granada and the alpujarras

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1 A UTracks holiday is all about exploring Europe your way. It s about U + the walking tracks and cycling trails you want to discover, be it hiking with the family in the European Alps, a leisurely cycle with friends along the quieter backroads of Holland or France, trekking the famous pilgrimage trails of Spain, Italy or England or even discovering the islands of Croatia and Greece by bike and boat. Together with our sister company Sherpa Expeditions, we offer over 300 active tours across the continent and it s many exotic islands, with active holiday ideas for families, culinary enthusiasts, history buffs, experienced alpine walkers or those that just want to see Europe differently. Since we began in 2006, UTracks has quickly become known as the leaders in active European holidays. Our itineraries are creative and very affordable making them popular with travellers both young and young at heart. Set your own pace on a flexible self guided trip or enjoy the benefits of an experienced local guide on a guided tour. The physical demands range from introductory to challenging with all offering unique opportunities to discover the untrodden Europe, spanning postcard landscapes, centuries old cultures, rural lifestyles and tempting culinary delights. Best of all, our trips start on virtually any day of the week, so you can combine any tour to create exactly the holiday you want. Compare the price and you will see that we offer exceptional value active programs that are virtually all inclusive, giving you more time to enjoy the natural and cultural wonders you ve come to experience. explore europe your way TRIP COST Joining Granada : $949 All prices are per person OPTIONS & SUPPLEMENTS H - high season supplement: $60 Single Supplement: $220 Single Traveller Surcharge: $250 TRIP NAME: GRANADA AND THE ALPUJARRAS TRIP CODE: UAT TRIP DURATION: 8 DAYS GRADE: MODERATE 3 ACTIVITY: SELF GUIDED WALK ACCOMMODATION: 7 NIGHTS HOTEL DATE DETAILS: DAILY Spain Granada Trevélez Bérchules Pampaneira As the trip price is based on twinshare, a single supplement is payable if a single room is required or a single traveller supplement if you are travelling solo*. Please refer to the price options for costs or ask our office for details. Note regarding single rooms The single supplement guarantees the privacy of your own room, however, rooms can at times be small and in some places may not enjoy the same facilities as double/twin rooms. *The single traveller surcharge is only available on trips deemed suitable for solo travellers. It is usually more expensive than the single supplement due to the extra cost for luggage transfers and organisation. IMPORTANT NOTES H - High Season highlights Exploring Moorish villages with steep, narrow lanes which cling to the mountainside Walking in beautiful surroundings at high elevations with sweeping views Discovering the fascinating remains of times gone by, including ancient acequias and Moorish threshing circles Being surrounded by diverse Mediterranean vegetation with the snowy peaks of Sierra Nevada as a backdrop the trip From the intriguing city of Granada to the lofty heights of the Alpujarras, the focus is firmly on culture and mountain landscapes. Small and surprisingly cosmopolitan, Granada offers a bizarre mixture of ancient history and modern living. There will be time to visit the Alhambra, the spectacular Moorish monument which is a must see. After two nights in the city, you will move up into the mountains, to the Alpujarras. This beautiful area still reflects its Moorish origins, recalling times when groups of moros inhabited these hills resisting the Christian Reconquest. In this fascinating historical context, the Alpujarras high elevation makes for an ideal alpine experience with the snowy peaks of Sierra Nevada as a backdrop. All sorts of crops thrive in the Mediterranean climate: olive orchards, orange and lemon groves, almonds, figs and grapes. Amidst this abundance you will enjoy dramatic views from the enchanting white washed villages as you walk among terraced fields and along the irrigation channels which survive from the Moorish era World Expeditions Travel Group - Erin Williams 11/25/ :08:19 AM Page 1

