Picos and Plains - The Best of Northern Spain

Tour Code: ESP05

A 10-day tour in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds in the Bay of Biscay and the special birds of the Picos de Europa mountains and the Zamoran plains.

10 days from
£2,295 (Inc ferry)
Land only price from
£1,995
book now

Highlights

Summary

Summary

This tour offers a chance to look for birds in two contrasting habitats in northern Spain – the Picos de Europa in the Cantabrian Mountains and the wide open plains of the Duero Valley. Our holiday begins with a ferry trip to Santander across the Bay of Biscay, where we’ll watch for whales, dolphins and seabirds. On arrival in northern Spain we head to the heart of the Picos in search of a range of high mountain specialist birds and mammals, before transferring to our second base in Zamora in the Duero plains.

  • Fin & Minke Whales, plus Common & Risso’s Dolphins in the Bay of Biscay
  • Balearic, Sooty, Cory’s & Great Shearwaters, skuas & petrels from ferry
  • Griffon Vulture, Water Pipit, Alpine Chough & Chamois in the high Picos
  • Black & Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, plus Honey Buzzard in Picos valleys
  • One of the world’s largest concentrations of Great Bustard in the Duero plains
  • Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Black-bellied Sandgrouse & Montagu’s Harrier
  • Led by expert naturalist guide

Grading

Easy day walks.

 

Northern Spain has a very great deal to offer the naturalist. The dramatic limestone peaks of the Picos de Europa in the heart of the Cantabrian Mountains are justly famous for their scenery and birds. Less well known, but only a relatively short distance to the south, are the wide open plains of the upper Duero Valley, which offer a striking scenic contrast to the mountains and some very different but equally exciting birds. Add to this a sea crossing that provides some of the best seabird and whale-watching possibilities that Europe has to offer and you have the makings of a very memorable trip indeed.

Our holiday starts with a ferry crossing from the south coast to Santander, a journey which at this time of year can produce sightings of an exciting range of whale and dolphin species. The ship is large and stable and provides a good vantage-point for scanning the sea ahead for that tell-tale fin or that column of spray, as one of these impressive creatures surfaces momentarily and ‘blows’. The ship crosses the continental shelf during the night and the morning will find us in the southern Bay of Biscay, a particularly rich feeding ground for whales. Here we have a chance of encountering such exciting species as Fin, Sei, Minke, Killer and Long-finned Pilot Whales, and Bottlenose, Common, Striped and Risso’s Dolphins. Seabirds are very likely to be in evidence too, and at this time of year we have a good chance of seeing Balearic, Sooty, Cory’s and Great Shearwaters, up to four species of skua, Sabine’s Gull, Grey Phalarope and petrels that may even include Wilson’s.

Once in Santander, we will make the short journey inland to Espinama in the heart of the Picos de Europa mountains. From our pleasant hotel here we are well positioned to explore the best that this remarkably unspoilt region has to offer. Amongst the high limestone crags and screes, reached by a short but spectacular journey on the Fuente Dé cable car, we will search for a range of high mountain specialists. Alpine Choughs, Water Pipits, Alpine Accentors, Crag Martins and the attractive Chamois are all common here and, with luck, we will find Snowfinch, Rock Thrush, Rock Bunting and even Wallcreeper. Raptors are a conspicuous feature of the Picos and, amongst the Griffon Vultures which are so often to be seen cruising effortlessly along the skyline, we must keep an eye open for Egyptian Vultures, Golden and Short-toed Eagles and Peregrine Falcons.

Lower down, in the valleys, we will discover a very different landscape. Here there are mixed woodlands, tumbling streams, flower-filled meadows, orchards and quiet, timeless villages. Amongst them we will look out for Black and Middle Spotted Woodpeckers, Woodlark, Dipper, Short-toed Treecreeper, Firecrest, Bonelli’s Warbler, Red-backed Shrike and Cirl Bunting. Overhead we could see Booted Eagle, Red Kite, Honey Buzzard or Goshawk, whilst at our feet the meadows dazzle us with their flowers and a range of butterflies that may include Scarce Swallowtail, Cleopatra and the strange Black Satyr.

