Most Inspirational Moment
So many stunning views and great rock formations. The Spain we rarely see.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose was excellent. I wouldn't hesitate to go on any other trips he was guiding.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Go there!
Reviews
Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Reviews
Stunning Sierra de Aitana
This was an outstanding walking trip. Our guide Jose was very enthusiastic about the area and the activities. He was good fun and the holiday was made extremely enjoyable by both him and the other people in the group. The walks were fast paced and of a good length. It was nice not to get back to the hotel too early, although we still had plenty of time for drinks and a swim before dinner. Food is authentic and remained excellent throughout the week. Lunch time sandwiches are something else! The hotel is perfectly positioned in a very quiet area with fabulous views. The walks are all very local but varied. Perfect!
Just Fantastic!
Recently returned from this wonderful trip. Everything was perfect – The Mountains are beautiful and have a remote feel (we saw very few other walkers); The Hotel (El Trestellador) was basic but comfortable with stunning views of the mountains and sea and the food was just superb. Our two guides were excellent – knowledgeable, informative, amusing and very professional. The walks were great and well designed, especially the more challenging walks later in the week.
I can’t think of anything negative to say – this was a fantastic trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
Just being in these delightful and beautiful mountains.
Thoughts on Group Leader
We had two leaders during the week, Jose Miguel and Jaime. They were very different, but both were superb - helpful, very knowledgeable and informative, very amusing and totally professional.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is a great trip - go for it!
Great walking with Jose and awesome sandwiches
A great week’s walking as graded, brilliant family run hotel, superb guide and awesome sandwiches.
Most Inspirational Moment
Views from the tops
Thoughts on Group Leader
Best leader, passionate about the local history and geography. Great sandwich maker.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book this trip.
A week in the mountains
It was a very well organised holiday and our leader was very attentive, friendly, experienced and knowledgeable. The walks were varied and through dramatic and lovely scenery.
At the welcome meeting the evening before the 1st walk, Jose emphasised that we were on holiday and should walk at our own pace.
Unfortunately, there were some very fast walkers, who took off at some speed every day, which then set the pace, leaving me, very much, at the back. I felt I had to try and keep up and fell over a couple of times (not seriously). I think that this resulted in the leader thinking that I wasn’t up to some of the walks. I have done several walking holidays of this grade and managed well at my own pace. I realise, that with such a small group, there is less likelihood of there being a variety of walking speeds.
Most Inspirational Moment
There wasn't one particular moment. The photos that have been kindly shared, showed just how beautiful this area is. It was so peaceful and wild, helped by not coming across other walkers, apart from a couple of times.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose is totally committed to making the holiday a good experience and chose good routes. He arranged some fun things to do in the evenings, which helped to make the group gel. His sandwich making is legendary!
Fantastic Adventure
Many thanks to Jose Miguel for such a fantastic adventure in the Sierra de Aitana. The hiking was really wonderful and all the hikes were well thought out and carfefully considered. Staying at the El Treestelledor was a delight, particularly with the wonderful cooking and warmth from Charro, the chef and owner. The location of the hotel was also perfect in relation to the hikes to minimize transit time and allow starting hikes hotel, as well.
Most Inspirational Moment
I experienced many beautiful moments on this trip, particularly while hiking and feeling that we are part of such an amaizing world with stunning nature. I felt that this particular hike and area are hidden treasures and should be highlighted even more. I was delighted by each breakfast and dinner - prepared with joy and a warm heart by the chef.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose Miguel is warm, kind, thoughtful and dedicated. He looked after each one of us and shared his knowledge and passion of the locale with us to ensure we experienced the most we could on our holiday. Please consider taping his inspiration for the Cabo del Gaga Trek, as I surely would sign up. Jose Miguel ensured that we all were well looked after and that each of our dietary requirements were satisfied. I know he put forth extra effort for me and I wish to extend my genuine gratitude.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for a wonderful adventure and to experience beautiful old world hospitality at the hostal. What a wonderful adventure.
The other side of Benidorm in Benimantell.
There were 11 of us, of various nationalities, gathered with our tour leader Jose Miguel in the homely pensione Hotel Trestellador 2km outside the village of Benimantell on the sloping foothills of the sheer, craggy Sierra de Aitana.
We spent the next wonderful week trekking under,over,through and around the spectacular mountains of this beautiful valley.
On three of the days we were able to start the trek from the front door of the Hotel and collect the freshest of water from a spring 1km up the road which complemented the world beating sandwiches of our packed lunches supplied and made for us by Jose Miguel.
On our return every night bar one,”Mother Charro” and her team fed us like royalty with amazing huge dishes of local cuisine and a bonny flow of the wines of Alicante.On her night off Jose Miguel took us to the local “climbing hut” where we feasted on a gourmet barbeque of MEAT and roasted vegetables garnished with plenty of local wine.
