At the eastern end of the Sierra Nevada, the traditional whitewashed village of Mairena provides the perfect base from which to explore this delightful corner of Spain on this leisurely walking holiday. Our tastefully appointed 'casa rural' accommodation, with its organic fruit farm and much praised restaurant, is rated by the 2010 Lonely Planet as the best place to stay in the Alpujarra. We have 5 days of leisurely hiking in the company of a local guide, with easy options in the delightful Laroles and Laujar valleys, where we will be walking through olive and almond groves. There are also tougher offerings, such as the ascent of (2756m) on one of the main ridges of the Sierra El MorronNevada. A free day allows us to take it easy in the village or take a trip to the nearby Moorish gem of the Alhambra. This is the prefect trip for anyone into good food, spectacular mountain scenery and not too difficult walking.
Notes: Prices and itineraries shown for holidays departing in 2013 may be subject to change, although we will endeavour to keep any price increases to a minimum. 2013 prices will be confirmed in October 2012. If you have already booked a 2013 holiday and the price subsequently rises by more than 10%, you may cancel with a full refund.
Day 1: Arrive Malaga, transfer to Mairena
Rendezvous at Malaga Airport. KE group package services begin with a single timed airport transfer to the group's accommodation. This transfer takes 2½ - 3 hours. After settling in, we will have an evening meal in the beautifully appointed in-house restaurant. Included meals = Dinner (D)
Day 2: Laroles Valley circuit
A gentle start to the week with a leisurely 5 hour circular walk around the Laroles Valley, before heading back to our accommodation. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Local valley walk
A short transfer (20mins) takes up the valley to Yegen. From Yegen we walk, for approx 5 hours, back down to our accommodation in Mairena, with beautiful views of sun soaked hills and terraces. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Laujar Valley circuit
After breakfasts we have a short transfer (30mins) to the start of today’s walk. We enjoy a 5 hour circuit in the Laujar Valley with a picnic lunch sitting between orange and olive groves of these gently farmed lands. We then transfer back to the house to refresh ourselves in the dip pool before having another delicious dinner prepared with fresh local organic products. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Free day with optional activities
Today we have a free day. You can relax at the house, take a local walk or visit nearby Granada with the Moorish gem of the Alhambra (optional at extra cost). (B,L,D)
Day 6: Ascent of El Morron
Today we ascend El Morron (2756m), one of the main ridges of the Sierra Nevada. We transfer to Puerta de la Ragua (2000m) and reach the summit (Morron del Mediodia) in 3-4 hours. From the summit there are incredible views of Mulhacen (3482m) to the west and on a clear day, across the Mediterranean to the Rif Mountains in Morocco. Another 2-3 hours descent brings us back to the transfer. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Exploratory walk around the farm
Today is a relaxed exploratory walk around the farm, the olive mill, the fertile terraces of alfaguara and the mediaeval murals in the mosque in Jubar. We return to our casa rurale for a final celebratory meal in the restaurant. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Transfer to Malaga Airport
After an early breakfast we transfer to Malaga airport where KE group package services end. (B)