This tour explores one of Iberia's secret jewels - Castile's Sierra de Gredos - the highest and wildest mountains in Central Spain, with numerous peaks in the glacially-sculpted Central Massif over 2300m, culminating in Almanzor (2592m), one of Spain's most prestigious ascents. This is superb walking terrain, in a magnificent environment that few overseas visitors have yet experienced, where ibex, multicoloured lizards and soaring birds of prey jostle for the walker's attention with spectacular views, myriad lichens, wildflowers and butterflies. Our guided itinerary explores the cool alpine zone, with most walks starting at over 1600m and getting up to well over 2100m. At this elevation, your walking will be in grassy meadows and along rocky high ridges, and simple scrambles on the superb granite of the Gredos Regional Park. The highlight is an excursion to the famed Gredos Cirque, with 2 overnights at the Elola Hut. Most days offer a chance to cool off in crystalline river pools. Although similar on some days to the summer itinerary followed by independent walkers on our self-guided Gredos tour, our support vehicle and expert local guides will enable you to experience some secret and rarely visited spots as well as several emblematic areas in the range, which are not possible for self-guided walkers. Designed for fit walkers used to travelling in mountainous terrain, the itinerary alternates easier days with harder days, while some days offer opportunities for easier or more challenging options. A "long-weekend" version of this itinerary is available.

The Facts

Price in standard double/twin room	635 EUROS. Single room supplement: 100 euros. Discounts for groups 3 +
Price in upgraded double/twin room	870 EUROS. Single room supplement: 150 euros. Discounts for groups 3 + UNIVERSAL CURRENCY CONVERTER
Price for optional night(s) in Salamanca	Consult us.
PRICE INCLUDES: For full details concerning prices, please see our General Information and Booking Conditions	-8 nights accommodation -8 breakfasts, 6 picnic lunches, 6 full-course evening meals with wine -qualified English-speaking mountain guide/tour leader - Local topographic maps with routes marked (scale 1:25,000) - All luggage transfer and ground transport as required by itinerary, between tour starting and ending points)
ACCOMMODATION IN "STANDARD" LODGINGS:	4 nights in family-run 2 star or equivalent "character" hotels and country inns. 2 nights in mountain hut (no shower, shared bunks, shared toilets, etc.)
MIN / MAX PERSONS IN GROUP:	4 / 14
DATES 2006	This tour is offered on a custom basis for small groups of 4 persons or more. Choose your own dates. Best time to visit is between June 1 and 10 July.
DURATION	9 days / 8 nights (7 days walking + 1 rest day for alternative activities in Hoyos del Espino)/Span>
STARTING & ENDING POINT	AVILA - 115km / 72mi NW of Madrid - several buses and trains daily from Madrid
AIRPORT PICKUPS AND TRANSFERS:	We can arrange for you to be met at Madrid's Barajas Airport and transferred to the tour starting point, and also for you to be transferred directly from the tour ending point back to the airport. These will cost 65 euros per person (2 person party) and must be paid directly to the driver.
DIFFICULTY GRADING	C/D

*For more detailed information, please contact us by e-mail, fax or post

 

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