2 itinerary at a glance Day 1 Arrive Granada Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 detailed itinerary DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 granada and the alpujarras Explore Granada and the Alhambra Bus to Capileira, circular walk through the Río Poqueira Valley to Pampaneira (5hrs) Walk through villages and forests to reach Taha de Pitres (5hrs) Ascend to the highest village in the Alpujarras, Trevélez (6 or 7hrs) Choice of three walks from Trevélez (3.5 to 8hrs) Ascend El Portichuelo and continue to Bérchules (5.5hrs) Walk through the Río Grande valley, return to Granada by local bus, trip concludes Arrive Granada Today you will arrive in the splendid city of Granada. Granada is a small and surprisingly cosmopolitan city with an intriguing mix of ancient lanes and modern avenues. You can spend the afternoon walking through the city and sampling the tapas. meals: NIL Explore Granada and the Alhambra Today you are free to explore the city of Granada and there is time to visit the UNESCO listed Alhambra. This ancient Moorish palace and fortress is beautiful, and fascinating to explore. NOTE: Make sure to book your Alhambra tickets in advance. meals: B Bus to Capileira, circular walk through the Río Poqueira Valley to Pampaneira (5hrs) This morning you will catch an early local bus to Capileira, the main village of the Alpujarras and situated at an elevation of 1436m. (The first bus departs from Granada bus station at 10am, and the journey times takes just over 2 hours). This enchanting village still displays its history as a former Moorish settlement: white-washed houses clinging to the hillside, tiny squares with fountains, and a mysterious network of steep, narrow lanes.today there is a choice of two walks (either 2.5 or 5 hours) through the Río Poqueira Valley. Walk through fields and past ancient threshing circles. There are some steep ascents and descents, and you will definitely enjoy the marvellous views. 5hrs, 560m ascent and descent or 2.5hrs, 330 ascent and descent Walk through villages and forests to reach Taha de Pitres (5hrs) Today you will walk from village to village, visiting Bubion, Pitres, Mencina-Fondales and Atalbeitar. Along the route you will pass a variety of scenery and vegetation, including an ancient Mediterranean Holm oak forest, pine tree plantations and irrigated fields. The last section of the walk traverses part of the Taha de Pitres, with good examples of Moorish remnants. 5 hours, 510m ascent, 640m descent Ascend to the highest village in the Alpujarras, Trevélez (6 or 7hrs) Today s walk will take you through the Trevélez River Valley, where you can stop at a series of fantastic viewpoints. You will follow a long-distance walking path to the highest village in the Alpujarras. 6 or 7hrs, 713m ascent, 645m descent 2011 World Expeditions Travel Group - Erin Williams 11/25/ :08:19 AM Page 2

3 DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 Choice of three walks from Trevélez (3.5 to 8hrs) Choose from 3 walking routes: a spectacular longer walk high into the Sierra Nevada; a circular route enjoying the beautiful area around Trevélez; or a shorter walk along the historic Camino de Granada. 5.5hours, 650m ascent and descent (will differ with the route you choose) Ascend El Portichuelo and continue to Bérchules (5.5hrs) A pleasant route today will take you through shady woodlands along narrow paths to higher elevations which offer sweeping views of your surroundings. In clear weather you can see Africa from El Portichuelo, the highest point on this route. Overnight in Berchules. 5.5hrs, 600m ascent, 840m descent Walk through the Río Grande valley, return to Granada by local bus, trip concludes Today there is an optional walk through the Rio Grande Valley north of Berchules. You follow an acequia (ancient irrigation channel) and pass the ruins of a 13th century Moorish silk-washing house. Take a morning or afternoon bus (if you choose to do the optional walk) to Granada. The morning bus departs at hrs and the afternoon bus departs at hrs (the journey time to Granada is 3 hrs and 45 mins). The trip concludes on arrival in Granada. Additional accommodation can be booked on request. meals: B inclusions 7 breakfasts, 5 dinners 7 nights accommodation on a twinshare basis Luggage transfers on walking days (you will need to take your luggage with you on the bus from Granada to Capileira, and from Berchules to Granada) Maps and detailed route descriptions 24 hour telephone assistance items not included Lunches, 2 dinners and drinks Travel to and from Granada, and local transport including from Granada to Capileira and from Berchules to Granada Transfers Entrance fees Items of a personal nature Travel insurance getting there BY CAR BY TRAIN BY AIR Driving routes can be accessed via the following websites: com Granada is on the train line and is connected to most other cities in Spain. For timetables and route information visit the Spainish rail website: renfe.com/en/viajeros/index.html. We are happy to assist with rail passes and tickets. The closest airports are Granada and Málaga and there are connections from many European cities. There are buses that connect the airports to the city. If you are flying from outside of Europe the closest international airport is Madrid World Expeditions Travel Group - Erin Williams 11/25/ :08:19 AM Page 3