After our time in the Picos we will head south-west towards Zamora. In the course of an easy but remarkable morning’s drive which takes us over a couple of passes and through a series of picturesque valleys, we will descend from high mountains onto the wide open rolling vastness of the Duero plains. Here, in accordance with European Union directives, a large area of the plains is being farmed in a manner sympathetic to a range of sensitive and declining grassland bird species. The result is one of the largest concentrations of Great Bustards in the world, together with good populations of Little Bustard, Stone Curlew, Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Montagu’s Harrier, Lesser Kestrel and Calandra Lark. With luck we will see all of these during our visit.

After this contrasting feast of scenery and birds in two rather forgotten parts of Spain, we will have to return to Santander. Counting the Mediterranean Gulls as we leave the harbour, we can look forward to more whales, dolphins, shearwaters and skuas as we once again cross the continental shelf out in the Bay of Biscay. Whatever we see, it is likely to be a fitting finale to a satisfying and memorable holiday.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Ferry from Plymouth to Santander
Day 2
Arrive Santander; transfer to Espinama, Picos de Europa
Day 3/4
Picos de Europa
Day 5/7
Zamora, Duero Valley plains
Day 8
Aguilar de Campoo
Day 9
Depart Santander by ferry
Day 10
Arrive Plymouth
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Ferries
  • Accommodation:

    Twin-bedded cabins aboard the ferry. Comfortable hotels in Spain; all rooms with private facilities.

  • Food:

    All included in the price, except for meals aboard the ferry and evening meal in Santander.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Sun 3rd Aug – Tue 12th Aug SPACES £2,295
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Sun 2nd Aug – Tue 11th Aug SPACES £2,295
Book Tour Show Details
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£2,095
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195 
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Whale Watching Cruises – See Whales in their Wild Habitat


Seeing whales in the wild is one of the top 10 things most people want to do during their lifetime. Scanning the water, waiting to hear a blow or see a dorsal fin, is one of the top wildlife experiences in the world, and it can get addictive! A sighting of whales in their natural habitat is consistently rated in the top 10 wildlife experiences in the world. These gentle giants of the ocean hold a special place in our hearts. Our dedicated small group tours offer the thrilling opportunity of an up-close-and-personal encounter in the wild; scanning the water, waiting for the sound of a blow or the sight of a dorsal fin is both thrilling and addictive.


Naturetrek Whale Watching Tours


Our dedicated small group whale-watching holidays encompass a range of destinations all over the world to offer the best chance of sightings on short trips or longer cruises. Whether it’s a day excursion in the UK or an extended 14-day cruise to an exotic far-flung location, we offer the chance to encounter these giant cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from the tropics to the Polar regions. 
Depending on the location, our itineraries can focus on one or several of the planet’s 86 key species, including Blue and Killer Whales, or form part of a broader wildlife-watching experience to encounter dolphins, birdlife and other marine species. Led by expert biologist or naturalist guides, our tours often allow participants to get thrillingly close to one of the most fascinating animals on Earth. We've been organising specialist wildlife tours for 32 years and our experience, passion and knowledge have earned us a reputation as the best in the business. Our range of whale-watching holidays is so popular that we are rapidly expanding our programme to include some of the most exciting, wildlife-rich places in the world.


Why book a Naturetrek whale & dolphin watching holiday?


    

  • Expert biologist-led & wildlife photographer-led holidays
    • 

  • Dedicated whale-watching tours focusing on one or a few key species
    • 

  • Many of our whale-watching tours offer the chance to see dolphins as well (and vice versa)
    • 

  • A range of tours from day trips out on small boats to week-long liveaboard cruises
    • 

  • A chance to look for cetaceans in all of the world’s oceans, from polar waters to the tropics
    • 

  • A wide range of the world’s 86 species are seen on our whale-watching holidays, including Blue Whales & Killer Whales
    • 

  • A wide range of the world's dolphin species have also been seen, from Bottlenose and Risso’s, to Spinner, Striped and Heaviside’s
    • 





Our specialist recommends...






