This walking adventure takes place where Caesar's legions came to mine the silver of the Sierra de Gata which borders this region to the north. The Romans left fine roads, bridges, aqueducts, and temples behind. The region is Extremadura, one of the most unspoiled regions of Spain bordering Castile to the north and east; Portugal to the west and Andalucia to the south. In fact, your walk takes you into Portugal and back into Spain.
The violence and harshness of the area in the sixteenth century bred austere men of toughness, fortitude and ambition. Extremadura carries the title of the "Cradle of the Conquistadors." The explorers and Conquistadors, Cortes, Pizarro, de Soto and Balboa all came from Extremadura. Now the land is peaceful, clean and beautiful.
The word Extremadura (which comes from "extremo" meaning farthest out in Spanish) comes from the area's geographic position during the eight centuries of fighting between the Spaniards and the Moors which went on for 800 years and finally ended in 1492. This was Spain's frontier back then. It is still the least populated area of Spain with about one third the density of population as the rest of the country. Because of this, the area is pristine and wildlife abounds.
This area is also where the Duke of Wellington came to force the combined French and Spanish armies out of Portugal and prevailed over the forces of Napoleon. You will cross the area where the armies fought and camped.
Walkers should be prepared to walk from five to about ten miles per day although vehicle options are available on longer days.
Your Itinerary:
Day 1: You will be met at Madrid airport and driven for about 4 hours (refreshment stop en route) to Finca El Vaqueril, the home of Javier Ruano, who runs it as a country guest house. This beautiful 19th century farmhouse is 5 miles from the road, set on 2000 acres of classic Extremadura landscape with granite outcrops and dehesa, landscape like parkland dotted with oak trees. The rooms have great character and are most comfortable, all with their own bathrooms. The first two nights are spent here.
Day 2: An easy morning's walk on the estate among cork and holm oaks. Visit the gothic tombs, black-leg pigs and circling red kites, ending with lunch back at the farm. In the afternoon you will take a short ride to Cáceres for a walking tour of this fine Arabic/Christian city (World Heritage Site). Dinner and the night at Finca El Vaqueril. Walk: 6½ miles, in Cáceres 3 or so.
Day 3: You leave Finca for a one hour drive via the Roman bridge at Alcántara and across the border into Portugal. Here you pick up the walk along the border river Erjas (Erges – Portuguese) starting at the gorge of Segura with its colony of griffon vultures. You walk northwards through remote country. Cistus scrub and rough pasture with holm oaks rise steeply on the Spanish side. After the picnic lunch, walkers will climb to the exceedingly beautiful Portuguese village of Salvaterra do Extremo. You may opt not to walk in the afternoon and go straight to the hotel. The group spends the first of two nights in the Hotel Astoria in the spa village of Termas de Monfortinho. The hotel has a swimming pool and sports facilities – tennis and billiards – and the opportunity for a massage. Walk: 8 miles with several vehicle options, or longer depending on route chosen in the afternoons.
Day 4: Today is a light walking/rest day in Portugal, with visits to Monsanto, a mountain top settlement where the houses back into granite boulders far bigger than themselves, and Idanha-a-Velha, a Roman town much larger than the medieval village now within its walls. An optional two-hour walk links the two. Return to hotel for second night’s stay. For anyone not wishing to walk, there is the alternative of relaxing in the hotel, swimming in the pool and using the sports facilities. Optional walk: 5 miles.
Day 5: After a short drive you'll be taken to the start of the early morning walk which will bring you back across the frontier into Spain, using pack animals on the Spanish side. The route passes through open country and rolling farmland with mountain views ahead. After a picnic lunch, you’ll arrive at the enchanting stone farmhouse of El Cabezo, the farm and family estate of Miguel Muriel and his wife Maria Moreno. Miguel has 100 head of cattle, cork oaks and excellent olive oil. They have done up seven bedrooms to a very high standard of comfort, all with their own bathrooms. Walk: 9 miles to lunch and just over 4 miles after with several vehicle options.
Day 6: A leisurely start for a higher walk in the Sierra de Gata. There will be a picnic lunch en route with a vehicle option for return to home base. Walk: 8 miles with vehicle option.
Day 7: There are two possibilities, to be decided according to weather conditions. The first is over the pass of Santa Clara in the Sierra de Gata and on into Old Castile. The second option is a walk in the sierra at lower level closer to the village of Hoyos. After a picnic lunch, drive to the historic walled city of Ciudad Rodrigo, crossing an area where Spanish, French, British and Portuguese armies were a constant presence during the Peninsular War. The tiny city endured two sieges, the second giving the future Duke of Wellington a costly but important victory. In the afternoon there will be time to walk round the city with your guide explaining the history (especially the Peninsular war) and enjoying the architecture and the atmosphere of a well-preserved historic town, unchanged by any economic success. Your last night is spent in the Parador Nacional Enrique 11, a restored 14th century castle. Dinner is taken in the parador.
Day 8: Early morning departure for the transfer back to Madrid airport.
Note: Itinerary subject to change according to local conditions. Swimming pools can be closed by hotels without notice. The Spanish in particular, and the Portuguese to some degree, take a more restrictive view than the British on what constitutes swimming weather. All mileages given are approximate; distances often feel longer than the stated mileage because of the nature of the terrain.
Tour Date: May 1-8. Meeting Point: Madrid Airport. Transfers are included at pre-set time.
Difficulty of Walk: 6-10 miles per day. Hills and some uneven ground, streams, many stops. A reasonable degree of fitness is required.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
$3,450 per person, shared; $330 single supplement.
Price Includes:
- 7 nights accommodation
- 6 guided walking days
- All meals
- Luggage transfer
- Transfers to/from Madrid Airport at pre-set time
- Tax.
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