Yoga, Hike and SUP in Portugal
Explore tranquil Alentejo, relax in a cosy rural quinta and nourish your body and soul with daily yoga and good food
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with local, English-speaking, certified SUP instructor and a qualified yoga teacherGuesthouse
4 nights in a beautiful rural guesthouseMeals
4 brunches, 2 lunches and 4 dinnersTransfers
Airport transfers and everything inbetweenEquipment
All your SUP gear and a yoga matSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
…
What's it like?
Hike along peaceful rural trails and clifftop paths, stopping for sea swims at wild beaches, deserted coves and rugged dunes
Begin each day with a restorative yoga session among woodland, relaxing mind and body to the sound of birdsong
Paddleboard in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park, where the Mira River meets the Atlantic Ocean
Stay in a beautiful and unique rural guesthouse, indulging in delicious regional food and wine from the best local producers
Key Information
Day 1
Welcome to rural Alentejo
Touch down in Lisbon and transfer to your base, Quinta Camarena - a chic and rustic countryside guesthouse, in close proximity to Portugal's protected area of Costa Vicentina on the wild Atlantic Coast. Check in, relax, and explore the lush grounds surrounding the property, dotted with wildflowers and aromatic herbs. If you fancy it, take a short walk into the nearby village of Cercal do Alentejo. This evening you'll join your group and hosts for a welcome dinner, prepared using ingredients from local producers.
Day 2
Yoga and hike the Rota Vicentina
Yoga
Hiking
Enjoy your first yoga session from 'The Ground', a secluded platform surrounded by pine and oak trees. Learn stretches and poses from your experienced yoga teacher to relax and recharge your muscles and mind - if you’ve never tried yoga before, you’ll be a convert for sure! Tuck into a delicious organic brunch, then hit a section of the historic Rota Vicentina trail. This long hiking path spans nearly 400 kilometres of one of the most beautifully preserved natural areas in Europe, and passes directly in front of the property. Hike among rolling hills, wheat fields and pastures along the circular route of Cercal do Alentejo. Spend the rest of the day relaxing in the serene grounds of the quinta.
Day 3
Yoga, SUP and wine tasting
Yoga
Stand Up Paddleboarding
Join a morning yoga class before a short drive to Vila Nova de Milfontes, a picturesque fishing village. The beach where the Mira River meets the Atlantic Ocean creates a stunning backdrop for some stand-up paddleboarding. After an introductory briefing, jump on your board and start paddling inland, along the river. Leaving the town behind, enter the protected park of Costa Vicentina, a lush green landscape which is home to many bird species. There will be time to take a walk into town and grab some lunch before returning to Quinta Camarena. This evening your hosts will guide you through a wine tasting from a selection of small, local producers, all paired with local cheese, bread and an olive oil selection - cheers!
Day 4
Explore Portugal's Wild Atlantic Coast
Yoga
Hiking
Begin the day with another reinvigorating yoga session followed by a delicious brunch. Then head to the picturesque coast where you’ll follow part of the Fisherman’s Trail, discovering small deserted coves along the way. The scenery is incredibly varied, with colourful endemic plants at their intoxicating peak during springtime. You'll enjoy plenty of breaks at the wild beaches, with the opportunity to jump in for an ocean dip if you fancy it. Return to your accommodation for a final farewell feast in the evening.
Day 5
Goodbye Portugal!
Yoga
You'll have a final yoga class in the gentle, early morning sun rays before heading back to Lisbon for your flight home - feeling healthier, stronger and with a bunch of new friends.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
14:00 on Day 1
Ends
Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport
14:00 on Day 5
Transfers
Your host will meet you at Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport 14:00 on Day 1 and transfer you to Quinta Camarena, which is approximately a 2-hour drive away, near the village of Cercal do Alentejo. On Day 5, your host will take you back to Lisbon airport mid-afternoon, in time for any onward evening flights - we recommend booking a flight that departs from 16:00 onwards. Airport transfers are included at set times on Days 1 and 5, however, you can request a private transfer if you are arriving before or departing after the trip (see Optional Extras for details). Alternatively, there are also three daily buses that link Lisbon Sete Rios station with Cercal do Alentejo and you can request that your hosts pick you up from the local bus stop for a small fee.
Travel options
There are regular direct flights to Lisbon from major airports across the UK, Europe, Canada and the US.
Although arrival and departure airport transfers are included in the price, you are welcome to make your own way to Quinta Camarena anytime on Day 1 if you wish. Be sure to arrive before 18:00 if you'd like to check-in and enjoy the welcome dinner with your hosts and fellow adventurers.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
Most meals on the trip are prepared by Quinta Camarena, where your hosts believe in healthy and sustainable eating which celebrates local, organic produce.
