A Winter Walking holiday to Gran Canaria

‘The Island of Eternal Spring’

with WalkWise International  Ltd

 Dates:              Saturday 8th March– Saturday15th March 2008 (7 nights)

Place:              4 star Hotel Orquida, Bahia Felix

Price:              £630, direct flights from Gatwick

                        Manchester departures also with a direct flight, £50 supplement

Included:         7 nights accommodation, 7 evening meals, 5 picnic lunches

                        5 guided walks led by professional guides with two walks each day

a harder and easier option to suit your needs

Flights, Airport Transfers, Co-ordinator

Not Included:  Local transport.   £ 15 per person per walking day payable locally

Slots:               Up to 30, mainly in twin rooms

Overview

In response to the excellent feedback from WalkWise’s previous European Walking Holidays, WalkWise have responded to your requests for a true ‘Winter Walking in the Sun’ destination. Gran Canaria is the third largest of the Canary Islands and boasts a stunning mountainous interior filled with verdant pines and traditional villages.  Gideon and Andrew have both been enlightened by the island as a walking destination which is typically thought of as a sun worshipers’ heaven.  However away from the beaches there is a diverse wealth of flora, landscapes and history to explore. The Island being relatively small, just 600sq miles rises up to around 6000ft which makes everywhere very accessible, and also an interesting and varied scenery with sandy beaches, towering dramatic cliffs, deep gorges, wooded valleys, terraced farms, and then on the high plateaus are the vast calderas of dormant volcanos as well as the ‘spaghetti’ western-like mountains of Roque Nublo.

The Hotel:

The Hotel Orquidea is officially rated as 4 star hotel and it will be our base for the week.  It is a large hotel that prides itself on it’s cleanliness and courteous service and is set in extensive, palm tree-filled gardens that extend down to the beach. If the sea is not your thing then there is a generously-sized pool and a pool bar to relax in or around.  The hotel has a variety of sized and style of bedrooms, but all are quite spacious with one double or two twin beds plus a double sofa bed‚ or a sofa bed with a pull-out bed in the lounge area‚ telephone and satellite TV. All are air-conditioned and the majorities have a sea view.  There are also a number of bars where we can relax and chat over the days exploits and a large restaurant where we will enjoy our meals.  The hotel is a typical ‘tourist hotel’ and we have chosen it as it offers a good base from which to explore the islands walking whilst also being close enough to the main resorts, so there are plenty of things for you to do during the evening and on any non walking day.

The Resort:

Bahia Feliz is a lovely small resort complete with beach and a pretty town square decked out with a good selection of restaurants and pavement cafés. Bahia Feliz and the tranquil fishing town of San Agustin are small by Gran Canaria's standards and they remain attractive places retaining much of their old-fashioned ambience, traditional character and charm; so if you fancy a quiet drink or meal away from the hotel they are perfect. But we have the best of both worlds, whilst residing in a quieter resort we are only 10 kilometres north of the lively Playa del Inglés, so if you are looking for a more lively night life, or a party one night, then a quick taxi into Playa del Inglés is the answer!

Beautiful Walking:

For many,  the long sunny days and acres of golden sands are the essence of Gran Canaria, but even lying on the beach the eyes of the true walker are drawn up to the island’s central mountains, the awe-inspiring  high ridges and gravity defying formations of La Cumbres.  Thankfully the heart of the island has remained unchanged, unspoilt and to the vast majority of visitors unknown.  In fact for years these areas were only accessible by rough paths or caminos, and it is these ancient caminos that will lead the intrepid walkers into the true Gran Canaria.  The interior is imposing to say the least, with plunging ravines, towering cliffs and numerous volcanos.  The ancient routes have been extended to allow greater access for the walkers.  It remains remote, wild and rough and we will be staying on recognised routes.  Yet despite such rugged harshness there is a softness of spring, the winter’s rains should have fallen by now, providing the necessary impetus for life, and with it, a blaze of colour across the slopes.  The flora stretches right up to island’s  highest point of Pico de las Nieves, where a truly superb panorama can be viewed across the whole of Gran Canaria and if you are lucky right across to several other of the Canary Islands .  From here you can appreciate the distinct regions and habitats that the island has to offer. Further north the open pine forests give way to deep green lush valleys which eventually lead down to the rugged coastline.  However, to the south there is a different picture, the valleys are browner, drier, yet surprisingly hold the islands water supply in dramatic lakes and reservoirs. 

To enable you to get the most from your stay in Gran Canaria, the WalkWise guides have put together a walking programme that tries to encompass the many aspects of the island.  As such we will be walking in a variety of different habitats and areas, the scents of the open pine forests, the dizzy heights of some the narrow and lofty mountain trails, the imposing deep cavernous gorges, the rugged coastlines and the high, wild, remote plateaus.  We will also walk through lost villages, terrace farms and explore some of the quieter villages, where you will no doubt sample some of the local refreshments at the typical tavernas.

With such a wealth of habitats and scenery our walking program is varied to say the least.  Each day you can choose from two walks,  either take it easy, walking 7-9 miles with between 300 & 1200ft of ascent, or push yourself a little, doing 8-12 miles with around 2000ft ascent (some hard walks require a good head for heights). For more information about the walking or anything to do with this holiday please e-mail Gideon@walkwise.co.uk 

The Weather:

The weather on Gran Canaria is often described as mild all year round, with a typical March temperature of 23^oC which is very pleasant for walking! But as always there is a little more to it than this, the main rains fall in January and February, which turn the island green for a while thereafter.  The winds have a dominant affect on the weather; a northerly, brings cloud by lunch time, the easterlies heat and dry haze, and the tropical winds the possibility of thunder!  So as clear as Michael fish!  You should pack for sunny days and protect yourself from the direct sun as well as drinking plenty of water, but also be aware that at nearly 2000m it can also turn quite cold and fleeces and waterproofs may be needed.

Transfer

Both the Gatwick and the Manchester flights are scheduled to arrive at similar times. Its then only a 40 minute transfer to the hotel, where we can get on with the more important things like enjoying the holiday!

Flights

This air holiday package is ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. The package is operated by WalkWise International Ltd, ATOL 6208, for whom Spice UK Ltd is an authorised retail agent.

Useful Websites:                   

WalkWise

www.walkwise.co.uk

SAMPLE PICTURES of where we walked in the Gran Canaria

 http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gids4walks/album