Yoga Retreat in Oleiros

What You'll Do

Take 7 nights out for yourself on this unique yoga holiday that will take you away from hectic life and let you reconnect with nature; tucked into the mountains of central Portugal, this oasis of tranquility is a yogi's delight with daily yoga held in a stunning glass shala overlooking the valley.

It would be impossible not to unwind and rejuvenate during your 7 night / 8 day stay at this majestic mountain hide away. With daily yoga, 3 workshops, natural river water to swim in, books to delve into and long abandoned villages to explore, this retreat offers so much more than just yoga.

Each morning you will start off with a wonderful energising yoga session, followed by a fantastic breakfast. Your days will be filled with time to take a new path through the woods, find a new natural swimming spot, join in on a workshop, or treat yourself to a massage. There is plenty to do and to peak your interest, and each day you can discover something new.

Throughout your stay on this unique yoga holiday, your hosts will be there to look after your every need and your tutors will help you utilise your body to the best of its ability with new techniques and practices. You will feel the difference in yourself immediately, and relaxation will come back to you in waves.

All meals are included and have been thoughtfully planned using only the best of what can be scoured locally; all meals will be vegetarian, but designed to make you feel amazing while getting maximum flavours; and by all means, help yourself to seconds. Their food has become so beloved, that there are even extra cookbooks on hand should you want to take some of the dishes home with you.

The accommodation, you will have 4 options to choose from, comes equipped with everything you’ll need, including cosy beds, dressers, electricity and WiFi (in the majority of options). Those of you who are lucky enough to book a belle tent will be able to unzip and have the night sky over you too.

Everything has been planned to coexist with the beautiful natural landscape, while creating comfort, but environmentally sound – even down to the river-fed plunge pool. No large inground pools on this mountain, and in 45 minutes you can walk to the deep river for a proper swim.

Experience
Highlights

Set in a stunning natural environment of mountains, valleys, forests and rivers.

Daily yoga, 3 workshops & natural river pools.

Price inclusive of all meals, accommodation, tuition, plus a massage.

Experience Itinerary

Arrival

Arrive at Oleiros, where your hosts will pick you up and bring you to the retreat. Relax, make yourself at home, and meet some of the others during a welcome dinner.

Accommodation

The property
– Natural river-fed plunge pool
– Trails galore for exploring, along with rivers for a great swim
– Private rooms for treatments and massages
– WiFi in almost all accommodation
– Check in upon arrival on Day 1, check out by 8am on day 7

There are various accommodation options at the retreat which all suit all budgets and requirements; each one varies in facilities offered and price and is subject to availability.

Please note: no ensuite rooms are offered at this retreat but there are several toilets and bathrooms around the site so you are never far from one

Soulpad bell tents – private and shared rooms
– There are 6 delightful Soulpad bell tents with either single, double or twin mahogany beds, drawers, carpets, electricity, hot water bottles, blankets, towels, mosquito nets and sun loungers, hammocks and solar outside
– These are located in a quiet valley with the best views of the sunsets and stars at night
– These have access to an outdoor shower and wooden cabin toilets

Stone house cottages – shared rooms (price on request)
– This cottage has 4 single beds and is surrounded by olive trees and newly planted fruit orchards
– Inside, it is open plan (no internal doors) over 3 floors with a single bed on the mezzanine over the kitchen, a single bed on the ground floor, and twin beds on the first floor
– Bathroom access is in a small building just outside, which used to be the kitchen but now houses a new shower and a dry toilet
– The fully equipped kitchen is perfect for you to prepare early morning and night time teas
– Just below the cottage, there is a plunge pool fed from the cold running stream, essential for cooling off in the heat of the summer retreats

A Typical Day

7:00 – Courtyard opens for tea, fresh fruit and nuts
7:00 – 10:00 – Self Practice, massage treatments available
10:00 – 10:45 – Breakfast
11:00 – 12:30 – Led Yoga Class, massage treatments available
13:00 – 14:00 – Lunch
14:30 – 16:00 – Free time, massage treatments available
17:00 – 18:00 – Workshops (selected days)
19:00 – Dinner
– Saturday evening: party with music and dancing

Accommodation

Your chosen room at the retreat.

Departure

The coaches to Porto and Lisbon depart at 8am so your transfer will leave in time for their departure.

Oleiros

Location Information

You’ll find this tranquil yoga retreat nestled in the forested foothills of the Serra da Estrela mountains, just a coach ride away from both Lisbon and Porto near the town of Oleiros.

