Arrival: Samedi afternoon
Departure: Samedi matin
Length of stay: 6 days / 7 nights
Minimum group size: 2 people
Standard: Intermediate

Price 2009: €1150 (twin or double room)
Single supplement: €150

Saturday: Arrival. Evening meal and accommodation in the hotel Cuevas del Tío Tobas ***

Sunday: Zalabi valley – Lugros:

We will leave Alcudi through the Zalabí valley, climbing up onto the high plateau through the red Colorado-style canyons that surround the area. We will arrive in the village of Albunan which is renowned for its Arab architecture that is reminiscent of the Moorish occupation. We will have a picnic lunch next to the Cogollos lake before climbing up through the pine forests to the Natural Park. Here we will stop over at the Hotel Patio de Lugros ***, in the centre of the park. Evening meal and accommodation in Hotel Patio de Lugros

Approximate Duration: 5 and a half hours

Monday: Lugros – Alhama river - Lugros:

This morning we will head towards the Alhama river, towards the oriental side of the park. We will climb up the “end of the world”, ride through the district of Marchal and stop off for a picnic next to the river. In the afternoon, we will return to the Patio de Lugros through pine forests Evening meal and accommodation in Hotel Patio de Lugros

Approximate Duration: 6 hours

Tuesday: Lugros - Jerez del marquesado

Today we will climb up the sides of the Camarate of the Sierra Nevada, through a contrasting variety of sceneries, including rich and plentiful stream beds, fields full of almond and olive plantations, and once we reach above 2000m, alpine pastures where spanish bulls graze in peace. Following a picnic lunch, we will ride along the old mining paths and will arrive in the small and ancient arab village of Jerez del Marquesado. Evening meal and accommodation in Complejo Rural los Moralillos.

Approximate Duration: 5 and a half hours

Wednesday: Jerez de Marquesado – Alhori River – Jerez de Marquesado

This morning we will climb up to the Postero Alto summit, riding through Mediterranean pine forests and up crystalline stream beds. We will eventually reach the summit at 1850m. We will stop for picnic next to the Alhorí river and will then ride back down along to tracks commonly used by local cowboys to round up cattle. We will arrive back at the Complejo Rural los Moralillos for evening meal and accommodation
Approximate Duration: 5 and a half hours
Thursday: Jerez del marquesado – la Calahorra
We will leave Jerez along the route to La Calahorra, crossing the Jerez river and climbing up onto the high plateau of Aquile from where we will have spectacular views over the ancient iron mine craters which are over 100 meters deep. Today these craters have been converted into a large blue lake. We will ride to the river Aldeire where we will stop for a picnic lunch. In the afternoon we will head back towards La Calahorra through the community of Aldeire and its network of irrigation channels left over from the Moorish occupation. Evening meal and accommodation in the hotel Hospedería del Zenete **** which is a replica of the medieval castle of La Calahorra.

Approximate duration: 5 and a half hours

Friday: La Calahorra - Alcudia

In the morning we will ride up to the old castle of La Calahorra. This was the last castle built in Spain during the medieval period and hides inside its walls the first renaissance palace of the Iberian Peninsula.

This final day will not be monotonous even though we are returning back to base. We will climb down the Olla de Guadix through the Zalabi river valley. The valley is full of streams which work the old flour mills. We will arrive in Alcudia for lunch. Afternoon free for visiting and shopping in Guadix. Evening meal and accommodation in the hotel Cuevas del Tio Tobas ***

Day 6: End of programme – transfer to Granada after breakfast