Begin the adventure in Belmonte, a granite-built town beneath the Serra da Estrela with a 13th-century castle and deep Sephardic Jewish heritage.

The group transfer from Lisbon Airport should arrive around 5pm (depending on traffic), providing a little time to settle in or take a first look around the town before we meet as a group.

Around 6.30pm, say olá to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big Portuguese welcome by arranging a group dinner.

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Want more time in Belmonte or Lisbon? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Belmonte Monte Sinai Hotel (or similar)

Drive (one hour) to Monsanto, a wonderfully unique hilltop village where centuries-old homes incorporate the giant granite boulders that populate the slopes.

Starting high on the hill, we follow the Rota dos Barrocais past some of the village’s iconic buildings, before descending through cork oak woodlands, weaving between massive, individually named granite boulders.

We’ll then cut through the traditional villages of Afonseanes and Amial, before our final stretch follows the gentle Ponsul River, crossing a bridge first built during the rule of Roman emperor Augustus to enter the historic village of Idanha-a-Velha.

Upon arrival, follow our tour leader for a guided tour of the village. We then visit Egitânea olive grove for an expertly led tasting and introduction to olive oil production.

Returning to Belmonte, we stop in walled Sortelha, where our tour leader leads us on a short walk among granite houses and castle walls.

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Accommodation: Belmonte Monte Sinai Hotel (or similar)

We cross the border into Spain today, transferring (approximately 1hr 30min) to the village of Eljas, one of only three communities where fala, a locally rooted Romance language, is spoken.

Here, today’s picturesque trail begins. Leaving the village, rural tracks climb between olive groves and dry-stone walls into Pyrenean oak woodland. Reaching our highest point for today, Puerto de San Martín pass, at close to 3,280ft (1,000m) above sea level, we descend on a stone-paved route through chestnut woods to the village of San Martín de Trevejo.

Here, water channels thread between timber-framed houses before our walk ends at our accommodation for the next two nights: Hospedería Conventual Sierra de Gata, a 15th-century convent transformed into a spa hotel.

The afternoon is free to explore independently and enjoy the hotel facilities.

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Accommodation: Hospederia Conventual Sierra de Gata (or similar)

Today’s hike begins at our hotel, as we walk into San Martín de Trevejo to see the Fuente Chafaril before joining the Camino del Payo. The trail climbs above the village, opening views across the Sierra de Gata, then descends between dry-stone walls to Villamiel.

Passing through the historic centre, we see the 16th-century Church of Santa María Magdalena and stone houses bearing carved coats of arms. We then leave the village through vegetable plots, vineyards, olive groves and chestnut trees.

After crossing the Arroyo de los Lagares stream, the final ascent follows an old stone path through granite country to Trevejo. Crowning the hamlet are the ruins of its castle, where we finish with far-reaching views across the mountains. The surviving keep dates from the period when military orders controlled this frontier territory.

After a 15-minute transfer back to the hotel, the afternoon is free to revisit San Martín or enjoy the hotel facilities.

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Accommodation: Hospederia Conventual Sierra de Gata (or similar)

Return to Portugal and drive (one hour) to the medieval village of Castelo Mendo, where our tour leader shows us the highlights.

After, we continue (30 minutes) to the village of Vale de Madeira, the start point of today’s nature-focussed hike in the Ermo das Águias nature reserve. To enhance our experience, we’re joined by an expert from Rewilding Portugal, who will share their deep knowledge of the region’s flora and fauna and the on-the-ground impact of their rewilding project.

The hike itself begins along a rural track, before turning onto a dirt path descending toward the Gaiteiros Stream. Crossing through the Ermo das Águias entrance gate, the route transitions into a network of moderate trails winding through a rugged landscape. Along the way, we keep our eyes peeled for a herd of semi-wild Sorraia horses.

After the hike, we drive (one hour) to our final base: Longroiva, where we have free time to explore. In the evening, you could join an optional guided visit to the prehistoric rock art of Foz Côa, thought to be 25,000-30,000 years old.

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Accommodation: Longroiva Hotel Rural (or similar)

Today, we hike the Camino de Hierro, a spectacular route set within the Arribes del Duero Natural Park in Salamanca, Spain. Renowned for its bold engineering, the route traverses 20 historic tunnels and 10 iron bridges, blending industrial heritage with untamed nature.

We begin at La Fregeneda’s former station, following the old railway through almond, olive and oak country. Within the first 0.6mi (1km), we enter Tunnel 1, the route’s longest at more than 0.9mi (1.5km), carefully crossing its sleepers and gravel (remember to bring your head torches today!).

Beyond the tunnel, the railway descends into a gorge, clinging to sheer cliffs and crossing the Pisco, Morgado and curved San Antonio bridges. The skies are populated by protected raptors, including griffon vultures, Egyptian vultures and golden eagles, while black storks nest in the sheer rock crevices.

The middle section alternates between dark tunnels and exposed ledges, while Tunnel 3 protects one of Europe’s largest breeding colonies of bent-wing bats, so we need to bypass that during summer (adding 0.6mi/1km of hiking).

The route ends at Vega Terrón, where we transfer (one hour) back to Longroiva for our final evening together.

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Accommodation: Longroiva Hotel Rural (or similar)

You’ve walked from boulder-built Monsanto to Roman-rooted Idanha-a-Velha, explored Ermo das Águias with a rewilding expert and followed a railway through tunnels above the Águeda River, but now it’s time to begin your return journey home.

Alternatively, if you’d like to extend your adventure, speak to your sales representative to discuss our large range of extension options.