Experiencing the natural side of the Greater Côa Valley like you have never seen it before.
On this amazing tour we’ll take you on a journey of discovery of the whole course of the river Côa, right from its spring all the way up to the mouth in the Douro, travelling along beautiful and wild landscapes.
Along three full days, we’ll explore the whole region and discover the various ecosystems and dimensions of the Côa River, with visits to the rewilding areas, birdwatching and immersive cultural activities.
All meals are included in this programme, whether it’s the hearty breakfasts, the fancy picnics in the countryside (with local products) or the dinners at the accommodations.
Programme subject to prior confirmation.
The planned programme may be subject to some changes should the weather conditions be too adverse.
Details
CountryPortugal
Duration (in days)4
Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival and reception of participants. Dinner and accommodation at Casa de Vilar Maior.
Day 2 - Visit to the source of the river Côa (short walking route). Visit to the Alfaiates Dam (photography, nature observation) and Alfaiates village. Passage over the Sequeiros bridge and picnic-lunch. Walking tour to the Carapito Valley rewilding area (photography, nature observation). Dinner and accommodation at Casa de Vilar Maior.
Day 3 - Departure from Vilar Maior. Itinerary through Paul de Toirões rewilding area, Malhada Sorda and Freineda villages. Guided tour to Castelo Mendo. Picnic-lunch in Castelo Mendo, with products from the Wild Côa Network. Check-in at the accommodation at Pinhel. Departure to Castelo Melhor and early dinner at the countryside. Visit to the Côa rock engravings. Return to Pinhel.
Day 4 - Walking tour to Ermo das Águias rewilding area (photography, nature observation).
Picnic-lunch with products from the Wild Côa Network.
End of the program.
What's Included?
3 nights in a double room with breakfast included (local B&Bs);
3 dinners;
3 picnic lunches;
Tour guide;
All permits;
Nature conservation contribution fee;
Local transport;
Insurance.
How your experience helps rewilding efforts
Through our activities, we are financially supporting habitat management and conservation actions, which promote the coexistence and return of wild species to the Greater Côa Valley, under the responsibility of Rewilding Portugal.
This programme brings together several partners from the Côa Selvagem network.
Dates & Duration
31/05/2026 - 03/06/2026
Seasonal Availability
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Languages spoken
English
Portuguese
Spanish
Difficulty
Grade Easy
Daily tours will consist on road trips with several stops and short hikings.
On average, walking 3 to 4 km per day.
Group size
4 persons.
What to Bring
For this activity, you will need comfortable footwear (preferably mountain boots or trainers), trousers, windbreaker and other clothing appropriate to the season and weather forecast. A hat for your head and sun cream. Bring a water bottle or canteen.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is this activity carried out?
The itinerary through the region is by car, but there are several stops planned to explore short walking routes.
Single-use plastics
In our activities, we promote the non-use of single-use plastics. This way, we recommend our clients to bring their own canteen for water.
Dietary restrictions
In case of food intolerance, or other dietary preferences, we are happy to adapt the meals accordingly, but we'd ask you to let us know in advance.
What to wear?
This activity requires comfortable footwear (preferably mountain boots or trainers), clothing adapted to the season and the weather forecast.
Smoking
In dry weather, it is very dangerous to smoke in the countryside. We ask that you only smoke at the end of the activity. Ando do not throw cigarette butts on the ground.
This experience involves
Hiking
Birdwatching
Gastronomy (local)
4x4 experience
Herbivores in this landscape
Tauros
Wild horse
Fallow deer
Roe deer
Carnivores in this landscape
Wildcat
Scavengers and other large birds in this landscape
Cinereous vulture
Griffon vulture
Egyptian vulture
Golden eagle
Location
Reviews (0)
About the listing author
Hello, I'm Wildlife Portugal.
WILDLIFE PORTUGAL is a small travel agency and tourism operator company based in the central interior of Portugal, specialising in the promotion and implementation of nature tourism activities.
With in-depth knowledge of Portugal’s natural values, we seek to publicise and promote this wealth through nature tourism activities, arousing our clients’ curiosity about these aspects and making them aware of the importance of conserving this heritage. Our specific nature observation, photography and interpretation activities are often combined with the walking routes we take, making them an enriching experience from a physical, psychological and cognitive point of view.
Operating in Portugal, we organise specific tours for nature observation and interpretation (birds and mammals, insects, botany, reptiles and amphibians, geology, etc.).
We are trained and properly accredited to organise visits to the rewilding areas of the Greater Côa Valley.
We also organise a number of wildlife photography tours. In this sense, through a collaborative partnership with Rewilding Portugal, we are managing a series of wildlife photographic hides in the rewilding areas of the Greater Côa Valley.
In addition to the natural heritage, we try to highlight the cultural, historical and gastronomic values that differentiate the territories where we operate.
WILDLIFE PORTUGAL is a member of the Wild Côa Network and is helping to make the Greater Côa Valley a more natural and wilder place, valuing and promoting the coexistence of natural values with local communities and traditional practices.
WILDLIFE PORTUGAL has the support and backing of the Rewilding Europe Foundation, a Europe-wide initiative whose mission is to promote the creation of more spaces for wildlife and to develop nature tourism in these areas.
Licensed by Turismo de Portugal, with RNAVT 12577 and RNAAT 369/2025 registrations, WILDLIFE PORTUGAL also has a Nature Tourism certificate and is a NATURAL.PT member, as we have chosen the National Network of Protected Areas for most of our activities, as it is in these natural spaces that we find the most significant values of our natural heritage.
WILDLIFE PORTUGAL is a small travel agency and tourism operator company based in the central interior of Portugal, specialising in the promotion and implementation of nature tourism activities.
With in-depth knowledge of Portugal’s natural values, we seek to publicise and promote this wealth through nature tourism activities, arousing our clients’ curiosity about these aspects and making them aware of the importance of conserving this heritage. Our specific nature observation, photography and interpretation activities are often combined with the walking routes we take, making them an enriching experience from a physical, psychological and cognitive point of view.
Operating in Portugal, we organise specific tours for nature observation and interpretation (birds and mammals, insects, botany, reptiles and amphibians, geology, etc.).
We are trained and properly accredited to organise visits to the rewilding areas of the Greater Côa Valley.
We also organise a number of wildlife photography tours. In this sense, through a collaborative partnership with Rewilding Portugal, we are managing a series of wildlife photographic hides in the rewilding areas of the Greater Côa Valley.
In addition to the natural heritage, we try to highlight the cultural, historical and gastronomic values that differentiate the territories where we operate.
WILDLIFE PORTUGAL is a member of the Wild Côa Network and is helping to make the Greater Côa Valley a more natural and wilder place, valuing and promoting the coexistence of natural values with local communities and traditional practices.
WILDLIFE PORTUGAL has the support and backing of the Rewilding Europe Foundation, a Europe-wide initiative whose mission is to promote the creation of more spaces for wildlife and to develop nature tourism in these areas.
Licensed by Turismo de Portugal, with RNAVT 12577 and RNAAT 369/2025 registrations, WILDLIFE PORTUGAL also has a Nature Tourism certificate and is a NATURAL.PT member, as we have chosen the National Network of Protected Areas for most of our activities, as it is in these natural spaces that we find the most significant values of our natural heritage.
Exploring the rewilding landscape of the Côa Valley (4 days)
