Spain

DAY 1
FLY LONDON–BILBAO, TRANSFER TO PALENTINE MOUNTAINS

Our wildlife tour to the Palentine Mountains begins with a scheduled flight from London to Bilbao, on the wild and beautiful Cantabrian coast. On arrival, we transfer south by road, crossing the full breadth of the Cantabrian Range on a route that climbs steadily away from the coast and into an entirely different world of high peaks, deep gorges and ancient forest — a journey that in itself offers a wonderful foretaste of the dramatic landscapes we have come to explore over the days ahead. As the road winds higher, the Atlantic climate of the coast gradually gives way to something altogether more continental, and we begin to appreciate the sheer scale and remoteness of the country we are entering.

We make for our base for the week: a small, family-run rural hotel in the tiny village of San Martín de Perapertu, deep within the Palentine Mountain Natural Park. Set amid centuries-old oak forests and lush green meadows, and home to just 14 inhabitants, the village is a haven of peace and tranquillity, its handful of stone houses gathered beneath the surrounding peaks. It is, in every sense, the perfect place to return to after each day’s excursions, and our hosts take great pride in welcoming us as though we were old friends.

Depending on our flight arrival time, we may already venture into the natural park on this first afternoon, our appetites whetted by the scenery on the drive south. We shall be in search of Wildcat, moving quietly along tracks and forest edges in the hope of a sighting, and we shall also enjoy our first encounters with some of the area’s special birds: Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Iberian Green Woodpecker and Rock Bunting are all possible, along with a good supporting cast of more widespread woodland species as we find our bearings. We aim to be back at the hotel by around 17:00, with time to settle in before dinner at 19:00, always prepared using fresh local and traditional produce sourced from the surrounding valleys. These timings — morning departures, late-afternoon returns and evening dinners — will apply throughout the tour, giving each day its own settled and comfortable rhythm.

4 nights San Martín de Perapertu, Palentine Mountain Natural Park

DAYS 2–4
PALENTINE MOUNTAIN NATURAL PARK — WOLVES, BEARS & WILDLIFE

These are our three full days of exploration, all spent within the Palentine Mountain Natural Park, and each day follows a wonderfully productive rhythm that has been refined over many years of running this tour. An early rise is required — breakfast is served between 05:30 and 05:45, with departure in our 4×4 vehicles at 06:15, while the mountains are still cloaked in the soft light of early dawn. We head deep into the heart of the park, accessing protected reserves and restricted-use areas for which we hold all necessary permits, taking us well away from the more accessible corners of the park and into country rarely seen by visitors.

The experience of searching for Iberian Wolves and Cantabrian Brown Bears begins before first light: we take up a strategic vantage point with a sweeping view across forests, mountains and meadows, and spend around two hours scanning the landscape with telescopes and binoculars as the light gradually improves and the contours of the terrain slowly reveal themselves. It is a truly spectacular setting in which to wait, in hushed anticipation, for a glimpse of these iconic and elusive predators — an experience that regularly ranks among the most memorable of any Limosa tour.

After the early-morning watch, we continue to explore different ecosystems within the park, building up a picture of wolf and bear territories: their hunting grounds, their habits, and the signs — tracks, scats, scratch marks on trees — that they leave behind as clues to their passage. We also keep a close eye on the meadows and rocky slopes, where Wildcats may be seen hunting the elusive Water Vole among the tussocks, and we remain alert throughout for the further birdlife the park has to offer. With two great biogeographical regions, Eurosiberian and Mediterranean, converging here, the Palentine Mountain Natural Park supports a notably rich community of bird species, and we shall enjoy searching for these too throughout each day, adding steadily to our trip list as we move between habitats.

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of each day will be our picnic lunch, enjoyed in scenic spots with panoramic views across the natural park — an entirely relaxed and convivial affair, taken at a leisurely pace with everything prepared from local and traditional produce: perhaps a classic Spanish omelette, or a hearty chickpea and vegetable stew, accompanied by good bread and seasonal fruit. It is a welcome pause in the day, and a chance to reflect on the morning’s sightings before we press on. After lunch, we resume our route, continuing to focus our attention on the large carnivores and other wildlife, as well as further birdwatching opportunities, before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon, tired but well satisfied with another full day in the field.

A high level of physical fitness is not required for this tour. The 4×4 vehicles will bring us close to the best observation points, and any walks through the park follow paths with no particular difficulty, following the wildlife at a leisurely pace rather than covering great distances on foot. We shall be at altitudes of between 1,500 and 1,900 masl, so warm clothing is essential — especially for the early-morning vigils at dawn, which can be quite cold whatever the season, and layers are strongly recommended so that they may be shed as the day warms.

DAY 5
PALENTINE MOUNTAIN NATURAL PARK, FLY BILBAO–LONDON

Depending on the departure time of our return flight from Bilbao, we have the opportunity to carry out one final early-morning watch in the natural park, savouring these last precious hours among the peaks and forests that have been our home for the week — another chance for wolves, bears and the wide array of wildlife that has made this such a memorable tour. We also enjoy a last leisurely picnic lunch out in the field, making the most of every remaining moment, before making our way north, crossing back over the Cantabrian Range to Santander airport and our flight home, where our Palentine Mountains tour concludes, leaving us, we hope, already planning a return visit to this remarkable corner of Spain.

Group Size

Maximum of ten participants and one WildWings leader.

Accommodation

Four nights accommodation in Spain, staying in small, rural hotel.

We spend the first 6 nights in the mountains of Northern Spain (spending three nights at two different rural hotels). From there, we travel to La Mancha for a 2-night stay, before concluding with three nights near Andujar.

All rooms have private facilities.

Meals

All main meals are included in the tour price, commencing with a light lunch on Day 1 (subject to flight times) and concluding with breakfast on Day 5.

Breakfasts and evening meals will be at the hotels. Lunches are likely to be picnics.

Walking

Our walks will be mixed with some short (eg when watching for targets from various viewpoints).

Wear comfortable walking shoes or lightweight boots, with sturdy corrugated soles for grip.

Weather

The weather in the north of Spain is likely to be pleasant but if we go high into the mountains it is likely to be cool and there are chances of rain so it will be important to bring some warm and weatherproof clothing.

Ground Transport

By 4×4.