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Spain - Butterflies of the Sierra Nevada
Tour Code: ESP64An 8-day holiday to southern Spain's hidden gem, the Sierra Nevada mountains, in search of its incredible diversity of butterflies, comprising several endemic species amongst spectacular mountain scenery.
£1,895 (Inc flights)
£1,695
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
The Sierra Nevada – meaning ‘snowy range’ in Spanish – is a mountainous, protected area with perhaps the highest percentage of endemic plant species in Europe, together with Spain’s highest peak. Its enormous botanical diversity is associated with a spectacular entomological complexity, with more than 200 endemic species of insects. This trip takes us through the richest butterfly habitats in the Sierra Nevada where, in late spring, there is a high percentage of endemism amongst the abundance of other widespread species. Two separate accommodations will enable us to visit all corners of the national park, whether that be vegetated valleys or the mid-elevations, the latter being the only site in Europe to find the Sierra Nevada Blue, whilst in the lower slopes we will seek out such specialities as Desert Orange-tip!
- Up to 80 species of butterflies during the week
- A moth-trap included too
- Within easy reach from Malaga, southern Spain's main hub for British tourists
- Seek specialities including Sierra Nevada Blue, Zullich's Blue and Desert Orange-tip
- Beautiful scenery
- Staying at two well-situated hotels
- Led by a local butterfly expert
Grading
Grade B - Expect to hike for prolonged periods on undulating and at times, steep terrain. However, the pace is slow and the paths are well maintained.
What's Included?
- Flights
- Food:
All food is included when in the mountains. Lunches will comprise either of picnics or cafe/bar lunches.
Dates & Prices
2025
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Who can fail to be delighted by butterflies – the intensity and variety of their colours, their delicate beauty and fascinating life cycles? Our tours allow butterfly-watching enthusiasts to observe marvellous species all around the world. Sadly, butterflies are in decline in many regions. To help prevent the loss of these beautiful creatures, our butterfly holidays make a direct contribution to their conservation.
Naturetrek Butterfly Tours
- We offer an excellent range of dedicated butterfly holidays
- All tours are led by a Naturetrek butterfly-watching expert
- Although butterflies are the main focus of our butterfly tours, we also take time to observe other wildlife
- By booking one of our dedicated butterfly holidays you will automatically be making a contribution to their conservation.
Here’s a selection of our dedicated butterfly tours:
Although we include butterfly-watching in many of our holidays, we offer a wide selection of dedicated butterfly tours, including:
- The Cevennes – we look for butterflies in the Massif Central
- Butterflies in Normandy – we go in search of some of Normandy’s 160 species of butterfly
- Sweden's Butterflies & Dragonflies – Sweden is home to Large Blue, Apollo, Scarce Copper and many more species
- Butterflies of the Dolomites – we explore sheltered valleys and butterfly hot-spots in the Italian Dolomites
- Sri Lanka - A Butterfly Tour – seeking Sri Lanka’s dazzling tropical species
- Butterflies of Morocco's High Atlas Mountains – a search for the butterflies of the High Atlas Mountains, with a wealth of other wildlife and mountain walks in spectacular scenery.
Naturetrek & Butterfly Conservation
As a top category ‘Gold’ corporate sponsor of Butterfly Conservation (BC), we donate around £1,500 annually to the charity. As well as this, since 2002 we have donated 10% of all income generated by our annual programme of butterfly tours that we run in partnership with BC, and give BC membership to all non-members joining the tours.
Our specialist recommends...
"I'd recommend Naturetrek's Butterflies of South Africa holiday. On this butterfly holiday we look for butterflies in the Wajkkerstrom (montane grassland), which supports a wonderful diversity of species. Closer to home I'd suggest our Butterflies of Hungary tour, or Butterflies of Croatia for unspoilt landscapes and a density of butterfly-life rarely seen in western Europe now."
Tom Brereton - Operations Manager
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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.
Enquire
Tour Reports
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!
