An Immersive Wellbeing Journey in Central Portugal

7 – 11 November 2026

As autumn settles into the valley—mist threading through cork oaks, mushrooms emerging in quiet corners—we invite you into a different kind of retreat. One rooted not in doing, but in remembering.

This is a gathering for those who feel the pull of the wilder seasons: those who want to walk slowly through misty forests, learn the language of mushrooms, and return home with something deeper than a full camera roll.

Over five days, the forest becomes your guide. Mornings begin slowly, with gentle somatic movement and mindful practices to awaken the body and settle the mind. Days unfold outdoors: mindful walks led by Chanan, a Buddhist psychotherapist who weaves presence and awareness into every step. You’ll explore seasonal fungi with experienced foragers, learn about ethical harvesting and preparation, and work with seasonal herbs in simple herbal remedy-making sessions.

Forest Bathing in Buçaco’s Certified Healing Forest

We’ll take a special journey to Buçaco National Forest, the first certified Healing Forest in the Iberian Peninsula. 

Here, surrounded by an extraordinary diversity of trees and plants, we’ll experience a guided forest bathing practice inspired by shinrin-yoku—slowing down, opening the senses and reconnecting with the living landscape.

This is not about walking a particular distance or reaching a destination. It is an invitation to pause, listen, breathe and experience the forest through sight, sound, smell, touch and presence.

A day to leave the noise behind and allow the forest to become a place of connection, restoration and deep rest.

Evenings gather around the fire—gong journeys with Jarek, cacao ceremonies, and the quiet of dusk settling over the valley. Between it all, there is space to simply be.

What awaits you is not a packed itinerary. It is an unhurried homecoming to your own rhythms, guided by the land and two facilitators who have spent years learning to listen to it.

Your Journey

Find Your Way Back to Presence

Chanan’s background as a Buddhist psychotherapist infuses every walk and gathering with gentle mindfulness. You’ll be invited to slow your steps, notice what’s beneath your feet, and let the forest’s quiet work its way into your senses and awareness. These are not simply hikes—they are opportunities to pause, reconnect and reset.

Walk with Experienced Foragers

Chanan and Jarek will guide you in exploring the seasonal fungi and plants of the surrounding forests. Together, you’ll learn to recognise, ethically harvest and appreciate wild fungi—including seasonal varieties such as porcini, chanterelles and hedgehog mushrooms, where conditions allow.

You’ll also discover simple ways to process and prepare what you find, bringing the forest’s seasonal abundance to your table.

Forest Bathing in Buçaco

We’ll take a special day trip to the ancient Buçaco Forest, a recognised healing forest with an extraordinary diversity of trees and plants.

Through a guided forest-bathing experience, you’ll be invited to slow down, listen, breathe and engage your senses. No destination, no performance—just time spent in relationship with the forest.

Make Herbal Remedies to Take Home

Work with seasonal herbs to create your own simple herbal preparations and remedies. No prior experience is needed—just curiosity and willing hands.

Rest Deeply

Mornings offer gentle movement and mindful practices to awaken the body. Evenings bring gong journeys, cacao and fire. Forest walks ask nothing of you but your presence.

There will also be unstructured time to journal, wander, read, lie in a hammock or simply listen to the river.

Your Sanctuary: Blue Morpho House

Nestled in the valleys of Central Portugal, Blue Morpho House is a restored stone quinta where the land itself becomes your companion. Cork oaks, olive groves and forest surround you. The river runs nearby.

In late autumn, the air carries the scent of damp earth and woodsmoke—a sensory invitation to slow down and drop in.

Group size is intimately limited to 12 participants. This is not a conference. It is a small circle of people coming together to learn, explore and rest.

Your Guides

Chanan is a Buddhist psychotherapist, community herbalist, yoga teacher and master gong player. She brings together deep experience in mindfulness, nature connection and forest bathing, guiding participants into a gentle, receptive relationship with the land. Her approach weaves therapeutic presence with earth-based wisdom, creating space for both learning and deep rest.

Jarek is an experienced forager, master gong player and dedicated bodyworker and massage therapist. His intuitive touch and resonant sound work support deep release and integration. He offers gong journeys during our evening gatherings, inviting you into stillness around the fire. Private massage sessions are also available for those seeking additional hands-on support.

Together, Chanan and Jarek will guide you through the forests and seasonal landscapes of Central Portugal, sharing their knowledge of wild fungi, plants and the art of slowing down enough to notice what is around you.

 “Chanan and Jarek held such a gentle, grounded space. I came back feeling clearer and more myself than I have in years.”

 — Anna, past participant

Accommodation & Investment

Your stay includes:

● 4 nights’ accommodation

● All meals

● All retreat activities

● Day trip to Buçaco Forest and guided forest bathing

● Group transfer from Coimbra

● A take-home herbal remedy

● A pre-retreat 1:1 connection call with Chanan

Room Types

Rooted in Community — Dormitory

Ensuite room with four single beds

£670 per person (approx. €770)

Shared Wild — Double Room

Two single beds, price per person

£725 per person (approx. €830)

Solo Sanctuary — Single Room

Private room with queen bed

£820 per person (approx. €940)

A £150 non-refundable deposit secures your place. Flexible payment plans are available.

Practical Details

Dates: 7 – 11 November 2026

Duration: 4 nights / 5 days

Location: Central Portugal — Coimbra district

Group size: Maximum 12 participants

Included: Accommodation, all meals, all retreat activities, Buçaco Forest excursion and forest bathing, group transfer from Coimbra, pre-retreat 1:1 connection call, take-home herbal remedy.

Not included: Flights, travel to Coimbra, optional private massage sessions.

Getting There

Fly into Lisbon (LIS) or Porto (OPO). Both airports have frequent connections to Coimbra, where a group transfer will meet participants on 30 October.

Is This for You?

You are welcome here if you:

● Feel the pull toward the deeper, quieter side of nature

● Are curious about mushrooms, fungi and wild herbal traditions

● Long to slow down before the busy winter season

● Want to learn practical skills in a supported, unhurried setting

● Want to experience forest bathing in the extraordinary Buçaco Forest

● Are ready to return home with handmade herbal remedies and a quieter heart

Secure Your Space

Spaces are intentionally limited to preserve the intimacy of the group.

A £150 deposit holds your place.

info@bluemorphoedinburgh.com