Experience Overview
The Finca el Cerrillo is a firm Headwater favourite, this holiday combines gentle walking to the nearby white villages of Sedella, Salares and Competa with a local wine tasting, visits to the caves at Nerja and Nerja's famous Balcon de Europa. On your free day, perhaps take a trip to in Malaga (payable locally), the birthplace of Picasso or enjoying a day relaxing at the Finca's pool. The week ends with a spectacular 4x4 drive to Loma del Daire with views of the nearby peaks and distant views to Nerja and the sea.
Our experienced walking leader will accompany you on all walks. Some of our paths will take us off the beaten track in the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park and on other days, we'll be exploring the pretty white villages and olive-planted hillsides that date back to Moorish times. The walks are short, typically allowing for free time in the afternoon to relax in the beautiful grounds of the Finca.
Did you know you can travel by train to this trip? Find out more here
Profile
— 7 nights single-centre accommodation — 5 Days walking — All meals — Management by local hotelier — Services of an experienced walking guide — Bodega tour — Nerja Caves entrance — Fully inclusive: some dates with no single supplement — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— 7 nights single-centre accommodation — 5 Days walking — All meals — Management by local hotelier — Services of an experienced walking guide — Bodega tour — Nerja Caves entrance — Fully inclusive: some dates with no single supplement — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
Classification: Guided Group
Average daily distance on move on days: 5.2km (4.1miles).
No. of days Walking: 5
Terrain: Walks are along mule paths and tacks with some ascents and descents.
This holiday combines gentle walking to the nearby white villages of Sedella, Salares and Competa with visits to the caves at Nerja. The week ends with a spectacular 4X4 drive to Loma del Daire with views of the nearby peaks and distant views to Nerja and the sea. Our experienced walking leader will accompany you on all walks. Some of our paths will take us off the beaten track in the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park and on other days, we'll be exploring the pretty white villages and olive-planted hillsides that date back to Moorish times. The walks are short, typically allowing for free time in the afternoon to relax in the beautiful grounds of the Finca.
Eating Drinking
All meals
Andalucía’s base their cuisine on traditional fresh fayre. Onions, tomatoes and peppers feature liberally, simply cooked in olive oil and served as a starter seasoned with local herbs and accompanied by good fresh bread. Dinner often consists of Fish (pescado) or meat (carne) served grilled or deep-fried in olive oil. A good alternative for vegetarians is ensalada de garbanzos y tomate - a delicious salad of chickpea and tomatoes. Local specialities depend on the region: in the mountains, you’ll be offered delicious hams and game, down by the coast seafood will be more prominent.
Tapas was invented in this region and several different mini snacks can make a cheap, fun way to try the various dishes on offer. If you want larger portions, ask for ‘raciones’. Seville is the best place to tapear - tour the many bars sampling their tapas!
Transportation
Some walks start and end at the hotel; on other days the hotelier will arrange transfers to take you to/from the start/end points. They provide transport two evenings, to take you to dinner in local restaurants. It is possible to arrange optional transfers to take you into Málaga on your free day (payable locally).
Joining Instructions
Alternative Air Travel
Alternative flights, onward rail to your holiday area, and connecting private transfers can be arranged from most UK airports. If you would like to use one of the many 'low cost' airlines, we can book these on your behalf (£30 admin fee per person). We can also book UK shuttles to connect with your onward flight, please call for details and prices.
Transfer Details
Transfers
Transfers to and from Malaga airport are available for a supplement.
Weather Information
Spring generally enjoys pleasant daytime temperatures (12-23ºC) and a little cooler in the evenings. There is the chance of some rain, which then offers views of beautiful spring flowers. Summer months are hot and dry with daytime temperatures of around 21-35ºC, dropping to between 17 and 25ºC at night. Autumn brings cooler weather although it is still fairly dry. The possibility of rain is more likely in winter months but temperatures stay mild in the daytime, becoming cooler after sunset.
Spending Money
— You will need spending money for meals not included in the itinerary and all drinks. We suggest €25 per day to cover a few drinks if not then €10 per day. On the days where lunch or dinner is not included expect to spend €10-€15 for lunch and €15-€35 for dinner.
