This is an immersion into the heart and soul of the Spanish country life that has all but disappeared. You will have the opportunity to see where the culture of Europe and the culture of North Africa met and influenced each other.
The Arcos Walk starts in a beautifully converted fortified farmhouse buit in 1756 near the picturesque town of Arcos de la Frontera. This citadel was captured from the Moors by King Alfonso the Wise in 1264 to become a Christian frontier fortress. Your journey takes you through rolling farmland to the interior of ancient oak forests, teeming with deer and wild boar, across streams choked with rhododendrons and strawberry trees (arbutus) until you reach Moors' frontier castle of Jimena de la Frontera and finally to La Alumna, a distance of some 53 miles. Nights are spend in an 18 century farmhouse, a comfortable village hotel and the enchanting private home of Alumna set in 500 acres with incredible views stretching to the Pillars of Hircules and beyond in to Africa.
The Ronda Walk start near the Moorish mountain village of Gaucin at the private from of Alumna and takes you through ever-changing scenery - cork oak forest, Mediterranena vegetation, heady with the scent of rosemary and thyme, green pastures and massive limestone escarpments with dazzling white villages chiseled into the hillside. You finally arrive on foot at the gates of the splendid city of Ronda with its 18 century bridge spanning the huge Tajo Gorge, having cover a distance of some 50 miles. Ronda was captured from the Moors by the Reyes Catolicas, Isabella and Ferdinand in 1485. Nights are spent at Almuna, comfortable village hotels and the luxurious Parador of Ronda perched on the fortified cliff top.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: You will be met at the airport and then driven for about 2¼ hours towards Arcos de la Frontera. Accommodation will be at El Cortijo Barranco, a large stately farmhouse built in 1754 for Don Pascual Moreno Nuñez de Prado and now owned by Don Jenaro Gil Amian who, with his family, has superbly refurbished it. There will be a farm stroll after arrival. You’ll dine in the great hall of the house. Three night’s accommodation with private bathroom facilities.
Day 2: In the morning are driven to Jerez de la Frontera to visit the Royal School of Equestrian Art and watch Andalucian horses being trained. This will be followed by a tour of one of the sherry bodegas which will include tasting these fine wines of Jerez. You will then have lunch and in the afternoon visit the magnificent citadel of Arcos de la Frontera before returning to Barranco for the night.
Day 3: After breakfast you drive in to spectacular limestone mountain scenery to start a walk known as the Salto del Cabrero to the mountain village of Benaocáz. The route takes you through constant changes of terrain from high pasture and stands of ancient oak to extraordinary karst formations and magnificent views stretching across the “Plains of Spain” to the Atlantic. The reward is a delicious tapas lunch with lots of chilled wine in the bar in this most remote village. On your drive back to Barranco you will stop in the town of Ubrique to visit some of the many factory shops renown for high quality leather goods at reasonable prices. Dinner and overnight at Barranco. Walk: 7 miles and an optional 4 miles after lunch down the cobbled Roman road to Ubrique.
Day 4: From the front door of Cortijo Barranco you set off on foot through rolling farm land and mighty views of the sierras on one side and Arcos de la Frontera on the other. After two hours the group meets Antonio and his two mules who accompany you for the rest of the day. Lunch and Paco are waiting for you at Finca Liche, a small and delightful farmhouse where Concha, the farmer’s wife, cooks a very typical Andalucian lunch of the campo. From there, a further five mile walk to the village of Algar or by vehicle for those who prefer to have time to explore the village and to mix with village life. The next two nights are spent at a comfortable hotel at Algar with private bathroom facilities. Walk: 10 miles and up to optional 5 miles after lunch (accompanied by mules).
Day 5: For some this will be a rest day exploring the village of Algar. For others the walk takes you from Algar with Antonio and the mules through farmland and private estates with magnificent views of the surrounding sierras until you reach the most unusual village of Charco de Hurones and the impressive dam built in the 50’s. Here you have lunch before driving back to Algar, perhaps sighting some fighting bulls on the way. Walk: 8 mile (accompanied by mules).
Day 6: A short drive takes you to Puerto de Galiz, a cross roads in the mountains and a lonely bar where you’ll enjoy breakfast in local style. From here you meet Roque and his three mules and pick up the route again. This is dramatic sandstone country and from here your walk takes you alongside gushing streams choked with rhododendrons and arbutus (strawberry trees) into the interior of a forest of huge cork oaks, out of sight and sound of modern life. The group stops for a picnic of delicacies from Jane’s kitchen and then complete the walk. From here you’ll be driven the short distance to La Almuña where you spend the next two nights. All rooms with private bathroom facilities. Walk: 10 miles and an optional 3 miles after lunch (accompanied by mules).
Day 7: Some spend the morning in the beauty and quietness of Almuña while others walk for about 2½ hours, accompanied by Pedro and his team of mules, to the village of El Colmenar and have lunch in the village. The farewell dinner party that night will be at La Almuña. Walk: 5 mile (accompanied by mules).
Day 8: Transfer by vehicle for the airport and your flight home.
Note: Subject to change according to local conditions. All mileages shown are approximate.
Meeting Point: Malaga Airport. Transfers are included at pre-set time.
Difficulty of Walk: 8-12 miles per day. Easy going with some hills and uneven ground, with stops. A reasonable degree of fitness is required.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$3,195 per person, shared; $330 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 7 nights private house/manorial farmhouse/luxury hotel/hunting lodge accommodations
- 5 guided walking days
- All meals
- Luggage transfers
- Transfers to/from Gibraltar or Malaga Airport at pre-set time
- Tax.
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Europe
Spain
Walking Tours
Cultural Journey
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