Portugal | Ashtanga Yoga & Hiking Retreat
UNPLUG IN A STUNNING MEDITERRANEAN ENVIRONMENT WHILE EXPLORING NATURE & NOURISHING YOUR BODY & SOUL WITH YOGA
Trip Highlights:
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Hike through picture-perfect whitewashed villages, along golden sandy dunes, and beaches.
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Trek a portion of the historic Fishermen's Trail from Burgau to Lagos.
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Practice Ashtanga Yoga in a spectacular setting each morning and afternoon.
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Swim in the warm Atlantic Ocean water.
Our week-long retreat on the Algarve Coast of Portugal offers an opportunity to practice Yoga in a warm, Mediterranean climate, and hike through picture-perfect whitewashed villages, along golden sandy dunes, and beaches dotted with dramatic red- hued cliffs and rock formations. The Algarve is host to some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Europe.
The retreats kicks off in the small, historic port city of Lagos. Boasting a rich seafaring history and heritage Lagos dates back to the Celts around 2000 BC. From then on it was the Moors, Romans and the Phoenicians that really shaped and created the charming seaside village of Lagos. But is was in the 15th Century that Lagos became the main port for the Age of Discovery due to its strategic location directly across the massive continent of Africa. The earthquake of 1755 destroyed a good amount of the old city and it took decades to rebuild Lagos and bring it back to prosperity. Today Lagos is a major tourist destination due to its lovely year round weather, ample sunshine and some its many spectacular beaches tucked along its coastline.
Tavira, our second location, is a small city on Portugal’s Algarve coast. It straddles the Gilão River, which reaches the sea through the inlets and lagoons of Ria Formosa Natural Park.
Tavira Island has a long, sandy beach, plus salt pans that attract flamingos, spoonbills and other wading birds. In the center, medieval Tavira Castle has city views.
The morning Yoga practice will start with a short, sitting practice, followed by Yoga asana. Expect a mix of chanting and music, philosophy, restorative, or gentle yoga in the afternoon.
The carefully selected hikes will lead us along the rugged coastline and with stops in the quaint and laid back beach villages of Prai de Luz and Carvoeiro. The Fisherman’s Trail from Burgau to Lagos will not disappoint and the Seven Hanging Valleys Trail is one of the most beautiful coastal hikes anywhere in Europe.
Our accommodations include a spectacular located boutique hotel within walking distance to one of Lagos’ stunning beaches, and a beautifully converted convent dating back the 16th century, located in the heart of Tavira. The food will consist of delicious, regional cuisine with an emphasis on local, vegetarian dishes, as well as freshly caught fish. Breakfast will be buffet style, dinners are usually a sit-down meal.
This retreat offers an opportunity to unplug in a stunning, Mediterranean environment, while exploring nature and nourishing your body and soul with yoga.
Expect yoga twice a day, breathing, meditation and sitting practices, as well as chanting, philosophy and restorative practices.
Trip Itinerary
Ryder-Walker will provide a group transfer from Faro to Lagos, a lovely and laid-back small coastal city located in the heart of the beautiful Algarve coastline. Our lovely boutique hotel is situated on the cliffs overlooking the ocean and away from the bustling shops, cafes and restaurants of the old town.
Today we’ll start discovering the rugged beauty of the Algarve Coast. Following the morning yoga session we’ll have a short transport to the quaint and laid back beach village of Burgau. From there we will hike along the historic Fisherman’s Trial through the lively beach village of Praia de Luz en route back to our cliff- side accommodations in Lagos.
Distance: 5 miles
We’ll transfer east along the coast to the spectacular beach of Praia de Marinha strolling along one of the Algarve’s most iconic coastal routes. The Seven Hanging Valley’s trail to the cliff side village of Corveiro will not disappoint with epic views, sun-kissed cliffs and some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Portugal.
Distance: 5.5 miles
Today offers a boat tour of the spectacular grottos dotted along this part of the Algarve Coast. Ponta da Piedade grottos will certainly not disappoint and you can scout the beaches for a possible afternoon visit for some relaxing beach time.
Distance: 5-6 miles
Continuing the coastal theme we’ll continue our exploration of the Fisherman’s Trail near Sagres, the very spot where the world supposedly fell off a cliff. Sagres evokes a definite “end of the world” feel and it is continental Europe’s most south and westerly point overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Following breakfast we will transfer for about 1.5 hours east to the absolutely charming and traditional fishing village of Tavira. The afternoon will open for you to discover the lovely cafes, shops and culture of Tavira. Our spectacular hotel for the next three nights is in a 16th century convent located in the very heart of historic Tavira.
Today will be a guides choice of adventure. If weather, winds and the ocean permit we can possibly take a kayak tour amongst the lagoons and islands of this nature reserve created by the Rio Formosa. Beach time could certainly be on the menu today as well.
For departure out of the Algarve then Faro is certainly the best option with flight, train and bus options. There are public transportation bus and train options from Tavira to Faro and points beyond. Ryder Walker can certainly book private taxi transport to Faro from the hotel in Tavira. It is roughly a 30-40 minute drive.
