Guided & Self Guided Walking Holidays
Sierra Nevada and Las Alpujarras, 
Granada, Spain

Welcome to Ibex Walking & Wildlife Holidays

Ibex Trex specialise in guided and self-guided walking and wildlife holidays based in the beautiful untouched region of las Alpujarras and the Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain.

The Sierra Nevada, Spain is an amazing place being the highest massif in Europe outside the Alps. On the southern slopes of this great mountain range lies the valleys of Las Alpujarras; a hidden treasure of Andalucia that is full of culture and wildlife and is ideal for walking holidays and wildlife holidays. With a wonderful climate throughout the year, Ibex Trex walking holidays offer a wide range of seasonal walking and trekking experiences with a variety of levels.

March to June brings the bloom of many beautiful wild flowers and fabulous walking at both high and low levels, July and August are the hottest time of the year but one of the best times to set your sights on Mulhacen and other stunning high level treks. September to November brings the autumn colours and again allows for both high level and low level walking holidays. December to Feburary is stunning with bright blue skies against a wintery backdrop of the snow-covered mountains of the Sierra Nevada allows for fabulous low level walking holidays.

Also, through Februrary to March, the almond groves are full of purple, pink and white blossom and Ibex can be seen throughout the year. Whichever season and level of walking you choose, we cover the whole region using the best routes and walks that cater for an extraordinary walking holiday.

We have chosen these beautiful areas for their great walking routes, outstanding wildlife and amazing landscapes. Ibex Trex caters for large groups, small groups and individual walking and wildlife holidays. Any level of walking can be undertaken from strenuous trekking up to the amazing 3000 metre Ridge and Spain's highest peak, Mulhacen in the Sierra Nevada, to ambling through the beautiful, tranquil white washed villages of Las Alpujarras.

We pride ourselves on our excellent hospitality and skill for catering for every individual's and groups needs. We strive to make our walking and wildlife holidays include everything you need for a memorable holiday, with our fantastic walking and guiding through breathtaking landscapes laced with fabulous wildlife and flora, great food, accommodation and company.

"We had an excellent week, the walks were generally very good and varied - we spotted wild boar for the first time so were really excited about that....Must say we really enjoyed the break, the majority of the treks and the hotels were superb, and the locals ever so friendly. The Mecina loop walk and the Siete Laguna's were our favourite, even wading through a foot of snow, closely followed by the final day - even considering the confusing end.Many thanks for arranging, and to Chris for helping us Veggies. We will definitely recommend you to our like minded friends and colleagues.Very best wishes" Ady and Deb - Self Guided Walking Holiday March 2012.

"Just a quick email to say thank you for the walking and the manner in which you looked after us. Very enjoyable."
James & Maeve - Walking In Blossom February 2012

Guided Walking Holidays
Las Alpujarras & Sierra Nevada

Ibex Trex guided walking itineraries are all inclusive packages. These walking holidays are catered for individuals, couples or small groups who like to meet and walk with other like minded people in this beautiful region of Spain.

The 645 Euro price for a walking holiday itinerary include:-

• All walks professionally guided
• Half board accommodation in quality hotels and excellent ibex trex lunches on walk days.(based on 2 people sharing)
• All transport throughout the week including airport transfers from Malaga, Granada and Almeria.
• An Excursion to Granada and the Alhambra (45 Euro Extra)
• The only things you will need extra money for are extra drinks, hotel services, meals in Granada and any shopping you do.

There is a 110 Euro single supplement applicable.

The hotels we use have been chosen for there quality accommodation and great local food.

All breakfasts and evening meals are included and we provide Ibex Trex delicious lunches on walk days. Our lunches use only locally sourced produce, which are made to a high standard.

Guided Walking Holiday Itineraries 2012

'Excellent, thank you so much just the right level of walking and great hotels. Dan was a very good guide' Johan & Group September 2011

'A fabulous week of walking, really enjoyed the whole experience and you looked after us very well' Liz, Emily & Sara September 2011

"Just returned from walking in the Sierra Nevada and Las Alpujarras with Ibex Trex. What a fantastic holiday. The difficulty and pace were perfectly pitched and I really enjoyed every minute of our 7 day stay. The first hotel was ideally situated as was the Alqueria de Morayma hotel for the second part of the hoiday. The walks were varied and most interesting passing through fabulous scenery and wonderful old villages. Dan was super company and a great laugh. I would have no hesitation in recommending Ibex Trex for a super holiday in an amazing location. I will be back."Denise - Autumn Special November 2011

Self Guided Walking Holidays
Las Alpujarras & Sierra Nevada

NEW!! Self Guided Walking Holidays In Grazalema National Park

If you want the freedom to explore this area on your own but want us to book you the best accommodation and supply you with the best suited walking itinerary then all this can be all arranged around what you require and any dates are available for any length of time.

