The Ecotura Experience
Small-group mountain retreats shaped by daily yoga, time outdoors, and shared meals — all held in one quiet stone hamlet in the heart of Peneda-Gerês.
The Ecotura Experience
Small-group mountain retreats shaped by daily yoga, time outdoors, and shared meals — all held in one quiet stone hamlet in the heart of Peneda-Gerês.
What all retreats share
Mountain hamlet
A quiet stone base in the Peneda-Gerês mountains.
Small groups
Personal, grounded group energy throughout the week.
Host-led
Anabela guides the retreat in person from start to finish.
Nature immersion
Real time outdoors in mountain landscapes.
Nourishing meals
High-quality food as part of the care and rhythm.
Movement + rest
An intentional balance between activity and recovery.
What changes from retreat to retreat.
Yoga & Nature Retreat
Best if you want: deep rest, twice-daily yoga, and gentle time outdoors in the mountains.
• Calm, low–moderate pace
• Mindful walks (typically 5–10 km/day)
• Morning and late-afternoon yoga (restorative focus)
Yoga & Hiking Retreat
Best if you want: longer hikes with structured yoga to support recovery.
• Moderate–active pace
• More demanding mountain trails
• Morning and late-afternoon yoga (support + mobility)
Yoga & Hiking Retreat
Best if you want: wellbeing support, nervous system regulation, and a grounded rhythm.
• Calm, restorative pace
• Supportive practices + gentle nature time
• Morning yoga (regulating and restorative focus)
Yoga for Runners Retreat
Best if you want: a runner-focused week combining optional runs, wild trails, and yoga designed specifically for runners.
• 6 yoga for runners classes with guided meditations (vinyasa + hatha)
• Guided or orienteering runs/walks, plus a full-day hike with picnic
• One calm and restorative yoga class for deep recovery
Yoga & Horse Riding Retreat
Best if you want: to deepen your partnership with your horse through riding and focused morning yoga.
• Riding and Yoga with Horses as the main focus
• Morning yoga to improve balance, strength, and body awareness
• Immersive riding in wild mountain landscapes
Hiking Retreat
Best if you want: guided mountain walking with a steady rhythm and deep immersion in wild landscapes.
• Moderate pace (5–17 km per day)
• Varied terrain across valleys, plateaus, and ancient paths
• Two optional yoga sessions for stretching and recovery
What you’ll experience
A week shaped by mountain rhythm: yoga in the morning, guided walks through preserved nature, nourishing meals, and time to slow down — surrounded by oak forests, rivers and granite peaks.
- Yoga sessions that build strength, flexibility, and balance
- Guided walks through oak forests, streams, and ancient Roman bridges
- High mountain peaks, granite crags, and wide open plateaus
- Waterfalls and clear pools of pure mountain water
- Mountain hamlets, old watermills, medieval churches, and local heritage
- Quiet time to rest, read, swim in the river, or simply do nothing
- A small group, guided with care, presence, and attention
The landscape: Serra da Peneda (Peneda-Gerês National Park)
In the northwest of Peneda-Gerês National Park, Serra da Peneda is a dramatic world of granite mountains, green meadows, oak forests and river valleys carved by waterfalls. This is a place of rare biodiversity and timeless human traces — Roman bridges, mountain paths, and stone villages that still follow the pace of nature.
Your base — Ecotura Nature Resort
You’ll stay in João Alvo — a tiny stone hamlet in the Laboreiro valley, restored into warm and comfortable guest houses. It’s quiet, intimate, and surrounded by forest, with the most magnificent mountain views in the morning, when the rising sun lights up the landscape
- Stone houses with comfort and character
- A studio near the forest with panoramic views
- Peaceful grounds for rest, immersed in nature
- Coffee, tea and fruit always available
Holiday Highlights
A simple, grounded week — shaped by mountain rhythm, good food, and guided time outdoors.
- Guided hikes refined over 20+ years, personally led by Anabela
- Guided yoga sessions (6 in the standard week / 3 in the short week)
- Dramatic granite scenery and well-preserved oak forests
- Waterfalls, rivers, and clear natural pools
- Mountain hamlets, Roman bridges and medieval heritage
- Wildlife traces and a true sense of wilderness
- Base-stay comfort: no packing or daily transfers
- Delicious, natural and nourishing meals, rooted in family tradition.
How the week flows
Most days combine guided hiking with yoga sessions designed to support the body before or after time on the trail. One mid-week free afternoon allows time to recover, explore locally, or simply enjoy the mountain setting.
If you’d like the full detail, you can view the day-by-day itinerary below.
Standard week (Saturday–Saturday)
Saturday — Arrival & settling in — Arrival at the venue for a welcome briefing, followed by time to rest and a shared evening meal.
Sunday — First mountain trails — Morning yoga, followed by a guided half-day walk and a visit to the National Park reception centre.
Monday — Valleys, water & rhythm — Morning yoga, followed by a full-day walk through the surrounding landscapes, and plenty of time to relax before dinner.
Tuesday — Water, trails & options — Morning yoga, followed by a walk with the option to swim in the river before lunch, plus an optional afternoon walk or time to relax.
Wednesday — Castle & local exploration — Morning yoga, followed by a climb to the castle and a visit to the Castro Laboreiro Museum, with a free afternoon to rest or explore at your own pace.
Thursday — Deep nature immersion — Morning yoga, followed by a full-day walk immersed in wild landscapes, with plenty of time to relax before dinner.
Friday — Closing walk & farewell evening — Morning yoga, followed by a final guided hike, ending with a relaxed farewell dinner.
Saturday — Departure — Breakfast at the venue and transfer to the airport.
Short week (Saturday–Wednesday)
Saturday — Arrival & settling in — Arrival at the venue for a welcome briefing, followed by time to rest and a shared evening meal.
Sunday — First mountain trails — Morning yoga, followed by a guided half-day walk and a visit to the National Park reception centre.
Monday — Valleys, water & rhythm — Morning yoga, followed by a full-day walk through the surrounding landscapes, and plenty of time to relax before dinner.
Tuesday — Water, trails & options — Morning yoga, followed by a walk with the option to swim in the river before lunch, plus an optional afternoon walk or time to relax.
Wednesday — Breakfast & departure — Breakfast at the venue and transfer to the airport.
What's included
Included — Standard week
- 7 nights’ accommodation
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day
- Coffee, tea and fruit always available
- 6 guided yoga sessions
- Guided walks: 3 full-day + 3 half-day
- 2 optional short walks
- Local heritage visits (castle / museum / park centre)
- Small group experience
Included — Short week
- 4 nights’ accommodation
- Meals from Saturday dinner to Wednesday breakfast
- Coffee, tea and fruit always available
- 3 guided yoga sessions
- 3 guided walks
- Small group experience
Not included (both formats)
- Flights
- Personal expenses
- Airport transfer (available as an add-on: €65 each way / €125 return)
Pratical information
- Nearest airport: Porto (OPO)
- Pick-up: Saturdays, approx. 15:30
- Return: Saturday (standard week) or Wednesday morning (short week)
Dates & availability
- Season: early April to late November (Saturday to Saturday).
- Short week available on selected dates (Saturday to Wednesday).
Tell me your preferred week and room type, and I’ll confirm availability.
Price guide
Standard week: €1490–€1665 (depending on room type).
Short week: €1080–€1180 (depending on room type).
Not sure if this is the right week for you?
Message me your dates and your walking level — I’ll tell you if this retreat is the best fit, and help you choose the right rhythm.