Difficulty Rating : 7 Start : Malaga (Casares) Finish : Tarifa Tour Type : Group Daily Average : 47km Weekly Average : 237km Teaser : A great opportunity to see the famous white village of Andalusia up close. Roll with us through Southern Spain's finest countryside,
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A great opportunity to see the famous white village of Andalusia up close. Roll with us through Southern Spain's finest countryside, beautiful National Parks, remote white villages and rides along the beaches of the Costa del Luz (coast of light). From Bandit hide-a-ways to Pirate coves and the battle of Trafalgar site - this is an exciting part of the world still very undiscovered - offering one of the finest blends of cycle touring in all of Europe.

The Coastal Explorer takes you places others rarely see. Expect five days of completely diverse riding over some of Andalucia's most historic and culturally varied routes. Highlights of the tour include exploring the White Villages, National Parks, vineyards, scenic coastal roads and classic routes of the Torro (bull) and Sherry. Charming hotels and tasty authentic food en route add to the experience. Riding is a combination of quiet back roads and stunning parkways. Andalucia is a hilly region yet we have done our best to guide you through the most beautiful areas without shattering you on the climbs! The seaside riding days and views to the African continent are especially rewarding...

You can sample the variations in local cuisine, taste the wines and Sherries, perhaps visit a Feria (Fiesta) and act spontaneously should an interesting event occur! Your trip leader offers a free nightly interpretive tour at each destination to ensure you get the most from your experience.

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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Resources Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrive Malaga Airport

Pick up Malaga Airport / 1 ¼ hour shuttle to our first night in Casares - a beautiful Moorish village steeped in history and charm with fine views to the Med and Africa. This evening your guide will orientate you around Casares village followed by a welcoming dinner in a local tavern. Hotel Rural Casares where each room offers a balcony with stunning views over the village itself and usually Africa and the Med Sea on a clear evening.

Day 2

Casares to Jimena de la Frontera 41 km

A gentle start to our week as we pass through orange and avocado groves of the Guadiaro River then along the meandering lanes that border one of the Med’s most important National Parks, the Alcornocales. Easy, quiet country roads in lush surroundings with thousands of years history. This afternoon is an optional free interpretive walk to the Moorish Castle or you can relax around the village square or the charming Casa Henrietta where we spend the night.

Day 3

Jimena to Alcala de las Gazules 53km

Cycle the charming Jimena to Alcala parkway through the stunning Alcornocales National Park blessed with cork forests, lush river valleys and glimpses of wildlife such as wild boar, deer, lynx vultures and eagles. Quiet tarmac roads with breathtaking scenery on route! A fantastic day for nature that finishes in the historic Moorish stronghold of Alcala de las Gazules village.

Day 4

Alcala to Conil (coast) 58 km

Today´s journey rolls through the pretty, open landscapes, vineyards and traditional bullfighting tierra across open valleys and meadows adorned with wildflowers, natural herbs, cork, almond and olives and a wide array of birds. Nearing the Atlantic coast, we encounter the enchanting medieval centre of Vejer de la Frontera, a former Moorish Kingdom set in a stunning cliff top setting with a splendid historic quarter. Soon after, arrive to Conil (beachside), for 2 nights in the 4 star Hotel Conil Park or similar.

Day 5

Rest day – Conil

Your Rest Day offers a wide range of experiences. In Conil you can relax, swim at the hotel or do a little sightseeing - sampling the local tapas and vino in one of many bars in Conil´s historic quarter. Alternatively, visit a sherry bodega, stroll the endless beaches or see the famous equestrian show in Jerez (home of Flamenco). Cadiz and Seville cities are a short bus ride away and well worth the visit. Or, if you wish to pedal more, head up to Vejer (approx 16 km each way), or ride the forested paths around Conil itself.

Day 6

Conil to Zahara de Las Atunes 40 km

Our first destination is Canos de Meca where in 1805 Lord Nelson’s navy fleet defeated the French and Spanish in the Battle of Trafalgar before moving onto the Pirate backwaters of Barbate where General Franco regularly sought refuge from the rigors of his own Dictatorship. After a short walk to the watch tower or a swim on a quiet beach, take a coastal lunch of sardinas and a cold cerveza and arrive to the beach side resort of Zahara de las Atunes by mid afternoon. Be sure to take a swim in the pool in Hotel Porfirio or Hotel Pozo del Duque before enjoying an Atlantic sunset and vistas of the African continent

Day 7

Zahara de las Atunes to Tarifa 45 km

Cycle the colourful beach paths and forested coves to Bolonia to visit a magnificent Roman site before carrying on through magnificant landscapes and dunes leading to Tarifa – the most southerly point of continental Europe and the gateway to Africa. Tarifa is like nowhere else in Europe. It blends Moorish African culture with a thriving adventure industry centred on surf and wind sports. The old quarter with its Guzman Castle, ramparts and labyrinth of small courtyards is just exquisite – not to mention the wide range of great tapas bars and cafes on hand! It is also the main corridor for migratory birds between Africa and Europe and offers insight into flora and fauna that is unique to the entire continent. The vibe here is tremendous and it leaves a very fond impression of Spain.

