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Simon and Niki were fantastic leaders interesting and informative about all aspects of Nature in their area. Their daily picnics were great with something for all of us, using local produce. I have never been on a trip that included wine with all meals, a lovely idea and I don’t think it was abused by anyone. I had 3 highlights in the week: 4 male white headed ducks fighting over the females, a very close encounter with a pair of Firecrest and my best ever views of Cinereous Vulture. Will definitely recommend to my friends.
J.T. South Yorkshire, Feb24
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Serrania de Ronda - A Vegetarian/Vegan tour
Tour Code: ESP62A 7-day holiday based in a delightful village in the forested mountains of Andalucía's Serranía de Ronda, with daily excursions to explore the varied natural habitats of this little-visited, but astoundingly beautiful, area.
7 days
from
£1,795 (Inc flights)
£1,795 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£1,595
£1,595
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
From our village base in the forested mountains of Andalucía's Serranía de Ronda, we are perfectly placed to explore the varied natural habitats of this little-visited but astoundingly beautiful area. In late winter, mountain birds such as Black Wheatear, Rock Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush, Red-billed Chough and even Alpine Accentor can be found alongside Spanish Ibex amongst the imposing limestone crags. Raptors overhead include Griffon Vulture, Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles, Hen Harrier and Peregrine Falcon. The Sierra de las Nieves – Spain's newest national park – hosts wintering Ring Ouzels, Rock Petronia and Black Redstarts as well as woodland birds such as Crested Tit, Hawfinch, Short-toed Treecreeper, and Firecrest. Nearby, the shallow saltwater of Fuente de Piedra lake hosts the largest colony of Greater Flamingoes on the Iberian Peninsula, not to mention many wintering waders. The freshwater lagoons of this outstanding protected wetland are home to White-headed and Ferruginous Ducks, Red-crested Pochards, Black-necked Grebes and Purple Swamphens.
On the surrounding plains and farmland, hundreds of Common Cranes rest and feed before they disperse to their northern breeding grounds, and with luck and patience, groups of Little and Great Bustards and Black-bellied Sandgrouse can be encountered. Iberian Grey Shrike and Black-winged Kite, Eurasian Stone Curlew and Bluethroat star amid flocks of wintering Eurasian Skylarks, Corn Buntings, Spanish Sparrows, Calandra, Crested and Thekla Larks. As well as a visit to the beautiful town of Ronda – its three historic bridges straddling the Tajo Gorge – you’ll have the chance to explore the pretty hilltop villages of the area. We'll be particularly excited to host you in Júzcar, where we'll dine on delicious, sustainably produced, meat-free local specialities from the kitchen of an award-winning chef. You'll even get to try your hand at chestnut cookery!
- Outstanding meat-free menu from the kitchens of an award-winning chef
- Limestone crags host Black Wheatear, Rock Bunting, Blue Rock Thrush, Red-billed Chough, Bonelli’s and Golden Eagles and Spanish Ibex
- White-headed Duck, Marbled Duck, Red-crested Pochard and Black-necked Grebe amongst hundreds of Greater Flamingoes at Fuente de Piedra reserve
- Search the plains and pastures for Little and Great Bustards and Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Iberian Grey Shrike, Black-winged Kite, Eurasian Stone Curlew and Bluethroat
- Chestnut cookery demonstration from Andalucía's renowned “Chef de Castañas”
- Led by expert local naturalist (and vegetarian) guides
Reviews
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This was an excellent trip. The venue was great, the leaders superb and the food amazingly fantastic. Juzcar was an excellent base for exploring the surrounding area and we managed to visit a good range of habitats and see some stunning birds, including Cinereous and Egyptian Vultures, Great and Little Bustards and White-headed and Marbled Duck. A good range of butterflies and flowering plants including Sombre Bee and Sawfly Orchids. Niki and Simon were great company and made sure everyone got a chance at seeing the wildlife in its profusion. Ivan, the chef at the hotel, produced a different three course meal every night catering for both vegetarians and vegans which was completely delicious and stunning. We’d highly recommend this tour.
N.W, Cumbria, Feb 2024 -
This was my fourth tour with Simon and Niki! They are both excellent birdwatchers and tour leaders. They generate a relaxed atmosphere but are always ensuring that everyone sees the birds and that they are happy with the tour. We visited a range of habitats and saw good birds at all sites. The food at The Hotel Bandolero as excellent and it was interesting to have a chestnut cookery demonstration from the chef.
B.V, Leicestershire, Feb 2024 -
An excellent 'combination' - the banter between them [tour leaders, Simon and Niki] was very amusing and kept our spirits up at all times. They were both very welcoming, friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable. Nothing was too much trouble and they really cared about us enjoying our holiday. They worked really hard to make sure we had the best possible time.
DR, Cambridgeshire, Feb 24 -
AND THE GOLDEN BINOCULARS' AWARD GOES TO SIMON AND NIKI! IF THERE IS A MORE COMMITTED AND TALENTED COUPLE OF BIRDERS, I'VE NOT MET THEM. THEIR EXPERTISE AND ENTHUSIASM IS MATCHED BY THE INTIMACY AND LOVE THEY HAVE FOR 'THEIR PATCH' AND THEIR PARTNERSHIP, THEY SIMPLY LIVE AND BREATHE THEIR ENVIRONMENT. THEY BOTH ENSURED THAT EVERYONE HAD SEEN WHATEVER BIRD WAS IN VIEW, THEY KNEW SO MUCH ABOUT THEM, NOT JUST A TICK ON THE LIST, AND WELCOMED QUESTIONS AND DISCUSSION. I SHOULD ALSO MENTION THE PICNIC LUNCHES, NIKI IS A GENIUS, FORGET THICK SLABS WITH A WEDGE OF CHEESE AND TOMATO, USUALLY 'SAT ON'! THESE ARE GOURMET LUNCHES, CAREFULLY PUT TOGETHER FROM LOCAL INGREDIENTS, SO THAT ALL 3 DIETS DIDN'T MISS OUT ON 'YUMMINESS', YOU REALLY WON'T EAT BETTER. MUST ALSO MENTION, THEY BOTH HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOUR! LOVELY PEOPLE. IF I SAT FOR A MONTH AND TRIED TO PICK SOMETHING THAT COULD BE IMPROVED, I COULDN'T!
BP, Berkshire, Feb 24
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 8th Feb – Fri 14th Feb
SPACES
£1,795
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.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£175
Sun 16th Feb – Sat 22nd Feb
2
£1,795
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.
£1,595
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£175
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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:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
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
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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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?
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!
