What to expect
Six Fully Guided Walks
Explore Portugal's south west coast
Half Board
Daily breakfast & dinner included
Fortresses
See historic fortresses built to protect
Coastal Beauty
Unspoilt beaches, forests & harbours
About this trip...
What's included?
Airport transfers
7 nights double room for sole use
Half-Board : Buffet Breakfast and dinner with drinks daily
Welcome drink and information meeting
Fully guided walking days
Accompanying Solos Tour Leader
What's extra:
- International flights are not included
- Travel insurance
- Tips & drinks
- Meals when not included in the itinerary
- Activities when not included in the itinerary
Itinerary
- Arrive Faro
- Porto Covo Walk
- Odemira Walk
- Odeceixe Walk
- Arrifana Walk
- Carrapateira Walk
- Vila do Bispo Walk
- Depart Faro
What you'll be doing
Day One: Arrive in Faro
- Dinner with drinks included
Day Two: Porto Covo Walk
- Breakfast & dinner with drinks included
Day Three: Odemira Walk
This is the lush section of the trail, where a different, green and vibrant Alentejo reveals itself before our eyes, with refreshing water streams and ponds. Much of the route follows the Ribeira do Torgal where forests of valuable species such as ash, willow and alder clothe the banks of the streams. Birds and mammals are abundant in the area. We may well find evidence of Wild Boar, a species quite common in this region. Amongst the undergrowth, there are many scented and medicinal plants, such as Genista tridentata found during spring, Oregano during summer and Wild Asparagus during autumn.
- Breakfast & dinner with drinks included
Day Four: Odeceixe Walk
This wonderful coastal walk passes many isolated beaches on the way to Azenha do Mar, a natural fishing harbour. There are outstanding views throughout the walk, particularly over Odeceixe beach, considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. In Odeceixe, where the Fishermen’s trail and the Historic way coincide, the trails pass through a maze of wetlands which provide essential habitat for wildlife & then on towards the sea where the waters from Monchique flood the Seixe River and spill abundantly into the ocean. At the end of the walk, we transfer to our new hotel.
- Breakfast & dinner with drinks included
Day Five: Arrifana Walk
The Fishermen’s trail brings us today on a journey through time. The cliffs hide traces of prehistoric human life. History tells us that this area was occupied by various peoples, from Phoenicians to the Arabs. The Ponta da Atalaia is the mandatory stopping point. Here, we find the 'Ribat of Arrifana'- an Islamic fortress-convent built in the 12th century by warrior monks, to be both a pillar of prayer and protection. The rugged coast below with its sharped edges beaten by the strong waves is the home for goose barnacles, a local delicacy that is only accessible at the extremely low spring tides.
- Breakfast & dinner with drinks included
Day Six: Carrapateira Walk
The small village of Carrapateira is a unique place that has been attracting surfers, walkers, fishermen, goose barnacle hunters and birders alike. Here, the life in the village is calm and days go by between the sound of the waves hitting the cliffs below and the chirping of the birds migrating south. Our walk brings us along the dunes, where the exuberant displays of vegetation collide with the vibrating sounds of the sea. Thyme, yellow shrubby everlasting, rosemary, lavender and rockroses grow as the rocks turn to limestone.
- Breakfast & dinner with drinks included
Day Seven: Vila do Bispo Walk
Today marks the final section of the Vicentina route. This walk, starting from the small town of Vila de Bispo was designed to provide us with the ultimate opportunity to witness the expansive open countryside, the dramatic cliffs and a cape that was once believed to be the end of the world. The fisherman’s trail finishes in the Cape of Saint Vincent, the most south westerly point of Europe. This famous geological headland was a central stage for the Portuguese explorer’s history, pirate stories and nowadays, it’s a famous hotspot for the observation of migratory bird species.
- Breakfast & dinner with drinks included
Day Eight: Depart Faro
After a final breakfast together as a group, we check-out and head to Faro airport for our flight home.
- Breakfast included
Accommodation
South West Algarve
- Hotel Porto Covo - 3 star - 4 nights
- Hotel Vale da Telha, Aljezur - 2 star - 3 nights
Dates & Prices
Essential Information
- Walking boots with good ankle support
- Waterproofs – jacket and trousers
- Walking poles – recommended as they provide good support for the knees, particularly on downhill sections of walks and when conditions are wet/slippery
- Lightweight trousers and shorts with pockets
- Shirts or t-shirts for walking in
- Walking socks – several pairs
- Lightweight fleece or jumper
- Hat & gloves
- Daysack/rucksack for walking
- Umbrella – it can be used also for protection from the sun as well as rain
- Lightweight drinking bottle to carry water whilst walking
- Small first aid kit – plasters, insect repellant, etc
- Good, high factor sunscreen, sunhat and sunglasses.
We recommend that you check passport and visa requirements for the country you are visiting at the State Department if you have a U.S. Passport. Most countries require that your passport have at least six months validity when traveling internationally, and many require that you have one to two blank visa pages for either an entry stamp or visa. As a general rule, please check that your passport has six months validity beyond your planned trip, and if not, please renew your passport with plenty of time to provide Solos with your updated passport information by the final payment due date.
We recommend that you check if vaccinations are required for your destination at the CDC’s recommendations for your visited destination(s). We also recommend you purchase travel protection. A travel protection plan can often assist with medical emergencies and reimburse costs that are covered by the plan. Please verify coverage details with Solos before you travel.