"In the UK I'd recommend our full-day dolphin tours to look for White-beaked dolphins off Lyme Bay. Madeira offers a good variety of dolphins close to shore including Risso's, Atlantic Spotted and Common, while if you fancy warm tropical waters Sri Lanka or the Maldives offer a good range of acrobatic species in sunny conditions!" 

Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager




All Whale Watching Tours

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Birding Tours Led by Expert Naturalists


The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.


Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours


We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.


The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.

Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:



Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection


Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.


 




Our specialist recommends...






"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."

Byron Palacios - Tour Leader




  


 


All Birdwatching Tours

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Dolphin Watching – See Dolphins in the Wild


Seeing dolphins in the wild consistently ranks high on people’s lists of ’10 Things To See Before I Die’. Dolphins have captured the public imagination arguably more than any other animal – we marvel at their intelligence, grace and agility, as well as their apparent curiosity of their human observers.


Naturetrek Dolphin Watching Tours


Naturetrek offers the chance to watch dolphins all over the world, from the UK to the tropics and polar regions. Many of our dolphin tours also offer the opportunity to see whales. We offer:


    

  • Dedicated dolphin tours focusing on one or a few key species
    • 

  • Dolphin watching as part of a broader wildlife watching tour
    • 

  • A range of tours from day trips out on small boats to week-long liveaboard cruises
    • 

  • Expert biologist-led, photographer-led and researcher-led tours
    • 

  • A wide range of the world’s dolphin species seen, from Bottlenose and Risso’s, to Spinner, Striped and Heaviside’s
    • 



Our range of dolphin watching holidays includes:


    

  • A Maldives Cruise – a cruise through the turquoise waters surrounding the Maldives, searching for dolphins and whales as well as snorkeling over the reefs
    • 

  • Monterey Bay – enjoying the dolphins, whales and bird life of California’s Monterey Bay 
    • 

  • The Azores – Look for Sperm Whales and other cetaceans
    • 

  • Madeira – a 5-day holiday focusing on dolphin watching
    • 





Our specialist recommends...






"In the UK I'd recommend our full-day dolphin tours to look for White-beaked dolphins off Lyme Bay. Madeira offers a good variety of dolphins close to shore including Risso's, Atlantic Spotted and Common, while if you fancy warm tropical waters Sri Lanka or the Maldives offer a good range of acrobatic species in sunny conditions!" 

Sara Frost - Tour Leader & Marketing Manager




 


ALL DOLPHIN TOURS

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Flight-free Wildlife Holidays


At Naturetrek we make full use of the Eurostar rail service through the channel tunnel, and of the ferry routes between England’s south coast and France and Spain, to offer a range of ‘flightless’ wildlife holidays in Belgium, Holland, France and Spain. In addition, we also offer the widest selection of wildlife holidays within the UK, none of which require a flight to participate in. Therefore, if you prefer not to fly, for whatever reason, we have a range of varied and exciting wildlife holidays for you to choose from, and we are committed to regularly adding more.


It is also the case that many of our other holidays within Europe are also accessible by rail. Generally, where there’s a will, there’s a way, and we’d be pleased to offer advice to anybody who wishes to join any of our tours within Europe by a means other than flying!




Our specialist recommends...






"Our Picos & Plains tour offers an environmentally-friendly route down to Spain for some excellent birding and cetacean-watching. More broadly, we’re very keen for Naturetrek to offer the most dynamic, market-leading carbon-reduced holidays available, and we hope you enjoy browsing our list of no-flight wildlife holidays!” 

Kerrie Porteous - Operations Manager




All No Flight Tours

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Tour Dates or Itinerary Don't Suit?

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!