rota vicentina: to the algarve

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1 A UTracks holiday is all about exploring Europe your way. It s about U + the walking tracks and cycling trails you want to discover, be it hiking with the family in the European Alps, a leisurely cycle with friends along the quieter backroads of Holland or France, trekking the famous pilgrimage trails of Spain, Italy or England or even discovering the islands of Croatia and Greece by bike and boat. Together with our sister company Sherpa Expeditions, we offer over 300 active tours across the continent and it s many exotic islands, with active holiday ideas for families, culinary enthusiasts, history buffs, experienced alpine walkers or those that just want to see Europe differently. Since we began in 2006, UTracks has quickly become known as the leaders in active European holidays. Our itineraries are creative and very affordable making them popular with travellers both young and young at heart. Set your own pace on a flexible self guided trip or enjoy the benefits of an experienced local guide on a guided tour. The physical demands range from introductory to challenging with all offering unique opportunities to discover the untrodden Europe, spanning postcard landscapes, centuries old cultures, rural lifestyles and tempting culinary delights. Best of all, our trips start on virtually any day of the week, so you can combine any tour to create exactly the holiday you want. Compare the price and you will see that we offer exceptional value active programs that are virtually all inclusive, giving you more time to enjoy the natural and cultural wonders you ve come to experience. explore europe your way TRIP COST Joining Zambujeira do Mar : $949 All prices are per person TRIP NAME: TRIP CODE: TRIP DURATION: ROTA VICENTINA: TO THE ALGARVE UWA 8 DAYS Portugal Spain OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS M - mid season surcharge: $40 H - high season surcharge: $130 single supplement low season: $250 single supplement mid season: $270 H - single supplement high season: $440 single traveller surcharge low season: $460 single traveller surcharge mid season: $480 single traveller surcharge high season: $660 As the trip price is based on twinshare, a single supplement is payable if a GRADE: MODERATE 3 ACTIVITY: SELF GUIDED WALK ACCOMMODATION: HOTELS & PENSIONS DATE DETAILS: Zambujeira Cape St Vincent DAILY EXCEPT 22 DEC TO 2 JAN AND 15 JUL TO 31 AUG highlights Hike through the impressive coastal scenery of the western Algarve Stay in comfortable family run accommodation in pretty coastal towns Swim at remote beaches away from the busy resorts Arrive at Cape St Vincent on foot, the south western most point of Portugal the trip The Rota Vicentina is a long distance footpath which opened in 2013 and represents a successful eco tourism initiative to develop low impact tourism in a relatively untouched region of Portugal. The trail connects Cape St Vincent, Portugal s most south westerly point, to the village of Odeceixe, where it splits into two trails; the Historical Way which heads inland and the Fishermen s Trail which follows the coast to Porto Covo. This trip follows the trail south from Odeceixe to Cape St Vincent and a section of the Fishermen s trail. Experience the renowned beauty of the Algarve coastline well away from the tourist areas on this inspiring walk along enchanting sections of the Atlantic coast. As you make your way towards the south western most point on the European continent by foot you ll pass idyllic beaches, sand dunes and dramatic steep cliffs that see surprisingly few visitors compared to the busier resort based beaches. The walk has been carefully researched and will be appreciated by those who want to enjoy one of Europe s most celebrated coastal scenes but stay away from the crowds. Starting in the north the route will have you trekking through the Sudoeste Alentejano en Costa Vicentina Natural Park to Cape Saint Vincent. The trip will be an assault on the senses with tasty regional specialties and good wine to enjoy, the aroma of eucalyptus and thyme mixed with the fresh sea air, a wide variety of Mediterranean flora and fauna to spot and of course plenty of time to enjoy the traditionally relaxed Portuguese lifestyle. Faro 2011 World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 6/1/2016 2:18:43 PM Page 1

