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
or request a private tour
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
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.
Today we will spend the day moving across the entire Sierra Mágina Natural Park and visit multiple corners of it in search of iconic butterflies. We will visit several water points and places that should produce good concentrations of species. Chances to see Golden Eagles during our picnic. In the late afternoon we will travel towards the nearby Sierra de Cazorla.
Night in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park.
Today we will start the journy by walking a trail that will provide great views of the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park. As the temperatures increase, we will be moving down to the fresher valleys and check the local rivers in search of new butterfly species.
Night in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park.
Today we'll be feeling like the "Kings of the Sky", enjoying butterflies across a high plateau with stunning views in all directions. It is here that some scarce species occur -fingers crossed for Geranium Argus!-, whereas others will gather to hilltop. A variety of scrub, forest and open areas can turn very productive if winds are not too strong, in which case we'll focus on the always productive lower mountains.
Night in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park.
Today we'll be butterflying across the Sierra de Segura and more specifically along the most extense karst plateau in Spain, the Campos de Hernán Perea. This are should produce very good numbers of butterflies.
We will also be stopping at some forest clearings and fountains. Chances on Fallow Deer and -although difficult- the very striking Bearded Vulture!
Night in the Sierra de Cazorla Natural Park.
Time to enjoy a relaxed morning without driving much. We will be walking along a river in search of Two-tailed Pasha and many other desirables. Time allowing, there may chances on a local carnivorous plant and Ocellated Green Lizard, the largest lizard species in Europe!
In the afternoon we will travel back to Sierra Mágina in order to cut the driving time for tomorrow.
Night in the surroundings of Sierra Mágina.
After a relaxed breakfast we'll head back to Málaga for departure. There will certainly be time for butterflies on this day.
Travellers who may prefer to be dropped off in Granada will have this option available. The rest of us will continue our drive towards Málaga.
We will be back in Málaga by 17:00, where the tour ends. Please keep this timings in mind in case you plan to fly back home on the same day.
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 Crested Tit, Red-billed Chough, Firecrest, Lomng-tailed Tit, 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.
SHARED TOUR
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
Flexible dates.
(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
- Ground transport
- Professional guiding services (in English)
- Guidebooks and daily butterfly checklist
- Holiday report
- Accidents insurance
- All taxes and entry fees
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Accomodation (around 60 eur/night in single occupancy). We prebook and you pay at arrival
- Food or drinks (around 35 eur/full day)
- Personal costs
- Travel insurance
ACCOMODATION
2 bases: first near Sierra Mágina, and then in the mountains of Cazorla.
PACE
Easy walks mostly. Moderate walking skills are needed. No steeps ascents but rocky trails. Daily average driving time: 2,5 h.
WEATHER
Generally sunny, warm and nice temperatures with too little chances of rain. Spring weather can be unpredictable though! Fresh in the morning and hot in the afternoon.
FOOD
We'll enjoy breakfast and lunch either in local establishments en route or picnic in some days. Our lovely hotel near Cazorla will provide excellent dinners.
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
