November: 3 - 9 Sat – Fri
Group Size: 6
Starting Point: Madrid
Based: Navarredonda de Gredos 2 nights, Trujillo 4 nights
Walking: Easy
Description: Majestic Griffon and Black Vultures circling on rising thermals, bands of exotic Azure-winged Magpies roving through oak woodlands, and statuesque bustards strutting across grassy steppes, are some of the unforgettable sights typical of excursions through this fabulous region of Spain.
Extremadura is a land of extensive Cork and Holm Oak forests (dehesa), wooded sierras, steppes, and river gorges, supporting a wealth of wildlife that makes a visit at any time extremely rewarding. This is the premier region in Europe for Great and Little Bustards, Black-bellied and Pin-tailed Sandgrouse, Black Stork, Spanish Imperial Eagle and Black-shouldered Kite. Montagu’s Harrier, Bonelli’s and Booted Eagles; Purple Gallinule (Swamp-hen); Red-rumped Swallow; Crested, Thekla and Calandra Larks; Southern Grey and Woodchat Shrikes; Hoopoe; Sardinian and Dartford Warblers; Blue Rock Thrush; Rock and Spanish Sparrows, Citril Finch and Spotless Starling, are some of the other notable bird species on the scene.
Wintering Cranes have arrived, their bugling calls bringing attention to the large skeins that frequently pattern the skies.
Mammals are not easy to find but we usually see Spanish Ibex, Iberian Hare and, occasionally, Otter and Egyptian Mongoose. A number of attractive late wildflowers are showing, such as the pink-flowered Merendera and asphodel-like Sea Squill.
The tour is based in the Gredos Mountains and Trujillo - two excellent locations that provide immediate access to some of the best areas. We visit Monfragüe National Park, the Sierras de Villuercas and Gredos, and Belen plains - locations selected for diversity of habitats which should yield all that we hope to see and more. Wildlife aside, the areas visited are visually arresting, historically rich and unspoiled by tourism.
Itinerary
Days 1 & 2 Sat & Sun: Morning flight from London Heathrow to Madrid, travel to Navarredonda de Gredos. Explore Gredos Mountains.
Days 3 - 6 Mon - Thu: Transfer to Trujillo to explore plains and dehesa, with visit to Monfragüe National Park.
Day 5 Fri: Return to Madrid for midday flight to London.
Cost: £1195...Includes: Accommodation, all ground travel within Spain.
Excludes: Air travel, lunches, tips, bar items etc.
Deposit: £150
Single Room Supplement: £175
Flight costs from London to Madrid about £120
See 'About Us' for statement about flights.
