San José, Spain
Participants: 4-8 person (Open tour)
Registration: 7 days before deadline
Languages: German, French, Spanish
Booking option: Booking on fixed rate
Enjoy hiking and relaxing in Cabo de Gata, easy day trips with detailed introductions to the ecosystem of the semi-desert are rounded off with cultural visits to Malaga, Almeria and in Granada with a visit to the Alhambra.
Culture: Granada with the Alhambra, Almeria, Malaga
Hiking: Cabo de Gata-Nijar Natural Park
Planned itinerary:
(Meals: F=breakfast; M=lunch; PN=pick nick; A=dinner)
Day 1: Arrival
After your arrival in Malaga, we will drive approx. 1:30h to Granada to our centrally located hotel.
We take advantage of the late afternoon to roam the Albaizin's Arabic-style neighborhoods and, in the evening light, enjoy the views from San Nicolas Square over the Alhambra and the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada. For dinner, we will stop at a typical tapas bar to sample a variety of the region's specialties.
Ride approx. 1:30h.; Overnight Hotel Macía Gran Vía for 1 night; (A)
Day 2: Granada and the Alhambra
The morning is exclusively dedicated to the cultural highlight of Andalusia, the Alhambra. Along with the Mosque-Cathedral of Cordoba, the castle and palace city of the Alhambra is the most impressive legacy of over 800 years of Muslim rule in what was then known as "Al-Andalus", and its oriental, dollhouse-like decoration is reminiscent of the stories of 1001 Nights.
In the afternoon, we complete the city tour in the old town of Granada before continuing on to San José in the natural park of Cabo de Gata for the evening, which is our location for the following 5 nights.
In San José you will stay at the "Hotel Agades", a small family-run hotel about 300m from the beach, in which all rooms have bathroom, satellite TV and heating/cooling via individual air-conditioning units.
The beach town of San José is centrally located in the coastal nature park of Cabo de Gata and is the ideal starting point for all excursions and hikes in the region. The town has a small sports and fishing port, banks, shopping, restaurants, bars and pubs, as well as a tourist information office.
Drive about 2h.; Overnight Hotel Agades for 5 nights; (F;M;A)
Day 3: The cliffs and salt flats of Cabo de Gata
For an introduction to the ecosystem of Cabo de Gata, we will drive to the park's visitor center where the characteristics of the semi-desert climate, the main representatives of the local flora and fauna, and the functioning of the salt flats are displayed.
After that, we reach a wadi brackish water pool on the beach and the salt flats, where hundreds of flamingos and other water birds can usually be seen.
We continue to the Cape of Cabo de Gata proper from where we have a wide panoramic view over the Gulf of Almeria and the cliffs of the coastal mountains. From this point, the former dirt coastal road is closed to traffic and offers the opportunity to walk comfortably to the beaches of the "Monsul", while the microbus goes to the end point of your hike and awaits you there.
Ride 50min.; Hike approx. 2 h.; Descent: 100m; (F; PN; A)
Day 4: The House of Volcanoes and the Gold Mines of Rodalquilar
The House of Volcanoes provides a good overview of Andalusia's nature reserves and European geoparks. Displays of mostly submarine volcanic activity make you understand the geology and mineralogy of the region, which is the basis for traditional mining activity. Mainly lead, silver and aluminium alum were mined here until the 20th century, under Franco, when the Rodalquilar valley was caught up in the gold rush.
A longer hike takes us through the African-like landscape in which remnants of traditional irrigation systems can be seen, eventually leading us through the gold mining landscape before returning to Rodalquilar.
Ride: 2x20min.; Hike approx. 4 hrs.; Ascent: 350m; Descent: 350m; (F; PN; A)
Day 5: The cliffs and secluded coves of Cabo de Gata
It is certainly the most spectacular hike of the region, directly from San José we go to the neighbouring bay "Genoveses" which is formed by a huge volcanic cauldron. We cross the 1.5 km long sandy beach of the bay whose hinterland, lined with opuntia cacti and agaves, was a Mexican semi-desert in many an Italo-Western. Behind the next chain of hills, small untouched bays and spectacular cliffs of volcanic ash and andesite basalt await us. The way back is via the old homesteads of the hinterland back to San José, but those who prefer to stay at one of the beaches can come to an arranged meeting point in the afternoon and will be picked up by our microbus.
Ride: 0h/ 20min; Hike. 3-5hrs; Ascent: 200m; Descent: 200m; (F; PN; A)
Day 6: AlmerIa (The last three days are the same in the 1. Hiking and 2. Excursions programs)
Almeria was part of the Sultanate of Granada and is therefore one of the areas that was under Moorish rule the longest. As a witness of this time still stands the "Alcazaba", a powerful castle complex which was later expanded under the Christians and which, although no palaces like the Alhambra accommodates but an impressive view over the Gulf of Almeria, the port and the city. As we make our way through the old town, we pass the city's quirky late-Gothic fortified cathedral, wander through the old town's traditional shopping district and visit an olive oil museum. Optionally there is the possibility instead to get to know the stylishly restored Arabic bath "Hammam - Aire de Almeria" and enjoy a sensual tradition of over 1000 years and rejoin the group at noon.
At noon we stop at a typical tapas bar for a variety of local specialties.
Ride 2x 50min
(F; M; A)
Day 7: Malaga (The last two days are the same on all programs)
You arrive in Malaga in the late morning and have the whole day to explore the bustling city center. Our hotel is close to the cathedral and the Picasso Museum, we recommend using the afternoon to visit the Picasso Museum or Picasso's birthplace, where the Picasso Foundation exhibits various collections.
(F) Overnight in the center of Malaga, Hotel Carlos V
Day 8: Transfer to the airport
Dates:
For groups of 4 or more on request.
Per person in double room: 710,--€
Single room: 110,--€
As we guarantee the implementation of the programs already from 4 people we are forced in case of not reaching at least 6 participants for the transfer from San José to Malaga to organize transport using public transport.
In this case:
Day 7/10/14:
If we do not reach at least 6 participants we will drive you to the bus station of Almeria. From there you will take the bus to Malaga, which you will reach at 12:45. At the bus station you will take a taxi to our hotel which will be paid by the hotel.
Our hotel in Malaga is centrally located, close to the cathedral and the Picasso Museum, so that you can explore the center on your own.
(F) Accommodation in Malaga, Hotel Carlos V
Day 8/11/15:
Depending on the flight time you will be picked up by a taxi at the hotel.
.
Inclusive
Exclusive
Travel insurance, missing meals and drinks, tips (at own discretion), individual excursions and sightseeing.optional * Single supplement: 110,--€.
Please choose a date in the calendar and make a request.
