Compare Canyoning, Trekking and Kayaking in Andalusia by Rug & Rock Adventures vs Highlights of Andalucia by Intrepid Travel

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!

Day 1 Seville

Hola! Bienvenido a Sevilla. Welcome to Seville. There are no activities planned during the day, so you may arrive at any time before the important welcome meeting at 7 pm. If you do have time beforehand, take the opportunity to visit Barrio Santa Cruz – with its multicultural history, it is a great place to start. This neighbourhood was designed in medieval times to provide a shaded space from the Andalucian heat. After your welcome meeting, you may like to head out for a dinner with your group and sample some local tapas.

Day 2 Seville

Enjoy a relaxed breakfast this morning before heading on an orientation walk with your leader. Explore the maze of narrow cobblestoned streets and sun-speckled squares in Barrio Santa Cruz, also known as the Jewish Quarter and El Centro. Pass by the grand gothic-style Catedral de Sevilla – the burial site of Christopher Columbus and the Giralda – built as a minaret for the Great Mosque of Seville. See the magnificent Alcazar Palace – one of the country’s most impressive and historic monuments. Then, you’ll take part in a flamenco dance class run by Casa de la Memoria – an organisation dedicated to preserving the folkloric tradition of Andalusian flamenco. Learn how this cultural centre preserves the artistic heritage of dance, the history of the dance school and the stories of the teachers while you practice a few fun moves. Maybe head to a flamenco show tonight or practice your moves after a late dinner.

Day 3 Grazalema

After breakfast, say goodbye to Seville and hit the road. Your first stop is a local winery near the city of Jerez. Here you’ll have the chance to sample some locally produced sherry, accompanied by tasty Iberico tapas. After the winery, travel to Grazalema. The village sits in the foothills of the Sierra del Pinar mountain range and will be your base for two nights. Settle into your accommodation, a charming hotel located on a farm in the heart of the Grazalema Natural Park. Make the most of your stunning location this evening and enjoy dinner at your accommodation, made from produce grown on site and locally sourced meat and dairy.

Day 4 Grazalema

Begin your day with an orientation walk around the whitewashed buildings and winding alleys of Grazalema. Then it's on to explore the splendid village of Zahara de la Sierra. The awesome mountain-top location of this whitewashed village makes it visible for many kilometres. It's also known as the 'Moorish Eagle's Nest'. Your first stop, on the outskirts of the village, is Molino El Vinculo, a traditional, family-run ‘cold’ olive oil mill. Enjoy a tour of the factory and a tasting. Andalucia is the world's largest producer of olive oil, and the locals enjoy it at all times of the day. It is also the basis of Andalucia's most famous contribution to world gastronomy – gazpacho. Back in the centre of Zahara de la Sierra, your leader will take you up to the 15th-century watchtower from where you can marvel at the spectacular views over the Zahara-El Gastor Reservoir and the surrounding countryside. Return to Grazalema where you’ll have time to relax by the pool or take a walk around the Natural Park before another included dinner at your accommodation

Day 5 Ronda

After breakfast, travel by private vehicle to Ronda. This little town, perched on a mountaintop, is one of Spain's oldest villages, dating back to the 9th century BC, and arguably its most spectacular. Head out on an orientation walk with your leader and visit the historic Plaza de Toros de Ronda, the birthplace of modern bullfighting and one of the country’s oldest arenas. Stop off at several viewpoints along the Puerta de Almocabar, an ancient stone gate, and check out the Arab Walls while learning about the town’s Islamic heritage. In the evening, you might like to enjoy some tapas and a glass of crisp Spanish beer in one of Ronda's lively local eateries.

Day 6 Granada

After breakfast, continue to Granada by private vehicle, taking in views of Andalucia’s rich and diverse landscapes along the way. Arrive in the city and walk through the historic Christian cathedral district to witness the Moorish influence first-hand. In the afternoon you will be taking part in an exclusive local produce tasting at a small, family run delicatessen. Try local Iberian ham, different types of cheeses, jam, olive oil and other gourmet products from around Spain, including some wine. Afterwards there is the option to visit Granada Cathedral and the Royal Chapel. Alternatively, you can wander through the Alcaiceria (old silk market area). In the evening, you may want to go out on a tapas tour of the city, or head to one of the small flamenco taverns around the city and see how the art form here differs from Seville's version.

Day 7 Granada / Alhambra

Today make a visit to Granada's impressive Alhambra Palace. An entrance ticket and a guided tour is included in the trip and grants you access to the Palace and Gardens. Discover this 11th-century marvel and its dominating red fortress towers, palace decor, architectural styles, and magnificent gardens. It's all set against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains. With fountains, impeccably maintained hedges and pools, centuries-old defensive walls, turrets, and views overlooking Granada, this renowned palace will not disappoint. Make sure you allow enough time as the Alhambra is made up of three parts: the Alcazaba, the 11th-century Muslim wing which features spectacular views from its towers; the Palacio Nazaries, the centre of the complex; and Generalife, the summer palace of the sultans. After your visit ask your leader to take you deeper into Granada’s Moorish Albaicin quarter and to the area of traditional tea houses. The view from this area across to the Alhambra Palace is not to be missed. Tonight, perhaps meet up again with the group for dinner.

Day 8 Granada

There are no activities planned for today, so you are free to leave your accommodation at any time. If you would like to stay on in Granada, we don’t blame you! Additional accommodation can be arranged when you book (subject to availability). Granada also has flight, rail and bus connections to major Spanish cities and other European hubs.