Highlights of Northern Portugal Northern Portugal Portugal We’ve selected our favourite experiences from some of our other tours in three very different parts of Northern Portugal, namely the Douro Valley, Peneda-Gerês National Park and the coastal Minho. After you arrive in the Douro wine region, your Northern Portugal adventure begins with 2 days spent walking through the terraced vineyards, traditional villages and rural scenery of the stunningly beautiful Douro wine region. Next, you’re off to the wilder, rugged beauty of the Peneda-Gerês National Park. From your base in a historical village you’ll discover the breathtaking views from the ancient Lindoso Castle walls and marvel at the collection of granite corn stores. Spend three days exploring the diverse landscape, traditional villages and communities on foot and breathing in pure mountain air. From the mountains, you’ll head to the charming riverside town of Caminha to walk alongside the Costa Verde beaches to the historical city of Viana do Castelo at the mouth of the River Lima. Walking Tour Meeting: Alijó Airport:   Porto Airport Transfer: Trip Brochure (PDF)

Packages and Options

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Transfer and Other Charges:

Sample Itinerary - Subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival
Take the train from Porto to the village of Pinhão (tickets not included) then meet your taxi driver for a private transfer to the small town of Alijó in the Douro wine region. Settle into your hotel and surroundings and relax in preparation for your journey of discovery into the myriad of great experiences that Northern Portugal has to offer.
Meals included: none
Overnight in 4* hotel in Alijó

Day 2: Circular walk trail via São Mamede da Ribatua
Set off from your hotel for a circular walk that takes you through constantly shifting landscapes of vineyards, woodland and fields to the ancient village of São Mamede da Ribatua. From here, you can enjoy stunning views of the calm Tua reservoir below, surrounded by rugged mountains. After lunch, return to Alijó via a different route.
Hiking about 15 km (elevation: + 358 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight in 4* hotel in Alijó

Day 3: Walk from Alijó to Pinhão
Check out of your hotel before walking to Pinhão.
Walk through pleasant countryside at the outer edge of the Douro wine region to reach a ridge that runs along the hilltops to Casal de Loivos and down to Pinhão. You will have magnificent views of the Pinhão Valley and surrounding slopes followed by splendid vistas of the Douro River and Valley as you make your way down through the vineyards to Pinhão.
Hiking about 20 km (elevation: + 272 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight in 3* hotel in Pinhão

Day 4: Circular walk trail around Lindoso village
Check out of your hotel and meet your driver in the lobby for a private transfer to the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
After arriving in the historical village of Lindoso, stretch your legs with a short yet delightful walk surrounded by nature’s greenery and the blue waters of the River Lima.
Lindoso itself is dominated by the granite tones of Lindoso Castle and the dozens of stone grain stores that are clustered beneath it. These granaries are true icons of the village and illustrate the importance of the collective efforts of this once isolated mountain community. The castle, rebuilt in 1278, played an important role in the defence of the Portuguese frontier. You can enjoy superb panoramic views of the Lindoso dam and reservoir from its battlements. The pillory and parish church are other points of interest worth noting.
Hiking about 3.5 km (elevation: + 98 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Country hotel in Lindoso

Day 5: Serra Amarela circular trail
Follow the ancient streets through Lindoso village and into the forest, making your way gently uphill. This day is filled with outstanding views of the Soajo Mountains and an even broader perspective on your descent. Savour the tranquility and pure mountain air as you make your way downhill to the village of Cidadelhe and then up through the forested hills to return to Lindoso.
Hiking about 21.5 km (elevation: + 761 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight in Country hotel in Lindoso

Day 6: Walk from Lindoso to Soajo
Check out of your accommodation and walk to the village of Soajo.
This attractive trail takes you through the village of Lindoso and onto an ancient path through pine, oak and eucalyptus trees with mountain views and moss-covered stone walls. You’ll walk beside a stream with small waterfalls and encounter lots of village life and picturesque countryside. After passing the hydroelectric power station by the River Lima, the route follows the road uphill until you find the pretty path that leads uphill into the village of Soajo.
Hiking about 14.5 km (elevation: + 432 m)
Meals included: Breakfast & Packed Lunch
Overnight in Country hotel in Soajo

