Portugal Historic Village Hiking Tour
Picturesque Trails from Lisbon to the Central Massif
- Available: April-September
- Activity: Level 3
- Accommodations: Comfortable Hotels
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Group Size:
4-16 Guests
Min Age: 16
Highlights
- Marvel at stunning views from a mountaintop castle overlooking "the most Portuguese village in Portugal"
- Enjoy hikes through the Serra da Estrela National Park in the mountainous central massif
- Take a walking tour of Lisbon, with its Gothic cathedrals, majestic monasteries, and narrow lanes
Itinerary
Arrive in Lisbon
Day 1
Arrive at Lisbon Portela Airport in the morning and meet your MT Sobek representative, who will transfer you to the hotel. Enjoy some time to check in and freshen up before lunch, then take a walking tour through the old town of Lisbon, and the Mouraria and Alfama neighborhoods. Finish the first day with a festive welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: Hotel Avani Avenida da LiberdadeAccommodation: Hotel Marques de Pombal
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Journey to Salvaterra do Extremo & Hike to Monfortinho
Day 2
After a hearty breakfast, begin the journey inland to the small village of Salvaterra do Extremo, near the border of Spain, to begin today's hike on varied terrain along an ancient Roman road. Stroll around this charming place, a former stronghold used by the Romans and the Arabs, seeing traditional homes made of shale, the House of Sardoes (lizards), a moon-shaped well, the bell tower of Casa da Camara (complete with storks in the belfry!), and the cylindrical granite stiles. Continue on to Monfortinho, home for the next two nights.
Accommodation: O Hotel Fonte Santa-Monfortinho, Portugal
Activity: 4 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 954' elevation gain & 990' elevation loss
Transportation: 3-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike to the Villages of Idanha-a-Velha, Monsanto & Penha Garcia
Day 3
Hike through a dazzling landscape today, from village to village. Begin in Idanha-a-Velha, a former Roman settlement dating back to 16 A.D. Hike up to ancient Monsanto, "the most Portuguese village in Portugal," perched against the face of a rocky cliff where houses sit wedged between giant boulders. Hike up to the castle above it, for a picnic lunch and stunning panoramas. En route back, take a brief side hike to the village of Penha Garcia, with its labyrinth of streets winding among small, flower-covered houses. Hike back to Monfortinho for dinner.
Accommodation: O Hotel Fonte Santa-Monfortinho, Portugal
Activity: 5.5 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 1,795' elevation gain & 495' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Explore the Villages of Sortelha, Belmonte & Linhares da Beira
Day 4
Leave Monfortinho after breakfast and head to the medieval village of Sortelha, with its walled fortress high atop a rocky promontory at 2,500 feet. Continue to Belmonte village, dominated by a 13th-century castle and a labyrinth of ancient alleyways that make up the old Jewish quarter; Belmonte is still home to the largest Jewish community in Portugal. Continue to Linhares da Beira, a Lusitanian hill fort on the western slopes of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park. Today ends at Penhas Douradas on the central high plains of Estrela Mountain.
Accommodation: Casa das Penhas Douradas Design Hotel & Spa-Manteigas, Portugal
Transportation: 2.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hike in Serra da Estrela Natural Park
Day 5
Today hike through the diverse landscapes of Penhas Douradas, a region of Serra da Estrela Natural Park marked by rocky outcrops, boulders and crags, several of which resemble human forms. The destination today is the dam of the Vale do Rossim, a picturesque lake with a small beach perfect for resting, soaking your feet, and enjoying a nice picnic. Then head back to the hotel, arriving in the early afternoon to relax or explore.
Accommodation: Casa das Penhas Douradas Design Hotel & Spa-Manteigas, Portugal
Activity: 3 hours/5.5 miles hiking with 1,092' elevation gain & 1,046' elevation loss
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Visit the Village of Piodao & Arrive in Lousa
Day 6
Today leave Serra da Estrela behind, heading towards the small town of Lousa. En route, visit the photogenic village of Piodao, where cobblestone avenues lined with shale houses cascade down a gentle slope. With its white facades and cylindrical buttresses, a beautiful 19th-century church dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Conceicao stands out among the shale houses. Reach today's destination, the charming town of Lousa, in the middle of the afternoon, with plenty of time to unwind or explore.
