Guide

Tour leader throughout

Others

5 days guided walking; 1 free day

Accommodation

We stay at Rincon de Pepe, a two-star hostel in the heart of Benimantell in the Guadalest Valley, approximately 40mi (60km) from Alicante and away from the crowded Costa Blanca. It is ideally situated for our adventure, minimising transfer times for our walks and offering views over the Mediterranean. It has only eight rooms, which all offer sea views and the opportunity to enjoy a sunrise every morning. In the restaurant, there is a fireplace, which is used by the tour leader on the final night to prepare a paella (accompanied by a local vermouth) to end the hiking week. In winter, it also serves as an improvised barbecue to grill sausages or vegetables for dinner. Additionally, the staff at Rincon de Pepe produce olive oil from the many olive trees surrounding the property; during the winter season, there will be oranges with which you can make your own freshly squeezed orange juice at breakfast. Local bottled wine is included for all five evening meals or soft drinks/beers. There is also a back terrace/entrance, used only by our groups, which provides direct access to a private meeting room. This entrance also includes a small area where we can leave boots, walking poles and any wet walking gear. Amenities Restaurant serving traditional dishes using local ingredients Outside terrace area Wet gear room and clothes dryer Living room area with comfortable seating 24-hour tea/coffee facilities, books and card games Worth knowing Single supplements (on request) are limited and are allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis.

Transport

A private minibus is usually used for airport arrival and departure transfers. Depending on the group size, the short daily transfers and organised excursions will be either by nine-seater van or private vehicles. On occasions, your leader will need to make two journeys at the end of the walks so some members of the group may have to wait 20 minutes (or have another beer) to join the second transfer.

Meals

All breakfasts, five lunches and six dinners (plus local wine with dinner, one bottle per three people) are included. Breakfast: Continental style – local seasonal fruit, orange juice, different types of bread, cakes, cheese, ham, or bacon and eggs on request every day. Tea and coffee. Lunch: Picnic lunches will usually consist of bread rolls (our famous whole wheat triple deckers) with cheese and salad/meat, fruit, muesli bars, biscuits or nuts, and a juice carton. Our local guide usually also provides some snacks such as pickled olives, chocolates and dried figs. Evening meal: As the main meal of the day, we enjoy a large variety of local cuisine including espencat, minxos (small pancakes) legume soups, roasted lamb, and of course local paella . Most of the food is freshly prepared from locally grown seasonal produce, and the pension produce their own olive oil. A reasonable amount of local wine is provided with the evening meal but additional beverages are not included. Mealtimes in Spain are later than in many other countries; dinner is usually between 8pm and 9.30pm. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free diets are well catered for given prior notice, and most other dietary requirements can also be accommodated if you let us know in advance (at the time of booking). Please note we cant guarantee any dietary requests made on arrival. Please note, should flights change to arrive earlier, or depart later, additional meals are not included. Please also note that no refund will be given for meals not taken or taken other than where designated.

Not included:

Others

— Travel insurance — Visas and vaccinations — Single supplement

Flights

Flights not included

Insurance

Insurance not included

Optional

Other activities and services are not included

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Day 1 Day 1: Start Guadalest (Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Start Guadalest (Dinner)

The tour starts at our pension in Guadalest, halfway up the valley on the north face of the Aitana Massif. It can be time consuming to make your own way there, so we recommend you coordinate your travel arrangements to join the group transfer from Alicante Airport – please provide your travel details in advance. There will be a welcome briefing at the pension this evening.
Day 2 Day 2: An Enchanting Walk Passing The Limestone Needles Of Penya Roc (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: An Enchanting Walk Passing The Limestone Needles Of Penya Roc (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

We make our way to Racó de Tovaines, where we access the spectacular limestone peaks and needles of Penya Roc and walk through El Salt up to Collado Papatxi. This area enchants people with its soaring towers and surrounding rock walls. Early sunset rays will highlight the spine of the jagged Castellets Ridge that stretches down to Orxeta. We return through Pas del Comptador back to Benimantell.
Day 3 Day 3: Walk Up To Reach Morro Blau; Descend Along Peña Del Rastrell (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Walk Up To Reach Morro Blau; Descend Along Peña Del Rastrell (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

