SPAIN: Andalucia & the Alpujarras

Walking tour – easy, about 4 hours.

Upon meeting in the southern Spanish city of Granada, we spend the morning exploring the Alhambra, the impressive 14th-century Moorish fortress-palace, and its accompanying residence, the Generalife, with an expert local guide. There is much to see and learn within the grounds, and we complete our morning exploration with a welcome lunch at one of our favorite local restaurants serving Moroccan, Lebanese, and Middle Eastern dishes.

This afternoon we leave Granada and make our way to the nearby Alpujarra Mountains and the whitewashed village of Berchules, our home for the next two nights. Tonight we enjoy our first dinner together at the inn’s rustic restaurant, where dishes are simply prepared using fresh local ingredients.

Hike – moderate, about 5 hours, with shorter and longer options available.

The Alpujarras are dramatic and rugged, but below the peaks are peaceful valleys terraced for agriculture. It is through these terraces that we hike today, through fruit orchards above a small mountain stream. Depending upon the energy of the group, there are options for hikes varying in length from 4-12 miles. Along the way, we stop at an idyllic spot to enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch, perhaps sampling some of the local fruits that are now in season.

This afternoon we return to our quaint inn, with time to explore town before dinner or simply relax and enjoy the incredible mountain views.

Hike – moderate, 5-6 hours (about 8 miles).

Today we hike from inn to inn, leaving Berchules on foot to make our way over the course of the day to Trevelez, another tucked away whitewashed village to the west of Berchules. Our hike begins with a long, steady climb through groves of mature sweet chestnut trees, ultimately cresting above tree line and, if the weather is fine, offering spectacular views south to the Mediterranean. Today we again take our time and stop along the way to enjoy a fresh picnic lunch.

Those who prefer a more leisurely day have the option of transferring to Trevelez by vehicle, where you can enjoy strolling through town and taking in village life.

Hike – moderate, about 5 hours, with shorter and longer options available.

Today is another day offering several options depending on the weather and energy of the group. We follow a river valley up into the peaks surrounding Trevelez, again passing through terraced fields and into more rugged terrain. We choose a beautiful viewpoint to rest and perhaps turn back for those who prefer a shorter hike. For those who choose the longest option, there is the opportunity to continue, for a glimpse of nearby Mount Mulhacen, the highest peak in Spain at 11,500 feet.

Hike – moderate to strenuous, 7-8 hours (about 10-13 miles).

Today we ascend out of Trevelez along a comfortable dirt track, before deciding which of two options you’ll take to our next whitewashed village, Capileira. The longer, but less strenuous option continues on the comfortable dirt track and skirts around the mountainside. For those who prefer a shorter but arguably more challenging route, there is the option to continue ascending to a ridge before descending on the other side of the mountain back to the comfortable track. Along the way on the more challenging option, we’ll come across remnants of trenches dug by soldiers during the Spanish civil war. Finally, for those who prefer not to walk inn to inn, it is possible to have a private vehicle transfer to Capileira.

Various hiking options – easy to challenging.

There are a number of options available today – for those who would like to absorb a bit more of the Alpujarra village culture, there is the option of an easy 1 ½ hour walk descending through the Poqueira Valley and two neighboring villages. There is ample time to explore each village, and have lunch along the way. Then, it is possible to return to Capileira by local bus for those who prefer not to make the long ascent on foot.

A second option involves visiting the perhaps unexpected but meaningful O-Sel Ling Monastery, a Tibetan-style Bhuddist stupa and retreat in the nearby hills. This place marks the reincarnation of a senior Tibetan lama into the person of a locally born Spaniard. The Dalai Lama has visited here, and helped choose the exact site.

A final option is more strenuous, and will put you at the rooftop of Spain. From Capeleira, we can take a bus to about 9,250’, disembarking and hiking the remaining 2,250 or so feet to the top of Mount Mulhacen, where we can enjoy a picnic lunch.

Which option we choose will be to a certain extent guided by the weather, but each offers its own memorable experience for our last day exploring these remote villages of southern Spain.

Tonight we gather for a final celebratory dinner, toasting our week together.

This morning we return to Granada. If you have a flight planned for today, your guide will assist you with arranging a taxi to the Granada Airport. If you are staying on in Granada, your guide will be happy to recommend a place for lunch.