Our self guided holidays include:-

• Your choice of start and finish dates
• Great hotel accommodation and food (click here for hotels we use)
• Sherpa transport for luggage (hotel to hotel)
• A packed walk pack with everything you need to enjoy your holiday.
  Clear descriptive walk notes, 
  clearly marked maps,
  guides about the areas history, flora and fauna
• 24hr assistance if needed.

The price for 7 nights half-board hotel accommodation is 545 Euro.
There is a 110 Euro single supplement.
The holidays can be lengthened and shortened to suit your requirements.

Please contact us to enquire about our self guided holidays.

Self Guided Walking Holiday Itineraries

• Low Walking
• Medium Walking
• High Walking
• Grazalema Self Guided Walking Holidays
• 3000m Ridge
• Airport Transfers
• Extras

Low Walking

Las Alpujarras Valley Walk Description A leisurely walking itinerary which gives the walker a great taste of the region and stays in some beautiful hotels. This week takes in the beautiful la taha region for two days before transferring to Trevelez the highest village in Spain and famous for its air cured ham, and the lesser walked area around Berchules and Cadiar. This itinerary has some transfers involved to keep the walking distances down. A free day in Berchules. Length of walking days 6km - 14km about 4-8 hours of easy walking with no steep ascents or descents. Paths are all well walked and easy to navigate. No walking experience necessary. Route of walk 2 Nights in Mecina - 1 Night in Trevelez - 2 Nights in Berchules - 2 Nights in Cadiar

Medium Walking

Las Alpujarras Valley Walk Description Walk from one end of the valley taking in some of the best bits of the Alpujarran valley. Starting in the stunning Poquiera gorge before walking to la taha region and onto to Trevelez before a long walk to Cadiar. This itinerary allows you to spend two nights in each hotel, one day walking and returning to the hotel and the next day walking to the next hotel. A Free day in Trevelez. Length of walking days 12 km - 19 km about 4 - 9 hours of easy to medium walking.  Some walking experience would be beneficial. Route of walk 2 Nights in Capileira - 2 Nights in Mecina - 2 Nights in Trevelez - 1 Night in Cadiar

High Walking

Sierra Nevada & Las Alpujarras Description Walk up to the Sierra Nevada and Mulhacen before descending into the more tranquil alpujarras. A great walking week for those that want to get right up into the Sierra Nevada and experience its beautiful wilderness and also get to walk in the tranquil valleys of Las Alpujarras. Length of walking days All walks are at least 6-10 hours in length and are of a medium to hard in walking ability. Paths can be steep and rough. Walking experience essential. Route of Walk 2 Nights in Capileira - 1 Night in Poquiera Refugio - 2 Nights in Trevelez - 2 Nights in Cadiar

Grazalema Self Guided Walking Holidays

Grazalema Self Guided Walking Holidays Clients have been asking us to explore other areas of Andalucia and Spain.  We are now going to take our formula of the best walks, excellent accommodation and good prices and are going to create two self guided walking holiday itineraries in the beautiful Grazalema national park. We will have Low and Medium self guided itineraries. These itineraries will be ready for the Autumn/fall this year, 2012. In 2013 we will be running a Guided walking holiday week in Grazalema. Please contact us or check this page again for more information. About the Grazalema area. The National Park of Grazalema is 100km from Malaga airport and takes roughly 1.5 hrs to get there. Designated a Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1977 and then a Spanish National park in 1984, it was the first national park in Andalucia.The National park of Grazalema is full of spectacular limestone and dolomite gorges and crags that rise up dramatically, with the most spectacular being the Garganta Verde, 'Green Throat'. Which has one of Europe's largest population of Griffon Vultures. It has an exceptionally rich bird life, particularly raptors. Mammals include roe deer, Egyptian mongoose, badger, fox and Spanish ibex. As well as the rivers having a healthy otter population. The trees consist of large cork oaks, holm oak, olive trees and the magnificent and well preserved forest of the rare Spanish fir. The region is also know as the wettest in Spain, but the weather is very seasonal and only helps the scenery to be the greenest in Andalucia. This area also has an extraordinary array of plant life with a recorded 1300 species. Many of them endemic and some flourish in this environment. Around the Grazalema national park are some beautiful small white villages with some great accommodation, which we will link together on our self guided walking itineraries. There is a large Área de Reserve, with the most fragile ecosystems, Spanish fir forests and black vulture colnies. This part of the park are controlled in terms of dates and numbers. At times when fire risks are greater (July to September) walks to this area are closed. High rainfall and a limestone landscape mean that the water courses and springs are plentiful. The principal rivers are the Guadalete, Guadiaro, Tavizna and Ubrique The Town of Ronda The town of Ronda is spectacular and has kept its charm, and all our self guided walking holiday itineraries will start and end here, giving you the chance to explore this beautiful hill top town in your own time and leisure. Ronda is famous for its dramatic views and the Puente Nuevo 'new bridge' which straddles the 100m gorge of El Tajo.

