Serrania de Ronda - A Vegetarian/Vegan tour

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!