Guided Mountain Bike Tour
Historical Portuguese Trail Intermediate level, 4 – 16 people
This holiday allows you time to visit ten beautiful and historical villages of east Portugal that are totally unspoilt. Here the local people carry on time honoured traditions and will make you feel very, very welcome and on the way there is some wonderful scenery.
Every day you will have chance to do some great mountain biking and the holiday is ideal for those who want to ride about 42km a day over great tracks, the total distance covered during the week will be 277km.
Included in this Holiday
• 8 nights in small 2 -3 stars hotel (or equivalent) in a twin / double room with breakfast
• 7 dinners
• 2 guides / leaders
• transfers to and from Lisbon airport
• luggage transfers
• back up support vehicle
Not Included
• flights
• holiday insurance
• 7 Lunches
• 1 Dinner
• mountain bike (we recommend you bring your own but we can arrange rental)
Cost Per Person and Dates
Cost per person: £860.00, $1720.00 or 1150€
May 17 - 25 2008
Itinerary
Day 1 – meet at Lisbon airport and van transfer to Castelo Novo, with an afternoon guided tour of this Historical Village of Portugal. We will visit the 12th Century castle as well as other monuments and the Museum of Archaeological Discoveries and have a short warm-up ride. Overnight Castelo Novo.
Day 2 – on our first day of serious riding we will connect two historical villages – Castelo Novo and Idanha-a-Velha. Idanha-a-Velha is a very picturesque village that hosts an interesting collection of archaeological remains from a Roman city established in the 1st Century B.C. This is an easy stage with no big climbs, 44km. Overnight Monsanto.
Day 3 – Monsanto was once considered the most Portuguese village of Portugal. From the top of its promontory you can glimpse all the country surrounding Idanha and the amazing scenery of the area, Don’t expect big hills on this stage, 52km. Overnight Sortelha.
Day 4 – today´s ride is very interesting; the surface varies a lot, with loose rock, roman
cobblestone paths and some river crossings. It’s another easy stage, with no big
climbs. In Alfaiates, our final destination, you will have time to visit its beautiful castle, 36km. Overnight Alfaiates.
Day 5 – the ride today takes us to the Douro River International Natural Park. The landscape
is beautiful and we will be riding part of an ancient pilgrimage route to Santiago de
Compostela. The walled village of Castelo Rodrigo, also an Historical Village, was once a very
important settlement due to its proximity to the Spanish border, 38km. Overnight Castelo Rodrigo.
Day 6 – Marialva is a medieval walled village that will take you back in time, to when the
brave inhabitants fought against the Spanish invaders. Rocky sections and ancient cobblestone paths are on today´s menu, 35km. Overnight Marialva.
Day 7 – today we will ride from Marialva to the village of Aldeia Nova, passing through several
typical villages full of charm. This stage involves some climbing in the beginning
but it’s practically downhill all the way to Aldeia Nova, 40km. Overnight Aldeia Nova.
Day 8 – Our rides starts in Linhares da Beira, an Historical Village that is known for being the
paragliding capital of Portugal. In Linhares you can visit the impressive 13th century castle. Today´s stage is the hardest of the tour with some long climbs and some challenging downhill sections. We will be riding in the Serra da Estrela (highest point in Portugal) region, 32km.
Day 9 – early morning transfer to Lisbon airport.