Spain - Extremadura & Gredos Mountains

Tour Code: ESP06

An 8-day holiday in search of the birds, and other natural history, of the steppes and plains of Extremadura and in the mountain habitats of the Sierra de Gredos.

8 days from
£1,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£1,845
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

This birdwatching and natural history tour combines the contrasting habitats of central Spain – the undulating, sun-drenched steppes and shimmering plains of Extremadura, the rugged oak-forested hills of Monfragüe National Park, and the imposing granite peaks of the Sierra de Gredos. We will explore these exciting and wild habitats during the course of this 2-centre holiday focusing particularly on the birdlife of the region, but also enjoying the abundant and colourful wayside flora of both the plains and mountains, as well as any butterflies and mammals we encounter during the week.

  • Delicious typical food & wine in a country house in Extremadura!
  • Witness the 'foam bath' display of Great Bustards
  • Sandgrouse, Rollers, Hoopoes, Golden Orioles & Iberian Magpies
  • Egyptian, Black & Griffon Vultures, Spanish Imperial & Golden Eagles
  • Explore medieval Trujillo, birthplace of Francisco Pizarro (conqueror of Peru)
  • Gentle mountain walks in the Gredos from our boutique hotel
  • Expertly guided by a Naturetrek ornithologist & naturalist

Grading

Easy/moderate day walks, though there will be some tougher options in the Gredos for those requiring them!

This tour combines the contrasting habitats of central Spain — the undulating, sun-drenched steppes and shimmering plains of Extremadura, the rugged oak-forested hills of Monfragüe National Park, and the imposing granite peaks of the Sierra de Gredos. We will explore these exciting and wild habitats during the course of a 2-centre, week-long holiday focusing particularly on the birdlife of the region, but also enjoying the abundant and colourful wayside flora of both the plains and mountains, as well as any butterflies and mammals we encounter during the week.

We begin the holiday with a flight to Madrid, from where we head south-west through rolling hills, olive groves and Cork Oak woodland to the central plateau of Extremadura, where we find extensive sheep-grazed grasslands and Cork Oak forests known locally as ‘dehesa’. For the next four nights we will be based near the beautiful medieval town of Trujillo, an ideal spot from which to explore the adjacent steppes and the magnificent Monfragüe National Park. Flocks of Lesser Kestrels and Pallid Swifts wheel around Trujillo’s beautifully preserved ancient churches, whilst White Storks peer down from their roof-top nests or clatter their bills to greet a returning mate. One of our main goals, however, will be to witness one of the most exciting bird spectacles in Europe, the breeding display of the Great Bustard.

During this, the males — the world’s heaviest flying birds — convert themselves, by a series of bizarre distortions, into huge white balls of feathers that revolve slowly in an almost military step. While they look stately and dignified, the nearby Little Bustards perform an awkward, head-throwing action accompanied by a comical buzzing sound. The two species are certainly the star attractions of this region, but it offers far more besides, including many other grassland specialities such as Quail, Stone Curlew, Pin-tailed and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, and both Calandra and Short-toed Larks, whilst Bee-eaters, Rollers and Hoopoes bring colour to the scene. In the surrounding Cork Oak dehesa we will look for Great Spotted Cuckoos, Hoopoes, Short-toed Treecreepers, both Woodchat and Southern Grey Shrikes and Iberian Magpies. Overhead we will keep an eye open for the 16 species of raptor which, with luck, may include the localised Black-shouldered Kite. It is in Monfragüe National Park, however, that we will focus in particular on birds of prey; here Egyptian, Black and Griffon Vultures rise on the thermals with the heat of the day, both Red and Black Kites are numerous, and Golden, Spanish Imperial, Bonelli’s, Booted and Short-toed Eagle all breed. Amongst other specialities are Black Stork and Eagle Owl, whilst the smaller and more abundant occupants of the hills include Alpine Swift, Thekla Lark, Crag Martin, Red-rumped Swallow, Black Wheatear, Blue Rock Thrush, Subalpine Warbler and Chough.

