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This is a 5-day trek with an average of 4 to 6 hours of walking each day. We have graded this trek as easy to moderate. The largest ascent in any one day is no more than 400m.
Please use the menu tabs below to display more information on the hotel and it's facilities, the activities that are included as well as some useful information about this holiday.
Located on a narrow cobbled street in the mountain village of Castano del Robledo, Posada del Castano was originally a large traditional Andalucian village house. Lovingly converted into a guesthouse the building retains many of its original features including rustic terracotta floor tiles and chestnut roof beams. The house remains cool in summer and cosy in winter thanks to the thick outer walls, whilst the terrace and courtyard serve as perfect outdoor space to enjoy the sunshine.
Facilites include an upstairs lounge complete with comfortable seating, books and games, and a balcony offering views of the red-tiled roof tops of the village set against the lush green hills beyond. A continental breakfast is served in the largest room of the house, with large antique wooden doors opening out onto a covered terrace overlooking the courtyard below and garden beyond. The courtyard features a shaded cushioned bench and a table, whilst the garden has a lawn bordered with flowers amongst the cherry, plum and persimmon trees.
The guesthouse offers 8 double rooms, of which 7 have en-suite bathrooms. Rooms are accessed either through the courtyard, the terrace or the upstairs lounge and all have their own unique character. All feature wooden furnture, terracotta tiled floors and roof beams in line in line with the rest of the house.
Walking time: Five hours. Distance 15 kilometres.
Today’s high level walk takes us to the historic village of Almonaster La Real. Climbing out of the bowl of hills that surround Castaño, we head along a ridge and past pens of prized Iberian black pigs towards the peak of Cerro San Cristobal (907m). Crossing the second highest mountain in the Sierra’s, we then head down to the charming village of Almonaster, with its exquisite 9th century hilltop mosque. From here we drive back to Aracena by way of a scenic bus ride through the Sierras charming 'white' villages. After some time to explore the town, visit the caves and have dinner we will return to Castano by bus.
Status: Included
Walking time: Five hours. Distance 14 kilometres.
Starting at Navahermosa, we begin our hike through the secluded Talenque Valley. Emerging into a landscape of steep gorges and wide valleys we approach the village of Valdelarco, where we have a chance to explore something of its picturesque charm before continuing towards Galaroza. Descending a rocky trail that passes its way along hillsides blanketed in cork trees, we then follow an ancient trail out of Galaroza and through the Rio Jabugo Valley back towards ‘El Castaño’.
Status: Included
Walking time: Four and a half hours. Distance 12 kilometres
We head out along an ancient cobbled trail that takes us through chestnut groves towards the picturesque white village of Alájar. The views look out towards the historical mines of Rio Tinto and at Peña de Arias Montano we find the remains of an imposing 17th century hermitage, built on a high promontory above Alájar. Continuing on to the village of El Calabacino, we then complete the circuit back to Castaño de Robledo.
Status: Included
Walking time: Five hours. Distance 16 kilometres.
Leaving Castaño we descend through forests of pine and Holm oak to a small wooden bridge. Crossing the stream we then follow a meandering course through La Presa, Santa Ana and west towards the village of Aguafria. From here we head down through groves of cork trees to Los Romeros, before beginning the long ascent towards Jabugo, the undisputed capital of the Sierra’s famed cured ham (Jamon Serrano) industry. Stopping to take some refreshments, and perhaps try some of this delicious delicacy, we then hike the last four kilometres back to Castaño through the scenic Rio Jabugo Valley.
Status: Included
Walking time: Five hours. Distance 13 kilometres.
We begin by crossing an open rural landscape of farms, orchards and meadows, known collectively as ‘Valdelama’, before following an undulating trail that eventually leads down to the pretty village of Cortelazor. From here we complete a seven kilometre circuit that takes us across the steep ‘Arroyo de Guijarro’ gorge and along an old drovers trail down to the river, where we have a chance to relax before heading back up to Cortelazor to meet our waiting bus.
Status: Included
The Sierra de Aracena's diverse landscape of narrow valleys and broad vistas, splashing streams, rocky mountain paths and quiet cork groves lends itself perfectly to exploration on horseback. One of the best ways to appreciate this varied and expansive terrain is to see it from the saddle - our horses do all the work and we have a great vantage point from which to enjoy the scenery!
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Approximate cost: €50 per person
Seville - Day trip by public bus: €15 return bus fare.
Also allow approx. €20 for various local transport to restaurants, for optional walks and for entrance fees in Seville.
We've given each of our tours a comfort rating and a tour pace, walking or cycling grade to give you a general idea about the level of activity on each tour and the standard of accommodation you will be staying in at the end of your day's adventure.
