At the moment EcoQuest Travel does not have a trip to Spain scheduled, but it is a destination that we offer frequently. EcoQuest Travel offers several different itineraries to Spain – the trip listed below is just one example. If you are interested in Spain as a destination, or for a more detailed itinerary, please contact EcoQuest Travel by email at: info@ecoquesttravel.net.
THE BIRDS OF SOUTHERN & CENTRAL SPAIN
Raptors, Rollers & the Rapture of Spring
Spain is a country steeped in history, a throwback to an older slower Europe, yet also modern with gleaming cities and vibrant nightlife. It is a land of picturesque castles overlooking olive groves, whirling flamenco dancers, culinary uniqueness and 390 bird species – more than anywhere else in Europe. EcoQuest Travel is proud to offer a once in a lifetime birding and wildlife adventure to Spain. We will be traveling to Spain in April, which is early enough to take advantage of the mild spring weather, but late enough for all the migrants to have returned after wintering in Africa. Our timing also means breeding for many species, such as Great and Little Bustards, will be in full swing.
Compared to most European countries Spain is huge – a bit smaller than Texas. Geographically, Spain and Portugal make up the Iberian Peninsula, which juts off the southwest corner of Europe, and is separated from the rest of Europe by the Pyrenees Mountains. This isolation, coupled with varied topography, has led to astonishing biodiversity. It is the bird diversity in particular that draws us to this ancient country. We will begin in Malaga located in the far south along the Straits of Gibraltar. The migration of raptors across the Straits will still be underway and viewing this spectacle from cliffs overlooking the deep blue Mediterranean is breathtaking. After searching for birds and whales along the south coast we will travel west to Spain’s most famous National Park – Donana. The number of waterbirds at Donana is staggering with Greater Flamingos, Eurasian Spoonbill and Purple Swamphen among those we should see. From Donana we head north to the plains and mountains of Cuidad Real and Extremadura for displaying bustards, elusive sandgrouse, colorful rollers and bee-eaters and the fantastic raptors of Monfrague. The main trip will conclude in Madrid, but we will offer a post-trip extension to explore the mountains of Northern Spain – which hide such enigmatic species as Wallcreeper and the giant bone-eating Lammergeier.
We will concentrate our efforts on the birds of Spain, but certainly will be looking for mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and butterflies as well. On behalf of EcoQuest Travel we proudly invite you to join us as we explore the rapture of spring in Spain and seek its bountiful birds and wondrous wildlife.
15-Day Itinerary with Optional 8-Day Extension to the Mountains of Northern Spain
Day 1 – Home City to US Gateway and on to Malaga, Spain
Day 2 – Arrival in Malaga, Strait of Gibraltar and Zhara de los Atunes
Day 3 – La Janda Rice Paddies & Zhara de los Atunes
Day 4 – Strait of Gibraltar: Whale Watching & Seabird Trip
Day 5 – Travel to the Eastern Section of Donana National Park
Day 6 – Donana National Park
Day 7 – Donana National Park and Odiel Marshes
Day 8 – El Rocio to the Plains of Campo de Calatrava in Ciudad Real
Day 9 – Ciudad Real: Navaseca Lagoon & Daimiel National Park
Day 10 – Ciudad Real to Extremadura – Calera y Chozas and Arrocampo Reserve
Day 11 – Monfrague National Park
Day 12 – Caceres & Trujillo Plains
Day 13 – Villuercas Mountains
Day 14 – Birding in Route to Madrid & the Flight to the US
Day 15 – Flight to the US and Transfer to Our Flights Home
Extension to the Mountains of Northern Spain – Picos de Europa & the Pyrenees
Day 15 – Madrid to the Picos de Europa Mountains and Tama
Day 1 – Tama – Picos de Europa National Park
Day 2 – San Glorio Pass
Day 3 – Tama to Echo Valley in the Central Pyrenees
Day 4 – Upper Echo Valley
Day 5 – Roncal Valley – Larra Belagua Natural Reserve in both Spain and France
Day 6 – Depart Echo Valley for the Belchite Steppes & El Planeron NR
Day 7 – El Planeron Nature Reserve and to Madrid
Day 8 – Madrid back to the US
* Please note that EcoQuest Travel will make every effort to adhere to this itinerary, but dates, times, activities and prices are subject to change depending on scheduling and availability.