TOUR DESCRIPTION

Travel across the Green Spain Ecotourism Reserve visiting nature protected areas in Cantabria, Asturias and Galicia for wildlife observation. The central part of the tour is devoted to some of the most endangered species of the region that can be observed in the wild as they have improved their conservation status in recent decades as a consequence of very successful conservation projects.

We will have the opportunity to meet the people carrying these conservation projects, so we receive first-hand information and knowledge about these species and their present situation.

The tour is designed to enter by the Bilbao airport, departing from Galicia (on the other extreme of the itinerary) avoiding a long returning drive to Bilbao at the end of the trip. It is important to do the outing to Picos de Europa in the Lagos de Covadonga on Friday, as it is the day when food is added to the feeding place for scavengers located on this area. Because of this, the options to get good observations of the bearded vulture besides other raptors and vultures increase.

All the places for wildlife watching along the tour can be reached by car or by boat, so only short and easy walkings are needed

INFORMATION

Bilbao – Murgia

Arrival to the Bilbao airport and travel to Murgia (30 minutes). Check in at the hotel and easy walking for birdwatching in the forest of the Gorbeia Nature Park. Accommodation: hotel in Murgia.

Gorbeia-Santoña

Birdwatching in the morning in the Gorbeia Nature Park/Nervión canyon (30 minutes). After lunch, travel to the marshes of Santoña, Victoria and Joyel in the Cantabria coast. Birdwatching from the shore along the Asón estuary. Accommodation: hotel in Pedreña/Somo

Santander Bay and Gangas De Onis.

Birdwatching by boat in the Bay of Santander and the Miera estuary. Lunch in Pedreña harbour before departure towards Cangas de Onís. Check at the hotel in, and guided visit to the Bearded Vulture Mountains Visitors Centre in Benia de Onís. Accommodation: Cangas de Onís

Picos de Europa / Covadonga Lakes

Birdwatching in Picos de Europa to observe bearded vultures and other raptors in the field, besides mountain and passing birds. Accommodation: Cangas de Onís.

Ponga Nature Park.

Birdwatching in the forests of Ponga Natural Park. Visit to the hidden villages of Viboli and Casielles. Accommodation: Cangas de Onís.

Peñas Cape and Somiedo.

Travel to Somiedo Nature Park in the morning (2 h). We can stop in Peñas cape or Villaviciosa estuary in the way to watch migrating birds beside the sea. Arrival to Pola de Somiedo for lunch. Brown bear observation in the evening. Accommodation: Pola de Somiedo.

Somiedo

Brown bear observation from different viewpoints in the Somiedo Natural Park, including a short route to watch birds and visit some typical Summer shepherd villages at midday. Accommodation: Pola de Somiedo.

Somiedo – Cambados

Brown bear observation in the early morning. After that, transfer to the west coast of Galicia (4 hours driving). We do some stops in the way to enjoy of different viewpoints. Sea and coastal birds observation in the mud flats of O Grove (Arousa estuary). Accommodation:
Cambados.

Islas Atlánticas National Park.

Boat trip in Arousa estuary and Salvora archipelago for pelagic birds and mammals observation. Accommodation: Cambados.

Tour conclusion

Departure from Vigo/Santiago de Compostela to Madrid for international connections

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