Portugal

To get a full refund, cancellation must be no less than 8 days before the local start time of the experience.

If traveler cancels their booking from 7 to 0 days before the local start time of the experience, no refund is provided.

This is an invitation to immerse yourself in the daily life of two schist villages nestled in the Lousã mountains in central Portugal, where community, nature, and tradition are deeply intertwined. 

After meeting in Coimbra, you'll drive towards Aigra Nova. Here you’ll be welcomed by locals who invite you to live as they do — walking ancient trails, and celebrating the rhythms of the seasons. You'll join a guided nature walk, witness the village’s relationship with the land, and experience a seasonal activity, whatever the village is engaged in at the time of your visit — a moment of cultural transmission. 

Lunch follows in a different schist village, a gastronomic experience led by a Michelin-recognized chef. Then you return to Coimbra passing by Lousã and its medieval castle from the eleven century nestled in the mountain.

This is a community-powered experience rooted in authenticity. Each element of the tour by Alexandra, a resident of Lousã with members of the community.

Through direct exchange with artisans, farmers, and cooks, you'll gain insight into the village's sustainable rural life and the resilience of mountain culture. The village adapts to nature's pace, and so does this experience — no two visits are ever the same.

Depending on the season, you may help distill água-ardente in a traditional copper alambique during the Waterfire ritual, or share roasted chestnuts and homemade jeropiga under autumn skies. You'll become a welcomed guest in the community and contribute to the village's living heritage through shared moments, stories, and hands-on traditions.

Lunch is its own moment — the result of a long collaboration Alexandra has built with a chef recommended by the Michelin Guide, with regional ingredients prepared at the highest level.

This experience is an invitation to connect, learn, and celebrate mountain life with the people who keep its traditions alive.

Comfortable, private transportation will pick you up from any point in Coimbra, taking you through scenic routes to the mountain village of Aigra Nova.

The journey offers a transition from urban landscapes to the tranquil beauty of central Portugal's mountains, setting the tone for the day's immersion.

Private transport from Coimbra to Aigra Nova in the Serra da Lousã.

Transport from Coimbra

Meet your local hosts and receive an overview of the village's efforts in cultural preservation and sustainable living.

Gain insight into the collaborative projects that have revitalized Aigra Nova, fostering a strong sense of community and purpose.

Introduction to Aigra Nova's history and community initiatives.

Village Welcome

Embark on a guided walk through the surrounding forests, discovering the region's rich biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Led by knowledgeable locals, the walk offers firsthand knowledge of the area's unique ecosystems and the community's role in their preservation.

Explore local trails and learn about native flora and fauna.

Guided Nature Hike

Engage in seasonal activities such as the Waterfire distillation or the Chestnut Festival, experiencing local customs firsthand.

These events offer a rare opportunity to partake in age-old traditions, deepening your understanding of the village's cultural heritage.

Participate in a traditional festival or ritual, depending on the season.

Seasonal Cultural Activity

Bid farewell to your hosts and embark on the return journey, reflecting on the day's experiences.

The departure marks the end of an immersive journey, leaving you with lasting memories and newfound connections.

Conclude your visit and return to Coimbra.

Farewell and Return Transport

A gastronomic experience led by a Michelin-recognized chef in another Schist village. This fosters connections over food.

This part of the experience is based on special access from Alexandra's connections. This is a unique way to experience the schist village.

Gastronomic experience in a schist village led by a Michelin recognized chef. 

Gastronomic Experience

On the way back to Coimbra, stop at Castelo da Lousã. Also known as Arouce Castle, it dates to the second half of the 11th century, when it formed part of the first defensive lines protecting Coimbra during the Christian Reconquista. Built from local schist and granite — the same stone that shaped the villages you've just visited — the castle was granted its charter by Afonso Henriques, Portugal's first king, in 1151, and is said to have been a summer retreat for Queen Mafalda. 

Now a National Monument, the castle sits perched on a hillside above the Arouce River, with views across the Lousã mountains.

It's a perfect break and viewpoint on your way back to Coimbra.

Visit to Castelo da Lousã - also known as Arouce Castle.

Visit to Castelo da Lousã

Day Trip from Coimbra near Porto to discover schist villages, mountain life and tradition in Lousã.

Applies when fewer than the minimum participants book.
This ensures the experience runs at its required minimum price.

Life in the Schist Villages

Guided village tour and nature walk through the Lousã mountains. 

Return private transportation from Coimbra.

Participation in seasonal cultural activities such as the Waterfire ritual or chestnut roasting or taking care of the tree nursery. 

Warm welcome and personal interaction with members of the village community.

Gastronomic Experience , in Cerdeira Schist Village, by a Chef recommended by Michelin Guide, 
(Drinks are excluded) 

Comprehensive insurance coverage for the full experience.

Comfortable walking shoes suitable for uneven terrain
Weather-appropriate clothing (layers recommended)
Reusable water bottle
Camera or smartphone for capturing the sights and people
An open mind and willingness to engage with local traditions

You will be picked up from your hotel in Coimbra - or from any point within Coimbra. After booking, chat with Alexandra to share your accommodation details.

If you are coming from Porto, it's an hour's journey by train departing from the Campanhã station.

Your host is a passionate advocate for sustainable and responsible tourism, with deep roots in storytelling, community engagement, and the preservation of cultural heritage. With a background in journalism and years of experience working with traditional Portuguese artisans and rural communities, they have dedicated their path to creating meaningful connections between travelers and the real Portugal — off the beaten track, slow-paced, and full of heart.

Partnering with a dedicated local association, formed by villagers committed to keeping their traditions alive, they work together to offer immersive, community-led experiences. The association plays a key role in safeguarding local knowledge, supporting biodiversity, and revitalizing the economy through sustainable tourism. Together, they create experiences that are not only enriching for travelers but also empowering for the people who call this place home.

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