What better way to discover rewilding than by living it directly?

Itinerary

DAY 1 – Arrival in the Upper Côa Valley Your journey begins in the wild uplands of eastern Portugal, near the Côa River. After arriving in the region, you’ll travel into the Serra de Malcata Natural Reserve, one of Portugal’s most important conservation landscapes. Here, forests, rivers and rugged hills form a refuge for wildlife including roe deer, wild boar, birds of prey and the elusive Iberian lynx. In the afternoon you’ll check in to the Cro Hotel for dinner and a good night’s sleep – ready meet your guide tomorrow morning and be introduced to the landscapes and rewilding story of the Côa Valley. DAY 2 -Exploring Serra de Malcata Today is dedicated to exploring the beautiful landscapes of Serra de Malcata. After breakfast, you will meet your guide at an agreed meeting point, and he will look after you today. Through guided walks and/or 4 x 4 drives (your choice!), he will introduce you to the reserve’s habitats, wildlife and communities. Learn about the ecological importance of the region and the efforts underway to restore wildlife populations and natural processes. Expect sweeping viewpoints, quiet forests and the chance to slow down and connect with nature, and enjoy a picnic lunch in between. Dinner and overnight at the Cro Hotel. DAY 3 – The Sheep’s Experience After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a real Portugese experience. Your guide will meet you and take you to a local farm, where you will start the day by milking the sheep, which will provide the necessary milk for the production of organically certified cheese and curd. Then, to whet your appetite, you will take the role of the shepherd and walk the flock to one of the farm’s enclosures, learning everything about the sheep and their needs. At the end, you enjoy a complete lunch with organic legumes and respectfully prepared lamb, the portuguese way! In this full-day activity, there is still time to make some cream cheese in the property’s cheese factory, and relax next to an orchard, before saying goodbye with a typical snack. Dinner and overnight at the Cro Hotel. Day 4 – Medieval Villages & Living Heritage Today you continue downstream through the upper Côa Valley, where nature and culture intertwine. This morning you’ll visit a wildlife watching hide, offering the opportunity to quietly observe species returning to the valley — from deer and birds of prey to smaller mammals and birdlife. Your guides will share insights into the rewilding vision for the Côa Valley and the role local communities play in restoring nature. After lunch, enjoy a guided visit to Vale Carapito, a beautiful rural landscape where traditional farming practices still shape the land. Later, explore the atmospheric castle and village of Vilar Maior, one of the region’s best-preserved medieval settlements. Walk through ancient streets and learn about the region’s long human history along the Côa River. In the late afternoon you continue your journey downstream toward the heart of the Côa Valley and drive to Côa Honeycomb in Vale de Madeira for your overnight. Day 5 – Wild Côa Landscapes Today you explore one of the most dramatic viewpoints in the valley: Ermo das Águias. High above the river, this spectacular landscape offers sweeping views across the canyon – like valley carved by the Côa over thousands of years. Your guide will help you discover the geology, wildlife and plant life of this unique ecosystem. The afternoon offers time to relax, enjoy the quiet of the valley, or take a gentle walk through the surrounding landscapes of you accomodation – Côa Honeycomb. Day 6 – Ancient Art of the Côa Valley The Côa Valley is home to one of the largest open-air collections of prehistoric rock art in the world, dating back over 20,000 years. See how early humans carved animals such as horses, aurochs and deer into the valley’s rock faces — a powerful reminder that people and wildlife have shared these landscapes for millennia. Free morning. With your guide, this afternoon you will follow the final stretch of the river as it approaches its meeting with the Douro, and visit several remarkable rock engraving sites, guided by experts who bring these ancient stories to life. You’ll return for the night to Côa Honeycomb. Day 7 – Journey’s End Your journey concludes where the Côa River flows into the mighty Douro. After breakfast there is time for a final walk or quiet moment overlooking the valley before departure. OPTIONAL Discover more of the surroundings at a relaxed pace and in luxury, by spending one or two more nights in a boutique hotel at Figuiera de Castelo Rodrigo In the summer months, you can swap two nights at the Cro Hotel or Côa Honeycomb, for a unique stay at WilderCamp. This is a luxury camping service provided within the Paul de Toirões rewilding area (min. 2 nights, max. 4 people).

What's Included?

Included: 6 nights accomodation in a private en-suite room, including breakfast 5 full days of exploring with excellent local guides, including lunch on Days 2,3,4 and 5 Visits to the nature & rewilding areas Community experience Visit to UNESCO rock engravings site A donation to Rewilding Portugal Excluded: Travel to/from the Côa Valley and between accomodations (we recommend a rental car and can book this for you) Dinners (can be taken at your hotel or in a nearby town) Lunch on day 6 Travel insurance Personal expenses

What to Bring

We will provide you with a packing list, depending on the time of year you will visit the Côa Valley.

Food & Stay

Accommodation Nights are spent in a private en-suite room at the Cro Hotel (includes one hour Thermal Spa access per day), and a private en-suite room in the Côa Honeycomb, including breakfast from day 2 till day 7. Food Your day experiences with our guides include lunches at local guesthouses or picnic lunches in the field. For dinner you can choose from eating at the Cro Hotel, or eat in nearby towns such as Sabugal, Guarda, Almeida, or Pinhel. Our guides can give you recommendations!

Pickups and drop-offs

Arrival point is the Cro Hotel near Sabugal, departure point Côa Honeycomb near Pinhel. These are both a 2,5 – 3 hour drive from Porto (Portugal), and we recommend a rental car. We can book this for you if you like. Our guides will pick you up from your accomodations for your day experiences, except for Day 6, where you will meet at a pre-arranged pickup point.

How your experience helps rewilding efforts

The local guides will take you on breathtaking tours through the rewilding area and introduce you to local rewilding efforts, ethical wildlife watching and the local community. ​​​ We want our retreats & programs to have a direct impact on nature, which is why 10% of your fee goes directly towards supporting nature in this area, and benefitting new trainees through (partly) funded tourism trainings.

Rewilding landscape

Rewilding vision

The Greater Cõa Valley | Portugal

The return of wildlife—including Iberian wolves, Iberian ibex, red deer, and roe deer— is leading to more naturally balanced populations. Blending these natural gains with traditional local practices, heritage, and products has fostered new economic opportunities and a renewed sense of regional pride.

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This experience involves

• Hiking
• Birdwatching
• Gastronomy (local)
• Workshop
• Farm (co-existence)
• Educational experience
• Dark skies & stargazing

Wildlife in this landscapePlease note that the presence of wildlife doesn’t guarantee sightings — these animals live freely and may remain out of view.

Location