2 single room is required or a single traveller supplement if you are travelling solo*. Please refer to the price options for costs or ask our office for details. Note regarding single rooms The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms. *The single traveller surcharge is only available on trips deemed suitable for solo travellers. It is usually more expensive than the single supplement due to the extra cost for luggage transfers and organisation. IMPORTANT NOTES M - Mid Season H - High Season DN1 - High season is from 1 Jun to 30 Sep - supplement applies. rota vicentina: to the algarve itinerary at a glance Day 1 Arrive Zambujeira do Mar Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 detailed itinerary DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 Walk along fishermans trails to Zambujeira (7hrs) Pass by rolling dunes en route to Odeceixe (5-6hrs) Choice of 2 routes to Aljezur (5 or 7hrs) Transfer to Arrifana and continue to Carrapateira with choice of 2 routes (4 or 7hrs) Walk to the historic town of Vila do Bispo (6-7hrs) Last stage of the walk to Cape St Vincent, transfer back to Vila do Bispo (4-5hrs) Trip concludes Arrive Zambujeira do Mar Make your way to Zambujeira do Mar. A transfer can be arranged from Faro airport or train station (additional cost applies and must be pre-booked), a journey of just over 2 hours. Your accommodation in this small whitewashed seaside village is a small hotel just 200m from the beach and 300m from the bus stop. meals: NIL Walk along fishermans trails to Zambujeira (7hrs) This morning you start off with a short taxi transfer to the village of Almograve. Your 7-hour walk takes you along the fisherman s trail Rota Vicentina along the coast, via Cavaleiro and the lighthouse at Cape Sardao, enjoying spectacular cliffs on the way back to Zambujeira do Mar. (20.7km/ +210m, -210m) Pass by rolling dunes en route to Odeceixe (5-6hrs) Today you follow the Trilho dos Pescadores again, for 5 to 6 hours along the coast between Zambujeira and Odeceixe. Rolling dunes alternate with rocky shores where storks nest. You pass several beaches and the fishing village of Azenha do Mar, with its nice bar/restaurant. (20km/+220m, -230m) Choice of 2 routes to Aljezur (5 or 7hrs) There is a choice between an unmarked coastal route or the completely way-marked Rota Vicentina / Caminho Historico inland for your walk today. The coastal route is a challenging 7hr walk, in which you constantly traverse narrow gorges from one beautiful beach to the next. Unfortunately, this route is only possible at low tide. So be sure to check the tide schedule well in advance! The inland route offers a very different landscape. For 8km you follow a towpath along an irrigation canal as it winds through varied agriculture fields. After a lunch break at the bakery in Rogil, you follow unsurfaced country roads and tractor tracks through an open landscape of heather and fragrant shrubs, before you descend through a wood to Aljezur. (min 17.5km max 21.5km/ +200m, -200m) 2011 World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 6/1/2016 2:18:43 PM Page 2

3 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 Transfer to Arrifana and continue to Carrapateira with choice of 2 routes (4 or 7hrs) Another day to check the tides before you set out as your route choice depends on the days tides. Whatever you choose, you will need a transfer (included). The coastal route begins in the fishing village of Arrifana and it is 19.5 km along the coast, but you will have to cross the high cliffs twice, where there is no beach. The overall ascent/descent is little, but you will have to slog through the loose sand or pick your way across pebble beaches. The inland route is 24km long, but technically easy, because you follow the way-marked Rota Vicentina / Caminho Histórico. There are several possibilities in order to shorten the route. The best part of this route, between Monte Novo and Carrapateira, follows country roads through the inland hills, with alternating bushes, pine forests and open grasslands with old cork and holm oaks. Accommodation in Carrapateira in a typical hostal. (min 12.3km max 24km) Ascent: min 160m max 280m Descent: min 230m max 280m Walk to the historic town of Vila do Bispo (6-7hrs) Today you walk directly from Carrapateira further south on a 6-hour route, with sections on the coast and others inland, depending on the tides. Near the start of the walk, you ll have a good chance of spotting fishermen perched high on the cliffs. Your route ends in historic Vila do Bispo, where you send the night at a lovely modern hotel with indoor swimming pool and sauna. (19km / +340m, -280m) Last stage of the walk to Cape St Vincent, transfer back to Vila do Bispo (4-5hrs) The last hike takes you through pastures and fields along the coast to the most southwestern point of Portugal. If the weather is warm, there is an option of stopping for a swim at Praia do Ponto Ruiva. You walk along a flat track and narrow fishermen s paths above rocky shores. This last walk of the trip ends at windy Cape Sao Vicente with sweeping views of the ocean. Taxi transfer back to your hotel in Vila do Bispo. (14.5km/ +150m, -200m) Trip concludes The trip concludes with a transfer back to Faro Airport after breakfast (additional cost applies and must be pre-booked). inclusions 7 breakfasts 4 nights in simple family run pensions, 3 nights in hotels with swimming pool, all on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities Luggage transfers on days 3, 4, 5 & 6 Transfers on days 2, 4, 5 & 7 Information pack including route notes and maps per room booked 7 day emergency hotline items not included Transfers to and from Faro airport (available for an additional cost) Lunch, dinner and drinks throughout Items of a personal nature Entrance fees Tour guide this is a self guided walking trip Transfers not noted as included Travel insurance 2011 World Expeditions Travel Group - Kate Baker 6/1/2016 2:18:43 PM Page 3

