Following your arrival in Lisbon you will be met by your local representative and transferred to your first night’s accommodation in the village of Marvão (approx 2.5 hrs). Marvão is an enchanting village set on top of a granite mountain and the village is a world heritage site. Its imposing fortified walls encircle the mountain on which it sits. Here your representative will set up your hire bikes, should you be hiring, and talk you through your maps, notes and GPS routes to make sure everything is clear for the week ahead.

• Meals: Breakfast

You’ll start the day descending from Marvão, making your way to the historical town of Castelo de Vide surrounded by awe-inspiring granite landscapes. Castelo de Vide is well worth a visit, and we recommend exploring on foot. Back on your bikes the route then leads you to the biggest river on the Iberian peninsula, the River Tejo. As the day unfolds you will ride through beautiful countryside as you make your way alongside a reservoir, passing the village of Nisa, to finally meet the river in Vila Velha de Rodão, as it flows through a big stone gorge.

The River Tejo bisects the country from north to south and there are noticeable differences between the two sides of the river – the locals’ appearances and accents, as well as the architecture and the food all demonstrate the distinctions in culture found here. Your hotel in town provides rooms with amazing views of the river, the town and its surrounding meadows.

• Meals: Breakfast

Beginning this morning on the north side of the river, your route will take you through tranquil farmland and along undulating country roads. You’ll gradually wind your way up to the village of Idanha-a-Nova, another hilltop village and your destination for the evening. Your accommodation for the evening will be a peaceful country hotel, offering blissful relaxation; it’s the perfect way to relax after a day’s pedallin’!

• Meals: Breakfast

Today offers you a relatively relaxed ride through peaceful landscapes. This morning you’ll be riding on flatter, wider roads through agricultural land. For the majority of the day you will have these quiet roads to yourselves, with the untouched landscape stretching off in the distance.

One of the day’s highlights is the Roman village of Idanha-a-Velha (Egitania in Roman times) which was home to many different civilizations stretching back before the Romans invaded. You can still experience its historical wealth through the Roman remains, columns and tiled floors. The old Roman oil press deserves a visit!

But the cherry on top of the cake is still to come at the end of a great day in the saddle. Monsanto is 850m above sea level and is known in the country as “the most Portuguese village of Portugal”. The 360 degree views from the castle on the top are breathtaking! Monsanto is a jewel of tradition with its houses built around, over and below the large granite boulders. You’ll spend the night in a small, recently-renovated hotel in the village. Make sure you allow yourself time to explore Monsanto’s tight cobbled streets and marvel at the views from the castle up top.

• Meals: Breakfast

You’ll start the day descending from Monsanto to the plateau below. Cycling on quiet narrow roads you’ll eventually reach the foothill of Penamacor, another historical village. After this, you’ll head into a large valley between the remote Malcata mountains and the high Estrela mountains, and you’ll meander through agricultural fields on relatively flat land.

On the last part of today’s ride there’s a cheeky climb, as you ascend up a steep hill to take you to the historical village of Sortelha which stands at the top of the hill. Together with Sabugal, Sortelha is an icon of medieval history in the region. Its surrounding castle and stone houses allow you to take a leap into the past. You’ll spend the night in a small, traditional stone house in the village.

• Meals: Breakfast

Today you have a short and relaxed ride to allow plenty of time to visit Sabugal and spend the afternoon in the hotel spa at the end of the day.

Your first stop on the ride, will be Sabugal, famed for its fascinating castle, boasting a pentagonal centre stone tower. From Sabugal, your route meanders through tranquil landscapes on quiet narrow roads. You’ll end the day at your hotel, a modern facility built to rehabilitate the once very famous thermal waters, which provide the most relaxing treats you can think of after 5 days in the saddle. The indoor warm water swimming pool is a must, and watching the sun setting over the imposing granite landscapes through the wide glass windows, you’ll be completely relaxed.

• Meals: Breakfast

Your final day’s cycling covers the Planalto Beirão, the north-eastern high plateau, offering spectacular views throughout the day. After reaching the plateau, today’s ride is a more gentle one offering plenty of opportunities to explore the fortified towns and villages which have grown up around the region’s many castles.

Almeida, your final destination, is considered to be the jewel in the area’s crown, emblematic of the area’s architecture and historical influences. Your home for the night is a beautiful pousada which offers a great place to relax and reminisce over your journey through this beautiful and dramatic corner of Portugal.

• Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast you will be met by your local representative to begin the journey back to the airport for your flights home (4 hour transfer). Please note, due to the length of the transfer, pickup from your hotel in Almeida must be between 08.45 am and 12 pm.