Enjoy the butterflies of Spain's largest Natural Park

Prime scenery and wild mountains throughout the tour

Together with vultures, Spanish Ibex and a wealth of wildlife

Butterflies of Cazorla and Sierra Mágina

This tour aims to cover 2 of the mostly unknown abut also butterfly-rich corners in Southern Spain. The beauty of Sthese mountains, which make up the second largest natural park in Europe, is overhwelming. A very well designed trip, with easy walks, across mighty limestone mountains. The timing has been carefully selected to ensure optimum conditions and variety of butterflies on the wing.

Tour highlights

The remote and highly enjoyable South-East Spain at its best and most flowered time. Around 60 species of butterflies expected plus Iberian Ibex and other remarkable avian and non-avian species. A two-base tour to allow easy access to great butterfly spots. Iconic mountain scenery daily.

Tour itinerary

Day 1: Introduction to Sierra Mágina

We will meet in Málaga or its airport by noon and head North-East. We have  a 2-hour journey to the Sierra Mágina Natural Park. This protected area will produce our first butterfly encounters, and we will focus on the lower mountain today.

Night in the surroundings of Sierra Mágina.

What wildlife to expect

Butterflies

This butterfly tour aims enjoying a wide array of common species in Southern Spain and also a few localized species within their Southern European range.

The Grayling group will be well represented, with good chances on Rock, Stripped, Great Banded and Tree Graylings plus Black Satyr.

Species like Cardinal Fritillary, Iberian Marbled White and Spanish Gatekeepers should be present in very good numbers.

Only small chances on Southern White Admiral.

This tour should produce 50+ species of butterflies, with a daily average of 25 species.

Other invertebrates

Even though moths or dragonflies will not be covered on this tour, we should encounter a few iconic species.

Birds

Birdlife will be interesting throughout the tour. Birds of prey will be well represented, with probaly daily views of Griffon Vulture and Booted Eagle. Chances on Golden Eagle and Bearded Vulture on a couple of days. Other interesting species include Red-billed Chough, Firecrest, Cirl Bunting and Red Crossbill.

Wild Orchids

Being generally late in the season for these, a few orchid species may still be encountered in flower in higher moutain: Champagne's Orchid and Robust Marsh Orchid being the most common ones. Read our article on Andalusian Orchids.

Other flora

The tour will take us to a wide variety of mountain habitats. Among them we'll particularly enjoy tour endemic salzmannii subspecies of Black Pine, the mediterranean mixture of Oaks and scrubland alongside the always interesting riparian plantlife.

We guide this butterfly tour in Spain by means of Andalucía Slow Tours, S.L., a local travel agency accredited by the Spanish Tourist Board with number CIAN 297083-2.

 

OPEN GROUP TOUR DATES
June 7 - 13, 2025 

* You can also book this as a private tour with guaranteed departure or on different dates (read below)

PRICES
Price per person:  1100 €.

TOUR PARTY
Min. 4 - max. 7 fellow travellers (1 guide)

Tour leader: Álvaro Peral

PRIVATE TOUR

Best from early May till early July.

PRICES
Private tour for a solo traveler:  3100 €.
Private tour for 2 pax:  1700 €.
Private tour for 3 pax:  1300 €.
Private tour for 4-7 pax:  1100 €.
All prices are per person.

WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Transfers from/to Málaga
- Transport
- Professional guiding services (in English)
- Guidebooks and daily butterfly checklist
- Holiday report
- Basic insurance
- All taxes and entry fees

WHAT'S  NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Accomodation (around 60 eur/night in single occupancy). We can prebook and you pay at arrival
- Food or drinks (around 40 eur/full day)
- Personal costs
- Travel insurance

ACCOMODATION

2 bases: first near Sierra Mágina, and then in the mountains in Cazorla (below).

PACE
Easy walks mostly. Moderate walking skills are needed.

WEATHER
Generally sunny, warm and nice temperatures but with too little chances of showers. Spring weather can be unpredictable. Fresh in the morning.

FOOD
We'll enjoy breakfast and lunch in local establishments en route. Picnic may be an option in some days. Trippers will have options for dinner at short distance from our hotels.

What your guide says

You will feel privileged to visit top-class natural areas that have not yet been visited by most naturalists

Álvaro Peral, 2024