4 getting there BY CAR BY TRAIN BY AIR BY BUS Driving routes can be accessed via the following websites: com Faro can be reached by fast train from Lisbon which takes around 3 hours. There are several trains daily. For train bookings please speak to your reservations consultant. You can check timetables at which is available in English and Portuguese. We can arrange a transfer from Faro at an additional cost (speak to your reservations consultant for details, including the price). Your closest airport is Faro Airport. A number of flights arrive into Faro Airport from points throughout Europe. Ryanair, Easyjet, British Airways, TAP and Air Berlin are just a few of the airlines which fly into Faro. We can arrange a transfer from Faro airport at an additional cost (speak to your reservations consultant for details, including the price). It is possible to take a bus between Lisbon and Zambujeira Do Mar. Timetables can be viewed on the following website expressos.pt/. The bus stop is about 300m from the standard hotel. trip grading - moderate MODERATE GRADE 3 This trip involves walking between 4 and 7 hours per day over undulating terrain, sometimes on the beach, with some short steep ascents and descents. Daily distances range from 12 24km with ascents of between 150m and 340m. Some stages are easily shortened either by choosing a shorter route or through the use of public transport. The trip is graded moderate and is considered suitable for active people who have a good level of fitness. equipment provided dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut free or allergen free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self administering these medications. Page 4

5 a note on our self guided adventures Self guided walking or cycling requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. If you ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of it as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7day service hotline in the event of any problems. Using directions and maps can be more difficult for solo travellers as often two heads are better than one when it comes to finding your way. There is a certain level of the unknown that comes with self guided trips, however with a methodical approach potential problems will be averted. The freedom of a self guided trip is something that, once experienced, is sought time and time again. joining instructions Three weeks prior to your departure from home you will receive joining instructions including details of your accommodation, along with your route notes and maps. accommodation DURING TOUR During the trip you will stay in a combination of simple but clean family run pensions and comfortable hotels. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms. Breakfast is served at the hotels and included in the price. Dinner is not included but there is always a restaurant close by. fast facts COUNTRIES VISITED VISAS Portugal Visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see www. schengenvisainfo.com/schengen visa countries list/ for countries part of the Schengen). Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements. CLIMATE The months of July August is peak tourist season in the Algarve with an average daytime temperature of 28ºC, rising to the mid 30 s during the middle of the day. Spring and autumn are the best times to walk in the Algarve. Winter is mild with a minimum average of 15ºC in January during the day. In western Algarve where much of the trip takes place, it is more exposed to the Atlantic and can experience cooler and wetter conditions in winter. Most of the rain falls between October and March, with January and February the wettest months on average. MIN GROUP SIZE 1 SPECIALIST GEAR REQUIRED Wet weather gear, sunscreen, good walking boots / shoes, sun hat and walking poles. A detailed gear list is provided on booking. Page 5

6 how to book Booking a UTracks holiday is simple. You can book online, via our secure payment facility, at your own convenience. Alternatively, fill out our booking form which can be found at the back of our brochure, on our website or we can you a copy then scan/ , fax or post the form to your nearest UTracks or World Expeditions office, or travel agent, with full payment (self guided trips) or the relevant deposit (guided trip) by cheque or credit card (note: surcharges may apply for credit card payments). UTracks has access to competitive airfares to Europe. Contact us, or your travel agent, for assistance with your travel arrangements including flights, travel insurance & additional accommodation. follow us There s even more tips and ideas on our blog at slide shows UTracks invites you to attend our inspiring adventure travel slide shows. These special evenings are designed to inform and entertain and are hosted by our most experienced and passionate adventure travellers. Ask our staff for a slide show schedule or register on our website Shows can fill early so it is important to register your attendance so we know to save a seat, or two! e-newsletter To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, com or contact our office. IMPORTANT NOTE THESE TRIP NOTES REPRESENT THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THIS ITINERARY, AND SUPERSEDE ANY INFORMATION DETAILED IN THE CURRENT BROCHURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ITINERARY AND PRICE. talk to us If you require any further assistance regarding this trip or any other adventure, please contact your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office. Page 6

7 AUSTRALIA UTracks / World Expeditions Level 5, 71 York St Sydney NSW 2000 T: (02) F: (02) Toll free: info@utracks.com.au Feel free to visit our World Expeditions offices in:- Melbourne Perth Brisbane Adelaide (Thor Travel) Our staff will be happy to assist with your enquiries. For address and office phone numbers see our website at NEW ZEALAND World Expeditions Level 1, High St Auckland CBD PO Box Auckland City 1143 T: (09) F: (09) Toll Free: info@worldexpeditions.co.nz CANADA - OTTAWA World Expeditions 47 William St Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1N 6Z9 T: F: Toll Free: info@worldexpeditions.com UNITED KINGDOM World Expeditions 1B Osiers Road Wandsworth London SW18 1NL T: F: T: (Ireland) info@utracks.com Page 7