Bird Watching Castro Marim

What to Expect:
A birdwatching Tour in the Algarve in southern Portugal.

Bird Photography: Opportunities quite good.

Featuring visits to Cape St Vincent, the Alentejo and a pelagic boat trip in Ria Formosa Natural Reserve.

Group Size:
Maximum of 14
participants plus leader/s.

Accommodation:
A small country inn high in Castro Marim, with panoramic views.

All rooms are en suite.

Meals:

Breakfast and evening meals in the hotel.

Lunches not Included.

Walking:
Easy. Short walks. Comfy walking shoes recommended.

Boat Trips:
We will take either a morning or afternoon pelagic boat in Ria Formosa Natural Reserve neat Tavira to look for seabirds. The trip usually lasts 1,30 hours. Please note that trip is subject to availability of the local operator, and weather permitting.

Travel:
Flights no included .

Ground Transport By minibus.

Birds:
120-150 species

Exclusions:

Admission fees to castles & attractions or events, guide services inside monuments, meals, tips/gratuities, baggage or personal insurance, beverages or food not described in the product's description and any other purchases of a personal nature.

Notes:
Price Excludes: - Air fares - Personal holiday insurance - All items of a personal nature - Drinks and telephone calls.

Rates are based upon group tariffs

Tipping:

Tipping (drivers, hotel staff, porters and restaurants) is included. However, if you feel that your leader/s and/or any local guides have given you exceptional service, it is entirely appropriate to tip them. We emphasize that such tips should be at your own discretion and based solely on the level of your service satisfaction.

TRAVEL

We have the capacity to advise you on the best route according to your preferences, but your local travel agent will best be able to book these flights for you.

However we, DO NOT book your flights.

We strongly recommend that each traveller has health, accident, luggage and trip insurance. We cannot be held responsible for those not covered.

Safety of our clients is paramount and we do monitor local events and conditions. If we feel it is necessary to modify an itinerary we will do so and naturally advise you immediately, although this is rare. You should be aware of potential hazards - terrain underfoot can vary.  As the tour leader is responsible for the safety of all group members, he or she may adopt a more cautious approach depending on local conditions. Do be aware that itineraries planned for some tours may be varied on the spot because of unexpected events such as weather conditions.

The final decision for any change rests with our leader. We cannot be held responsible for disruption to planned itineraries arising from weather conditions or other situations beyond our control.

The pace of our tours is comparatively relaxed but a certain amount of non-strenuous walking may be required; if you are in any doubt about the amount of physical exertion required, please ask.  As birds are more active in the early hours, we make no apology for rising early in the morning in order to see them. In hot climates, this allows us to enjoy birdwatching in cooler temperatures than the intense heat of the midday sun.
Individuals requiring special attention, treatment or whose condition limits their activities must disclose this information to us. We reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person’s health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour and the rights welfare or enjoyment of other participants or their own self.

Restrictions on participation are a matter of common sense and we have no absolute ones. If you have a health problem or any physical limitation which may hamper or restrict your full involvement in any aspect of the tour, or about which we should be aware for your safety (e.g. walking difficulties, diabetes, asthma, angina, etc.), please advise us in detail and in writing at the time you reserve space. We do not normally program strenuous physical exercise. Participants should be able to complete gentle walks of one-half day’s duration, ride in any seat in tour vehicles and meet the simple schedule of the tour.

Participants agree not to hold us responsible for any loss, injury or damage to any person, property or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or resulting from any Acts of God, dangers, incident at sea, fire, breakdowns in machinery or equipment, act of governments, or authorities, de jure or de facto, wars declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, defaults, delays, cancellations or any causes beyond our control, for any loss or damage resulting from improperly issued visas or other documents, and that Another Level or its staff will not be responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained for or incurred by the tour participant as a result of any of the forgoing clauses.

We reserve the right to send home persons unable or unwilling to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the satisfactory operation of the tour.

DAY 1 

Arrive

DAY 2
We drive out to Tavira.  Located in the heart of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a wetland area the importance of which is internationally recognized under the Ramsar Convention, the town is an ideal centre for bird watching.  Salinas and saltmarsh attract a wide range of birds according to season.  Autumn and winter bring Spoonbills, hundreds of Greater Flamingos, Audouin’s Gulls and Slender-billed Gulls and as many as 20 species of wading birds, including Stone-curlews.  In spring/summer, local breeding species include European Bee-eaters, Red-necked Nightjar, Little Terns, Avocets and Kentish Plovers.
In the afternoon we may visit Quinta do Marim, headquarters of the Natural Park where habitats include a fresh water lake, or Take the boat tour of Ria Formosa starting From Tavira
DAY 3
This morning we drive out to Cape St Vincent, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe where the coastline is formed mainly by rocky cliffs.  The landscape here is fairly barren with low bushy vegetation that includes plant species that are endemic to the area.  In autumn large numbers of migrant raptors can often be seen, notably Booted Eagles, Short-toed Eagles and Honey-buzzards; large flocks of Griffon Vultures also regularly occur at this time.  From the cliff top Gannets can regularly be seen and other seabirds passing off-shore may include Cory's Shearwaters.  There is often a small flock of Red-billed Choughs in the area, Blue Rock Thrush and Black Redstart are commonly seen and we would expect to see Thekla Larks.
DAY 4 Free day
This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, bird independently, or visit local places of interest. From Castro Marim there is a wide variety of sightseeing available (our guide can advise and/or recommend options according to your interests .(Optional excursions (not included)
Free time in Old Town: Those who haven't quite got their fill of the many attractions can take advantage of one more visit to the shops in Vila real S. Antonio and other sights.
Boat tour in the lagoon (RIA Formosa)
Visit to the Algarve costal area.
Visit to Faro and shopping tour.
DAY 5
Today we visit the Castro Verde area where one of our main targets will be the Great Bustard, one of the world's heaviest flying birds.  These birds inhabit a huge area of uniform countryside in the Baixo Alentejo and can sometimes be difficult to see unless you know where to look. Other species that can be found include (according to season) Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Calandra Lark, Lesser Kestrel, European Roller, Griffon Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Red Kite, Black Kite, Montagu's Harrier, Common Crane and Little Bustard.  It is also an important breeding area for White Storks.  In spring, large areas are carpeted with multi-coloured wildflowers – a truly memorable sight.
DAY 6
A day visiting the local Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo Antonio, an enormous area of wetland, saltmarsh and saltpans at the eastern end of the Algarve which is home to a wealth of birdlife.  One of the major attractions here are the Greater Flamingos at least some of which can be found all the year round.  As many as 1,000 of them may be seen in the winter months.  A varied selection of gulls, wildfowl and wading birds can be expected in spring, autumn and winter.   
If time allows, we may also visit an area of woodland at Aldeia Nova.
DAY 7
Ludo Farm and Quinta do Lago are located west of Faro near to the airport and between them have an excellent mix of habitats including salinas, woodland, reedbeds, and saltmarsh.  The lake at Quinta do Lago is well-known as one of the easiest places in the Algarve to see Purple Swamp-hens but at any time the area is home to an excellent variety of species and in winter thousands of wildfowl and waders are usually present.
DAY 8
Free time until Transfer to Faro Airport.

Note:

We can tailor-make your itinerary to your personal requirements, so if you would like to make a side trip to some other destination, we will be happy to assist. Please contact us about your requaierments