Be entranced by the glories of Moorish architecture, the simplicity of the unspoiled white villages of southern Spain, and the grandeur of the Alpujarra mountains.

This Spain walking tour gets to the core of what a Boundless Journeys adventure is all about – active itineraries, cultural encounters, and authentic experiences. We begin in the southern Spanish city of Granada, renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Alhambra and the Generalife, the Muslim fortress-palace dating from early in the second millenium A.D.

This Moorish history sets the tone for our week of hiking amid the mountains of Andalucia, the magnificent Alpujarras. Along the way, we meander through sweet chestnut groves above the sparkling Mediterranean, explore whitewashed villages nestled in mountain valleys, and absorb the unique culture of the area, perhaps breaking from our days of hiking to spend an afternoon riding the smooth-gaited and graceful Andalusian horses that are so much a part of life here.

Our moderately challenging daily walks are complemented by picnic lunches in scenic countryside featuring copious local delicacies such as cheeses and figs fresh from nearby orchards. Our accommodations, rustic but comfortable, reflect the simple and traditional way of life that still exists here, in these seldom visited hillsides of Spain.

Day 1: Explore Granada and the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Alhambra and Genaralife.

Days 2-3: Hike in the vacinity of our inn in Berchules – through orchards and along mountain streams.

Days 3-4: From our inn in Trevelez, strike out on scenic walks with views of the Mediterranean, through chestnut groves and beneath the Alpujarras – some of the most impressive peaks in Spain.

Days 5-6: Explore Capeleira and nearby whitewashed villages, or challenge yourself to hike the final 2,000 vertical feet to the summit of Mount Mulhacen, the highest in Spain.

Day 7: Depart from Granada.

• A passion for travel. Simply put, we love to travel, and that is woven into every one of our journeys.
   
• Unique, award-winning itineraries. Our flexible, hand-crafted journeys have received accolades from the world’s most revered travel publications.
   
• Insider connections. There is simply no substitute for traveling with a knowledgeable insider.
   
• Small groups. We tread softly, and our average group size is just 6-8 guests.
   
• Flexibility to suit your travel style. We offer both small-group departures and Private Collection trips, so that you can choose which works best for you.
   
• Customer service that goes the extra mile. There is no request that is too big – or too small – for our staff to handle.
   
• Sustainability. We are committed to traveling responsibly – striving to preserve traditions and cultures around the world, and to protect fragile natural habitats.

Most Convenient Airport:
Madrid Barajas International Airport, Madrid, Spain  (airport code: MAD), Barcelona International Airport, Barcelona, Spain (airport code: BCN), or Granada Airport (airport code: GRX; requires connections from elsewhere in Spain)

Meeting Time and Place:
Your guide(s) will meet you on the first day of your tour at 9:00 a.m. in the lobby of the Hotel Anacapri in Granada, Spain. Please be dressed for an easy city walking tour.

Departure Time and Place:
Your guide(s) will provide a drop-off at the Hotel Anacapri in Granada, Spain by 11:30 a.m. on the last day of the trip. Since we will be driving from Capeleira on the final morning of the trip, it is not possible to arrive in Granada prior to 11:30 a.m. Please schedule your onward travel accordingly.

Getting from Madrid to Granada:
By Air: Iberian Airlines.
By Bus: Madrid bus station to Granada bus station is about 5 hours and 30 Euros per person round-trip. Multiple buses make the trip daily.
By Train: From the Madrid main station to Granada is just under 5 hours and tickets start at 102 Euros per person. There is typically just one train per day.

Getting from Barcelona to Granada:
By Air: Iberian Airlines, Spanair, or Clickair.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Phyisical Activity
Boundless Journeys’ trips are designed for energetic and flexible individuals who like to be active and have a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude. Andalucia & the Alpujarras is rated 3+, moderate with some moderately strenuous options, on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being the most strenuous). The hikes on this trip are moderate, an average of 4-8 hours a day on quiet roads and mountain paths, with moderately strenuous options. On a few days we walk from "inn-to-inn," which means there is minimal vehicle support, except to transport our luggage.

Preparing for this Trip
It is very important that you realistically assess your physical condition with regard to the demands of this trip. The more prepared you are for the activities on this trip, the more you will enjoy yourself! Please engage in moderate aerobic activities (hiking, jogging, or cycling) for at least 30-45 minutes several times a week for 4-6 weeks before the trip. If you live in a flat area, try to incorporate some stairs into your workout, or use a treadmill with varying incline capability.  Consult your doctor before undertaking any new fitness programs.  

Optional Horseback Riding
This region of Spain is known as the birthplace of the Andalusian horse, an ancient breed renowned for its exceptional grace, fine-lined beauty, and even temperament. For horse-loving travelers, there is the opportunity on this trip to spend a morning or afternoon on a scenic ride on these impressive horses. Please discuss this with your guide early in the trip if it is something you’d like to do, so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Please note that the cost of riding is not included in the price of your trip.