Day 7: Walk from Caminha to Vila Praia de Âncora
Check out of your accommodation and meet your driver for a private transfer to the riverside town of Caminha.
Once there, you can visit the beautifully carved Gothic parish church, discover what remains of the old fortress, pop into some traditional shops or stop for a coffee in the charming main square around a 16th century fountain.
Walk beside the river from the medieval centre of Caminha to reach the mouth of the River Minho with stunning views of Spain and Portugal. Then walk through an ancient pine forest before following an easy coastal path to the fishing village and seaside resort town of Vila Praia de Âncora via Moledo beach.
Hiking about 9.5 km (elevation: + 47 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 4* hotel in Caminha

Day 8: Walk from Vila Praia de Âncora to Viana do Castelo
Check out of your hotel and set off for the fascinating city of Viana do Castelo.
Cross a wide sandy expanse of beach as you leave Vila Praia de Âncora. You’ll briefly head inland through patches of forest and fields before following the coast and its stone windmills and fortresses south to Viana do Castelo. Stroll through the beautiful historical centre of Viana do Castelo to reach your hotel.
Hiking about 19 km (elevation: + 131 m)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in 4* hotel in Viana do Castelo

Day 9: Departure
Check out of the hotel in time for your onward journey. End of our services.
Meals included: Breakfast


Note: If you are returning to Porto, we suggest you take the train (ticket not included).

                                                    Branda da Aveleira area

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High Temperature (°F)	44	47	51	53	57	63	67	68	64	58	50	45
Average Low Temperature (°F)	32	33	35	37	41	46	49	49	47	43	37	34
Average High Temperature (°C)	7	8	10	12	14	17	20	20	18	14	10	7
Average Low Temperature (°C)	0	1	2	3	5	8	9	10	9	6	3	1

Source: NOAA


Seasons
Due to the oceanic influence, the annual average temperature in the region is around 13ºC. The highest temperatures occur between July and September, while the lowest correspond to the period between December and February. However, risk of frost remains high during almost all year long in the mountains (during early morning / late night).
The further inland you go, the more the climate tends to become 'continental' (hot in summer and cold in winter), with a decrease in rainfall. On another hand, as you gain altitude, there is an increase in precipitation risk and a decrease in temperatures.

We take care of transferring your luggage between each accommodation (limit of 1 bag per person - 15kg max per bag).

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Accommodations
Your package includes accommodation in country hotels as well as 3 and 4* hotels along the way.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Nights 1 & 2: Hotel in Alijó
Night 3: Hotel in Pinhão
Nights 4 & 5: Country Hotel in Lindoso
Night 6: Hotel in Soajo
Night 7: Hotel in Vila Praia de Âncora
Night 8: Hotel in Viana do Castelo


Room Occupancy
Solo travelers will need to pay a single supplement fee.


Meals
All breakfasts are included as well as lunches on days 2, 3, 5 and 6. Dinners (as well as some lunches) need to be paid extra.

The daily lunch pack contains fresh local produce and we encourage guests to have dinner at friendy local restaurants where they can enjoy traditional regional dishes, such as Cachena steaks in the Peneda-Gerês, olive oil and meat cake from the Douro and the freshest of fish and seafood along the Atlantic Coast and, of course, sample Douro wines, vinho verde and port.

Special diets and dietary restrictions:
We can cater to dietary requirements with advanced notice.

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Tack:		--
Horses:		--
Pace:		Total walking distance: 103 km
Level:		(3 out of 5)    Moderate
Riders:		Min 2	Max 6

Passports

Passport valid for at least three months beyond length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart except:

1. EU nationals holding a valid national ID card.

Passport Note

(a) Sufficient funds are required for all except EU nationals. (b) Portugal is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement.



Visas

Not required by all nationals referred to in the chart above for touristic stays of up to 90 days.

Visa Note

Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy/consulate to check visa requirements 

Passport Required?
British	Yes
Australian	Yes
Canadian	Yes
USA	Yes
Other EU	1
Visa Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No
Return Ticket Required?
British	No
Australian	No
Canadian	No
USA	No
Other EU	No