Douro International Park and the Coa Valley - self guided walking holiday

This adventure starts and ends in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto. You will take a scenic train ride along the Douro River to reach the natural border with Spain and journey through prehistoric lands to witness dramatic rock formations, endangered wildlife, historical villages and ancient cultures.

This amazing journey of discovery takes you back in time to prehistoric lands where Paleolithic rock art has been discovered near the Douro and Côa Rivers. The dramatic cliffs and rock formations of the Douro International Natural Park are home to endangered birds like Egyptian vultures.

Stay on a working wine estate and olive farm while you explore the dramatic countryside, history and local traditions of the Douro International Natural Park. In the Côa Valley Archaeological Park, you will stay in a shepherding village and get to visit a local cheese producer. A highlight of the experience is a night visit to the Paleolithic rock art site on the banks of the Côa River. There are more than 80 sites with rock art and about 1200 engraved rocks in this unique and fascinating open-air museum stretching across a territory of about 200 square kilometres.

Itinerary includes:

• Return flights to Porto Airport
• 1 Night at Porto Trindade Hotel 
• 3 Nights at Quinta do Salgueiro 
• 2 Nights at Casas de Vilar 
• 1 Night at Casa Dona Maria Luiza 
• Meals include daily breakfast, six packed lunches on days 3-7 and 3 dinners including drinks, on days 2, 3 and 4
• Welcome briefing on day 1
• 5-days of self-guided walks
• Visit to a cheese producer and tasting of regional products
• Guided visit to Penascosa rock art site
• Detailed route notes
• App with trail information for use on a smartphone
• Private transfer from Porto Airport to Porto hotel on day 1
• Private transfer from Porto hotel to Porto Campanhã train station on day 2 - Train tickets from Porto to Pocinho on day 2
• Luggage transfers
• Transfers to/from trails on days 3-7
• Transfers from and to Pocinho train station
• 24-hour emergency contact number (English-speaking)

NOT INCLUDED:

• Côa Museum entrance fees (day 7). Clients are required to pay the entrance fee locally - approx. 7 Euros per person with a supplement of 2 Euros each if guide service is required.
• Train ticket from Pocinho to Porto (day 8). Clients are required to pay for train tickets locally - approx. 14.90 Euros per person.

General Notes:

• Based on minimum number of 2 people and maximum 8
• Total walking distance is 76.4km over the 5 days
• Level of walks is easy to moderate
• The duration of the walks will depend on the terrain and client’s normal walking speed. As a general rule, people walk an average of 3.5 to 4km per hour.
• It is recommended that clients bring the basics for a week of hiking: comfortable shoes/boots, a raincoat and a fleece jacket.