OCTOBER 8 - 13 - THE FISHERMEN'S TRAIL, PORTUGAL

Portugal's Fishermen's Trail is a spectacular 4 day journey along the country's untamed Costa Vicentina. Due to the popularity of our previous trips, Backabush will be going back to Portugal in October to do this stunning multi-day coastal walk.

Nights - 5. Group size - 15. Cost - £445 (single gender twin share rooms).

We will stay at different guesthouses each night as we walk village-to-village along the coast and baggage transfers will be included for our 4 hiking days.

Starting in the village of Porto Covo this coastal trail winds up and down over the cliffs and along miles of golden sand, connecting a string of pristine beaches and covering 48 miles over 4 days. This is Portugal's least developed and most rugged coastline. At the end of each day we will arrive at another authentic Portuguese fishing village where we can relax for the evening as the sun sets over the ocean.

Autumn is a great time to hike the Fishermen's Trail. Temperatures are pleasant and well-suited suited to hiking.

ITINERARY:

Tuesday October 8 - We will be meeting in Porto Covo, which is easily reached from Lisbon with a 2.5 hour bus ride (see details below).

Wednesday October 9 - Porto Covo to Vila Nova de Milfontes, 12 miles

Thursday October 10 - Vila Nova de Milfontes to Almograve, 10 miles

Friday October 11 - Almograve to Zambujeira do Mar, 14 miles

Saturday October 12 - Zambujeira do Mar to Odeceixe, 12 miles

Sunday October 13 - We will travel back to Lisbon by bus after breakfast in time to fly home on the same day.

DIFFICULTY:

You will need the fitness to cover up to 14 miles each day. The ascent is moderate but much of the trail is over sand which can make the distance more challenging.

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

• 5 nights guesthouse, hotel or hostel accommodation
• 4 breakfasts
• A full itinerary of hikes
• A trip organiser
• Luggage transfer for our 4 hiking days (one bag of 15kg max)
• Financial protection in accordance with the Package Travel Law 1992.

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

• Lunches, evening meals and 1 breakfast
• Flights (see below)
• Airport Transfers (see below)
• Travel Insurance

RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS:

We would recommend travelling to Lisbon on Monday 7 October (or before) and spending Wednesday night in Lisbon before catching the Thursday morning bus to Porto Covo at around 10:30am (exact October schedule TBC). This would allow us an extra afternoon walk from Porto Covo to visit the spectacular coastline towards the north of the Fishermen's Trail head. The organiser can advise on recommended Lisbon accommodation and we can meet up in the city.

It is also possible to catch a morning flight on Tuesday 8 October and travel to Porto Covo on the same day on the afternoon bus service. The last bus departs from Lisbon at around 16.00 (exact October schedule TBC).

On Sunday October 13 we will get back to Lisbon at around 13.30 (exact October schedule TBC). It will only be possible to catch flights departing that day after 16.00.

Return flights from London to Lisbon are currently priced at around £100 - £150 depending on the airline.

HOW TO BOOK A PLACE ON THIS TRIP:

To confirm your place on this trip use internet banking. Your RSVP is not enough to reserve a space on this trip. Please use FISH as your payment reference. The account details are:

Account Name: BACKABUSH XPLORERS
Sort Code: 090127
Account Number: 22440622

Only payment secures your place. Please email backabushxplorers@yahoo.com as soon as you send payment so that we can confirm everything with you. Thanks! :)