Heritage, nature, hiking, boat trip, all-terrain vehicle rides, train journey, birdwatching, amazing landscapes, gastronomy and contact with our lovely donkeys?
You will find all this in this tour, always accompanied by the Oriolus team, dedicated to show you the most beautiful regions of Portugal northern interior.
Duration: 5 days / 4 nights
Tour type: Nature Tours; Patrimony; Gastronomy and wines; Bird watching; Rock carvings; Sights; Photography;
Places to visit: Amarante; Santo Antão da Barca Sanctuary / Baixo Sabor dam; Azinhoso; Villages of Algoso, Uva, Mora and Teixeira; Barrocal do Douro; Picote; Miranda do Douro; Mogadouro; Freixo de Espada à Cinta; Lagoaça; Barca de Alva; Escalhão; Historical village of Castelo Rodrigo; Almendra; Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo; Almofala; Pinhel;
Activities: Visits to monuments / heritage; ATV / pedestrian tours through the cliffs of the Douro River; Bird watching; Environmental Cruise or kayaking in Douro River; Interpretive tours; Visits to monuments; Visit to the Ethnographic Museum and Church of Escalhão; boat trip on the Douro River; Visit to Côa Archaeological Park (Ribeira de Piscos – interpretive tour with guide for observation of rock engravings); Visit to a wine farm with lunch; Guided tour to the Faia Brava Reserve; Birdwatching in Aguiar Dam; Walk through the cliffs of the River Águeda; Train trip on the Douro River World Heritage (optional);
Transportation: Automobile; All Terrain Vehicle; Train (optional)
Accommodation: Rural tourism units;
Beginning and end of the trip: Porto;
Total distance traveled: 850 km;
Included: Guide; Nature guides; Transportation with driver; Accommodation w/ breakfast (4 nights); 5 lunches; 4 dinners; Boat trip on the Douro River; Guided visit to rock engravings; Guided visit to the Reserva Natural da Faia Brava; Visit to a winery farm; Tickets to monuments and museums; Wildlife observation material; Environmental Cruise or kayak tour on the Douro River; All Terrain Vehicle Tours; Train journey (optional);
Price: from 180€ Person/Day
1
1st Day
Departure from Porto towards Planalto Mirandês, with stops to visit Amarante and the Sanctuary of “Santo Antão da Barca”. Regional lunch in the village of Azinhoso. After lunch we’ll visit Algoso Castle and its interpretive center, and the villages of Vale de Algoso, Uva, Mora and Teixeira, to know its heritage, traditional architecture and its characteristic dovecotes. Accommodation in the village of Atenor (Casa da Ti Cura). Dinner in the village of Sendim.
2
2nd Day
On this second day we will start with a ATV and pedestrian tour to the cliffs over the Douro, to admire the imposing landscape and gliding bird watching. Even before lunch, pass through Barrocal do Douro and Picote, a contrast between modern and traditional architecture. Lunch in Miranda do Douro, and in the afternoon, ride on the river Douro by kayak or on an environmental cruise. Visit to the mirador of São João das Arribas. Return to Atenor and dinner in Palaçoulo.
3
3rd Day
In the morning, we’ll start the journey towards Barca d'Alva. We will stop in Lagoaça to visit the viewpoint of Carrascalinho and “Salto de Aldeia d'Ávila”. Visit and lunch at Freixo de Espada à Cinta. Arriving at Barca d'Alva, boat trip on the river Douro or visit to the Ribeira do Mosteiro (walking tour). Stop in Escalhão to get to know its Church (13th century) and Ethnographic Museum. Accommodation in the historical village of Castelo Rodrigo. Dinner in Figueira Castelo Rodrigo.
4
4th Day
Day dedicated to know the region. Visit to the rock engravings of Ribeira de Piscos in the Côa Valley Archaeological Park, Quinta de Erva Moira (Wine farm) and an interpretative walking tour in the Faia Brava Natural Reserve, with a nature guide. Return to Castelo Rodrigo and we’ll have dinner in Almeida.
5
5th Day
On this last day, in the morning, birdwatching in the bay of Santa Maria de Aguiar and pedestrian walk to the cliffs on the Águeda river. In the afternoon there are two options: Visit the village of Pinhel to know its Castle and imposing lots or train trip Pocinho / Pinhão, to admire the World Heritage Douro Valley. Arrival in Porto at 19.00.
Tour Location
Departure from Porto (hotel)