Mealtimes are not only about nourishment, but also an opportunity to learn about the culture of the region, and to enjoy each other's company. Most of the ingredients originate from local producers who prioritise natural and artisanal processes. The seasonality of ingredients is important, so the menu will be decided daily depending on what's available. There will be plenty of vegetarian options and when meat or fish are served, these are free-range and sourced from trusted local producers. You'll also have a wine tasting included, which allows you to sample some of the best local wines in the region.
Vegetarians, vegans and other dietary requirements and allergies can be catered for - please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Quinta Camarena
The boutique Quinta Camarena is a rustic yet chic guesthouse with a beautiful outdoor pool. Nestled among 3.5 hectares of lush grounds in the Portuguese region of Alentejo, it's an ideal setting for yoga, hiking and relaxation. Your local hosts have a deep respect for Alentejo and are invested in sustainability, actively taking steps to have a positive environmental and social impact on the local community - you'll learn more about their initiatives during the trip.
You'll stay in twin-share rooms, either in the villa, the casita or the country loft. Each building has a private entrance, living room and equipped kitchenette. All spaces have different decor and were personally curated by your hosts using local materials, antiques, and personal artwork. You will find comfortable mattresses, top-quality bedsheets from one of the most historic textile brands in Portugal, and local artisanal soaps. WiFi, a gym, shared communal areas and tranquil gardens are free for you to enjoy throughout your stay.
Upgrades
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked for an extra charge, see Optional Extras for the price. Please request this at the time of booking - single rooms are limited and subject to availability.
This trip has been rated as Easy
All you need is a basic level of fitness. No previous yoga or SUP experience is required as qualified local instructors will be guiding you through these activities if you are a novice. The hikes are short and will be conducted at a leisurely pace, showcasing some of the best rural and coastal trails in the area. The terrain varies with dirt tracks, sand and the occasional rocky trail, but there are no challenging sections to be expected other than a few gentle hills. There will be also some leisure time built into the trip so you can fully enjoy the serene environment as you wish - reading by the pool, taking optional walks or rides into the local village and slowing down to the pace of nature. The order and timing of the activities may be altered by your host depending on the weather conditions, particularly for the water-based activities. The SUP will take place on the calm waters of the Mira estuary, a great place to learn the basics and enjoy the natural setting where the river meets the ocean. The activity may take place at different times depending on tides and should the conditions really not be suitable for SUP, an alternative kayaking excursion will be offered. It'll be a very scenic and fun day, with loads of opportunities to play around and perfect your balance.
The trip runs mostly in the lower season, between March and May and October to December when temperatures are milder. The weather in the Alentejo region is usually dry and warm. Average monthly temperatures range from 31-35°C in the peak summer months of June-August, and 20-24°C in the shoulder months of May and September. During March-April and October-December there is a higher chance of rain, but temperatures remain mild and comfortable for all outdoor activities. Springtime is one of the best times to visit if you'd like to experience the explosion of endemic wildflowers. Your hosts will adjust the activity schedule and program following the most favourable weather conditions and forecasts. The daily yoga classes will be accessible to all levels, even to first-timers. The certified local instructors will mainly teach Vinyasa practice, with some Hatha and Ashtanga influence. The yoga will take place at The Ground, a peaceful and secluded platform surrounded by pine and oak trees.
Gorgeous countryside retreat in a beautiful region known for wine
This retreat was overall a beautiful experience. To be away from the hustle and bustle of the cities in a fabulous countryside retreat that is Quinta Camarena was bliss. The yoga in the mornings overlooking the beautiful trees and grounds of the Quinta, the energising hikes (great after doing some refreshing yoga), and the food. I am not vegetarian and I did miss my meat but I really enjoyed the food and presentation of the food. The only thing I would say about the food is there wasn't enough particularly at lunch time or snacks after the hikes. Also just note that the one glass of wine at dinner is not included although it was mistakenly said to us in text form that it was (this was for a separate group package). I do think it wasn't very professional of the hosts to have said this to us especially in a text. It should have been stated right from the start of the holiday.
Another point I'd like to make is the rustic rooms on ground level. Myself and some others stayed in these rooms and for my part although they were tastefully decorated, they did have some issues with dampness. Others in the group have also stated this. Some of the group stayed in the newly built modern rooms up in a little hill of the grounds and these were well decorated and very modern and class. So you could get lucky.
I did really enjoy this holiday and especially the yoga and hikes and the guides for both activities. They were very attentive and accommodating. I just think certain parts of the stay could have been dealt better professionally.
