Guided mountain walking, history, nature — small international group — Granada-Sierra Nevada
Moorish Kingdom of Granada
Guided mountain walking, history, nature — small international group — Granada-Sierra Nevada
A walking holiday with a difference! Based partly in the Alpujarras and partly in Granada, we take some of the finest routes on foot in the Sierra Nevada-Alpujarras Natural Park, the "Roof of Iberia", approaching from both north (Granada-Marquesado) and south (Alpujarras) sides. We also explore Granada, with an evening's entertainment in this most vibrant city, such as: flamenco in the Albayzín or Sacromonte, an open-air concert in the Corral del Carbón or Generalife, dance or a play in a city-centre theatre!
ONE WEEK Activities: 5 walks of 3h-5h30; historical visits. No portage of luggage; no technical difficulty; on (often steep and/or stony) paths with a few 'off path' sections. Denivellations 400-600m a day. Entry to the Alhambra-Generalife and an evening entertainment included. Group 10 maximum.
FULL BOARD EXCEPT 3 MEALS (in Granada), in twin rooms (private bathrooms) in hotels of charm: 3 nights at Pampaneira in the Alpujarras and 4 at Granada.
PRICE 795 euros per person; single room supplement 155 euros.
DATES (Sunday-Sunday)
2012 1-8 April‡, 22-29 April, 27 May-3 June, 23-30 September, 28 October-4 November.
‡Holy Week the Pasos in Granada, where the statues of Christ and the richly-dressed Virgin float above the crowd on flower- and candle-bedecked plinths carried by dozens of brotherhood stalwarts and followed by a line of hooded penitents. Among the most popular processions: 'Los Gitanos' [the gypsies] which climbs the Sacromonte amid wood-fires to the flamenco rhythms of melancholy saetas, and 'Monasterio de San Jerónimo' — participants dressed in biblical costume.
For two weeks of walking in four Natural Parks of East Andalusia, combine this programme with 'Caliphs & Knights, Córdoba & Segura'. Available 27 May-10 June 2012, 23 September-7 October, 21 October-4 November.
RENDEZVOUS & DISPERSAL Málaga (airport, station or city centre). Choose a flight arriving before 15.00 and departing after 12.30.
Location of this programme:
DAY-TO-DAY
Please note that the order of days given below may be reversed on some weeks.
SUNDAY: Transfer from Málaga to Pampaneira (3 nights) in the Alpujarras: these high valleys with their little villages with flat roofs covered with launa (a sort of decomposed slate), their terrace cultivation and acequias (irrigation canals), take us back five centuries to the last days of Moorish Andalusia.
MONDAY: Walk in the Tahá de Pitres where the Moorish village structure remains unchanged, each having its washhouse and network of empedrado footpaths.
TUESDAY: We walk on transhumance paths in the valley of Trevélez, a village well-known for its hams.
WEDNESDAY: The wooded Sierra de Huétor: panorama of all Sierra Nevada. Visit to La Calahorra castle: fortress outside, palace within, and to the troglodyte quarter of Guadix. Transfer to Granada for the second half of the week. Tapas dinner.
THURSDAY: The Albayzín, historically the most important quarter of Granada, with something of a "village" atmosphere. Afternoon in the fabulous Alhambra and Generalife palaces.
FRIDAY: Walk of the Vereda de la Estrella, a panoramic path overlooking the lush Genil gorge, past isolated farms, with views of the famous trio of 11,000 ft summits. Tapas dinner.
SATURDAY: The Sierra Nevada is not generally associated with limestone scenery: nevertheless there are such peaks on its northwest side (nearest Granada), including the Arenales del Trevenque, with fascinating alpine plants and the chance to see ibex. On a panoramic ridge path and a rambla. Afternoon free for exploration or shopping. 'Tablas' dinner.
SUNDAY: Transfer to Málaga.
Caliphs & Knights: Córdoba & Segura / Mar y Sierra / walking at Jubrique / walking: central Spain
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2 or 3 weeks' walking? Choose a combination of 'Genal Valley', 'Natural Parks of the Serranía', 'Mar y Sierra', 'Caliphs & Knights: Cordoba & Segura', 'Moorish Kingdom Granada', 'Sierras of Extremadura', 'Sierra de Guadalupe', M&C Cuenca–Teruel', 'Alto Maestrazgo', 'Natural Parks of Old Castile' or 'Picos de Europa National Park': all are different and complementary. Reduction for 2 consecutive programmes, 80 euros; for 3, 120 euros.
