Highlights of this trip
There is no better way to understand the rewilding movement than to stand where history and nature collide. In the Côa Valley, you’ll walk among ancient rock engravings – carved by our ancestors thousands of years ago—depicting the very species that once roamed these lands. Today, thanks to rewilding, many of these animals are returning to life, not just in stone, but in vibrant color across the valley’s restored landscapes.
Highlights of Your Journey:
- Witness Rewilding in Action: Visit Ermo das Águias and Vale Carapito, where Sorraia horses and Tauros cattle- descendants of Europe’s lost megafauna – roam freely, embodying the success of conservation efforts.
- Step Back in Time: Explore the Côa Valley Archaeological Park, where ancient engravings tell the story of a land teeming with wildlife. See the creatures that once lived here – and are now making a comeback.
- Taste the Wild Côa: Enjoy meals crafted from local, traditional ingredients, including a vegetarian dinner at Casa do Brigadeiro and a picnic inside the historic Vilar Maior Castle.
- Connect with Nature: Stay at the Rewilding Centre, where every moment immerses you in the sights, sounds, and stories of a landscape being reborn.
This is a journey that bridges millennia of history with the future of conservation. Are you ready to experience the Côa Valley, where the past inspires the wild revival of today?
Photogallery
what does this journey look like?
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome to the Wild
Arrive at the Rewilding Centre in Vale de Madeira (Pinhel) for check-in from 15:00. If you arrive early, we recommend exploring the town of Pinhel and enjoying dinner at Deep Taste, a local gem. Overnight at the Rewilding Centre, where the sounds of nature set the tone for your adventure.
Day 2: Rewilding & Ancient Stories
Start your day with a guided visit to Ermo das Águias, a thriving rewilding area. Here, you’ll learn about Rewilding Portugal’s work, explore the region’s diverse flora and fauna, and witness Sorraia horses and Tauros cattle roaming freely – living symbols of Europe’s wild past.
At midday, travel to a nearby village for a lunch of local and traditional dishes, showcasing the flavors of the region. Afterward, journey to Castelo Melhor to visit the Côa Valley Archaeological Park, where ancient rock engravings reveal the wildlife that once thrived here – many of which are now returning thanks to rewilding efforts.
In the early evening, head to Miuzela village for a vegetarian dinner prepared by a private chef at Casa do Brigadeiro, a charming local accommodation. Overnight at Casa do Brigadeiro.
Day 3: Vale Carapito & Farewell to the Wild
After breakfast, travel to the Vale Carapito rewilding area in Vilar Maior, Sabugal, for a guided visit. This area is a testament to the power of rewilding, where nature is reclaiming its space.
Enjoy a picnic lunch inside the historic Vilar Maior Castle, featuring local products from the Wild Côa Network. Afterward, return to the Rewilding Centre, where your journey concludes -leaving you with memories of a landscape where the past and present intertwine.
Practical information
Dates
This private experience is available year-round, for groups of between 1 and 16 people.
Costs (Included & Excluded)
€650 per person.
Included:
- Two nights accomodation including breakfast
- Lunch on Day 2 and 3
- Dinner on Day 2
- Guided nature visits on the mornings of Day 2 and 3
- A guided tour of the rock engravings
Excluded:
- Transport to/from Vale de Madeira
- Travel insurance
- Dinner on Day 1
- Personal expenses
Logistics / Transport
Arrival and departure point is the Rewilding Centre in Vale de Madeira, Pinhel. This is a 2,5 – 3 hour drive from Porto (Portugal),
All internal transfers are included in this journey.
Accommodation
Nights are spent in a private en-suite room in the Rewilding Centre, and in Casa do Brigadeiro.
Food
Meals are local. Expect bread still warm from the oven, soups that change with the season, and at least one dish you cannot pronounce but will miss deeply afterward. Special diets are respected, though curiosity is encouraged.
Safety
You will be accompanied by local guides from the Greater Côa Valley.
Testimonials
Local guides
Marco Ferraz
Marco Ferraz has worked in Côa Valley since 2011 as a Nature Guide and Environmental Educator. Marco Ferraz loves to stimulate activities to bring kids and adults in contact with nature and is an official tour operator at the Greater Côa Valley, Douro International National Park, and at the Côa Valley Archeological Park (Unesco World Heritage Site since 1998).