12 days, Birds, castles and good food
Between April and the end of June, the entire interior of Portugal is the perfect setting for birdwatching, visiting historic villages with their castles, enjoying fine wines and excellent, authentic rural cuisine.
In 12 days we can see more than 150 species of birds, learn a bit about the history and culture of the country, stay overnight in rustic but comfortable village houses, and discover the most genuine aspects of Portugal, not as a tourist but as a traveler.
On the first day, departing from Lisbon, we will visit the Tagus Estuary Nature Reserve, one of the main wetlands in Europe. Birds of the estuary, the surrounding fields and forests. Overnight stay and dinner in Alcochete.
On the second day, departure from Alcochete to the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve and from there to Castro Verde, a biosphere reserve, the best area in Portugal to see steppe birds. Overnight stay and dinner in Mértola.
On the 3rd day – Visit to the Guadiana Valley Natural Park, the best area in Portugal to see the Iberian imperial eagle and many other species of birds of prey. Lunch in the village and overnight stay and dinner in Mértola.
On the 4th day – Departure from Mértola to Noudar Castle, a well-preserved area of holm oak forest. Visit to the Esporão reservoir and overnight stay in Monsaraz. Dinner in Mourão at a traditional spot of amphora wine cellar.
Day 5 – Departure for Jurumenha, Elvas, Caia Dam and Serra de São Mamede Natural Park. Overnight stay and dinner in Marvão.
Day 6 – Departure for the Tejo Internacional Natural Park, visit to the Portas de Ródão, an emblematic location on the Tagus River, overnight stay and dinner in Monsanto.
Day 7 – Continuation of the visit to the Tejo Internacional Natural Park, passing through Rosmaninhal, Segura, and Penha Garcia. Overnight stay and dinner in Monsanto.
Day 8 – Departure from Monsanto towards the Douro Valley, overnight stay and dinner in Castelo Rodrigo.
Day 9 – 6 km hike on the Douro cliffs, visit to the Douro International Natural Park, overnight stay and dinner in Carrazeda de Ansiães.
Day 10 – Journey through the Beira Alta plateau, visit to the historic towns of Penedono and Trancoso, overnight stay and dinner in Linhares.
Day 11 – Excursion through the central plateau of the Serra da Estrela for mountain bird watching. Overnight stay and dinner in Sortelha.
Day 12 – Ascent to the Serra da Estrela via Covilhã. Lunch and return to Lisbon.
We will send a detailed program upon request.
On this tour we will have good opportunities to see:
Shelduck, Gadwall, Red-crested pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Little Tern, Caspian Tern, Stone-curlew, Black-winged Stilt, Avocet, Kentish Plover, Common Redshank, Common Dunlin, Collared Pratincole, Common Flamingo, Black Stork, Glossy Ibis, Common Spoonbill, Squacco Heron, Great Egret, Purple Heron, Purple Swamphen, Great Bustard, Little Bustard, Red-legged Partridge, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Turtle Dove, Black-winged Kite, Egyptian Vulture, Honey Buzzard, Cinereous Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Iberian Imperial Eagle, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, European Sparrowhawk, Goshawk, Marsh Harrier, Montagu’s Harrier, Black Kite, Lesser Kestrel, Scops Owl, Little Owl, White-rumped Swift, Craig Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Great-spotted Cuckoo, Common Cuckoo, European Roller, European Bee-eater, European Kingfisher, Eurasian Hoopoe, Eurasian Wryneck, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Iberian Blue Magpie,Rufous Bush Robin, Redstart, Black Redstart, Blue Rock Thrush, Grey Wheatear, Black-eared Wheatear, Black Wheatear, Iberian Great Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Dunnock, Dipper, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit, Crested Tit, Zitting Cisticola, Melodious Warbler, Western Orphean Warbler, Sardinian Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Spectacled Warbler, Whitethroat, Dartford Warbler, Bonelli’s Warbler, Iberian Warbler, Goldcrest, Grey Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Tawny Pipit, Woodlark, Thekla’s Lark, Calandra Lark, Corn Bunting, Rock Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Ortolan Bunting, Spanish Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Rock Sparrow, Scaly-brested Munia, Yellowbishop, Red Avadavate, Waxbill, European Greenfinch, Golden Oriole, Black Starling.