Accommodation: Hotel Melia Palacio da Lousa Lousa, Portugal
Transportation: 2-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave Lousa & Enjoy Fado in Lisbon
Day 7
Start at the Castle of Arouce and hike on the magnificent Serra da Lousa trail, passing through villages seemingly lost in time. Wander through the winding alleyways of Talasnal and drink straight from the village's spring fountain. Continue across bridges and creeks and climb towards the village of Casal Novo, then catch amazing views of the valley and the castle. After lunch, take a dip in a river pool before returning to Lisbon. Check in and head out for dinner in a casa de fado, a restaurant that features Portuguese fado music.
Accommodation: Hotel Avani Avenida da LiberdadeAccommodation: Hotel Marques de Pombal
Activity: 3 hours/4 miles hiking with 1,607' elevation gain & loss
Transportation: 2.5-hour private van transfer
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart from Lisbon
Day 8
Enjoy breakfast before your guide assists with your airport transfer (3 hours before your scheduled flight).
Meals: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
- 2023
- Go Private
- Go Custom
- Inclusions
2023
Scheduled Dates
The earlier you book, the more choice of available dates you’ll have and once you book, your price is guaranteed.
- Apr 29 - May 06, 2023$4,670 price per person dbl occ+$700 single supplementGoing FastConfirmed
- Sep 02 - 09, 2023$4,495 price per person dbl occ+$700 single supplementAvailable
- Sep 30 - Oct 07, 2023$4,495 price per person dbl occ+$700 single supplementAvailable
Go Private
Go Private
Gather your favorite travel companions to share an MT Sobek adventure on an easy-to-book Private departure.
Choose from the selection of dates below for your group or if your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you.
Call or email us to get the ball rolling.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Private Trip Pricing:
2022 Pricing
4 to 5 guests from $4,995 per person double occupancy
6 to 7 guests from $4,895 per person double occupancy
8 to 9 guests from $4,795 per person double occupancy
2023 Pricing
8 to 9 guests from $4,595 per person double occupancy
6 to 7 guests from $4,695 per person double occupancy
4 to 5 guests from $4,795 per person double occupancy
Additional Costs:
Private pricing excludes potential additional costs such as internal airfare, single supplement, or any park fees that may be required for the trip.
*Private trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit.
Make Your Own Dates in These Months
-
April, May, September
Go Custom
Create Your Very Own Adventure
Dreaming of an adventure designed exclusively for you? With insider access and decades of experience, our travel experts create custom tailored adventures that are perfect for families, couples, and large groups. MT Sobek's custom adventures are designed to our exacting standards and led by our award-winning adventure guides.
When to start planning? Earlier is always better when designing a custom trip. More time allows for better availability of preferred accommodations, guides and your desired activities. Ideally, start the conversation with us at least 6 months before you want to travel. If you are looking for a custom trip that departs within three months, chances are greatly diminished in securing requested accommodations and the best guides.
*Custom trips require a 25% non-refundable deposit once an itinerary is agreed upon.
Start PlanningInclusions
Price Includes
- Expertise and services of our experienced adventure guides
- All accommodations as noted in the itinerary
- All breakfasts, almost all lunches and dinners as noted in the itinerary
- Snacks and water between meals
- Additional regional guides and experts on many trips
- Comprehensive Trip Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at historic sites, museums, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the itinerary
- Special events and other select attractions as mentioned in the itinerary
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Equipment and experienced guides for activities as described in the itinerary
- Park and other entry fees (unless otherwise noted)
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the itinerary
- Select transfers as mentioned in the itinerary
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Price Does Not Include
- International airfare, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees
- Alcoholic beverages (MT Sobek provides wine at select events)
- Gratuities for MT Sobek guides and guide-drivers
- Travel Protection Program
- Personal expenses
Need help picking your next adventure? Call us to answer your questions.
Your Guides
The best people to immerse you in a destination are the ones who live there, which is why we feature local Adventure Guides on our trips. Here are a few that you might meet on this adventure.
Carla Henriques
Carla's love of the outdoors was sparked by traveling around Portugal with friends and family as a child, and grew while studying at Universidade Nova de Lisboa. As the years passed, her regular job as an engineer didn't fulfill her passion for adventure, so she followed the normal path of a "travel junkie" and bought a one way ticket to Kathmandu in 2013. After exploring Asia, Carla returned to Portugal and is now happy to be able to share her passion for Portugal's beautiful outdoors with others.