Weather
Weather in Andalucia is most pleasant in spring and fall. Although the weather is somewhat more unsettled in the spring and fall, there is rarely a great deal of rain. Of course, you should come prepared for a variety of weather conditions, and we will walk and hike in the rain unless conditions make it hazardous to do so. The often variable weather conditions make dressing in layers essential. The following are average temperatures in Granada during the spring and fall:

                    high          low

April:            64°F        45°F
May:             73°F        52°F
September:  81°F        58°F
October:      72°F        51°F

You may obtain more detailed weather information on www.weatherbase.com.

When to Go
Spring and fall are the best times to visit Andalucia. Temperatures are pleasant for hiking, and roads and towns are less crowded than the busy summer months when most Europeans vacation.

Traveler’s Responsibility
Trip participants have certain responsibilities to both Boundless Journeys and your fellow travelers. This includes understanding the conditions described in the trip itinerary and making sure it is appropriate for your interests and abilities, based on a review of the trip ratings, consultation with Boundless Journeys’ staff, and perhaps your doctor. In addition, trip participants are responsible for preparing for a trip by undertaking the proper fitness training. At the guide’s discretion, a participant may be asked to leave the trip if the guide feels that the person’s further participation may be detrimental to the individual or to other trip participants. If you have any questions about the difficulty level of the trip you have chosen, please contact Boundless Journeys to speak with one of our Destination Managers.

Small group travel affords us the opportunity to seek out the most remote and exotic destinations on the planet. Often we are exploring these locales with just 6-12 guests. The nature of active group travel is such that not all participants have the same ability level or interests. Traveling at a pace that is comfortable for the entire group, with a spirit of flexibility and adventure are all part of this intimate experience.
 

Overview:  Simple but comfortable inns. All private baths.

Nights 1 & 2:  Alqueria de Morayma
Berchules, Spain

Ideally situated on the flanks of the Contraviesa hills close to the river Guadalfeo, this simple inn boasts wonderful views of the high mountains of nearby Sierra Nevada National Park, and is surrounded by organically cultivated almonds, vines, figs, olives and various fruits. All the buildings have been constructed in the old style to create the feel of a local village, and include a bodega (wine cellar), an ermita (old chapel) and a well-stocked library. 

Nights 3 & 4:  Hotel La Fragua
Trevelez, Spain

Well-located in the center of the whitewashed village of Trevelez, La Fragua offers simple accommodations, a charming restaurant, and the opportunity to experience Andalusian village life.

Nights 5 & 6:  Finca Los Llanos Hotel
Capeleira, Spain

Nestled on a hillside in the heart of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve of the Sierra Nevada, Finca Los Llanos offers exceptional mountain views and comfortable accommodations with rural character.

DAY 1  
Granada and the Alhambra

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, or Middle Eastern dishes.

This afternoon we leave Granada and make our way into 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.
Alqueria de Morayma, Berchules

DAY 2  
Exploring Berchules

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 along 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 small inn, with time to explore town before dinner or simply relax and enjoy the incredible mountain views and crisp fall air.
Alqueria de Morayma, Berchules

DAY 3  
Berchules to Trevelez

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 treeline 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 leisurely, non-active day have the option of transferring to Trevelez by vehicle, where you can enjoy poking around town and taking in village life.
Hotel La Fragua, Trevelez

DAY 4  
Around Trevelez

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

Today is another day offering several possibilities 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. For those who choose the longest option, there is the opportunity to glimpse nearby Mount Mulhacen, the highest peak in Spain at 11,500 feet.
Hotel La Fragua, Trevelez

DAY 5  
Trevelez to Capileira

Hike – moderate to strenuous, 7-8 hours (about 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 shorter but arguably more challenging, there is the option to continue ascending to a ridge then descend on the other side of the mountain back to the comfortable track. Along the way on the more challenging option, we’ll come across the 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.
Finca Los Llanos Hotel, Capileira

DAY 6  
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 1½-hour walk descending through the Poqueira Valley and through 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 in 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 Capileira, 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 our picnic lunch.

Which option we choose will be to a certain extent guided by the weather and the abilities of the group, 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.
Finca Los Llanos Hotel, Capileira

DAY 7  
Departure from Granada

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.

Please note that this is a typical itinerary, and actual activities may vary to take advantage of weather conditions, local events, and to allow serendipity to play a hand in your experience. Accommodations are as outlined in the itinerary, although we reserve the right to change these should the need arise.

$3,195 per person

• Expert leadership
• All accommodations
• All meals except two dinners
• All transportation during the trip
• All activities as noted in the itinerary (optional horseback riding at additional expense)