PERMACULTURE NATURE RETREAT
2020 DATES TBA

Relax in nature and learn about gardening and sustainable living

Surrounded by the protection of giant oak trees, our off-grid land is a sanctuary for trees and people alike, minutes away from the ocean.

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When we finished building our new kitchen in the Spring of 2019 we realised our Permaculture site had reached new heights. Ready to host more than Permaculture Design Courses, we have decided to host nature retreats for alternative travellers looking for a learning holiday.

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In-line with Terra Alta’s mission of offering life-education programs our permaculture retreat is designed to bring people in close touch with nature through various guided educational activities including an introduction to Permaculture principles and ethics, learning how to harvest and cook food from our gardens, how to ferment vegetables and make bread, making your own zero waste cosmetics and more. Read our WHAT'S INCLUDED section below for a full list of activities and services offered during the retreat.

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We are not an eco-tourism site but a Permaculture Education Centre, dedicated to facilitating the growth of self-sustainability through education and the enhancement of our demonstration site.

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It's part of community culture to share the responsibility of cooking and keeping communal spaces clean. We consider this work "karma yoga" i.e. the "yoga of action" because the action of feeding and taking care of a community's health and wellbeing is greater than ourselves. Participants to the Permaculture Nature Retreat will engage in karma yoga. This daily act of service is an act of selflessness which promotes community. 

COST

For a Canvas Bell Tent

Individual price = 500 euros  

Couples' price = 750 euros

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For a 2-person Camping Tent

Individual price = 350 euros  

Couples' price = 500 euros

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Please see the ACCOMMODATION section below for photos of tents.

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Deposit = 200 euros (you pay this upon booking and the remainder in cash afterwards)

**For 9 days (including the arrival and departure dates)/8 nights of activities, food, & accommodation.​

WHAT'S INCLUDED

ACCOMMODATION

Camping on site. We have canvas bell tents as well as regular 2-person camping tents (please see the COSTS for individuals and couples listed above).

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The campsite is a semi-wild area where we have created level terraces among the trees, mushrooms, and stones for people to pitch their tents out of view from the rest of the garden.

ACTIVITIES

We have a list of activities, spread out over the week, organized by our crew members for you to enjoy while here.

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• Guided nature walks on the land

• Introduction to our Permaculture projects (guided walk around the site) 

• Zero waste cosmetics workshop

• Farm your own food - harvesting and cooking

• Fermentation workshop

• Wine tasting

• Bread making

• Games room with ping pong table​

• Space for stretching and physical wellbeing

• And of course, we are here to ask if you need any recommendations for visiting the surrounding area​

FOOD

From Farm to Table! 

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We provide vegetarian ingredients sourced from our gardens or from local producers. We have a wonderful kitchen with many amenities that guests may use to prepare delicious meals, as pictured here. (Please note, we don't have a fridge).

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Breakfast will be prepared by the crew and served, buffet style, with tea and coffee. 

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Lunches and dinners will mostly be prepared together, by guests and hosts. The hosts will guide the cooking experience, with an introduction to the kitchen garden, ingredients and kitchen amenities. Other times, guests may prepare their own food.

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If you are celiac, gluten intolerant, or vegan please inform us in the "Anything we should know?" field of the registration form and we can arrange special ingredients for you (at an extra cost).

SERVICES

• We pick you up from the town nearest to us, Ulgueira, the day of your arrival. We are well connected from Sintra by local bus.  

• Picnic basket provided - we have picnic baskets for you to borrow and blankets for your trips to the beach.

• We can arrange the following external activities for you if you let us know in advance (not included in cost of retreat but separate):

  • Massage​

  • Alternative therapies

  • Surfing lessons

  • Guided nature walk in Sintra's forests

FACILITIES

These are the list of on-site facilities we have

• Compost flush toilets (porcelain toilets) + toilet paper

• Solar & gas powered showers + biological soaps

• Community kitchen

• Social Spaces:​

  • Zen house for quiet contemplation or meditation

  • A glasshouse cafe for doing work using technology or journaling

  • The stone circle where we gather and occasionally have fires at night

• Camping Site surrounded by birds and old cork trees

• Internet (limited)

• For laundry, there is a nice laundromat in the neighbouring town where we also do all our laundry

• First aid kit

• Fire extinguishers

• We have mobile phone reception (good signal only in certain spots)

POINTS OF INTEREST

Attractions around Terra Alta

There are lots of magical places to explore around Terra Alta. Dramatic cliffs, an extensive forest, beaches galore including Praia Adraga and Praia Ursa (both more or less a 30 minute walk from us), Cabo da Roca - Europe's westernmost point, a weekend-market with all sorts of food and wares, and a couple of artisanal pizza places.

MEET OUR TEAM