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 species common in Southern Spain but also some other species that only occur in very localized locations of South Spain within their European range.

Some remarkable butterflies we'll be looking for:

  • Spanish Festoon and Southern Scarce Swallowtail
  • Moroccan and Desert Orange Tips
  • Black-veined and Spanish Marbled Whites
  • Lorquin's and False Baton Blues
  • Common Tiger Blue
  • Provençal, Marsh, Spanish and Aetherie Fritillaries
  • Monarch, Cleopatra, Cardinal ...

Please note moths will not be covered on this tour.

Other invertebrates

Good chances to find other interesting invertebrates as European Solifugid, Owlflies, Thread-winged Lacewing -endemic to the Iberian Peninsula- and Stripped Oil-Beetle.

Birds

Andalucía's birdlife is notorious and hence we shall enjoy many bird sightings. Hard to point just a few birds, but perhaps Griffon Vulture, Booted Eagle, Rock Bunting, Black Wheatear, Thekla Lark, Blue Rock Thrush and Red-billed Chough are among the most iconic species we may come across.

Wild Orchids

Attention will be paid to some of Álvaro's favourite orchid locations. Even though the dates are normally a bit late in spring, we still should encounter a few species in full flower: Lange's Orchid, Sombre Bee Orchid (arnoldii), Sawfly Orchid (ficalhoana), Woodcock Bee Orchid, Yellow Bee Orchid, Man Orchid and Small-flowered Tongue Orchid. Read our article on Andalusian Orchids.

Other flora

The tour will take us to a wide variety of habitats. Among them we'll particularly enjoy the mediterranean forest of our native Cork and Holm Oaks. Wild Peonys, Rockroses, Toadflax, Viper Bugloss and many other wildflowers should be in full bloom.

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 (recommended May - June)

PRICES
Rates per person: 1300 €

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

Tour leader: Álvaro Peral

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. No steep ascents but 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