Tico Tours TM
Dates: April 23-May 4, 2006
2007 Dates Coming Soon
Price:
$2,875 plus airfare; Single Supplement $350
Includes: Accommodations, all meals, private transportation, bilingual naturalist guide (specialized on birdwatching),and all entrance fees.
For 8 Participants (+ Leader, Local guides where required and Driver)
Leader: Eduardo Amengual and Isra Minguez
Expect: c350-400 species
ITINERARY
A spring trip to Spain, at probably the best time of year, when the steppes are in bloom, spring migration is at its peak, and the birding is at its very best!
We begin the tour in Andalucía, in the dry and mountainous coastal area forming one of the great migration channels of Europe, from where huge numbers of birds are arriving from across the Strait of Gibraltar. After a three-night stay here we travel north to the fabled Coto Doñana, one of Europe's largest and most important wetland areas. Here the Guadalquivir empties into a low-lying area of channels and shallow lakes, many of which are given protection within the Parque Nacional de Doñana and adjacent Parque Natural. Although access into the National Park is limited, there is excellent birdwatching available in this surrounding habitat, which varies from streamside and open pinewoods, dry scrub and open fields to the various wetlands.
We then travel north to the wild and beautiful country of Extremadura, about 250km south-west of Madrid, which holds some of Europe's most endangered bird species in their last strongholds. The rolling plains of the "Spanish Steppes" are home to Europe's largest remaining population of its largest bird, Great Bustard, together with good numbers of Little Bustard, and both Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse. This is probably the best area in Europe for raptors, too, with a unique assemblage of species including Black Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle and Black-shouldered Kite.
Accommodation: In Andalucía we stay in a 3-star hotel in El Rocio and a 4-star hotel in Zahara with all rooms en suite. In Extremadura we stay at the Finca Santa Marta, a small country hotel delightfully converted from a former olive farm in the Extremadura countryside. All rooms are en suite.
Maximum 14 clients (two leaders with more than 7 clients)
The price is per person, and is fully inclusive of accommodation as detailed above, all meals, minibus transport, admissions and the services of the leaders. The price excludes round-trip airfare to Spain, holiday insurance, drinks and items of a personal nature.
Check out our detailed itinerary for Andalucía, Coto Doñana and Extremadura©Copyright 2005 Tico Tours™
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