Doñana Natural Park, Trekking, Sailing, Cycling in the Algarve, Kayaking

Isla Cristina – Huelva – Algarve – 7 days/6 nights

       It has been a long time since we last travelled, and enjoying some holidays outdoors becomes more wanted than ever. Sailing the waves, walking the mountains and endless beaches always in contact with nature sounds like a plan now. Our adventure focuses on small groups, highly qualified guides and a healthy and sustainable activity.

       Hiking in the astonishing Natural Park of Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche: wild forests, pastures, white traditional villages and a visit to the breathtaking Gruta de las Maravillas (Wonders Cave) to get amazed by its underground lagoons. The Natural Reserve of Isla Cristina Marshes offers a slow and quiet passage for kayaking at the tidal pace. A visit to the extraordinary National Park of Doñana, one of the most important wetlands worldwide, will give you the opportunity to get closer to a highlighted hotspot of biodiversity, specially known amongst bird lovers. Cycling through a “Vía Verde” to Vila Real de Santo António (Algarve) to try the local gastronomy and stroll around its cobbled streets is one of the best ways to get a little taste of our neighbouring country. Or maybe embark for a coastal sailing, heading the horizon to relax and enjoy the feeling of freedom provided by the wind on the sails… Welcome to Faro del Sur! 

The province of Huelva is one of the best preserved corners in Andalusia and it became the perfect place for outdoor activities. Smooth winters and not too hot summers, thanks to the Atlantic winds, allow us to enjoy the weather and nature all year around. You will learn about local traditions and astonishing cultures, combined with yet wild natural landscapes and great gastronomy coming from the inner mountains and the sea: the cured ham and the white prawns. This is an unbeatable plan for Adventure Travel in the south of Spain. This trip is suitable for anyone with an active mind and a gentle to moderate physical condition.

– CANCELLATION FREE OF CHARGE IN CASE CUSTOMERS ARE NOT ABLE TO TRAVEL DUE TO NEW COVID RESTRICTIONS AND FULL REFUND OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE TRIP

– SMALL GROUPS

– DOUBLE OR SINGLE ROOM ACCOMMODATION

– UP-TO-DATE COVID PROTOCOLS

DEPARTURES 2022

  4th, 18th, 25th June

INCLUDED

Transfers Seville-Isla Cristina-Seville

Professional guides.

7days/6nights accommodation in Faro del Sur Touristic Apartments.

Double or single room (optional).

Private (optional) or shared bathroom.

Bedding and towels.

Wifi.

All activities in the program: Portugal by bicycle + ferry ticket to Portugal, Kayaking, Doñana Natural Park visit, Coastal sailing with skipper, Hiking in the Natural Park of Sierra de Aracena + Wonders Cave ticket.

Specific equipment for activities: bikes and helmets, kayaks, binoculars, birdwatching guidebooks.

All transfers in private vehicles.

Insurance.

NOT INCLUDED

Travel to Seville.

All other non-specified services.

All meals along the week except for a light snack aboard the sailing boat.

PRICE

650€ (VAT inc.)

Supplement single room with private bathroom (Optional): 250€

THE TRIP

Life goes on and more than ever we need to get some “normal routine” back. This is the reason why we are quite excited to welcome you in our Faro to do our very best so that your trip becomes an unforgettable experience.

This is a trip for those who enjoy nature by walking, sailing and exploring our local biodiversity. It is a very complete itinerary that includes activities to be developed in an excepcional location: the South West of Andalusia and South of Portugal. Long beaches, awesome dune systems and coastal pine forests, chesnut forests at the mountains and white villages with Arabian heritage. This is pure Andalusia far from crowded touristic areas, to be known in a very distinctive way. The entire program has been designed by our extraordinary team and is driven by our own naturalist guides. Specific equipment used in the activities belongs to Faro del Sur: bikes, kayaks, sailing boat, vans and accommodation. This way, we ensure our goal is achieved with a perfect balance between quality and price. Accommodation is in our new and fully equipped apartments located in front of a beautiful natural landscape dominated by marshes. We also have the constant support of Faro del Sur main office in Isla Cristina.

Our travelers do not need previous experience to do the activities. However, we require active minds wishing to take a once in a lifetime experience with so much fun and having a gentle/moderate fitness.

Our way of travelling is based on respect towards local people and places we visit. We look for a positive exchange and a responsible travel. We care about sustainable activities with small groups of guests that get involved in the local economy and get aware about the importance of protecting our historical and cultural heritage and conserving nature.

From a sanitary side, all of protocols and measures we adopt are kept updated as so the global situation evolves. We encourage social distancing and follow hygienic and sanitary measures in our facilities, accommodation and while on tour. Safety protocols are followed in order to minimize any risk in all services we provide and so that everyone can enjoy nature in the safest way.

* All activities are subject to changes or suspension due to weather condicitions or any other forces beyond our control.

Due to the natural characteristics of these Adventure services, the trip and activities scheduled are not exempted from certain risk and unpredictivility.