Beautiful countryside and very peaceful, but accomodation needs to be better
This was set in such beautiful countryside. So peaceful and the coastal walk was gorgeous. yoga every morning was wonderful. The retreat itself had some new and old accommodation. Unfortunately if you get the old accomation then it is tired and damp and shabby. The new accommodation is amazing. But it is all the same price so it's a gamble. Food was great but not enough of it. Hosts didn't really seem to engage with guest and didn't even say goodbye when we left.
Overall great but some disappointing things
Overall I was very pleased with my experience. Our accommodations were really nice (even though it was a hike up the hill to get to it) and I loved both Sofia the yoga instructor and Finn the hiking guide. I have to say that the activities were a little more exhausting than expected. I would not consider the hikes to be "walks" as they were long and it was hot. Especially the one along the ocean. I also felt a little rushed as times. Would have been nice to have a little more time in between the activities as this is supposed to be vacation and stress-free. The food and grounds of Quinta Camarena were lovely. There were a few things however that left the experience a little disappointing. We were told (in writing) that one alcoholic drink was included with our nightly dinner only to find out that this had been a mistake on the hosts part and instead of honoring it they literally responded to us in the middle of dinner that it was a mistake and we would need to pay if we wanted a drink. This was very poor business in my opinion. We also had a "wine" tasting that only included 3 wines and a little cheese. There were several in our group that didn't drink and so they basically got 3 pieces of cheese. I also found Vera to be quite rude on a few occasions when people in our group asked for different accommodations to their meals. The hosts also didn't come out to see us off on our last day which I found to be rude for what is supposed to be kind of a personalized tour at their property. They seemed to not like our group in general.
Stunning countryside, hikes and yoga were perfect
The area of Portugal that this is based is stunning. The coastline walk was a highlight as was the yoga every morning. The yoga teacher was fabulous as was Fin the lady who took us on the hikes. I think it would have been lovely to have had a relaxing sunset yoga class one of the days as well. The retreat could have been amazing but there was a MASSIVE difference in the quality of the rooms depending on the luck for the draw. The new rooms build last year were amazing but the old rooms were very very damp,.small and extremely tired and run down. The first night we got there the blankets were damp. The shower was mouldy. No room between beds when sharing and generally very run down. It's seems crazy they can charge the same prices for both these rooms..such a shame. The food was gorgeous but just not enough of it. Breakfast seems to be fine but lunch and dinner was not enough. There also should have been a snack after we got back from the hikes etc. We had an email saying we got a glass of wine a night but they told us it was sent in error halfway through the retreat so it only included tap water. The drink we could have seemed pretty expensive. It seemed to be run on a very tight budget and everything was in such small portions.
Highs & lows
So many great things about this holiday , the food , yoga , hiking , and SUP were all amazing there was just a disappointing disparity between the accommodation of fellow travellers, who were all paying the same price , our room was tiny no storage , very damp and mouldy , it took what could have been an incredible trip to one that left a bit of a bad taste in my mouth ,
Great trip to Alentejo
Brilliant stay at Quinta Camarena in mid-September. Booked quite late, but the whole process was very straightforward, with really good communication from start to finish. The activities were as described - maybe ‘walks’ more than hikes, but lots of fascinating info from our guide Fin on the local area, history and nature. The yoga studio was a wonderful space in which to start the day, and the pool area was perfect for relaxing. The food was delicious, not least the breakfasts with freshly baked bread and cakes and local cheese. The accommodation was basic but comfortable and well-equipped, and Vera and Cam were the perfect hosts.
Von allem etwas und von nichts zu viel
Meine 1. Reise mit MBA. Die Yoga Location ist inmitten Pinien- und Eucalyptuswald. Ruhige Anlage, wo man gut herunterfahren kann. Immer ein halber Tag nichts tun und 1/2 Tag Aktivität. Die Aktivitäten sind abwechslungsreich. Beim Spaziergang ins innere des Landes lernten wir von Fin viel über die Risiken des Waldbrands, Pflanzen wie Korkbäume etc. Der SUP Ausflug auf die Flussmündung ins Meer war etwas, das ich noch nicht kannte. Yoga am morgen ab 8 h war human und Sophia war eine angenehme Yogainstruktorin, Die vegetarische Küche war sehr kreativ, frisch, spannend und fantastisch - alle Produkte aus der Region oder dem eigenen Garten. Die Besitzer Vera und Cam sind sehr engagiert und herzlich. Am letzten Abend gab‘s portugiesische Küche in einem Lokal. Sie kamen mit und das schätzte ich sehr, sie näher kennenzulernen. Die 2 Häuser beim Pool sind im portugiesischen Stil, etwas älter und einfache Unterkünfte. Zum Teil teilt man sich ein Zimmer und das Bad. AC und Wifi waren vorhanden. Für mehr Komfort empfehle ich im neuen Gebäude ein Zimmer zu nehmen.
