Butterflies and Birds of the Spanish Pyrenees
A holiday for butterfly and bird lovers as we explore the central Spanish Pyrenees
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€1695 per person
No Single Supplement Solo travellers have their own private ensuite bedroom, at no extra cost.
Trip Gallery:
Butterflies and Birds of the Spanish Pyrenees
Holiday Price
€1695 per person
“The walks were guided by excellent local experts in wildlife, butterflies, insects, and birds. I especially enjoyed the beautiful butterflies we caught in a trap overnight (and released the following day).. The group was very congenial and we had many lively discussions. Each day was a new adventure. ” Sally. Netherlands. June 2023
Guided by one of the foremost lepidopterists and entomologists in Spain and accompanied by Simon a keen naturalist. If you love butterflies, insects, birds, vultures, and wildlife in general, then this is the holiday for you.
Based in rural Aragon, together we will explore one of Europe’s hidden gems, an unspoilt region of Spain.
We are Simon and Lucy your hosts and you will be staying at our renovated 17th century farmhouse.
We live within the Pyrenees Geopark, and close to the Ordesa National Park and the Natural Park of Sierra de Guara, both UNESCO world heritage sites. Our daily outings will take us to explore these outstanding areas, making the most of our location.
Did you know the Ordesa National Park is also a World Biosphere Reserve with over 160 species of butterflies, of which 8 are endemic. It is also a ‘Special Protection Area for Birds’, of which there are over 170 different species.
We are passionate about all wildlife, as are our carefully selected Nature Experts.
Join us as we show you the butterflies and birds of the Spanish Pyrenees, and learn a little of the geology and the human stories in this secret corner of Europe.
The group size is limited to a maximum of 8 people.
Why not organise a group of friends! We can make this a private, tailor made holiday.
Questions about this trip?
We've compiled answers to common questions on our FAQ page. Here you'll find information about booking, travel, accommodation, and catering for individual needs. For anything else, please contact us at holiday@aragonactive.com,
Supporting local conservation
We support directly and indirectly the Foundation for the conservation of the Bearded Vulture, and Birding Aragon. This includes financial support, as well as highlighting the conservation work done in our area, on each of our holidays.
Butterflies and Birds of the Spanish Pyrenees
Itinerary
Join us as we discover the butterflies, insectcs, and birds of the Spanish Pyrenees. We will walk with our guides Enrique and Simon. Enrique is one of the foremost lepidopterists and entomologists in Spain. Marvel as he catches, identifies and then releases our specimens. There will be plenty of opportiunity for photography.
The pace is slow as and Simon will always have one eye on the skies scanning for Raptors and small birds.
The bullet point itinerary below gives an idea of what we will be doing during a typical week.
Please note: this is strictly a no-smoking holiday.
DAY 1: Arrival
- Arrival at Casa Allué, Albella.
- Dinner and a chance to meet the group.
DAY 2: Butterflies of Albella
- A brief introduction to Albella before we walk from the house with lepidopterist Enrique.
- We descover indigenous forest, medieval bridges, and different habitats.
- After lunch at the farmhouse we will walk the local meadows.
- In the early evening we set a moth trap.
- Dinner on the terrace at the farmhouse.
DAY 3: Canyon Walk
- Before breakfast we will take a look at the moths we caught in the trap before releasing them.
- After breakfast we head to a canyon supporting a vast range of ecosytems.
- The red listed Chequered blue butterfly can still be found here!
- After lunch and on the way home we will stop to visit a Bee eater colony.
DAY 4: Sierra de Guara
- Today we visit a very different landscape in the Sierra de Guara.
- Lunch at a local reataurant.
- After lunch we will visit Enriques butterfly interpretation centre.
- In the evening we go to an area to look for Stag beetles and the Great capricorn beetle.
- Supper in the forest and a late evening drive home.
DAY 5: Rest Day
- A late btreakfast and a day to unwind and enjoy the abundant butterflies and insects around the farmhouse.
- Traditional paella for lunch cooked outside by Simon.
- Afternoon and evening to relax.
DAY 6: Tena Valley
- After breakfast our excursion today takes us to a neighbouring valley to find the two different Apollo butterflies.
- After a picnic lunch we will continue to discover other butterflies, always with one eye out for birds!
DAY 7: Raptors
- Morning walk with Simon to see vultures including the rare Bearded vulture.
- We also visit the first microreserve for butterflies in Spain, established in 2009 by Enrique to protect the Large blue butterfly.
- After lunch and on the way home we visit a local medieval town. In the top 50 most beautiful villages in Spain!
- We will also make time to call at the conservation centre for the Bearded vulture.
DAY 8: Departure
- A flexible timetable for onward journeys home.
Stay at our traditionally restored 17th century Farmhouse.
We are Simon & Lucy, your hosts, and we live in the tiny hamlet of Albella, with just eight permanent residents. An authentic Pyrenean experience….
Where we have the right recipe to make your holiday truly memorable.
Spacious bedrooms, deluxe ensuite bathrooms, and comfortable communal areas with Wifi.
Dining out on our large terrace from May to October.
Fresh produce that is locally sourced, or straight from our organic veg patch.
Local Somontano wines.
Whether it is breakfast, picnic lunches or evening meals, we prepare everything with care and passion.
For more details on the accommodation click the button below.
Just Some of Our Reviews on this Holiday…
“Simon and Lucy have created a high quality experience featuring most generous hospitality – absolutely everything is included. Delicious, healthy breakfast, picnic lunch, evening meal served on the west facing terrace watching a different sunset every evening.
The local specialist guide,lepidopterist, Enrique, like someone out of Gerald Durrell showed us the natural wonders with infectious enthusiasm.
Our small group (two couples, three singles) quickly became a harmonious team, invisibly and sensitively herded by Simon. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes to make this a great holiday.”
Philippa. Cambridge
“Brilliant trip due to wonderful hosting, great accommodation, delicious food and expert guiding in northern Spain. I was amazed at the quality and quantity of the flora and fauna to be found in this part of the Pyrenees.”
David, USA
“Everything is fantastic. Simon and Lucy are lovely and make you feel at home. The food should be served in a top class restaurant it was gorgeous. The farmhouse and accomodation are superb. All mod cons set in a beautiful historical context.
The activities are second to none. Local experts make discovering and enjoying the wildlife really interesting and inspiring.
The holiday couldn’t be better.”
Ian, Torquay
How to get to us at Casa Allué
We recommend to all guests that they make travel arrangements to Zaragoza.
There are direct flights into Zaragoza airport from London Stansted. Alternatively, Zaragoza has high-speed rail links from Barcelona and Madrid. Journey time from both cities is approximately 1½ hours.
From Zaragoza we offer a minibus taxi transfer service, collecting from the airport and the railway station to our Guest House in the Spanish Pyrenees. Transfer time is just under 2 hours. Cost €80 return per person.
Click the button below for detailed information and instructions on travelling to Zaragoza.
Booking
Availability & Reservation
Reserve your place by completing the form below.
If you are in any doubt about your suitability for this holiday please contact us before completing this form.
Once completed you will get a summary of your trip with the total cost.
Email: holiday@aragonactive.com
Tel: (0034) 679 345 623
Select Trip Dates & Guests
Simply select your trip date and the number of guests, then proceed using the 'Next' button.
We require a €150 deposit per person as part of the reservation process. Our secure on-line payment system accepts all credit cards.