Compare Walk Spain's Sierra Nevada & Granada by Exodus Travels vs Canyoning, Trekking and Kayaking in Andalusia by Rug & Rock Adventures
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 1,800 | $ 1,208 |
| Price Per Day | $ 225 | $ 151 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included | All breakfasts, four picnic lunches and six dinners are included. Breakfast in Berchules: cereals, yoghurt, fruits. jam, cheese/ham, bread, tomato, fresh orange juice and tea/coffee Breakfast in Granada: continental breakfast Lunch: Bread, cheese/cold meat, tomato, chocolate/biscuits, fresh fruit, and local products are provided as part of the packed lunch. Dinner: First course usually typical Spanish soup, main local dish with meat/fish and vegetables, followed by fresh fruit or typical sweet for dessert. Vegetarians: It is possible to cater for vegetarians and other dietary requirements. Please inform us at time of booking. Breakfast in Granada is only provided from 7 am. Therefore, in case of early flights, there is no breakfast included on departure day. Mealtimes in Spain are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually between 8pm and 9.30pm. |
7 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 6 Dinners |
| Description |
The Sierra Nevada towers over southern Spain. Much of this dramatic landscape is a protected biosphere reserve, rich in wildlife and home to many endemic plant species. Here, and in the neighbouring Alpujarra region, we are rewarded with some of the finest walking in Andalucía; from ancient chestnut forests to lavender and broom-clad moorland and whitewashed Moorish villages. A night in the city of Granada, home to the magnificent Alhambra palace, is the perfect end to the week. This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here. Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more hereEnjoy a walking adventure through the highest mountain range in Spain |
Come with us to the south of Andalusia, to go canyoning down the spectacular river gorge of the Rio Verde, trek through the beautiful mountain villages and hillsides of the Alpujarras under the Sierra Nevada mountain range, walk and kayak the coastline of Cabo de Gata National Park, and explore the whitewashed settlements, long beaches and mountainsides of the Axarquia, east of Malaga. |
Day 1 Start Berchules
The tour starts this afternoon at our hotel in Berchules, where you will meet your leader and the rest of the group at the welcome briefing. Berchules is a 2hr 45min drive from Malaga Airport.
Day 2 Villages walk in the Contraviesa mountain range with panoramic views of routes for the week ahead
Today we take a 20-minute transfer to the top of the Contraviesa mountain range that faces the hotel. We walk through almond groves and vineyards with the Sierra Nevada as the backdrop, before walking through picturesque villages and enjoying splendid views of the local area. Our guide will point out the walking routes we will take during the week, so we can get our bearings. We walk back to the hotel. If you prefer to take a transfer, there will be the option to be collected from the town of Cádiar, where we stop for a break and refreshments.
Day 3 Descend into the Guadalfeo Valley, walking from Juviles to Cádiar; return to the hotel via the GR7 long-distance footpath
Today we take a 10-minute transfer to Juviles, where there is a Mozarabic 10th-century castle. Take the chance to see abundant flora and fauna while walking through beautiful landscapes. The route takes us through several traditional towns and villages, such as Lobras and Timar. Lunch is taken in a family-run tapas bar, where we will be offered a selection of local dishes, as available on the day (lunch is paid for locally). In the afternoon, we walk to Cadiar and back to the hotel via the GR7 long-distance path through the villages of Narila and Alcútar.
Day 4 Walk along Roman paths through La Taha to explore Moorish villages hidden in a deep gorge
A 20-minute transfer takes us to the beginning of our walk exploring the nature of the Rio Trevelez Valley. We follow a forest trail with great views of Taha villages before descending along Roman paths into the area of La Taha, a collection of Moorish villages hidden in a deep gorge.
Day 5 Scenic walk from the white village of Trevelez; return through working ‘cortijos’ to see how traditional life continues
Our day starts with a short transfer to the white village of Trevelez, the village in Spain at 5,085ft (1,550m). The town is particularly famous for the quality of its serrano ham. There are shopping opportunities in this larger village and a chance to sample the ham at source. From here, we enjoy a scenic circular walk involving riverside sections and a chance to see the local cowboys handle their herds on the hillsides.
Day 6 Walk through a variety of landscapes, including Mediterranean scrub and the pine forests of the upper reaches of the Río Grande
This walk will vary with the season and is the longest walk of the week. Normally, we take a circular walk from the hotel to take a deeper look at our home valley. Walking through the village of Bérchules, we follow the old mule trail that goes over the Sierra Nevada before arriving at the Junta de los Ríos, the last stand of the Moorish king, Aben Aboo. This is an amazingly scenic walk with opportunities to see ibex and birds of prey. We encounter points of historical and folkloric interest, plus paddling possibilities at the river crossing.
Day 7 Free day in Granada and optional visit to the Alhambra palace
We transfer to Granada (just under two hours) and enjoy free time to explore. The city is home to one of the great historical monuments in Europe, the magnificent Alhambra palace. Tickets are restricted so you need to book in advance. Please refer to the Extra Expenses section of the Trip Notes for further details.
Day 8 End Granada
Enjoy your final breakfast of the tour before beginning your return journey home. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay in Granada.