Often you'll stay in different styles of accommodation during your tour; so we make an average rating across the entire tour. For more information on where you'll stay each night, please refer to the day by day tour itinerary.
The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these trip notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations.
Local Crew: Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, the Tour Leaders may organise a group’s tips kitty and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.
Accordingly, you should allow €10-15 for tipping. 10% is recommended in restaurants.
Tour Leader: At your discretion you might also consider tipping your Tour Leader in appreciation of the efficiency and service you receive.
Up-to-date information on global exchange rates can be obtained at www.oanda.com
| UK | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Tea/Coffee | £1.50 | €1.25 |
| Soft Drink | £1.50 | €1.50 |
| Bottled Water | £1.50 | €1.25 |
| Bottle of Beer | £3.50 | €2.50 |
| 2 Course Meal* | £15.00 | €12.00 |
| 3 Course Meal** | £20.00 | €20.00 |
| Bottle of Wine | £14.50 | €10.00 |
| Breakfast | £5.00 | €7.00 |
*Cheap local fare in a small cafe or restaurant.
**Typical food in a simple, reasonably comfortable mid-range restaurant.
It is a condition of joining any of our tours that you must have valid travel insurance. It must indicate that you have cover for (at least) medical expenses and emergency repatriation in the event of illness or injury. We also strongly recommend your policy includes cancellation protection as all deposit paid are non-refundable.
If you require travel insurance for your tour, Explore Worldwide is an appointed representative of Campbell Irvine Limited, who is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services authority. Our travel insurance policy is specially tailored to the needs of the adventure traveller and will cover you for any included activity on any Explore trip. You can either purchase this at the time of booking or call us 0844 499 0901 after you have booked.
Entry visas are NOT required by UK, AUS, NZ, US and CAN citizens. Other nationalities should consult the relevant consulate.
The Spanish Authorities have recently announced that all visitors to Spain from non- Schengen Treaty countries (including UK) will have to submit Advance Passenger Information (API) to their Tour Operator or Airline in order to be allowed boarding at their airport of origin. All passengers who have booked flights through Explore will now need to provide us with their Date of Birth, Nationality and Passport Number at the time of booking. Passengers booking Land Only should ensure they submit this information to their travel agent or airline at the time of booking.
All visa information is subject to change. You should confirm all visa related issues with the relevant Embassy prior to departure.
Nothing compulsory. Tetanus recommended.
The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at http://www.explore.co.uk/Travelhealth/ and from your local healthcare provider.
Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed before departure.
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs, including advice re: the legality of and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships. For UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office Advice follow the link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
Gradient Chart
In the Sierra Aracena the climate is mild – warm and sunny in spring and hot and usually dry in summer. Rain falls between December and February, though it can fall at any time of year. Although cooler than on the coast, temperatures in summer can rise to 30°C or higher. Your leader will take temperatures into account (to avoid walking in the hottest part of the day) when planning activities during this time of year.
Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable. For up-to-date information on the weather worldwide please visit www.bbc.co.uk/weather.
To assist with packing for your tour, we have detailed some of the essential items you should take with you.
One main piece of luggage and a daypack. Total allowance: 44lbs/20kgs. Remember you are expected to carry your own baggage – so don't overload yourself.
Unfortunately it does occasionally happen that luggage does not always reach its destination on the same flight as its owner, or possibly it may be damaged in transit. If you are unlucky enough for this to occur, it is important that you file a PIR (Property Irregularity Report) with the airline before leaving the airport. This is essential when you come to make a claim either against the airline or from your travel insurance company
For an exclusively designed Explore Trek Bag, follow the relevant link at www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Waterproofs for the rare shower are also recommended. Outside these months, Andalucía is generally mild, though the Sierras are subject to some rain. During this time a warm sweater or fleece, plus a waterproof/windproof outer garment is recommended. Lightweight cotton clothing is advised from June to September. Don’t forget your swimming costumes.
Walking or trail boots are essential, plus comfortable trainers. Sandals are useful in summer.
During the summer months we recommend you bring a sunhat and sunscreen as temperatures can be high.
For an exclusively designed Explore Medical Kit, visit www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore
Then we suggest you contact Nomad Travel, our equipment partner, who specialise in kitting people out for adventurous travel. You receive a special 10% discount in-store or online. Visit one of their stores, phone 0845 260 0044, or visit their website www.nomadtravel.co.uk/explore for further information.
For comprehensive information regarding voltages and plug types in use in the countries visited, follow the relevant link at http://www.explore.co.uk/Traveladvice/