The holiday was a good
The holiday was a good mix of activity and relaxation. The villa and grounds are beautiful, it was the perfect place to relax with a book or take a walk. Starting the day with yoga was good. The guided walks were informative and an easy pace and Veera and Cam are attentive hosts who clearly care a lot about Portugal and supporting the local community.
Can thoroughly recommend the MBA
Can thoroughly recommend the MBA trip to Quinta Camarena for the yoga, hiking and SUP. The whole experience ran very smoothly from booking to airport collection and transfer, to the accommodation and activities. I had a fabulous time and will definitely book again. The accommodation was of a high quality in a beautiful and peaceful setting; the food was delicious. A good balance of activities and free time.
100/10
Vera and Cameron are the sweetest duo running the Quinta. They clearly have built amazing relationships with local producers and guides - everything was so well organised, the food was delicious and the scenery surpassed my expectations.
An MBA trip not to be missed!
This was hands down one of the best MBA trip we have done, the location was beautiful, the surrounding nature was incredible, the hosts were welcoming, friendly, informative and worked hard to provide the best experience for us all. Their ethos of supporting local suppliers, working sustainably and caring about their environment was the most genuine we have experienced, you could see this dedication to their surroundings in everything they did, the meals were wonderfully fresh and were sourced locally and were seasonal. The aura and feel of the Quinta was relaxed, stress free, mindful and as such one of the most enjoyable and healthy vacations we have experienced. Thank you!
This is an excellent trip and I would recommend it highly. The location is fantastic and the hosts, Vera and Cam are exceptional. The food is top quality and prepared by expert chefs. The activities are very enjoyable and offer a good blend of exertion and relaxation. The accommodation is very comfortable and very thoughtfully designed. Overall a very memorable adventure.
My wife and I spent our honeymoon at Quinta Camarena and it truly was the trip of a lifetime! It truly is paradise filled with such wonderful people including the owners Cam and Vera.
We did a four-day yoga retreat that included some exceptional meals that were both delicious and pretty healthy too… don’t worry they also have a great wine selection 😉. Everything is local to the region of Alentejo, and the chefs did such an amazing job of showcasing the seasonal organic produce from this area.
I’ve also gotta say, we’ve discovered parts of Portugal we would never have found on our own or through online research, thanks to their guided walking tours and daily activities. We were kind of new to the “adventure holiday” but this trip seemed to be made for people just like us.
All in all, we couldn’t think of a better way to break from the usual city holiday (although we did that first) and celebrate our honeymoon.
We’re already planning our return! X
Had an absolutely amazing time on this trip. I wish it had been a week longer! The accommodation and surroundings were absolutely beautiful and nothing was too much trouble for Cam and Vera the hosts. The food (largely locally grown and sourced) was absolutely incredible, and the local wines were a nice touch, and delicious too! I had to skip one of the holes as I was unwell but the rest of the group loved it, and the one I did was also fab. Loved, loved, loved the yoga on the deck in the forest. As well as a fabulous teacher who encouraged us to challenge ourselves, it was just such beautiful surroundings to be practicing in. All in all, an absolutely fab 4 days. I can’t wait to come back!
This trip was amazing! I feel so refreshed and energized that it feels like I was away for much longer than I really was. I particularly appreciated the mix of activities on offer, from yoga to some stunning hikes, and SUP, and that there was a perfect balance of activities and downtime. The accommodation was interesting and really cool and the food was a highlight too - everything locally sourced and every meal had its own story. The hosts know their area really well and the trip felt very rooted in authentic Alentejo.
I returned from the trip feeling energised, empowered and inspired. Our group bonded really well, helped by the relaxed atmosphere and ambiance created by Vera and Cam. Cannot fault the accommodation, food or activities. Would love to do it all over again.
Quinta Camarena is a beautiful setting for this trip. There’s a great balance of activities and free time to relax in a hammock or by the pool. It’s also an easy walk into the town if you wanted to. The food served was incredible and all locally sourced. I will definitely be returning!
Had an absolutely wonderful trip. Quinta Camarena is beautiful and offers great hospitality. The food is out of the world! All activities were really enjoyable and at just the right level of difficulty for everyone. I left the trip feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. Would highly recommend to anyone.