Activity Level
This trip is rated activity level 3. Walks average about 6 miles per day, with approximately 1200 feet of elevation gain per day on average. The walks go from village to village, taking you on old Roman roads, walking paths, through forests and up some steep rocky slopes. There are some stairs and cobblestones in the villages as well, so be prepared for a variety of terrain.
Learn more about activity levels here.
Activity Snapshot
Day 2
4 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 954' elevation gain & 990' elevation loss
Day 3
5.5 hours/7.5 miles hiking with 1,795' elevation gain & 495' elevation loss
Day 5
3 hours/5.5 miles hiking with 1,092' elevation gain & 1,046' elevation loss
Day 7
3 hours/4 miles hiking with 1,607' elevation gain & loss
Accommodations
Boutique hotels exuding historical charm, restored palace hideaways, mountain resorts, and modern city hotels, all featuring upscale amenities.
O Hotel Fonte Santa-Monfortinho, Portugal
Recently renovated, the Fonte Santa is a charming, upscale hotel that was built in the early 1940s, surrounded by a wild natural landscape in the foothills of Penha Garcia. All rooms offer modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, minibars and safes, and breathtaking views of the beautiful surroundings.
Casa das Penhas Douradas Design Hotel & Spa-Manteigas, Portugal
A four-star boutique hotel nestled in the heart of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, the Casa das Penhas Douradas showcases minimalist design that brings the natural surroundings to life. Rooms feature panoramic windows and a full spectrum of luxe amenities. The spa has a swimming pool and sauna, while the restaurant serves delicious gourmet fare.
Hotel Melia Palacio da Lousa Lousa, Portugal
Inside an 18th-century palace in Lousa's historical center, Hotel Melia Palacio da Lousa has been reimagined as a boutique hotel that blends the charm of an historical setting with state-of-the-art technology. Guests can enjoy an excellent meal in the restaurant, a dip in the pool, or a cocktail outside on the patio with great mountain views.
Hotel Avani Avenida da Liberdade
Located in the heart of Lisbon's main shopping district, Hotel Avani Avenida da Liberdade is an urban oasis of contemporary comfort. Each room offers modern amenities, including complimentary Wi-Fi, a coffee/tea maker, and LCD TV with views overlooking the cityscape. Spend your free time by dining on the culinary delights of acclaimed Mediterranean chef Olivia Avenida, lounging by the pool or sipping on cocktails at the rooftop bar.
Hotel Marques de Pombal
Guestrooms at Hotel Marques de Pombal are equipped with the luxuries of home with an added touch of Portugal. Comfortable and modern, each room is soundproofed and equipped with air conditioning, iHome, desk, safety deposit box, free Wi-Fi, minibar, HDTV, and a private bathroom with toiletries and a hairdryer.
Weather
Portugal boasts a warm, Mediterranean climate, with dry summers. There is often a sea-breeze that helps to keep the summer months bearable.
FAQs
Who will meet me on arrival?
Arrive at the Lisbon Portela Airport (LIS) by 11 AM on Day 1. After clearing customs, an MT Sobek representative will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel in Lisbon.
Do I need hiking boots for this trip?
No. The best footwear for this trip would be cross-training shoes or lightweight hiking boots.
What is the food like in Portugal?
You can expect a variety of wonderful fish dishes, particularly cod (bacalhau), shellfish, cheese, pork, salads, olive oil, and some incredible red and white wines as well.
What type of clothing should I wear in Portugal?
You will want to wear comfortable shoes for walking, and bring a layer in case of light rain. In the evenings, you might prefer to dress smart casual for dinners.
Do I need a visa to enter Portugal?
No. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of 90 days or less.
What language is spoken in Portugal?
Portuguese!
Does this trip contribute to any local conservation efforts?
Yes! This trip supports the One Hiker - One Tree program, which started in 2003 after forest fires burned over 133,000 acres. One tree is donated to the Sao Mamede National Park for every hiker. Over 2,000 trees have been donated to date.
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Guest Reviews
"This was an awesome trip. The itinerary was fantastic and the duration was perfect. The guides were welcoming, flexible, encouraging, and delivered an experience that will never be forgotten."
Pamela K.
MT Sobek Guest, Portugal Historic Village Hiking
"All I can say is WOW. MT Sobek you have done it again. The trip to Portugal was above and beyond what I could ever hope for. The meals and hotels were excellent and the hiking was amazing."
Todd J.
MT Sobek Guest, Portugal Historic Village Hiking