1

Day 1

TRANSFER TO ISLA CRISTINA. Meeting point for pick up will be in Seville at 17h. Upon arrival at our office in Isla Cristina, there will be a short briefing about our week program. Then, accommodation is in our cosy Faro del Sur Touristic Apartments located in front of the Natural Reserve of Isla Cristina Marshes, just 20 minutes driving from Portugal.
2

Day 2

KAYAK EXCURSION. After a basic training for beginners and a safety briefing, we are ready to immerse ourselves in the tranquillity of this coastal wetland and learn about its unique ecosystem. Depending on the tide, we will navigate down the Carreras River towards its mouth opening to the Atlantic, or we will get in the narrow passages that surround an old salt pan factory to observe the rich diversity of flora and fauna. There are ancient tidal mills, fishing ports and fish markets offering tastes and smells that it seems we had almost forgotten. No previous experience is necessary for kayaking – the only requirement is that you can swim. The excursion takes about four hours and the remaining of the day you will have free time to visit the old town with its port, fish market and daily fish auction.

Kayaking time: 4 hours. Half day.

3

Day 3

HIKING IN SIERRA DE ARACENA NATURAL PARK. A smooth and shading 12km trail that takes us throughout ancient “royal paths” between chestnut forests, wide olm oak pastures and small white villages with an interesting history and traditions that are still preserved nowadays. Traditional lifestyle of this region includes cork harvesting, family crops and livestock farming. The base of the economy is the Iberian pork, which is raised freely. We will enjoy walking on these landscapes at the same time we learn from our naturalist guides. After trying some nice gastronomy from this region full of iberian products, we will visit the “Gruta de las Maravillas” (Wonders Cave) and its spectacular underground lagoons. Nature, history and local culture are the perfect combination in this walking tour which has been designed to stop the time and have a deep breath in each corner of this magical Natural Park.

Walking time: 4-5 hours. Distance 12 kilometres. Full day.

4

Day 4

PORTUGAL BY BICYCLE. Today we take our bikes following a “Via Verde” that starts in Isla Cristina. This is an old disused railway line that has been recovered and reconditioned for use by walkers and cyclists. Between salt pans, marshes and tidal mills we finally reach the beautiful town of Ayamonte. Ayamonte has a fishing tradition port and is located to the shoreline of Guadiana River (natural boundary between Spain and Portugal in the south). There, we will take the regular ferry to Vila Real de Santo Antonio, a nice Portuguese little town of cobbled streets. Like many towns in the Algarve, Vila Real was dramatically affected by the strong earthquake of 1755 and was subsequently laid out and rebuilt in the enlightenment style. After a relaxing stroll in its alive square we continue our cycling tour by the riverside towards the river mouth where delicious seafood rice with some cool “vinho verde” (Algarve typical sparkling white wine) is waiting for us. Then, it is time to go back to Isla Cristina.

If you have doubts regarding cycling, no worries at all! We offer you a great alternative: we will take you to Ayamonte in our van, where you will have some free time to know the town and join the rest of the group to take the ferry and have a very nice lunch in Portugal.

Cycling: Distance 30 kilometres approx. Full day.

5

Day 5

DOÑANA NATURAL PARK (World Heritage). This is, with no doubt, the most eagerly desired excursion for nature lovers. We will leave early in the morning with our naturalist guide to enjoy a full day in one of the most important Protected Reserves of Europe and even of the world. This puzzle of ecosystems of pine forests, marshes and temporary lagoons, sand dunes and endless beaches among others, make it a remarkable place where several species, inhabit, such as the western imperial eagle, the flamingos, deers or the iconic Iberian lynx. It is also a paradise for bird livers, as it works as a winter ground, breeding ground and migratory stopover for over 360 species of birds coming from different continents. El Rocío village shows off its popular white church and its sandy streets are an attractive view for visitors. Our guide will take us to witness the impressive contrast between all landscapes in the Natural Park: a nice short walk in the forests, dunes, marshes and time for a swim and chill out on the wild beach before getting back to Isla Cristina.
6

Day 6

COASTAL SAILING. Cast off moorings, hoist the sails and set course to the Great Blue! Today we sail aboard our ocean-going sailing boat towards the horizon to enjoy swimming in the open sea. Throughout the jouney you will have the opportunity to learn the secrets of the ancient art of navigation. With our helpful and experienced skipper, everyone will be able to crew the boat and help steer a steady course in search of soaring seabirds and dolphins riding the waves. For a few hours we will feel the magic of the ocean and will discover a world dominated by wind, sea, sky and tides.

Sailing time: 4 hours. Half day.

7

Day 7

TRANSFER TO SEVILLE. Today you will have free time in the morning before our transfer van takes us to Seville. A good end of the trip is to visit the traditional salt harvesting family business where you can take a relaxing bath in the magnesium lagoons. We will depart after lunch aiming to arrive at 17h to Seville. End of program.

To book your place, please contact us to check availability:

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