Day 1: Arrival: Your first taste of Malaga
Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Almuñecar or Otivar
You’ll start the adventure on the outskirts of historic Malaga, meeting at the airport, before driving through the beautiful Costa Tropical landscape to where you’ll have lunch. From here, you’ll either head down to the sun-kissed coastal resort town of Almuñecar and stay there overnight, or climb into the hills above Almuñecar to stay at accommodation in the scenic mountain village of Otivar, along the ancient road called Sospiro de los Moros (“sigh of the Moors”) that connects Almuñecar with Granada, 80 kilometres to the north.
Day 2: Full Canyoning Day in The Rio Verde
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Alpujarras
Today is canyoning day! You’ll start with an early breakfast in beautiful Almuñecar, followed by a 2-hour drive to the end of the Rio Verde canyon. You’ll get your first sight of the sunlit green waters, deep rock pools and thundering waterfalls of this exceptionally beautiful (and understandably popular) part of Andalusia, your home for the rest of the day. Activities will include rappelling and swimming, and jumps and slides will be optional. All equipment will be provided and training given in situ. After a long, exciting day of abseiling, scrambling and splashing around, you’ll make our way to the scenic village of Capileira, deep in the picturesque Alpujarras region on the southern slopes of the Sierra Nevada, where we’ll have dinner and spend the night.
Canyoning Experience: 6 - 8 hours.
Day 3: Trek the Villages Of The Alpujarras - Day One
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Trevélez
You’ll leave Capileira early, trekking upslope until we get to Hoya de Portillo (2160 metres) where the road runs out. Your 6-hour walk will take you across some of the most beautiful scenery of the Alpujarras region, with terrific views above and below. Your destination for the night is Trevélez, a beautiful settlement of whitewashed buildings in the traditional Alpujarras style - and one of Europe’s highest towns above sea level (1,486 metres). Upon arrival you’ll head to our hotel, where you’ll be based for the next two nights.
Day 4: Trek the Villages Of The Alpujarras - Day Two
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Trevélez
You’ll leave your hotel at 9am to take a 2-hour trek along the Trevélez river, enjoying the beautiful landscape, before ascending the road towards Siete Lagunas, under some of the Sierra Nevada’s highest peaks, rising above 1000 metres and crossing several barrancos (river valleys). After you cross the Rio Cula Perro, you’ll loop round and come back down the hillside until you find the Rio Trevélez and follow it back into Trevélez, where you’ll spend the evening.
Trekking: 6 - 8 hours.
Day 5: A Coastal Trek Along The Cabo de Gata
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Cabo de Gata
Welcome to Cabo de Gata - Andalusia’s largest coastal protected area, a designated UNESCO Biosphere reserve, and the only part of Europe with a true hot desert climate! (The average yearly temperature here is above 18 degrees Celsius.) After an early start in the beautiful whitewashed resort village of Agua Amarga, you’ll walk to Cala de Enmedio at the other side of the bay, a tiny beach with stunningly clear blue waters, fine golden sand and fossilized dunes leading into the sea. Then you trek to Cala San Pedro, a huge wide beach surrounded by rocky headlands and popular with off-the-grid communities, before ending your walk at Las Negras, a coastal fishing village named after the black stones from a nearby mountain that are scattered along the shoreline. Our home for the night is the Hotel la Isleta del Moro, where you all have dinner together tonight and will be based for the next two nights.
Trekking: 6 hours.
Day 6: Kayaking The Cabo de Gata
Meal: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Cabo de Gata
If yesterday’s walk made you want to leap into the water, today’s adventure will fulfil that wish - and then some. You’re kayaking along the coastline, taking in some of the most stunning beaches on this stretch of coast and arguably in the whole of Spain, including Los Escullos, Playazo, rounding the point at Faro de Cabo de Gata (lighthouse and promontory), the beach at La Fabriquilla, and finally the spectacular rocky outcrops of El Arrecife de las Sirenas, beloved by kayakers and scuba-divers. (Note: visiting El Arrecife de las Sirenas will be dependent on climate & sea conditions on the day.) Then it’s back to the Hotel la Isleta del Moro to relax for the evening.
Trekking: 6 hours.
Night: Hotel in Cabo de Gata
Day 7: Exploring Axarquia’s Villages / Highest Mountain
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Malaga
Today you get to choose your own adventure. You’re visiting Axarquia, a scenic and historic coastal region east of Malaga filled with towns that make up the “Costa Del Sol Orient”. You can collectively decide to explore the towns and villages of this region - or you can take the more demanding trek up La Maroma, the region’s highest peak (2,069 metres), surrounding ourselves with rolling pine tree forests, wild goats, eagles and falcons, and enjoying a view of the Sierra Nevada to the east and even Africa to the south. You get to choose!
At the end of the day, you’ll transfer to your hotel in Malaga for the night.
Walking: 4 - 6 hours.
Day 8: Leaving From Malaga
Meal: Breakfast
After a last breakfast together at the hotel, the trip comes to an end - but if time allows, you still have a little of the ancient city of Malaga to explore. It’s 2,800 years old, but is currently enjoying a new lease of life thanks to various reconstruction programmes and heavy investment in the arts & culture scene. Visit the port, the shopping precinct, the cathedral, or the famous Automobile & Fashion Museum. Explore its history with visits to the Gibralfaro Castle, the Alcazaba and the ancient Roman Theatre - or follow the footsteps of former resident Pablo Picasso. Dine on some of the best seafood you’ll find in Spain - and sample Malaga’s signature sweet wine.
Farewell, and see you next time!