Day 8

Based on group travel time

Return morning shuttle to Malaga Airport for your continuing travel or return home. We usually depart for the airport around 8.00 a.m. for the 2 hour shuttle. For those wishing to travel onto Seville or other destinations in Spain - Tarifa (and Algeciras city) offer very good transport hubs by bus or train

  • 7 nights accommodation in  hotels
  • 3 dinners with wine included
  • Return transfers to/from Malaga ( set time ) 
  • Guide in support van   
  • Daily baggage transfers
  • Daily route details and maps
  • Helmet rental and gel seat pads, toe clip options on request

    Bike hire is not included in tour price:
    €100 supplement for 21-speed hybrid bike,
    €225 supplement for E-Bike

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I highly recommend anything that Irish Cycling is involved with – it is so nice to travel knowing that you’re so well looked after!
Susan Brown (Coastal Explorer Guided 2012)

It was the best ever cycle trip that we’ve done. The route was spectacular. All the hotels we stayed in were so neat – and very clean & comfy. Some of them were hundreds of years old – those were my favourites.
Susan Brown (Coastal Explorer Guided 2012)

We really, really enjoyed our bike trip to Spain and absolutely loved our guide. This was our first time in Spain and we will return. The people are open and friendly, the food fantastic and the countryside and different oceans were delightful.
Kathy M. (Coastal Explorer group 2014)

I had a wonderful time on the trip and felt it was well organized. The group leader was very helpful in making sure our bikes were comfortable and working properly. Water and snacks were provided when the biking areas did not have shops/cafes. The guide also helped with translating Spanish to English for hotel/restaurants.
Anjali Milano (Coastal Explorer Group 2016)

The bike trip was great. Your people in Rhonda were exceptional and the bikes were very good. The accommodations were wonderful. On the day it rained heavy, we were driven by taxi to the next hotel.
Bill Haring (Andalusian White Villages 2016)

The Cycling holiday was great and aided by some fantastic weather. Our guide /mechanic was excellent. The cycle route was ideal, as was the accommodation and food. My bike was very good. We are certainly considering doing another cycling tour of a different country sometime in the near future, thanks.
Bill Lathrop (Andalusian Coastal Explorer 2016)

ANDALUSIA GROUP TOUR 2024
€1610 per person sharing
€1850 for single occupancy

Bike hire is not included in the price
€100 hybrid bike
€240 e-bike

Self Guided Tour Information

Self guided tours are not available on this route.

How to get to the starting point in Casares: 

We recommend flying to Malaga International Airport. 
We then organise a set transfer to the start point (Casares) approx 1hr 15 mins. 

For more details please have a look at the tour dossier.

As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

CASARES

HOTEL CASARES  - 2 star rural superior
Centrally located in this "very photographed" Moorish white village.  Great views of the Med, Africa, Arabic castle and the entire village from your room & balcony.  Typically Andalucian, this quality hotel has clean, charming facilities and a great atmosphere with unique Moroccan décor. 

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Jimena de la Frontera

Casa Henrietta – Rural Family Inn
Boutique Family Inn / A coverted traditional village house with a local charm that is irresistable. Expect to be dazzled by the variety of room designs and take time out to enjoy the village itself in all its glory! Located in the heart of Jimena village, it's the most popular boutique Inn of the region. Free Wifi connection.

 Jimena de la Frontera image 1 Jimena de la Frontera image 1

Alcala de las Gazules

HOTEL SAN JORGE  - 3 star
A mode, comfy village hotel with spacious rooms right in the centre of Alcala village offering all mode conveniences.  From here we can explore all aspects of the village and sample the local cuisine, sherry and cured hams.  Free Wifi connection.

Alcala de las Gazules image 1Alcala de las Gazules image 1

Conil

CONIL PARK HOTEL – 4 star
A lovely seaside village with fabulous untouched beaches.  Conil Park Hotel is a tastefully designed 4 star sea side resort with swimming pool, garden areas and only minutes walking from both the beaches and Conil´s historic quarter adoed with tapas bars and shops.  Free Wifi connection.  

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Zahara de Las Atunes

HOTEL PORFIRIO – 3 star
A very comfortable and superbly designed hotel with swimming pool, gardens and all mode conveniences located near the beach in this Atlantic coastal town.  Minutes walk to the white sands and ‘chiringuito’ beach bars of the Costa del Luz.  Free Wifi connection. 

(OR pending season we use the sister hotel / 3 star also): 

Zahara de Las Atunes image 1Zahara de Las Atunes image 1

Tarifa

HOTEL ALAMEDA – 2 star 
superior rural / Located centrally in Tarifa’s old town, minutes from the bustling fishing and ferry ports and superb beaches.   Built into the Fortress walls of the Guzman Castle, it is central to many tapas bars surrounding pretty open courtyards. Tarifa boasts a vivid day and night atmosphere with a frontier like feel within short range of Africa. Free Wifi connection. 

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Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available


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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

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Other Information

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.