Sierra de Aitana Trek

Customer Reviews

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  John

  · February 27th, 2019
  This was a superb mid-winter walking trip, undertaken in glorious weather. The walking was excellent, generally good underfoot with some rough walking, and the views from the summits were breathtaking. The hotel base in Benimantell was comfortable, and it is fair to say nobody went hungry - meals were generally very good. Our walk leader was a local, and consequently very knowledgeable about the geology, flora and fauna. He also provided a superb service, including making our picnic lunches and, as he was a mountain leader trainer, we felt in very safe hands. All in all one of the best guided walking holidays I have had.
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  Trip date: January 2019
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  Leanne Berkeley

  · November 10th, 2013
  This was a fantastic pre winter trip, close to home. The region is spectacular, walking is challenging, food was amazing and the group were great company. It exceeded all of my expectations.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Reaching the summits of each mountain climbThe sunset on the final day of walkingJose's passion for the region and his committment to the local communityEnjoying the generous supply of Spanish wineThe hospitality we received at both sets of accommodationThe tranquility - on most days we hardly saw any other walkersWhat did you think of your group leader?Jose was incredible. He has a great sense of humor, is extremely knowledgeable, and a tremendous patriot for this region of Spain. His community minded attitude, and respect for the environment, was inspirational. You couldn't ask for a better host and guide.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The weather at this time of year was really warm on most of the days. Plenty of sunscreen and water requiredIs there anything else you would like to add?We were very fortunate to have a great group of people on the trip which helped to make this a very memorable holiday. This trip is ideal for anyone who wants some challenging walking in a beautiful part of the world without travelling too far away from home.
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  Trip date: November 2013
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  Beata Smoron

  · November 7th, 2013
  Fantastic walking with stunning views. The beauty of this region exceeded my expectation. And, then there was a fun group and a great guide and his humongous sandwiches. Very enjoyable! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Descending from Puig Campagna as the sun was setting down and the mountains were covered in gold and amber.  Just perfect!What did you think of your group leader?Jose Miguel was a perfect host and guide.  He ensured everyone's needs were taken care of.  And, his knoweledge of the region and history complemented his tasty sandwiches. 
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  Trip date: November 2013
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  Diana Maynard

  · April 7th, 2012
  Fabulous week of walking in the Spanish mountains - a few tough hills but nothing too difficult. Great for clearing the head, getting away from it all and a good dose of winter sunshine into the bargain. What a beautiful part of Spain too, that I never knew about.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I wouldn't classify this trip as particularly inspirational, but it was wonderful nevertheless, and the views every day were stunning.What did you think of your group leader?I'd rate Jose Miguel right up there with the best leaders I've met. Sociable, outgoing, well organised, and very caring, he maintained a very good balance between efficient leader and friend - something that can be very difficult to get right. I never saw him once get flustered or frustrated, no matter what kind of problem we threw at him! He would often produce little surprises from his Tardis of a rucksack, such as a thermos of tea or a bar of chocolate, just when we most needed them, and his sandwiches were the best I've ever had on an Exodus trip. As I've come to expect from Exodus guides, he was also passionate about his job, the local area and the environment.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The weather can be quite changeable, so do go for a few thin layers and some kind of windproof top. Take walking poles, even if you've never used them before, unless you are a true mountain goat. On the slippery descents, if nothing else, they can really save you coming a cropper. This trip would actually be a good place to try them out for the first time. Also do make sure you have a decent level of fitness, it's a pretty tough week with some long days of walking. Also many people had blisters at some point so come well prepared - well-worn in decent boots, plenty of tape, blister plasters and make sure to protect your feet sooner rather than later. Applying Vaseline to your feet every day before putting your socks on really helps too.Is there anything else you would like to add?On the free day you can borrow mountain bikes from the hotel - definitely recommended if you have any energy left (though not for the faint-hearted as those hills are pretty steep both up and down!). They have some helmets but given the state of the trails you'd be well advised to bring a good pair of cycling shorts and gloves if you plan to go mountain biking. Also, while the trip notes say you can go sea kayaking, this may not be available. Jonathan and Violetta, who run the last hotel, are absolute stars and very friendly - it's more like staying as guests of the family. They gave me free rein in the kitchen on the rest day to make a pack lunch out of anything they had, since I was going mountain biking.Unless you go to the coast on the free day, you'll spend almost nothing on this trip, as there are very few shops, and you get some wine with the meals. I think I spent around £50 in total for the whole week, and that was basically on the two meals that weren't covered, and the guide's tip.  If you're reasonably fit and not afraid of steep hills or of being in fairly isolated surroundings, don't even think twice about this trip!
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  Trip date: April 2012
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  Gillian Lambert

  · March 24th, 2012
  Excellent holiday. great walking in magnificent scenery and superb weather. And lovely food tooWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?climbing the 4th peak (Puig Campana) and realising it wasn't so difficult after all!What did you think of your group leader?Jose was charming, very knowledgable about the area with a good sense of humourIs there anything else you would like to add?don't think you are going to lose weight with all the exercise- the food is too good!
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  Trip date: March 2012
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  Sarah Cray

