Andalusia is a privileged site to enjoy all year round: good weather, natural parks and long sand’s tongue that creates a system of dunes and very thin sand beaches perfect in order to do all kind of activities.

During our trip we will follow nature and natural light; that means waking up early in the morning. After breakfast we will start the day. There are only two transfers by road (Aracena and Doñana) but they will never take more than two hours. We will have time enough for enjoying both tracks and villages.  

What’s Included: 

• 5 Nights in Double or single room in apartments in Isla Cristina
• 1 Night in Double or single room in Posada del Castaño guesthouse, Sierra de Aracena
• 1 night in double or single room in a local Hotel in Sevilla
• Breakfast each morning 
• Specialized guides throughout
• Transfers to/from Seville airport
• All activities in the program (bicycles, Doñana Natural Park, walking in the Sierra Aracena Natural Park and the edge of the Guadiana River, tapas route in Sevilla)
• All transfers in private vehicles

Accommodation:

You will spend 5 nights in Apartmens at Isla Cristina.

You will stay 1 night in Posada del Castano Guesthouse in Sierra de Aracena. Situated in the highest village in the Sierra, the ‘Posada’ is converted from a traditional, large village house and retains many of the original features so valued by the rural inhabitants of times gone by - from the rustic terracotta floor tiles to the age-old, chestnut roof beams. The terrace and courtyard offer possibilities for relaxing in the sierra sunshine and the large cobblestone entrance hall recalls the days when farm animals were led in through the house to a trough in the basement. The ‘Posada’ now comprises 8 rooms (of which all but one has private facilities) two lounges, a dining room and a terrace overlooking a cobbled courtyard and garden.

Your itinerary

DAY 1 - Transfer from Seville airport to Isla Cristina. (NB. Pick-ups can also be made in Seville city centre) Upon arrival at the offices of Faro del Sur we are briefed about the week’s activities. Accommodation in our apartments. 

DAY 2 - Portugal by Bicycle. Today we take our bicycles and cross the Guadiana estuary by ferry to the Portugal. Following a “Via Verde” or ‘green way’ (a specially conditioned cycle track reclaimed from an old railway line) we pass salt pans, marshes and tidal mills. We’ll stop to visit a traditional salt plant, one of the last in Spain, nowadays engaged in supplying the modern demand for artisan salt. Finally our “Via Verde” brings us to the town of Ayamonte where from the quayside we’ll take the regular ferry to the Portuguese town of Vila Real de Santo Antonio. Like many towns along the Algarve, Vila real was destroyed by the great earthquake of 1755 and was subsequently laid out and rebuilt in the enlightenment style.  We’ll have time to stroll the pleasant town with its marina, stylish 18^th century architecture and highly celebrated town plan. We can extend our cycle ride following the banks of the Guadiana to the wide open beach where the river opens to the Atlantic Ocean. There should be time to swim before returning to Isla Cristina in the afternoon.

·       Cycling: Distance 35 kilometres.

·       Overnight in Faro del Sur’s Apartments. Included meals: Breakfast

DAY 3 - Doñana Protected Area. This is doubtlessly the most eagerly anticipated excursion for bird lovers. With our biologist guide we’ll leave early in the morning to enjoy a full day in this, one of Europe’s most famous stopover points for migratory birds. Doñana’s entire ecosystem is a vital haven and wintering ground for a multitude of birds that come there to feed and breed. Over 360 different species are seen at various times of year. We’ll begin in the well-known village of El Rocío, where the marshes become waterlogged with the first autumn rains, flooding the clay soil and creating a fantastic place for spotting waders such as flamingos and other animal species such as wild horses and organically reared livestock. We can also see a huge variety of birds of prey on the wing, such as kites, western marsh harriers and if we are lucky, the spectacular western imperial eagle. Springtime sees the arrival birds from Africa which come to breed - plenty of colour and activity. We’ll then visit the Mediterranean forest which is home to deer, wild boar, rabbit and the elusive Iberian lynx. In the afternoon we’ll approach the Dunas del Asperillo Natural Park by a path that ends at a deserted beach. For those interested it’s possible to enjoy a horse-ride across the dunes of the park. Later we return by road to Isla Cristina.

