Rock Art of Portugal & Spain19th May 2025
From:$4,810
Summary
Cave Art without the caves
As an immense open-air gallery, the Côa Valley is blessed with more than a thousand rock art depictions, identified in more than 80 different sites, with predominance of Paleolithic engravings, executed around 30,000 years ago. This is a rare opportunity to visit rock art away from the beaten tourist trail, across the Spanish/Portuguese border region, in unspoiled countryside. Set within the peaceful valley of the Côa river, surrounded by rolling hills, and vineyards, the engravings were only discovered 20 years ago when they were about to be drowned as part of a huge dam project. An international outcry saved the rock art for prosperity. It is not only the largest outdoor collection of Palaeolithic images, but also, the only known place where rock art from the Upper Paleolithic (c2400 BCE) through to historical times is found together. There is an interesting comparison with the Spanish site at Siega Verde just across the border.
What to Expect
- Explore the most remarkable open-air ensemble of Palaeolithic art on the Iberian Peninsula
- Stay two nights in Porto, enjoying its old-world charm and UNESCO heritage status
- Enjoy a lovely rail trip along the valley of the Foz Coa on the MiraDuoro train
Day by Day Itinerary
Porto
Meet the group at our hotel in Porto.
Meals inlcudedDinner