  · March 21st, 2012
  A fantastic week of trekking. Extremely well organised, a great group and fabulous views and scenary. The weather was perfect too. What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Climbing to the top of each of the peaks. I never thought we would get there but seemed to do each of them with ease!What did you think of your group leader?Jose was an outstanding leader. He was passionate about the area and shared this passion with us.  One of my lasting memories will be of him walking with his secateurs ensuring the route was well maintained!  His lunches were superb and his knowledge of the area, the fauna and flora and trekking was excellent.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Don't expct to lose weight.  We seemed to eat excellent food all day long!Is there anything else you would like to add?Don't think about it any longer - just book it!
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  Trip date: March 2012
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  Deirdre O'Connor

  · March 8th, 2012
  Great holiday. Came home completely relaxed and feeling fit. Good solid challenging (for me) walks meant every day felt like an achievement. And the food was fantastic.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Looking down on the tower blocks of Benidorm from the peace and quiet of the mountains. A quick February swim in Vila de Joiosa on the free day. Finding a Nutella sandwich in the lunch bag on a long day. The specatcular views on every walk. A cold beer at the end of a long day. What did you think of your group leader?Jose was an excellent leader. He is so enthusiastic about sharing his beloved Sella and the local area. However, make sure all your gear is matching!!  He takes looking good on the mountain very seriously. However, he also takes looking after the group seriously as well, and he was really good company for the week. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?We were there in February and during a cold spell. We needed all our warm clothes on the mountain and in some of the accommodation. Bring walking poles, some of the ascents/ descents are quite steep and on rough tracks. Be prepared for fairly long (but really rewarding) days. Try all the food- it is fantastic.Is there anything else you would like to add?This is a great break away from it all, with direct flights from Dublin (very important). I would highly recommend this holiday. 
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  Trip date: March 2012
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  Anna Paszkiewicz

  · December 7th, 2011
  Brilliant holiday if you want to clear your head and get away from it all. Stunning views, amazing local food and practically no extra expenses (apart from lunch and dinner on a free day). I was really surprised that such a dramatic, unspoilt place still existed in a 2-hours flight distance from London.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I was constantly being surprised by inspirational moments on this trip, it's impossible to choose one. The mountain range is so majestic that it simply encourages you to have a think about bigger things in life.What did you think of your group leader?Jose Miguel is clearly very enthusiastic and well-educated about the area. He was very outgoing and caring for the group and was definitely going an extra mile to ensure everybody felt comfortable and safe on the walks.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Take at least one walking pole. I did the most of the trip without the poles, but I had to borrow one for a couple of descents.Is there anything else you would like to add?I had a brilliant time and absolutely fell in love with the area. If you look for a holiday that makes you not wanting it to end SIERRA DE AITANA TREK will do the trick. 
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  Trip date: December 2011
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  Zoe Thirlaway

  · October 16th, 2011
  This was a challenging B Grade trek, which ensured a great feeling of achievement each day. The accommodation was lovely and the food was amazing!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The views on this trek were fantastic.  A world away from Alicante and Benidorm, which you could see from the peaks.  For me I got the biggest buzz from reaching the top of Puig Campana, but simple pleasures like the first beer of the day always brought a smile to my face and the incredibly welcoming hosts made the trip very enjoyable.What did you think of your group leader?Jose was a wonderful and amusing group leader.  It was good to have someone who knew the area so well.  He could answer any of our questions, as well as sharing the history and modern farming techniques of the area.  He also made the best sandwiches I have ever tasted! Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Don't underestimate the temperature of this trip!  It was the heat that really made it challenging.
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  Trip date: October 2011
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  Ann Sinnett

  · October 11th, 2011
  Having previously done our own treks, this was our first trial of a group holiday. It surpassed our expectations! Superb treks, great group dynamics, lots of laughs and fun, super hotels and wonderful food, and our guide Jose was absolutely brilliant - a real star!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?All of it really - two things in particular: reaching the summits each day to have lunch with stunning views and a real sense of achievement; and our guide Jose. Jose was ceaselessly motivational, passionate about the area, extremely knowledgeable, fun, sensitive to the group's needs, always aiming to surprise us with hidden treasures and delights of a view whilst being constantly concerned about our wellbeing. What did you think of your group leader?As above - Jose was a real star.  He was ceaselessly motivational, passionate about the area, extremely knowledgeable, fun, sensitive to the group's needs, always aiming to surprise us with hidden treasures and delights of a view whilst being constantly concerned about our wellbeing. A top guy!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Lots of people advised taking trekking poles. Jose was happy to lend his out when needed, so that helped on the descents when I needed them but meant I didn't need to carry them most of the time when not needed. Jose had brought several pairs, so you could get by without taking your own, but if you rely on them do take some.   Make sure you take plenty of water bottles - we refilled at several springs but a few had dried up!Is there anything else you would like to add?Highly recommended - catered well for everyone, whether solo or couples or more!  Go for it!!
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  Trip date: October 2011