Vale Ondula
Portugal
A regenerative permaculture living lab and eco-community on 3.6 hectares of forest, where two families and a stream of volunteers rework how food, water, and energy move through the land.
The communities, centres, and spaces on the current Lives of Tribes filming route. 18 reached so far; 18 still ahead of us. Filmed stops are marked and listed first. Individual practitioners are listed here too, and gathered on their own page.
A regenerative permaculture living lab and eco-community on 3.6 hectares of forest, where two families and a stream of volunteers rework how food, water, and energy move through the land.
Liz is building her own shipping container house near Vale Ondula, raising funds through a community auction and fundraiser. Full details are still being confirmed.
No confirmed website yetAn animal sanctuary run by Lidia, about 30 minutes from Vale Ondula, close to a large river. Exact address and other details are still being confirmed.
No confirmed website yetA community near Vale Ondula, reached on the LOT route. Full details are still being confirmed.
No confirmed website yetA non-hierarchical cultural and environmental association in Porto, active for over a decade around ethical consumerism, animal rights, ecological awareness, and community exchange.
Visit site ↗A 35,000 square metre holistic learning and retreat project in the making, built around education, permaculture, and inner work by founders Lorenz and Ivone.
Visit site ↗One of Europe's most established permaculture sites, 18+ years running, teaching permaculture design, regenerative agriculture, and cultural regeneration through hands-on courses.
Visit site ↗A retreat and event sanctuary in the hills above Ericeira, hosting music, art, ceremony, circles, and community gatherings.
Visit site ↗A regenerative forest sanctuary founded by artist Evgenia Emets, planting native old growth forest with the Faia Brava Association, part of a wider vision of 1,000 protected forest sanctuaries. Also active around Ericeira and Abrigada.
Visit site ↗Founder of Gathering of Tribes and of EarthSkyLab, a village-building consultancy. A community builder and architect, based at the Eternal Forest eco-aldeia.
Visit site ↗A four day experiential gathering run by Innate, described by its organisers as not a retreat, not a festival, something other. Held 17 to 21 September 2026.
Visit site ↗An off-grid retreat and community in the Castelo Branco hills, blending land regeneration, music, ceremony, and long-term residency. Home base for the Lives of Tribes season, and host of the Gathering of Tribes 2027 flagship edition.
An Ananda Marga spiritual community and rural development project running since 2010, weaving meditation and service through gardens, agroforestry, education, and events.
An environmental NGO founded in 2020: reforestation, rainwater harvesting and post-fire interventions, environmental education in schools, and green tech such as drones that help spot invasive species.
The home of Boom Festival by the lake near Idanha-a-Nova. LOT visited between festivals, when the land rests and the art stays. No interviews this time, just a day visit.
Visit site ↗Castelo Branco's third LGBTQIA+ Pride march, filmed with local activists. A reminder that queer people live everywhere, including rural Portugal.
No confirmed website yetA long-established peace research and education village exploring community, ecology, and water regeneration, with a steady programme of courses and public research.
Visit site ↗A regenerative village on 25 hectares blending co-living, syntropic agroforestry, ecological restoration, creative culture, and tokenised shared ownership, still being built by 280+ token holders.
Visit site ↗An off-grid permaculture farm and education centre running Permaculture Design, Food Forest, and Natural Building courses alongside yoga retreats.
Visit site ↗A remote mountain retreat community centred on yoga, restoration, and long-term stewardship of a secluded valley, now run in part by Joshua, who grew up here before a detour through particle physics.
Visit site ↗A Theravada Buddhist forest monastery near Ericeira: monastic practice, meditation, and silence held by a contemplative resident community. Any filming stays respectful and minimal.
Visit site ↗A 10.4 hectare ecovillage and experimental hub of fifteen households, working syntropic agroforestry, natural building, and a steady run of gatherings, workshops, and work exchanges.
Visit site ↗A 40-year-abandoned village in the Castelo Branco hills brought back to life as a regenerative village and eco-retreat: a resident family plus volunteers, artist residencies, and retreats across 14 hectares.
Riverside retreat land near Coimbra where Ira van Denderen runs personalised one-to-one retreats: nature immersion, Quantum Qi Gong, yoga, sound healing, and bodywork, with stays in a yurt by the water.
Visit site ↗A community on the Castelo Branco filming block. Location and details are still being confirmed with the project.
No confirmed website yetA three hectare former olive farm among 300 ancient olive trees, reworked into an ecological off-grid glamping and retreat centre about 25 minutes from Castelo Branco. Running since 2017, with retreats, events, and a small on-site bar.
A project on the Castelo Branco filming block. Location and details are still being confirmed with the project.
No confirmed website yetA studio and creative space on the Castelo Branco filming block. Location and details are still being confirmed.
No confirmed website yetA small off-grid retreat in the hills of Tinalhas near Castelo Branco: solar power, its own well, and a quiet, low-key pace. Run by Daniel.
No confirmed website yetA project on the Castelo Branco filming block. Location and details are still being confirmed.
No confirmed website yetA Castelo Branco area project working with coherence and community, reached through a personal contact. What it does day to day and where it is based are still being confirmed.
No confirmed website yetAn individual practitioner in the Castelo Branco area working with embodiment and inner-work practice. Name and details are still being confirmed.
No confirmed website yetA Burning Man inspired gathering in the Castelo Branco area. On our route; details still being confirmed.
No confirmed website yetA girls' empowerment organisation building voice, rights awareness, education and leadership. A safeguarding-led visit planned for January 2027.
Visit site ↗A hub housing 19 craft cooperatives: weaving, wood, silver, embroidery, raffia, leather and argan. Visit planned for the Morocco leg, winter 2026 to 2027.
No confirmed website yetAn ecological pilot village: bioclimatic architecture, local autonomy and solidarity between generations, run as an open-air laboratory for living well with less.
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Where a listing links out, it goes straight to that project's own site so you can check current details and reach them yourself. Where there is no link, we have not confirmed an official site yet. Tell us if you have one to add. Nothing here is a booking service.
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