Cara Creek Eco Lodge

Cara Creek Eco Lodge is located in Central Portugal, nestled in the foothills of the Serra da Estrela Mountain Range, where the Seia River meets the Mondego River. We are an off-grid eco lodge located directly on the banks of the River Seia, we also host a variety of retreats as well as residential and non-residential courses - all immersed in our beautiful and natural setting. We also host a variety of weekly classes, retreats as well as residential and non-residential courses - all immersed in our beautiful and natural setting.

Self Defence Course - 21st June Back to Nature Yoga retreat - 10th July 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training - 16th July Restorative and Yin Retreat - 28th July Portuguese Immersion Weekend - 31st August

Our unique accommodations and facilities are all inspired-by-nature designs, and have been built and renovated using sustainable architecture techniques and with natural building materials. Some of our facilities include a natural swimming pool (filtered by plants, a UV filter, and a sand filter), a wood burning hot tub, an outdoor gym that overlooks the valley, a river front yoga deck, a private river beach, a library with a variety of books to borrow or swap, and a cafe/restaurant. We also have paddle boards and bicycles on site available for rent. Ashley is a qualified yoga instructor and guides yoga classes many times per week at Cara Creek Eco Lodge that guests are welcome to join. Rory guides a fitness circuit a couple of times per week as well. The project has been constructed with respect for and complements to the natural beauty of the property. We continue to work to optimise the beautiful piece of paradise to its potential with permaculture principles in mind. We grow lots of our own fruit and veggies, raise chickens for fresh eggs and poultry, raise pigs for pork, and raise goats for milk and cheese. We use most of our own grown and raised produce in our kitchen/cafe and if we do not grow it or raise it ourselves, we source from the most local and organic source as possible. Our intention is to be fully self-sustainable. We maintain a low carbon footprint by being completely off-grid. Our lodge uses fire wood sourced from our land in our wood oven for cooking and to heat water for showers, and the gorgeous wood fired hot tub. Electricity is powered by solar, and we're fortunate to have our own mountain spring for drinking water. From the natural swimming pool, which uses plants to filter the water, to the communal spaces and accommodations, each has been meticulously thought out. Please note that we also have 4 lovely dogs and 1 cool cat as pets on site, who are all super friendly.

The surroundings of Cara Creek Eco Lodge offer not only beautiful views in nature, but also the deep richness of the regional Portuguese culture. 5 minutes by foot from Cara Creek Eco Lodge to have the unmissable opportunity to see a derelict water mill set in the banks of the Seia River. If you're lucky, you might even get the chance to see the shepherd and his sheep passing or grazing in the local pastures. Whilst having a coffee and a typical pastry in one of the quaint villages of Ervedal da Beira or Azenha, you can't help but notice the region's culture and close-knit community. By sitting and having a chat with the locals in the cafe, you'll soon get a feel for the authenticity of both the people and the lifestyle that remain palpable here in the Beiras Region. You will soon become accustomed to the way of life and enjoy the innate tranquility that is forever present in the surrounding Portuguese villages. Nearby tours offer an opportunity to further immerse yourself in the native atmosphere that the area has so well preserved. Some include a visit to one of the regional cheese factories or a local olive museum. If you are a wine lover, maybe a visit to one of the local wineries is best suited for you. It will give you the opportunity to gain more insight into the long-lived wine making process that the community has used for generations, plus enjoy a taste! Or if you prefer an outdoor adventure, perhaps a mountain bike or paddle board tour would be a better option for you. Regardless of the tour chosen, you will undoubtedly gain more insight into the rural Portuguese way of life, and see first-hand how the small agricultural businesses still manage to thrive today. Plus, you'll get to see more of the gorgeous Beira Region.

Three towns that are maximum 20-30 minutes away include Tabua, Oliveira do Hospital, Carregal do Sal. Coimbra and Viseu are just 45 minutes to one hour away, and smaller villages such as Ervedal da Beira, Vila do Mato, Azenha, Fiais da Beira, and Midoes are just 5-10 minutes away with quaint cafes and communities.

We are completely off-grid and try to be as eco-friendy and sustainable as possible. We have a small farm and permaculture garden that provide us with tasty, fresh and organic produce which we use in our cafe/restaurant on site.

Glamping, compost toilets, shared showers