3000m Ridge

If you want walk at altitude and experience the Sierra Nevada ridge and its stunning scenery and wildlife, then you can include the 3000 metre ridge into your itinerary. The walk can be from 9km to 16km in length and we can do the walks at anytime of year, weather depending. The 9km is not a difficult walk but you will be walking at altitude all day which does make your body work that bit harder. The 16km walk is harder but not there are no long steep ascents or descents, as we have gained the altitude by vehicle. The cost is 40 Euro per person, based on two people with luch provided. The walk is guided by one of our guides and involves a 1 hour 4X4 transfer to the start point which is the highest point in the Sierra Nevada you can get a vehicle.

Airport Transfers

If you require an Airport/city/hotel Transfer from/to Granada, Almeria and Malaga 1-5 people 120 Euro per group return 6-10 people 180 Euro per group return Please contact us if you have any other destinations you may need transfers from or to. If you would like to make your own way to the start point of your self guided walking holiday then the local bus company is at www.alsa.es , it is a reliable and good service or if you wish to hire a car then we use www.amigoautos.com which we have found the best price comparison site around.

Extras

Granada & the Alhmabra Granada & Alhambra Excursion (to be taken on a nominated free day) 45 Euro inc ticket to Alhmabra per person (min 2 people) Lunches Lunches can be obtained from hotels or from local shops. The average price for a picnic lunch from a hotel is 6.50/7.50 Euro, which will include a sandwich, fruit, cake and a drink, or you can buy the Ibex Trex lunch package for 5 Euro per day. Ibex Trex lunch includes large sandwich, homemade cake, fresh fruits and a drink if required.

"Just to let you know that we had an excellent holiday, which we both enjoyed very much. We were very lucky with the weather and the scenery was fantastic. We enjoyed the hotels, each of which was very different, but all with excellent food and service." Ros & Mike - Self Guided - March 2012

"We all had a brilliant holiday. All the walks were great, day 3 the Mecina circuit was our favourite. The accommodation was very good.....
All in all a great holiday and would highly recommend both the trip itself and the group Ibextrex."
Lisa & Family- Self Guided - March 2012

Wildlife Holidays
Las Alpujarras & The Sierra Nevada

We specialise in providing guided wildlife holidays for wildlife enthusiasts and professional wildlife experts. Our relaxed andfriendly holidays give you the chance to learn about birds, plants ,reptiles and butterflies. Ibex Trex are based in one of europes most diverse regions for flora and butterflies, with the Sierra Nevada being a Biosphere reserve of Spain and the Cabo de Gata being a Marine Natural Park, hosting some fabulous salt marshes and desert like conditions. You can see all the habitats and enviroments we cover in more detail here.

You can read the Norwegian Botanical Societies Trip Report 2010 Here

Itineraries

We have timed our itineraries with events in the local wildlife calendar, wildflowers or bird migration. We walk 6 - 10 km a day with plenty of stops to listen to the guide, take photographs or take in the spectacular views.

We cater for individuals and groups, we have set itneraries that will give you a broader range of the flora and fauna of this excellent region and we run tailor-made holidays for specialists in certain fields.

All our prices include half-board with lunches on trip days and all land based transport in Spain. We use the best hotels in the regions we cover and all have great local food and comfortable rooms. Please contact us if you have any questions or enquiries.

'It was such a lovely trip and I enjoyed every minute of it! Warm wishes' Kirsten Chair Person of the Buskerud Botanical Society May 2010

'Thank you for a most enjoyable holiday. It was great to have the opportunity to be out in the Alpujarra countryside and on top of this we saw plants and creatures we would never have spotted without the enthusiastic guiding, and also got to know something of the history of the area. 'April 2010

Group Walking Holidays
Las Alpujarras & The Sierra Nevada

Ibex Trex caters for walking and wildlife groups and clubs. All our itineraries can be used for your group or if you prefer we can design a tailor made itinerary.

We have several guides so any size group can be taken and we can run different walks on the same day to accommodate different levels of walking.

Our group holidays include:-

• All transport in Spain
• Great quality hotel accommodation with breakfasts and three course evening meals
• Experienced, qualified guides
• Excellent walking routes to suit you and your group
• Lunches on activity days
• We can include wine tasting, wildlife nights, Granada and la Alhambra trips, traditional flamenco evenings to enhance your walking or wildlife holiday

Please contact us to enquire about our great group rates.

'Thank you so much for a very successful and excellent walking week - enjoyed by all. We are now getting our breath back and receiving lots of thank you messages and congratulatory comments on the week. Again many thanks to both you and Amy. Good luck for the future.' West Berkshire Ramblers

'Excellent walking holiday, thank you for your organisation and walks' Galway Walking group