Alpujarras Mountain Drive
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Port
Motril (Granada), Spain
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$59.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 4½ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
A one-hour drive brings you to Granada. Nothing in all of Spain compares to the wealth of architectural art to be found in the city’s Muslim-Hispano 14th-century Alhambra complex. Explore this remarkable structure whose detailed mosaics, prism-style cupolas and stone-cast latticework offer a surprising grace and sophistication. During your visit, you will visit the Nasrid Palace, the Generalife summer residence, and the gardens. Lunch is included.
Relax on a drive from Motril to the region of mountain villages known as Las Alpujarras (the Grasslands). Here, whitewashed towns cling to the southern flanks of the Sierra Nevada, bisected by deep, sheltered valleys and gorges that run all the way down to the Mediterranean. Terraced farmlands are constantly watered by the snow melt from above, creating a high-elevation oasis of greenery dramatically contrasting with the arid foothills below. The cultural interest of the region lies in its fifty-odd villages, which were the last stronghold of the Spanish Muslims -- the Moors.
Pause for photos at Presa de Rules and pass through Orgiva before arriving at Pampaneira village, which lies almost 5,000 feet above sea level. Pampaneira has retained its traditional Berber architecture -- terraced clusters of grey-white box-shaped houses with flat clay roofs -- a style that is still common in the Rif and Atlas Mountains of Morocco. You’ll have an hour of free time to explore here, with or without your guide.
Driving back through the village of Orgiva, you’ll have 45 minutes in Lanjarón before you head back to the port of Motril.
Notes:
Travel time to Las Alpujarras is approximately 1.5 hours each way. Wear comfortable walking shoes. Bring a jacket, as it can be cooler at higher elevations. Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water. Bring a backpack to stow any layers you shed.