommodation
Casa das Lérias (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 5Amarante: Douro Valley Walk Along the Vineyards
A tapestry of vineyards unfolds as you traverse Douro wine country, Portugal's most esteemed wine region. With the perfect blend of nature and culture, crossing this picturesque countryside proves worthy of more than just wine tasting as you hike along a valley trail along the river. Soak in the incredible views as you sample some of the specialties of the land.
After breakfast, walk along the valley of the Douro wine region before arriving to a world class vineyard for a 3 course meal with wine pairings. Then head to Casa de Mateus for a tour of the palace and museum before enjoying a free evening.
Corgo River Hike
The Corgo walking trail is located in the heart of the Douro wine region. Walk along the terraced vineyards with unique views of the Corgo river.
Elevation gain: 100 meters.
Your Foodie Moment: Lunch With a View and Wine Pairings
Enjoy a delicious lunch of fresh, local ingredients paired with some of the wines that are grown in the region. Soak in the views of the Douro Valley and the Corgo River below.
Casa de Mateus Guided Visit
Discover Mateus through a premium guided tour of the Casa Museum, temporary exhibitions and Chapel, accompanied by an expert guide. At the end of the visit you will be offered a glass of Mateus Rosé or white wine from Lavradores de Feitoria.
Accommodation
Casa das Lérias (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 6Amarante: Hike to Casal de Loivos
Mesmerizing mazes of vineyards scale the sides of the Pinhão hills. You will weave through historic village streets, beautiful buildings and up through paths draped with green grape vines. This hike allows for an endless panoramic riverscape and gorgeous views of the Douro River.
Spend another day in the Douro wine region with a longer hike through the hills and town of Pinhão. In the afternoon, return to Amarante and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Pinhão Trail Hike
Walk through the Douro and Alto Douro Vinhateiro, a wine region UNESCO describes as being a living cultural landscape. Travel north through Pinhão to the village of Casal de Loivos where you can detour to a viewpoint, boasting one of the most beautiful landscapes in the region.
Elevation gain: 400 meters
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation
Casa das Lérias (or similar)
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Porto: Your OMG Day
Porto is yours to discover today with a choice of two activities. Explore the best of Portugal's second largest city on an e-bike tour through picturesque neighborhoods, along the coast to where the river meets the sea. Or choose to climb aboard a river cruise followed by a port wine tasting in the historic Vila de Nova Gaia area of the city.
Travel from Amarante to Porto in the morning. Choose between a riverside e-bike tour through Porto or join your CEO on a Douro river cruise and walk through Vila Nova de Gaia to Porto Augusto for a wine tasting. Enjoy a free afternoon before joining your group and CEO for one last dinner together in the evening.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your OMG Day: E-bike Tour of Porto or a River Cruise with Port Wine Tasting
Option 1: Discover Porto's historic old town on a panoramic e-bike tour. Cycle through the neighborhoods of Ribeira and Miragaia, following the river down to where it meets the ocean. See some of the city's many bridges and look out to the typical "rabelo" boats that have been used for centuries on the Douro River.
Option 2: Take a boat cruise along the Douro River on one of the typical "rabelo" boats. See the iconic bridges of the city as you glide underneath them and watch everyday life unfold along the river. Disembark and walk to the historic Vila Nova de Gaia for a tasting of port wine, one of the region's most celebrated specialties.
Free Time
Take time to explore Porto, famously known for the production of Port wine.
Accommodation
Pousada do Porto Rua das Flores (or similar)
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 8Porto
Today your adventure comes to an end and you can depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
Meals included:
BreakfastYour OMG Stay
Relax in the luxurious rooms after a day of hiking. 
Take a dip in the warm pools with an incredible view. 
The beautiful rooms on top of Burel Mountain. 
A view of your mountain top retreat, Casa das Penhas Douradas.
Casa das Penhas Douradas
Manteigas, Portugal
1 night (Day 3)
Nestled the top of the Burel Mountain, 1500 meters above the sea, Casa das Penhas Douradas is surrounded by pristine nature and crisp, fresh air. With world class hiking at your front door, here you will never be bored. After a day on the trails, relax in your room with views of the mountains or enjoy a cocktail by the fireplace.
Why we love this stay
- Admire the mountain top views from the warmth of the outdoor Nordic bath or from around the fire pits.
- Experience Portugal's biggest National Park from a birds eye view and one its best trails.
- Support Casa das Penhas's commitment to local development and environmental sustainability.