4 BY BUS There are many buses that connect Granada to the major cities in Spain. To buy tickets and view the timetable online, visit the ALSA website: alsa.es/portal/site/alsa?portal.alsa.request.locale=en_gb trip grading - moderate MODERATE GRADE 3 This is a self guided walk with average daily stages of 2.5 to 7 hours. The trip is graded moderate as it is mainly on wide unsurfaced tracks, footpaths or animal trails, with the occasional section on surfaced tracks or tarmac roads. Although sometimes the ascents are several kilometres long, they are gradual and technically easy. The use of walking sticks is recommended. A reasonable level of fitness is required. As with all of our trips it is important that you are well prepared. We suggest that you undertake regular exercise swimming, cycling, and jogging, two to three times a week for three months prior to your departure. equipment provided dietary requirements Provided we are advised in advance of your departure we are able to cater for vegetarian diets and can assist with medically recommended diets (allergies and intolerances). Please ensure you discuss your requirements with us well in advance (at least 1 month prior to your trip) to determine whether we can cater to such dietary requirements on your chosen adventure. Please note that options are likely to be limited in very remote locations or alternatives may be more expensive or unavailable. There may be times when those with special requirements may need to provide their own food. We are unable to guarantee a peanut free or allergen free trip, and therefore, we strongly encourage that travellers with life threatening or severe allergies take all necessary medical precautions to prepare for the possibility of exposure. Passengers must travel with all necessary medications for food allergies and be capable of self administering these medications. a note on our self guided adventures Self guided walking or cycling requires individuals to use problem solving skills, be adaptable and have a keen eye. It is recommended that you are comfortable map reading, referring to route notes and that you have a good sense of direction (or are willing to work on improving this!) Sometimes route finding, losing your way, finding it again and asking the locals for help is all part of the adventure. If you ve never been on a self guided trip, after the first couple of days you will get the hang of it as the vast majority of our first time travellers attest. Please be assured that our written material issued to you for route finding is updated regularly and we provide a 7day service hotline in the event of any problems. Using directions and maps can be more difficult for solo travellers as often two heads are better than one when it comes to finding your way. There is a certain level of the unknown that comes with self guided trips, however with a methodical approach potential problems will be averted. The freedom of a self guided trip is something that, once experienced, is sought time and time again. fast facts COUNTRIES VISITED Spain Page 4

5 VISAS Visas not required for citizens of Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for up to 90 days in a period of 180 days for all Schengen countries (see www. schengenvisainfo.com/schengen visa countries list/ for countries part of the Schengen). Please ensure your passport is stamped on arrival in the Schengen area. For all other nationalities and for longer stays in countries covered by the Schengen Agreement (Australian New Zealand, Canadian and US passport holders), please contact the relevant embassy. Stays of longer than 90 days in the Schengen area require a long stay visa for the country you are spending most time in. However long stay visas are unlikely to be issued unless there is a valid reason (eg. studying in country). Unfortunately we cannot assist in obtaining visas for long stays due to individual country visa requirements. CLIMATE A Mediterranean climate with abundant sunlight. Daylight hours are long, even in winter. You can expect temperatures ranging from 8 to 19 in spring/autumn and up to 20 to 30 degrees in summer, and often higher. At higher elevations, the temperatures fall slightly. Rainfall is low. The nights during winter can be quite cold, but during the day you can expect average temperatures of 12 degrees. MIN GROUP SIZE 1 SPECIALIST GEAR REQUIRED Sunscreen, walking boots, outer layer including rain jacket, day pack and sun hat walking sticks are recommended. (A detailed packing list is included in the pre departure information provided on booking). how to book To book a UTRACKS trip, complete our booking form which is found at the back of our brochure or can be downloaded from our website On completion, fax or post the form to your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office along with full payment by cheque or credit card (note: surcharges apply for credit card payments). UTRACKS/World Expeditions has access to pre and post accommodation and competitive airfares to Europe. Call your nearest UTRACKS/World Expeditions office or travel agent for assistance with your travel arrangements including flights, travel insurance & additional accommodation. follow us There s even more tips and ideas on our blog at slide shows UTracks invites you to attend our inspiring adventure travel slide shows. These special evenings are designed to inform and entertain and are hosted by our most experienced and passionate adventure travellers. Ask our staff for a slide show schedule or register on our website Shows can fill early so it is important to register your attendance so we know to save a seat, or two! e-newsletter To keep up to date with our new and exciting adventure opportunities, special promotions and adventure news, subscribe to our monthly e newsletter! You can do this on line through our website, com or contact our office. Page 5

6 IMPORTANT NOTE THESE TRIP NOTES REPRESENT THE MOST CURRENT INFORMATION AVAILABLE FOR THIS ITINERARY, AND SUPERSEDE ANY INFORMATION DETAILED IN THE CURRENT BROCHURE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ITINERARY AND PRICE. talk to us If you require any further assistance regarding this trip or any other adventure, please contact your nearest UTRACKS or World Expeditions office. Page 6

7 AUSTRALIA UTracks / World Expeditions Level 5, 71 York St Sydney NSW 2000 T: (02) F: (02) Toll free: info@utracks.com.au Feel free to visit our World Expeditions offices in:- Melbourne Perth Brisbane Adelaide (Thor Travel) Our staff will be happy to assist with your enquiries. For address and office phone numbers see our website at NEW ZEALAND World Expeditions Level 1, High St Auckland CBD PO Box Auckland City 1143 T: (09) F: (09) Toll Free: info@worldexpeditions.co.nz CANADA - OTTAWA World Expeditions 47 William St Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1N 6Z9 T: F: Toll Free: info@worldexpeditions.com UNITED KINGDOM World Expeditions 1B Osiers Road Wandsworth London SW18 1NL T: F: T: (Ireland) info@utracks.com Page 7