TOUR DESCRIPTION
Tour designed with the main purpose of the observation of the largest carnivores in the Iberianvpeninsula: the Cantabrian brown bear and the Iberian wolf. Because of this, the best time for the tour is September-October (end of August or early November also possible times) because these are the best moments for the two species at the same time, when the successful rate with them is the highest one in the whole year. With these targets on mind we travel from West to East of the Cantabrian range visiting the main nature protected areas for these species: Fuentes del Narcea and Somiedo for the brown bear, and Montaña de Riaño for the wolf. We suggest several days devoted to the observation of these mammals as time is required to be sure of being successful with the observations. In any case, we will introduce new objectives (wildcat, ungulates, birds) once the main targets have been observed in good conditions and with quality.
Whilts almost all the tour is carried out in the northern slope of the Cantabrian range, the last region, Montaña de Riaño, is located on the South side of the mountains, so for finishing the tour we must return to the North side and this is done through the San Glorio pass, a good place for birdwatching. San Glorio is the entering point to Liébana valleys where we will stop for birding in high areas for some specialties of the highest altitudes in the area (wallcreeper, alpine chough, alpine accentor). After that we go around the massif to reach Cangas de Onís, to try the observation of the bearded vulture in the wild. Cangas de Onís is just 1 h and some minutes from the airport for the last day.
In the planning of this tour it is important to try the last day for the bearded vultures is on Friday, as it is the feeding day of the feeder for scavengers in the Picos de Europa National Park, and this action guarantees the presence of a large number of vultures around.
INFORMATION
Tour Interest:
Tour Type:
Tour Dates:
Tour Duration:
Starts/Ends:
Best time to go:
Prices:
What’s Included?
- Accommodation in confortable and nice hotels all along the trip for 9 nights with breakfast included.
- All meals.
- Guides and activities in the programme.
- Transportation.
What’s Not Included?
International and domestic airfares and airport taxes. Tips to guides, drivers, hotel & restaurants personnel, etc. Beverages with your meals. Personal travel and medical insurance. Anything not specified under “What is included?”
Itinerary
Day
1
Asturias Airport – Fuentes del Narcea
Arrival to Asturias airport. Drive to Fuentes del Narcea (1 h 30 min). Walk for birding in the afternoon. Accommodation: hotel in Posada de Rengos (Fuentes del Narcea).
Day
2
Fuentes del Narcea.
Cantabrian brown bear observation in the morning and in the evening in Fuentes del Narcea (Monesterio valley). Route by 4×4 car at midday to enjoy the area. Accommodation: hotel in Posada de Rengos (Fuentes del Narcea).
Day
3
Fuentes del Narcea – Somiedo.
Brown bear observation in the morning in Leitariegos (Fuentes del Narcea). Lunch at La Chabola restaurant before continue route to Somiedo. Brown bear observation in the evening in Somiedo. Accommodation: Pola de Somiedo.
Day
4
Somiedo
Morning and evening brown bear observation from different viewpoints in the Somiedo Nature Park, including a short route to watch birds and visit some typical Summer shepherd villages at midday. Accommodation: Pola de Somiedo.
Day
5
Somiedo – Montaña de Riaño.
Brown bear observation in the morning in Somiedo. After that, driving to Riaño. First observation trying with the Iberian wolf in the evening. Accommodation: H Tierra de la Reina (Boca de Huérgano).
Day
6
Montañas de Riaño.
Morning and evening outings for Iberian wolf observation in different valleys or places in the Montaña de Riaño and Mampodre Regional Park. Accommodation: Hotel in Boca de Huérgano.
Day
7
Mantaña de Riaño – Liébana
Iberian wolf observation in the morning (or wildcat observation). Birdwatching in the mountain pass of San Glorio. Viewpoints over the Picos de Europa massif. Pineda mountain grassland in the afternoon. Wildlife observation in a 4×4 mountain route. Accommodation: Potes (Liébana).
Day
8
Liébana (Fuente De) – Cangas de Onís
Birdwatching for alpine birds in Fuente De (Liébana). Picnic lunch in the high mountains. Travel in the afternoon to Cangas de Onís through Picos de Europa gorges. Check in at the hotel and guided visit to the Bearded Vulture visitors centre. Accommodation: Cangas de Onís
Day
9
Covadonga Lakes.
Observation of the bearded vulture in the wild, along with other raptors and mountain birds. Accommodation: Cangas de Onís.
Day
10
Tour conclusion
Departure from Asturias to Madrid for international connections
From our gallery
Brown Bear © Luis Frechilla
Mirador Entrelagos © Luis Frechilla
La Pornacal – Somiedo © Luis Frechilla
Wallcreeper © Luis Frechilla
Mirador de la Peral © Luis Frechilla
