Rewilding adventure in Portugal
Portugal trip | 6 days, 5 nights | 8 guests max | Hotel & All meals included | £1,750 per person
Join our team and take part in the transformation of our land in the Mira basin, from degraded landscape back into a thriving native ecosystem. This trip is a one of a kind opportunity to learn from Mossy Earth’s biologists on the ground, from wildlife tracking to habitat restoration.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome
Our team will pick you up in Odemira or Funcheira and drive you to your hotel so you can settle in.
Gather for a welcome meeting and dinner to introduce the week.
Day 2: Eucalyptus Project Tour & Animal Tracking
Join one of our biologists for an introduction to our rewilding hub. Embark on a guided tour of our eucalyptus project, understanding the history of this invasive species and how we’re managing it.
Enjoy a picnic at a local horse ranch, then go on an exciting animal tracking workshop with our biologist.
Day 3: Kayaking & Birdwatching
Embark on a guided kayak tour along the Mira river with one of our biologists, who will show you the land from another point of view.
Enjoy a birdwatching tour on land to spot local and migratory birds.
Day 4: Hiking & Nature Restoration
Hike around the land we purchased with our project manager, who will explain all our current and future projects.
(Optional) Participate in nature restoration interventions.
Relax with a coffee break at a charming local chocolate factory. After dark, enjoy a magical stargazing workshop under clear Alentejo skies.
Day 5: Visit the Coast & Botanical Walk
Embark on a botanical walk with one of our biologists along the beautiful coast, learning about native and invasive species along the path.
Visit our tree nursery. Optional hands-work (e.g. repotting tree saplings).
Share stories and highlights during a farewell dinner with the team.
Day 6: Relax & Depart
Enjoy a final relaxed morning at your own pace.
Depart any time.
What’s included
We’ve put together a trip package so you don’t have to worry about anything once you’re in Odemira. The only thing you have to do is get there!
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5 nights in a 4-star traditional farmhouse
Shared twin room. Solo travellers will share a room with someone else (same gender)
If you’re travelling with someone, you can be placed in the same room
Heated swimming pool
Daily housekeeping
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Breakfast every morning at the hotel
Packed lunch prepared for you with local ingredients
Dinners served at the hotel
One dinner at a local restaurant with ocean views
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Daily workshops with conservation biologists, so you leave with a heap of knowledge on rewilding science and techniques, and a full overview of the Mira basin ecosystem. Some examples:
Birdwatching tour
Animal tracking tour
Botanical tour
Kayak tour
We also believe you will learn a ton by spending the week with biologists and project managers, who will take the time to share their stories and experience, and answer any questions you may have about nature restoration
Take part in rewilding interventions (e.g. planting trees, removing invasive species, monitor native species…)
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Pick up upon your arrival from the local train or bus station
Daily trainsportation during the trip
Drop off to the local train or bus station at your departure
Transport to Odemira is NOT INCLUDED (e.g. flights, buses or trains) and will need to be arranged by yourself
Where you’ll stay
You will stay at a traditional farmhouse set in Odemira’s charming landscape. It features an outdoor pool nestled in the hills and olive trees.
Getting there
Organising your trip doesn’t have to be daunting. There are lots of ways to get to Odemira. If you have any further queries, please get in touch!
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If you’re travelling from another country into Portugal, we can meet at the Lisbon airport or train station, where we will pick you up and drive you to Odemira.
To get to Lisbon, we suggest you look at coaches or trains, there are lots of options from France or Spain for example. If that doesn’t work, you can find flights to Lisbon airport.
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If you live in Portugal or want to spend more time there (which we definitely recommend!), you can:
Meet us at Lisbon airport or train station, where we will pick you up and drive to Odemira altogether
Take a bus to Odemira. There are several companies like Rede Expressos that sell bus tickets to Odemira bus station from Porto, Lisbon, Faro…
Take a train to the Funcheira train station, then a short taxi ride to the accommodation. You will find trains departing from major cities in Portugal like Lisbon or Faro
Rent a car and drive straight to our accommodation in Odemira
Your trip funds rewilding projects
10% of the trip revenue goes back directly to Mossy Earth’s projects on the ground. As we hire local guides, you help us show nature conservation can contribute to the local economy.
