Spain: The Sierra Nevada & Alhambra Palace

Tour Code: ESP21

An 8-day holiday exploring the historic city of Granada and wonderful natural history of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

8 days from
£1,695 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£1,545
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the city of Granada is perhaps the most famous symbol of Moorish Spain and it is here that we begin our holiday with a 2-night stay in the medieval quarter of the city. Next, we transfer to the village of Mairena in the Alpujarras (the foothills of the Sierra Nevada) where we will be based in delightful accommodation with wonderful views. Our accommodation is situated within the Sierra Nevada National Park and we will take daily walks straight into the park, as well as short minibus journeys in search of the local wildlife. We will also spend a day in hides at Cabo de Gata lagoon, two hours to the south-east, in search of waterbirds.

  • Includes a visit to the Alhambra & its beautiful gardens
  • Sample the delights of a traditional Granada tapas bar
  • 5 nights in the Alpujarras based at a smallholding with a superb restaurant
  • Look for alpine flowers & explore alpine pastures for butterflies & insects
  • Our leader, Jorge, has written guide books about the area we’ll be exploring!
  • Hoopoe & Golden Oriole, plus butterflies including Common Tiger Blue among highlights
  • Spoonbill, White-headed Duck & Greater Flamingo, Cabo de Gata
  • Combine relaxed wildlife-watching with delightful accommodation & delicious food
  • Enjoy some of Europe’s most spectacular & pretty scenery
  • Led by an expert naturalist guide

Grading

Some mountain walks but at a slow pace.
    The Sierra Nevada mountain range is the highest in the Iberian Peninsula and lies in Spain’s Andalucía region, just 30 kilometres north of the Mediterranean Sea. Moorish invaders arrived in the region in 711 AD - the beginning of an 800-year occupation, many signs of which are still visible today in the area’s characteristic white villages pueblos blancos), irrigation systems, distinctive dialect and architecture. Situated in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, the city of Granada is perhaps the most famous symbol of Moorish Spain and it is here that we begin our holiday with a 2-night stay in the medieval quarter of the city. We will visit the Alhambra - a magnificent fortress palace and UNESCO World Heritage Site that was home to many Moorish kings before the reconquest in 1490 - and its beautiful gardens, and spend an evening sampling the delights of a traditional Granada tapas bar - our guide Jorge Garzon’s favourite! Next, we transfer to the village of Mairena in the Alpujarras - the foothills of the Sierra Nevada. We will be based for five nights at Las Chimeneas, a delightful collection of village houses with a smallholding and a restaurant which offers a delicious cuisine with seasonal produce and local wines, and from which wonderful views across the southern slopes of the Alpujarras can be enjoyed.
    Our accommodation is situated within the Sierra Nevada National Park and we will take daily walks straight into the park, as well as short minibus journeys in search of the local wildlife. We will visit the highest summits looking for alpine flowers and also explore alpine pastures for a wealth of interesting butterflies and insects. Indeed our leader, Jorge, has written guide books about the very meadows and slopes that we’ll be exploring! In the area immediately around Las Chimeneas we will look for such birds as Hoopoe and Golden Oriole, as well as butterflies including Common Tiger Blue, whilst a day spent in the hides at Cabo de Gata lagoon, 2 hours to the south-east, may reward us with such delights as Spoonbill, White-headed Duck and Greater Flamingo. This holiday offers a chance to enjoy some relaxed wildlife-watching in delightful accommodation with delicious food, all against a backdrop of some of Europe’s most spectacular, and pretty, scenery - a rare combination!
DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Andalucia; drive Granada
Day 2
Exploring Granada and Alhambra Palace
Day 3
Leave Granada and travel to Mairena
Day 4/7
Daily programme of natural history walks and excursions from Mairena
Day 8
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation: A comfortable family-run guest house and hotel in Granada; all rooms with private facilities.
  • Food: all included in the price.
Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2020

Departures Availability Cost
Sun 7th Jun - Sun 14th Jun SPACES £1,695
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,545
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£295
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Steve Gater
Steve-Gater.jpg

Tour Leader: Steve Gater

Steve's had a life-long interest in wildlife, particularly plants, birds and butterflies. After graduating in biology and completing a PhD, he taught for many years, running field trips in the Yorkshire dales and elsewhere. As headteacher, he led trips to three continents before retiring to concentrate on conservation work. He established Durham Wildlife Trust botany group, chaired DWT and edited the 5th edition of The Natural History of Upper Teesdale. He especially enjoys giving talks and training, leading walks and surveying in his home county. When not on Naturetrek trips he is botanising and birding in Upper Teesdale and environs, or practicing his French and Spanish!

2021

Departures Availability Cost
Sun 6th Jun - Sun 13th Jun SPACES £1,695
BOOK TOUR SHOW DETAILS
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,545
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£255
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!