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The North Experience
The North Experience: Explore Northern Portugal Like Never Before
Douro Valley Hike and Walking Trails
Experience Northern Portugal through a perfect blend of nature, culture, and history. Begin your journey with a Douro Valley Hike, exploring walking trails in Portugal’s most iconic wine region. Marvel at the breathtaking scenery of the Douro River cutting through terraced vineyards in the world’s first demarcated wine region. Visit renowned wineries, enjoy wine tastings, and cruise the river on a traditional boat in this UNESCO World Heritage site. This tour is available as guided or self-guided, offering flexibility to suit your preferences.
Peneda-Gerês National Park: Guided or Self-Guided Adventures
Discover the diverse landscapes of Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal’s only national park. From Barroso to Alto Minho, explore traditional villages with their iconic granaries, ancient castles, and historic sanctuaries. Walk along old shepherds’ trails, uncover centuries-old traditions, and experience the park’s pristine beauty. Swim in natural lagoons, dive into wild rivers, and relax by stunning waterfalls. Whether you prefer a guided walking tour or a Peneda-Gerês self-guided tour, this destination offers an unmatched hiking experience.
Guided or Self-Guided Walking Tour in Porto
End your journey in Porto, the cultural gem of Portugal. Stroll along its charming streets, explore the Ribeira quay, and admire panoramic views of the Douro River. Visit Porto’s famous wine cellars and indulge in the city’s unique cuisine, such as “Francesinha” or “Tripas à moda do Porto.” With its rich culture, historic monuments, and warm locals, Porto is the perfect finale for your Portugal walking holidays.
Daily Program
This program can be customized for youDay 1 - Arrival
Day 1 – Arrival
- Transfer to Peneda-Gerês (optional from Lisbon).
- Dinner/Accommodation: *** Hotel in Gerês.
Day 2 - First day at Peneda-Gerês National Park: Pitões das Júnias
Day 2 – Pitões das Júnias
- Activity: Hike around Pitões das Júnias.
- Highlights: 9th-century monastery, wild goats, granite formations, oak forests.
- Technical Data: 8.5 km, 360 m elevation gain, moderate.
- Meals/Accommodation: Packed lunch, *** Hotel in Gerês.
Day 3 - Second day at Peneda-Gerês National Park: Gerês
Day 3 – Gerês Mountains
- Activity: Hike to Teixeira Valley.
- Highlights: Arado waterfall, glacial valley, rock formations.
- Technical Data: 10 km, 477 m elevation gain, moderate.
- Meals/Accommodation: Packed lunch, *** Hotel in Gerês.
Day 4 - Third day at Peneda-Gerês National Park: Peneda
Day 4 – Peneda Mountains
- Activity: Hike in Peneda range.
- Highlights: Sanctuary of Our Lady of Peneda, Soajo granaries, Laboreiro river, castle ruins.
- Technical Data: 11 km, 557 m elevation gain, moderate.
- Meals/Accommodation: Packed lunch, *** Hotel in Gerês.
Day 5 - Douro Valley and transfer to Porto
Day 5 – Douro Valley and Transfer to Porto
- Activity: Visit a vineyard with hiking and wine tasting.
- Highlights: Douro Valley (UNESCO site), boat trip, scenic viewpoints.
- Technical Data: 5 km, 80 m elevation gain, easy.
- Meals/Accommodation: Lunch, **** Hotel in Porto.
Day 6 an 7 - Free time in Porto
Days 6-7 – Porto
- Activity: Free time or optional guided tour.
- Highlights: Clérigos Tower, D. Luís I Bridge, Ribeira, port wine cellars.
- Accommodation: **** Hotel in Porto.
Day 8 - Departure / End of our services
Experience the best of Gerês, Douro, and Porto on an 8-day walking tour filled with stunning landscapes, cultural gems, and local flavors. Contact us now for a personalized quote and start planning your adventure!
- Transfers (except day 08)
- Accommodation (B&B)
- Local English and french-speaking guide
- 4 packed lunches and 5 dinners
- Water
- Personal accident insurance
- Lunches and dinners at Porto
- Transfer to airport or other place in day 8
- Personal expenses
- Gratuities
- Transfer from / and to Lisbon or other place
- Last day transfer to the airport or other place
- Accommodation in single room
- Extra night in Porto
- Guided walking tour in Porto
- Fado dinner in Porto
JOSE MARINO –
Un super séjour riche en découvertes ! Une organisation très efficace et des hôtels très confortables. Des guides très professionnels nous ont permis de découvrir de magnifiques espaces riches en faune sauvage (chevaux, chèvres, loups, vaches…) et flore, des villages typiques, des coutumes, des traditions, la cuisine et les produits locaux. Découverte de la vallée du Douro d’une quinta et de son vignoble et pour finir ce magnifique voyage une agréable visite de Porto et de ses quartiers.
Mark Blackmore –
Great trip to Portugal. 4 days in Geres National Park and then 4 in Porto via the Douro Valley.
Samuel was easy to contact via email and Whatsapp and he also kindly accomodated my wifes wish to swim in the lake in Geres.
The range of scenery around the park was fantastic and our guide Carlos was was both accomodating and informative. The walks were easy to moderate and we would love to go again and see more – with possibly longer walks (we’re in our late 50’s but reasonably fit).
The winery trip was worthwhile and interesting and Douro valley impressive.
The accomodation in Geres and Porto were both very central and the evening meal vouchers worked well – excellent local food …and more than we could eat!
In summary, a marvelous trip and we would go again.
Don McDonald –
We did a 13 day trip to Porto and the surrounding region in Northern Portugal. We wandered Porto for 3 days enjoying the old part of the city and port tasting in the many aging sheds in Vila Nova deGaia. The we visited the national park, did tours and tastings in the Duoro Valley, visited many medieval castles and churches, archeological sites in the Coa valley, and the fantastic library at Coimbra University. Our guides were knowledgeable and professional and went to extra effort to show us the interesting features and history of the region we toured. The food was fantastic and the hotels were just great. Small local inns associated with the local culture where we got to know the owners. Exactly what we wanted. One of our best trips ever. Can’t wait to go back.