Most Inspirational Moment
The two trips that we had to use the van to access were the two most inspirational walks of the week.They were different in character but equally exhillarating. The trip to Pico Serrella takes you up into remote secluded wood shrouded valleys and up across mildly exposed beautiful scree slopes to the magnificent lonely ridge of pico Serrella with it's beautiful dry white marble like rock with views to the coast of Costa Blanca and all around to the Mountains of Aitana.Majestic. From the summit one descends via a scree path to the amazing dry gorge valley of Barranc de la canal for a long scenic descent between towering walls of rock on both sides of the valley and a veritable flower garden of mountain flowers,shrubs and trees each wafting up beautiful scents from their many coloured flowers in the glorious sunshine of a hot Spanish May. The final descent to the little village of Beniarda skirts a steep river gorge diving out of the adjoining mountains,with some welcome shade from the evening heat and if you are lucky you may meet the delightful 92 year old owner of the award winning Beniqueis olive oil in the village of Beniarda. The final trek up the Puig de Campana takes you nearer the commercial heart of the costa Blanca though the initial walk in is along the quieter tracks of the foothill valleys on the aitana side.The final hour is steep and scrambly in sections and there are many more people climbing/descending the trail then we had on our other outings.The view from the summit is spectacular all along the Costa Blanca and right down into Benidorm on one side and over to the beautiful long ridge of the Sierra de Aitana and it's deep adjoining valleys on the other side.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose Miguel Garcia was our group leader and he was truely excellent.He was very helpful,friendly and encouraging with a hilariuos sense of humour and a quick wit expressed in better English than I have myself. It added greatly to the experience of the trip that he was a local guide who knew the history and stories of the area and was generous in the telling of them and he is definitely the king of sandwich makers and we got to sample his creations as packed lunch every day;MMMarvellous!
Advice for Potential Travellers
You need good fitness and stamina for this week.You need well broken in boots and good socks as the walking is mostly over dry hard rock terrain and tough on the feet.i would also recommend at least a two litre camel pack for your sack. I was drinking at least two litres every day in the heat and almost 3 litres on the Puig de Campana day which was probably the hottest day of our week in May.
Great trip
Excellent from start to finish.
Great leader in Jose.
Hostal El Trestellador in lovely location with warm & friendly service. Meals were superb, home cooked traditional food, tasty and plenty to eat.
Hikes were enjoyable & challenging. We had great weather and views.
Nice day off in Altea, then pleasant barbeque that evening.
The hiking group were excellent and friendly, a pleasure to meet.
Most Inspirational Moment
For me, it was the enjoyment I experienced throughout the full week.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose - great personality and leader with great humour. Great company to be with. Passionate about the area he works with good local knowledge. He's as good as it gets.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Worth training in advance for the hikes, you'll enjoy them better
Sierra de Aitana Trek
This was a really good walking holiday, with challenging walks and spectacular scenery. We liked the fact that it was based in one hotel as it meant you could settle into the hotel and weren’t having to pack up and move on. There was plenty of things of interest and variety of walking in this one area to fill a week. Also helped by the fact that the hotel was very comfortable and the food great. We went to the coast on the free day which provided a good contrast.
Most Inspirational Moment
The highlight was reaching the top of the Puig Campana which although not the highest point reached is a proper peak close to the sea which emphasises the height. Parts of the ascent and descent were the most challenging parts of the weeks walks. There were also highlights on the other days particularly days 3 and 4 where we also reached notable summits, days 1 and 2 were needed to find our legs and get used to the terrain.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose the group leader was great. He has a passion for this area in which he has grown up and this came through in the enthusiasm and information he imparted to the group. He was also good fun and very attentive to everyone in the group lending a hand on the tricky sections if necessary.
Trekking in Aitana
A marvellous week in empty mountains so extremely close to the populated coastline, hard to believe it can be so easy to find bare nature.
Most Inspirational Moment
Everything about the trip was inspirational as there was always a good team spirit and the two leaders had so much enthusiasm to keep us trekking.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Jose and Jamies were brilliant. Exceptionally funny and inspiring and full of local knowledge. Willing to talk plenty whilst walking but also giving holiday makers space for peace and quiet.
Advice for Potential Travellers
The grading of the holiday is very appropriate, all treks will be managed if you pace yourself. Remember weather can be changeable in the mountains.
Sierra di Aitana trek TSA
A great weeks walking in a surprisingly unknown area, with stunning views. The walks for the week were over very varied terrain and we were led by the local guide José who was excellent and very knowledgeable of the area. His local experience was also valuable in adjusting the schedule for the week to account for the weather. This ensured we were able to cover the most scenic or challenging days in the best conditions.
The transfers were very short and several walks were direct from or back to the hotel.
This is graded as Moderately/challenging as there are long ascents and descents over sometimes challenging terrain. We agree with this grading.
We thoroughly enjoyed the week.
The small local hotel was really friendly and comfortable with good food and wine.
Most Inspirational Moment
All the walks were good. Perhaps the ascent to Puig Campana at 1410m.
Thoughts on Group Leader
José was very good and had worked hard to provide great walking for the week over varied terrain. He also provided support and information in providing extra activities for the rest day.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Read the trip notes. Boots with good tread and walking poles are advised. Unusually we needed blister plasters, so these might be worthwhile packing.