·       Bird Watching time: Whole day.

·       Overnight in Faro del Sur’s Apartments. Included meals: Breakfast 

DAY 4 - Walk from Castaño del Robledo to Linares de la Sierra through Alájar 

A 2hr early morning transfer takes us to the tiny village of Castaño del Robledo in the mountains of the Sierra de Aracena Natural Park. After an introductory talk detailing the programme for the next days, we commence a gentle trek across hills clad in chestnut and cork oak to the dramatic viewpoint and historical shrine of the Peña de Arias Montano. This limestone promontory allows startling views over the ranges to the south and to the pretty white village of Alájar below.  A short but steep descent brings us down to the village via the ‘hippy’ village of El Calabacino. From that point we will follow our way to Linares de la Sierra where we will see some of its charm. Something to eat and we’ll have a transfer to the village of Aracena. Once in Aracena there will be time to visit the renowned Cave of Wonders and explore the pleasant streets of the town dominated by a ruined 13^th century castle and Templar church.  We’ll take advantage of the wide variety of restaurants in the town to take our evening meal before transferring back to Castaño.

·       Walking time: Four and a half hours. Distance 12 kilometres.

·       Overnight in Castaño del Robledo. Included meals: Breakfast 

DAY 5 - Short transfer to Navahermosa and walk to Castaño via Valdelarco and Galaroza

A short transfer of 15mins brings us to the tiny one street hamlet of Navahermosa.  From there we begin our hike through the secluded Talenque Valley. Emerging into a landscape of steep gorges and wide valleys we approach the village of Valdelarco, where we have a chance to explore something of its picturesque charm before continuing towards Galaroza. Descending a rocky trail that passes its way along hillsides blanketed in cork trees, we then follow the pretty trail out of Galaroza and through the Rio Jabugo Valley back towards ‘El Castaño’. Once we finished our walk we will take a transfer back to Isla Cristina

·       Walking time: Five hours. Distance 15 kilometres.

·       Overnight in Faro del Sur’s Apartments. Included meals: Breakfast 

DAY 6 – Guadiana’s Edge walk

An hour transfer will take us to the beginning of our walk that begins in a little stream surrounded by olive trees, cork oaks and Mediterranean bushes. The Guadiana river will appear in fron of us and we will begin to walk close to the Spanish shore, facing the portugese shore, then the frontier villages of Sanlucar de Barrameda (Spain) and Alcoutim (Portugal). We will take a little boat to cross the border and we can visit the villages, we can eat either in Sapin or Portugal and ther a transfer will take us back to Isla Cristina

·       Walking time: two hours. Distance 7 kilometres.

·       Overnight in Faro del Sur’s Apartments. Included meals: Breakfast  

DAY 7.- Cultural route in Sevilla with Tapas. We will pick you up at the appartments and go to Seville, where we will make a route at the historical centre, protected as world heritage by UNESCO.

In the evening we will visit the hidden Sevilla with its unique tapas bars and the world famous Flamenco. Our guide will take us to the most authentic places to taste the real Sevilla.

·       Overnight in Sevilla (Tipical andalusian Hostel close to the cathedral). 

DAY 8.- Free till 12:00h. Our program finishes and we say goodbye at the city of Sevilla. 

WHAT TO PACK

It is highly recommended you bring the following items:

•  Comfortable light clothing for summer (cotton trousers and shirts, long and short sleeves T-shirts, sweater, light waterproof jacket, shorts, swimming costume, towel, etc.).

•  Warmer clothes for the rest of the year (including waterproofs)

•  Comfortable trekking boots in winter. For summer trainers and flip-flops.

•  Small rucksack , canteen or water bottle

•  Bike shorts

•  Hat, sunglasses and towel

•  Spare glasses or contact lenses for those that use them.

•  Personal first aid kit.

•  High protection suntan lotion and insect repellent.