Sierra Nevada & Granada Trip Notes

Transcription

1 Sierra Nevada & Granada Trip Notes Trip code : ETSN Trip length : 8 Trip starts in : Berchules Trip ends in : Granada The Sierra Nevada towers over southern Spain as the second highest mountain range in Europe. With fertile valleys of chestnut forests and high moorlands covered in lavender and broom, we are rewarded with some of the finest walking in southern Spain. On our journey through picturesque villages, we learn of their Roman and Moorish influences and savour the local food. We also enjoy one full day in the Moorish city of Granada, home to the magnificent Alhambra Palace. 1 The tour starts at our hotel in the village of Berchules. 2 On this first day we take a circular walk from the hotel. Great views and water babbling in the irrigation channels give a good introduction to the Alpujarra. The area is generally agricultural and we will see how the land has been managed through the ages. As well as spotting relics dating back to the middle ages there are stunning views of the region. This will be the shortest and least demanding walk of the week giving a chance to acclimatise. 3 Today there is the chance to see abundant local flora and fauna while walking through beautiful landscape. The route takes us through several towns and villages, such as Lobras and Timar, until we reach Juviles, home to a 10th century Muslim castle. A 10-minute transfer takes us back to our

2 hotel in Berchules. 4 A short transfer takes us to the beginning of our walk exploring the nature of the Rio Trevelez Valley. We walk along Roman paths through the area of La Taha, a collection of Moorish villages hidden in a deep gorge. Lunch is taken in a tiny bar, where we are offered a selection of local dishes, as available on the day, lunch is paid for locally. Walk Profile: 6 hours, 16km. 5 Our day starts with a short transfer to the white village of Trevelez at 1500m the highest village in Spain. The town is particularly famous for the quality of its world-renowned Jamon Serrano. There are shopping opportunities in this larger village and a chance to sample the ham at its source. From here we enjoy a scenic circular walk involving riverside sections and a chance to see the local cowboys handle their herds on the hillsides. Walk Profile: 6-7 hours, 14km. 6 This is the longest walk of the week and will vary with the season. Normally we take a circular walk from the hotel to take a deeper look at our home valley. An amazingly scenic walk giving an easy access through apparently impossible cliffs. Points of historical and folkloric interest are encountered along the way and paddling possibilities at the river crossing. 7 Transfer to Granada (2 hours). We arrive in the city at about 11:30am and after check-in there is free time to explore this wonderful city at your own pace. The tour leader is on hand to point you in the right direction. The city is a mecca for tapa-hunters and has an abundance of pleasant squaresto relax in, riverside areas to stroll and monuments abound. There is the opportunity to visit one of Europe's most visited historical monuments- the moslem 14thC Alhambra Palace: if you would like to visit, it is best to pre-book ast tickets are restricted. From the hotel, the Alhambra is 20 minutes walk uphill or a 5 minute taxi ride. Overnight in Granada. 8 The tour ends at our hotel in Granada.

3 International flights, departure and airport taxes, visas, all other meals, all optional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature. Standard For those of you who dream of experiencing a location in depth and comfort but are mindful of budget. Ideal for those that enjoy the quirkier side of a destination without roughing it. Join inquisitive travellers of all ages for an fun, informative experience. Style Facts Comfortable tourist class hotels Family Homestays Private and local transport More inclusions than Basic tours Fully trained and experienced leaders Active Explore the world on two feet - or two wheels! Our active trips range from classic treks & trips where walking forms an integral part of the itinerary to cycling tours offering a totally new perspective on a destination. Some of our active adventure tours include the classic treks such as the Inca Trail, Kilimanjaro or Everest Base Camp as well as shorter one day or overnight hikes. Our cycling tours allow you to access hidden corners of a destination, discover remote villages and meet the locals either en route or even by cycling alongside them. All our active trips are fully supported with either porters and mules or by a support vehicle. This tour is operated by our partners Exodus. A necessary bugbear of adventure travel, visas can appear complicated, costly and confusing to apply for. Imaginative Traveller recommend applying for visas with a professional visa service who can guide you though the process and take care of lodging and collecting your passport with multiple embassies, so we have teamed up with The Visa Machine. The Visa Machine live and breathe visas and have the expertise to provide current and accurate information and arrange the correct visas for your trip, quickly and at a good price. Please click here for more information.

4 We strongly recommend you visit your doctor to discuss health requirements for your trip. They will advise you regarding the appropriate inoculations. In some places anti-malaria medication may also be required. Some vaccines need to be administered a few weeks before departure so allow yourself plenty of time. Obtain a certificate of vaccination and carry this with you on this trip. A dental check up is also highly recommended. Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping, participating in optional activities, and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip. You will need to take cash to cover all additional expenses not included in your tour cost. These include food, drinks, optional sightseeing, tips, laundry, souvenirs and possible delays. If in doubt, bring more than you think you will need. It is always useful to carry an additional amount for emergencies. If there is a medical emergency you are sometimes required to pay at the time; providing your claim falls within the scope of your policy, your insurance company will make reimbursement later. You must have extensive travel insurance as a condition of booking with us, and without evidence of a valid policy you won t be allowed to start your trip. Please click here for more information. Responsible tourism is at the heart of Imaginative Traveller. For 20 years we have taken customers to places around the world in social and environmentally responsible manner, ensuring everyone involved respects and maintains the natural and often delicate balance of the destination. As travellers ourselves we are well aware of the impact that tourism can have and whilst economic gain from tourism is often fundamental to a country, it should never be at the expense of its culture or the environment. It is our aim to provide journeys that have minimal negative and maximum positive impact on the places we visit. We do not believe that, as visitors, we should impose our own cultures on others; rather that we should experience foreign cultures and appreciate them for what they are. We believe giving something back is essential. We therefore work with our customers and the people we visit to ensure the benefits go directly to contribute to local cultures and environmental conservation. This is not only good the communities we visit but it also gives our travellers more enriched adventures. For further information about responsible travel please click here. At Imaginative Traveller we always aim to provide accurate information for our travellers. Unfortunately information such as the price of optional activities is occasionally subject to change, and this means that we are constantly revising our trip notes. In order to ensure that you have the most up to date information for your trip we suggest that you check the trip notes for your tour around one month before departure.

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