Meet your guides
Meet the wonderful team of humans who will spend the week with you, sharing their knowledge and passion for nature.
What to expect
Get a feel for what you will experience with us during this week.
Pick your dates
If the trip you wanted to join has sold out, register to the waiting list and we’ll contact you when we open up new spots.
By booking you agree to the trip Terms and Conditions.By booking you agree to the trip Terms and Conditions.By booking you agree to the trip Terms and Conditions.❊ FAQs
You’ve got questions,
we’ve got answers
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This trip is for anyone who loves nature and wants to learn more about rewilding techniques to restore natural ecosystems. Many guests say one of the reasons they join the trip is to meet other, like-minded people.
Our trips are made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2, with most in their 30s - 50s.
We will be doing moderate physical activities, like hikes in nature and kayaking. Please make sure you are physically fit to participate in these activities.
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Of course! Many people join as solo travellers and make friends along the way.
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If you are a European Union citizen, you do not need a VISA. Just make sure you bring a valid ID with you.
If you are a non-EU citizen, you may need a VISA that can last up to 90 days. Please check the requirements for your nationality.
You will also need a valid passport. That is, your passport should have been issued in the last 10 years and should be valid until the end of your stay plus 3 months.
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There is no mandatory vaccine requirement to travel to Portugal.
You can check the CDC recommendations here: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/portugal
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Yes. We require all guests on our trips to book their own travel insurance.
Your travel insurance must provide protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation or repatriation, your personal items, and the specific activities planned in this trip.
To get travel insurance, you can first check if your credit card company offers anything. Otherwise, you can check online for travel insurers.
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If you would like to cancel your trip, please notify us by email.
You may be entitled to a refund, as set out below:
Under UK law, if you purchase goods or services from us online, you have the right to cancel your order within 14 days without providing a reason. In this case, we will issue a full refund
If you cancel more than 24 weeks before the scheduled start date for the trip, we will refund you 75% of the Trip Price you have paid us;
If you cancel less than 24 weeks before the Trip Date, but more than 12 weeks before the Trip Date, we will refund you 50% of the Trip Price you have paid us;
If you cancel less than 12 weeks before the Trip Date, we will not provide you a refund.
We may issue a voucher or refund if we can find someone else to take your spot, in which case we will charge you a £50 administrative fee.
Note that if your cancellation is within the terms of your travel insurance policy, you may be able to make a claim.
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All our staff is certified in first aid, and we maintain a small number of guests per trip for close supervision. Every day, our team runs through risk assessment checklists to ensure we have all the equipment needed and are ready in case of any emergency. We will also ask you to tell us about any allergies and medical needs so that we can ensure your safety.
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We pick the dates for our trips to optimise for the best weather forecast. However, in case of rain or extreme heat, we have alternate activities planned. We appreciate your understanding as we adapt to Mother Earth. We’ll communicate any schedule changes via Whatsapp. Don’t worry - we’ll find a way to have fun!
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You will be sharing a room with someone else on the trip.
The rooms are spacious and will include two single beds, so you have a bed each. You will share a bathroom with the other person.
If you are travelling with someone you know, you can ask us to share the same room in the enrolment form after you’ve booked.
If you are a solo traveller, we will pair you with someone of the same gender and similar age.
If you feel really uncomfortable sharing your room, please reach out to us and we may be able to arrange a private room for an extra fee.
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A generous breakfast buffet, sweet and savoury, will be served every day at the hotel
A packed lunch will be provided by the hotel
A dinner will be served at the hotel. On one evening, we will go to a local’s favourite restaurant by the sea
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We recommend bringing the following:
T-shirts you feel comfortable walking and kayaking in
Jumpers for the evening and chill days
Shorts
Long trousers, to hike
Closed shoes, to hike
Swimming suit, for kayaking
Sunscreen
Sunglasses and hat
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The hotel provides free WiFi. During the activities in nature, you may not always have phone service depending on your provider.