SCHEDULED GUIDED WALKING TOURS

In October 2008 and April 2009 we will be organizing a series of scheduled tours for 4 to 8 people. In these times of the year the weather is mild and the sun is gentle. Overall the skies will be clear and in April Andalucia is like a huge wild flower garden. Temperatures vary in-between 18°C and 24°C, ideal for an active walking holiday and a well earned rest on a sunny terrace after the walk. Some rain may fall and a strong wind might blow from time to time, so bring a windcheater and a fleece.

You walk 6 days from village to village, each as beautiful as the next. You will spend the nights in simple village hotels with a personal touch and a rural ambience, places where the host still knows how to serve a good Manzanilla with their tapas and a tasty Andalucian wine with their local dishes.

The walks will take 5 to 7.5 hours per day, including periods of rest to enjoy the views, a lunch on the way or a swim. Taking into account the terrain, we’ll walk an average of 3.5 kilometers an hour. That might sound like a slow pace, but keep in mind we've chosen to take a walk on the wild side.

In between the start and the end of every walk we’ll only be surrounded by nature and abandoned farms. We will never have to do any real rock climbing or use ropes. So all you need is a love of nature, good walking boots and some stamina. The only thing you need to carry is your water and lunch, and maybe things you want to use yourself such as a camera and binoculars, walking sticks.



THE ROUTE:
• Day 1, Sunday - transport from Malaga Airport to Gaucín situated 120 km to the West at 629 meters above sea level, to acclimatize and admire the village and its famous views.

Gaucin - the start of the route

• Day 2, Monday - walk from Gaucin to Cortes de la Frontera; an easy start, mainly descending through cork oak forest and the open valley of the River Guadiaro, along a spectacular gorge to finally walk up to a holiday cottage near the village of Cortes. A six hours' walk, 15 km, 300 meters descending, then 300 ascending.
• Day 3, Tuesday - walk from Cortes de la Frontera to Villalengua, alternately climbing three mountain ranges and stretching the legs in amazing plains, to end up in a tiny village in a narrow valley. Walk of 21 km, 6 hours, up 900 meters, down 700 meters.
• Day 4, Wednesday - walk from Villalengua to Grazalema; a climb around the Reloj (1600 meters) into another world to finally descend into the miraculous beauty of the mountain village of Grazalema where once the wool industry and banditry flourished. A Walk of 6 hours, may be 7 if we take the peak, a stiff climb of 500 meters (800 if we do the peak) and 550 meters downward.
• Day 5, Thursday walk from Grazalema to Montecorto; after a breathtaking first climb up the Cristobal follows a long descent over

Ronda - the end of the route

two hills to an old farm hotel. About 20 km, 5.5 hours, 500 meters uphill and 700 downhill.
• Day 6, Friday - walk from Montecorte to Montejaque; after a start uphill we mainly walk on level terrain through green valleys, enclosed plains, oak forest and bizarre lime rock formations to another white village. About 18 km, 5 hours, 400 meters up, 200 down.
• Day 7, Saturday - walk from Montejaque to Ronda, a rural approach towards Ronda, imposingly built on the edges of the Tajo Cliffs. About 5 hours, 500 meters up, 400 down to rest, relax and enjoy this amazing city. A true reward for a long journey.
• Day 8, Sunday - return to Malaga airport by car.


WHAT TO WEAR
April and October are ideal for walking, but the mountains can surprise us with cool winds or showers, so besides light clothes bring a windcheater and waterproof jacket, a fleece and
mountain or trekking boots. For more information about the area,
see the Landscape page.

PRICES
• Price per person is 800 Euros based on two persons sharing a double room.
• Price for a single person is 925 Euros.


Price includes transport to and from the airport by car, 7 nights hotels, luggage transfer from hotel to hotel, breakfast and lunch packages, a guide, detailed maps and information to trace your steps.

Price does not include your flight or your travel insurance. Supper is at your own expense, so you can choose yourself where to go, how much to spend and with whom you want to spend the evening. From 10 Euros on you can already enjoy a very good meal.

The minimum group size is 4. The maximum group size is 8.