Stay in traditional stone houses, a farmhouse or bell tents as you take in the mountain views, sunshine, natural river pools, and delicious organic food.

The nearest airports are Lisbon (2 hours by car, 3.5 hours by coach) and Porto (2 hours by car, 3.5 hours by coach).

Your hosts recommend flying into Lisbon or Porto on the Friday or Saturday if you can, and enjoy a day or 2 in those charming cities or by the beach before heading up to the retreat in the mountains on the Sunday afternoon coaches. Full details and directions will be given upon booking and more information is provided in the FAQs below.

FAQs

- This yoga holiday is suitable for all levels; beginners are more than welcome, as well as those who have experience to grow and share
- Children under 18 are half price
- Children under 12 come for free

- These yoga holidays run every Sunday to Sunday from March to October
- Yoga holidays are for 7 nights / 8 days
- If you wish to stay for extra nights, your hosts advise you to stay in Porto or Lisbon, to be able to take advantage of the transfer on your check out day

- The day starts with warming tea, fruit, and nuts, followed by yoga class
- After yoga, you’ll enjoy a hearty breakfast of rice, millet, quinoa or oat porridge, with fruit salad, toasted nuts and seeds, and freshly squeezed juices
- Lunch is the biggest meal of the day, when stomachs are best able to digest
- Dinners are light to help encourage a deep sleep
- Food is plentiful, prepared thoughtfully, and is a fusion of fresh locally sourced ingredients, spices and flavours; rich in pulses and grains, low in salt, with honey from local wild bees used in place of sugar
- If you have dietary requests, these must be communicated to us at the time of booking

- Explore the surrounding areas by foot, by bike or by car, and marvel at both the views and the stonework of the river and terrace walls that seem to go on forever in all directions
- A 10 minute steep hike up the hill is the picturesque village of Amieira; complete with great views north, an old church, and a café that opens only when you bang on the doors
- Within a half hour walk you can discover the abandoned villages of Eira de Miguel and Felgueiras, with houses built in the 17th Century, complete with stunning views over the Rio Zêzere
- Within 30 minutes by car you can be in Álvaro, Oleiros, Orvalho, Cambas, or Estreito - all of which have cafés, restaurants, shops and more of the rich traditional Portuguese rural culture to experience

All guests arrive at the retreat by coach from Porto or Lisbon. The nearest bus station is Oleiros (if travelling from Lisbon), where your hosts will meet you and bring you to the retreat.

From Lisbon: The coach departs at 1.30pm from Lisbon. The Sete Rios coach station in Lisbon is a 15 minute shuttle bus, metro or taxi ride from both the airport and city centre. You’ll be picked up in Oleiros at 5pm.

From Porto: The coach departs at 4:30pm from Porto. The Porto coach station is a 25 minute train ride into the centre from the airport. The trip from Porto has 1 change in Coimbra and you’ll be picked up in Sertã at 7.45pm.

Return:
Return coach is Saturday 8am from Oleiros to both Lisbon and Porto arriving midday. Best to choose evening flights home on Saturday, or stay a night there and fly home Sunday.

* Coach timetable (only visible a week in advance), prices and tickets can be found here: https://www.rede-expressos.pt/

There are various accommodation options at the retreat which suit all budgets and requirements; each one varies in facilities offered and price and is subject to availability.

Please note: no ensuite rooms are offered at this retreat but there are several toilets and bathrooms around the site so you are never far from one

Soul Pad Bell Tents - private and shared rooms
- There are 6 delightful soul pad bell tents with either single, double or twin mahogany beds, drawers, carpets, electricity, hot water bottles, blankets, towels, mosquito nets and sun loungers, hammocks and solar outside
- These are located in a quiet valley with the best views of the sunsets and stars at night
- These have access to an outdoor shower and wooden cabin toilets

Stone House Cottages - shared rooms (price on request)
- This cottage has 4 single beds and is surrounded by olive trees and newly planted fruit orchards
- Inside, it is open plan (no internal doors) over 3 floors with a single bed on the mezzanine over the kitchen, a single bed on the ground floor, and twin beds on the first floor
- Bathroom access is in a small building just outside, which used to be the kitchen but now houses a new shower and a dry toilet
- The fully equipped kitchen is perfect for you to prepare early morning and night time teas
- Just below the cottage, there is a plunge pool fed from the cold running stream, essential for cooling off in the heat of the summer retreats

From £908 pp