Highlights
— Stay in a wonderful 200-year-old olive mill with pool and beautiful gardens — Superb hosts and walking leader — Exceptional cuisine; all meals included — Moorish white villages, olive orchards, old mule tracks and panoramic vistas — Nerja Caves and the Balcon de Europa — Spectacular 4x4 drive into the Sierra de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural ParkTrip Details
Product Code: 4249
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport:
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: W07AA
Starts: Canillas De Albaida, Andalucia
Finishes: Canillas De Albaida, Andalucia
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating: Unknown
Accommodation
HotelThe Finca el Cerrillo is an absolute gem of a place to stay. There are 13 individually styled en-suite rooms. The living areas include a wonderfully atmospheric beamed lounge - cool in summer and kept cosy on winter nights with a blazing log fire, dining room, small library and 'honesty' bar. The terraced gardens, with 100-year-old carob and palm trees, surround both sunny and shaded patios with comfy seating areas. The pool affords stunning views of the valley below and the pretty Moorish village of Archez with its 13th century Moorish tower.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 2480 (CAD 310 /day)
Itinerary
Arrive at your hotel in Canillas de Albaida. (Staying at the Finca el Cerrillo, Half Board)
A 5-minute transfer takes us to the church of Santa Ana in Canillas de Albaida from where we head towards Competa passing smallholdings with avocados, maize, artichoke and citrus trees. We stop at the Bodegas Almijara where Maria will show us around and explain about wine making in the region - of course you'll get to enjoy a taste! It's then on to Competa for a tapas lunch in the lively main square, Plaza Almijara. We wind our way back to Santa Ana Church and either take the transfer back to the hotel or continue walking along the mule path from the village back to the Finca. (Staying at the Finca el Cerrillo, Half Board)
Today we head to the white village of Sedella where a track takes us above the village passing Roman terraces, still farmed today. We head up through almond groves to the Molino de Montosa, beneath the imposing La Maroma (2,096m), the highest peak in the region. On a clear day we can see North Africa's Rif Mountains. It's big bird country here too with regular sightings of griffon vultures and other birds of prey. After stopping for a picnic we head back down to Sedella and enjoy a cool drink in Salvador's bar before heading back for a lazy afternoon by the pool or in the library. (Staying at the Finca el Cerrillo, Half Board)
There is the option of an excursion to the beautiful city of Malaga (payable locally) where you have the day to explore at your leisure. Your starting point is the Castillo de Gibralfaro, a Moorish fortress with spectacular views to the port and town below. From here venture down into the old town where you can explore the Alcazaba, the Moorish Palace next to the Roman ruins. The 16th century cathedral is in the heart of the old town and a short distance from here is the Picasso museum with over 200 of the artist's paintings on display. (Staying at the Finca el Cerrillo, Half Board)
We head along a track through olives and citrus groves before dropping down past the bat house with resident horseshoe bats. We'll then continue alongside woodland, listening out for the river running beneath us and watching out for golden orioles. We enter Salares over the Arabic bridge which provides a great photo opportunity! There is an interesting church, Santa Ana, still bearing an old Moorish minaret. Lunch is taken at Theo's bar before a transfer back to the Finca. (Staying at the Finca el Cerrillo, Half Board)
A 45-minute transfer takes us to the spectacular Cuevas de Nerja where a 750m walkway takes us through a series of caves to a large column 32 metres high. We then head back out to start our walk along the Barranco de Maro. Wildflowers line the gorge with amazing rocky overhangs providing shady spots. After lunch explore Nerja town where you can people-watch from the Balcon de Europa, a rocky promontory made famous by King Alfonso XII. Relax on the beach or head to Nerja Museum to discover more about the caves. It's then back to the Finca before dinner in a local restaurant. (Staying at the Finca el Cerrillo, Half Board)
Today is all about views - a 4x4 drive takes us into the Sierra de Alhama Natural Park where we stop at a viewpoint - a stunning vista of jagged peaks and the coast. The drive and the views continue until we reach the start point for the walk. We begin with a gentle climb surrounded by cistus, rosemary, thyme and an abundance of wildflowers. The trail flattens and contours round the mountain, below Cerro Verde, before meeting up with the historic silk trail taking us into Granada Province and back to the viewpoint. (Staying at the Finca el Cerrillo, Half Board)
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Tour Operator
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It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
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