To the north-east of Extremadura and Monfragüe lies the Sierra de Gredos. This is a rugged and imposing range of granite mountains that rises to 2,600 metres and is a stronghold of the magnificent Spanish Ibex, a species that we will make a special effort to see during our stay. We will spend the second part of our holiday here, based in a very comfortable, boutique-style hotel that boasts a fine view towards the mountains and serves some of the finest food in the province. This will ensure that we are in good shape for our walks in the surrounding hills, forests and mountains!

In the valley below our hotel we will search the pine forests for Honey Buzzard, Goshawk, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Firecrest, Pied Flycatcher, Crested Tit, and perhaps even Citril Finch and Crossbill. Higher up, above the tree-line, we will search for breeding Crag Martins, Dippers, Bluethroats, Rock and Ortolan Buntings, whilst higher still we will look for Water Pipits, Alpine Accentors, Black Redstarts and Rock Thrushes. Birds of prey are not numerous here, but amongst the species that do pass overhead from time to time are both Black and Griffon Vultures, Golden Eagle and Booted Eagle. The dominant plant of the mountains is the yellow-flowered broom, but along the rivers, streams, roads and tracks of the Gredos — and in the ancient stone-walled hay meadows and grazing pastures — we will find a colourful flora that includes many orchid species. Indeed, by spending most of our time on this part of the holiday exploring on foot, by means of mountain walks, we can hope to see a wide range of wildlife including an excellent flora and attendant butterfly and insect-life.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Fly Madrid and transfer to Trujillo
Day 2/4
Monfragüe/Trujillo
Day 5/7
Gredos Mountains
Day 8
Fly Madrid to London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    A comfortable casa rural deep in the heart of Extremadura and a superb family-run hotel in the Gredos with an award-winning restaurant. All rooms have private facilities.

  • Food:

    Food and wine all included in the price.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 18th Apr – Fri 25th Apr FULL £1,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,845
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
James Andrews
James Andrews

Tour Leader: James Andrews

James (known to many as Jim!) has been a keen birder from a very early age and with time has diversified his interests into many other fields of natural history. He has birded extensively in the UK and Europe but has recently expanded his interests with trips into South America, Asia and Africa. Having studied conservation and habitat management, Jim trained in nature reserves on the Hampshire coast as well as with the Forestry Commission in mid Wales. Has also worked in horticulture for many years, he has been able to put his diversity of skills and experience to good use in his home village of Old Basing in north Hampshire where he oversees protected species surveys (including Dormice) and the habitat management of a local nature reserve. Birding remains one of Jim’s great passions though he often looks for any opportunity to indulge this passion further, whether it is working as a surveyor for the BTO for several seasons or undertaking bird surveys for local ecologists and county recorders. At present Jim leads Naturetrek tours in the UK and Spain.

Sun 4th May – Sun 11th May SPACES £1,995
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,845
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£195
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Keith Hamilton
Keith-Hamilton.jpg

Tour Leader: Keith Hamilton

Keith grew up in the north-west of Cumbria, close to the sea, spending much of his youth exploring the countryside and becoming a lover of nature from a very young age. He received his first book on birds, Coward & Barnes ‘Birds of the British Isles’, aged 11, and still treasures it to this day! Over the years, birdwatching took Keith all over the UK, though the sea and the Lake District fells remained closest to home. He has been a council member of the Cumbria Bird Club and active member of the Carlisle Natural History Society. Butterflies are also a passion, and as a member of Butterfly Conservation Keith volunteered on the very successful Cumbrian Marsh Fritillary re-introduction scheme and Small Blue regeneration projects. 

It was a birding trip to Extremadura in the early 2010s that changed Keith's life, not only for the astonishing birdlife or the amazing butterflies; it was a place to feel comfortable. Around eight years later, after many visits to different regions of Spain, Keith and his wife made the move to the Sierra de Gredos where they love to explore the rich diversity of species to be found there. Keith is an active member of the local butterfly and natural history groups, and, being a member of the butterfly conservation organisation ‘Zerynthia’, he has the necessary permissions to record butterflies and moths. Since moving to Spain he has enjoyed guiding guests around various areas on the peninsula, always finding it a pleasure to show his clients something new and interesting.

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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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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
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!

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