We begin our walking by starting at the reservoir along the newly restored traditional path of Solana de Gorgues which in 700 mts of ascent takes us to the font Major. From here we discover the high pastures of Foia Plana towards Morro Blau, a rocky prominence visible from many coastal point. We will have our lunch close to the fire lookout building, before descending along Peña del Rastrell back to the reservoir.
Day 4 Day 4: Climb Serrella Peak For Vistas Of The Aitana Range; Descend Via A Magnificent Gorge To Abdet. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Climb Serrella Peak For Vistas Of The Aitana Range; Descend Via A Magnificent Gorge To Abdet. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

After a short transfer to Abdet, we begin by ascending to Ombria La Pisa and then pass El Contador (3,280ft/1,000m) and follow the western spine of Serrella to Mallada del Llop (4,465/1,361m). We usually stop for a picnic lunch here and explore one of the biggest and best preserved snow wells in the region of Valencia while enjoying the sweeping views of the Aitana range, and even the Valencia Mountains on a clear day. After lunch we begin our long descent. Initially the descent is a fairly steep gradient on a rocky/scree surface, which we zigzag down. Scrambling is required on some sections. During the last stretch, the gradient lessens and we enjoy pleasant views of terraced olive groves and centenary carob trees, which lead us to the village of Abdet. Afterwards we transfer back to our accommodation.
Day 5 Day 5: Free Day; Chance To Visit Villajoyosa Beach Or A Chocolate Factory (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Free Day; Chance To Visit Villajoyosa Beach Or A Chocolate Factory (Breakfast)

Today is a free day to relax or perhaps head to the beach at Villajoyosa or visit a chocolate factory. Your local leader will organise a group dinner at a restaurant in Guadalest
Day 6 Day 6: Summit Puig Campana For Panoramic Views To The Costa Blanca And Across The Region (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Summit Puig Campana For Panoramic Views To The Costa Blanca And Across The Region (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

We embark on a fairly tough walk to the summit of Puig Campana (4,626ft/1,410m), where we enjoy 360-degree panoramas. Almost all the peaks and ridges we have traversed in the previous days may be seen. On the other side, the Mediterranean stretches to the horizon. We approach the north face of this mountain along good trails and paths, embarking on a gentle climb passing the Collao del Llamp to the Collao Pouet, the base of the mountain. From here, we climb a new footpath, which is steep and rocky, on the north face of this spectacular peak, returning to our vehicle from the Casa de Dios. Scrambling is required on some sections. (Occasionally the walks on Days 6 and 7 may be reversed, in which case the Aitana Peak walk will be done today).
Day 7 Day 7: Spectacular Walk Along The Dramatic Simas Limestone Fissures; Option To Scale Aitana Peak (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Spectacular Walk Along The Dramatic Simas Limestone Fissures; Option To Scale Aitana Peak (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

From the pension, we walk along the northern slopes up to the Font de Partagat and then scramble through Pas de la Rabosa, the only natural break on the Aitana, which gives access to the summit from this north side. We have lunch at the Simas limestone fissures, which are up to 295ft (90m) deep, situated on a ridge near the summit of Aitana. It is an impressive geological formation and a perfect picnic spot. Weather permitting, it’s possible to climb the summit (optional). We then have another long descent.
Day 8 Day 8: End Guadalest (Breakfast)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: End Guadalest (Breakfast)

The tour ends in Guadalest after breakfast and we begin our return journey home. If you have not booked flights through Exodus but would like to join the group transfer back to Alicante Airport you must request this at the time of booking.

8 days tour

Sierra De Aitana Trek

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Sierra De Aitana Trek

Day 1: Start Guadalest (Dinner)

Day 2: An Enchanting Walk Passing The Limestone Needles Of Penya Roc (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 3: Walk Up To Reach Morro Blau; Descend Along Peña Del Rastrell (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 4: Climb Serrella Peak For Vistas Of The Aitana Range; Descend Via A Magnificent Gorge To Abdet. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 5: Free Day; Chance To Visit Villajoyosa Beach Or A Chocolate Factory (Breakfast)

Day 6: Summit Puig Campana For Panoramic Views To The Costa Blanca And Across The Region (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 7: Spectacular Walk Along The Dramatic Simas Limestone Fissures; Option To Scale Aitana Peak (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 8: End Guadalest (Breakfast)

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