Northern Spain Birdwatching Tour

The Pyrenean Bearded Vulture Territory

Tour dates: 17 - 25 May 2027 I 10 - 18 June 2027

Nights 1 - 4

Four days to experience the essence of the Pyrenees: high‑mountain landscapes with iconic alpine species, the dramatic gorges of Ordesa’s Bearded Vulture, and the medieval charm of Aínsa, together with gentle valley habitats home to shrikes, woodpeckers and forest raptors.

The accommodation O Chardinet da Formiga (The Ant’s Little Garden) dates back to the 18th century. The careful attention of its owners, especially for decoration and a tasty cuisine (slow food) make it a friendly atmosphere to breathe in. Only 5 double cosy and lovely rooms. Ecoagrotours and O Chardinet are collaborating entity of the Sobrarbe‑Pirineos Global Geopark, member of Birding Aragón and certified under the Ceres‑Ecotur ecolabel.

Day 1. Private taxi-van pick-up at Barcelona Airport. Welcome and check-in at a charming eco rural lodging typical of the region. A pleasant dinner featuring local and organic products

Day 2. FLORA, FAUNA AND GEOLOGY IN THE HIGH MOUNTAINS A day to explore the high valleys carved by glaciers 65,000 years ago, where an imposing ice mass still remains on the north face of Monte Perdido. After a 4x4 approach, we will hike through the realm of chamois and alpine birds, discovering the flora and its remarkable adaptations to the harsh mountain winters.

Day 3. THE LANDSCAPE OF THE BEARDED VULTURE. One of the largest birds on Earth soars above the dramatic gorges of Escuaín, sharing its habitat with Griffon Vultures, Egyptian Vultures, Golden Eagles and other cliff-dwelling species. A scenic 3 km trek will take us through this majestic territory.

Day 4. EXPERIENCE WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY IN AÍNSA’S VULTURE FEEDING STATION. Morning birdwatching for Bee‑eaters and farmland species, followed by hide‑based photography of Iberian vultures in action. We’ll then discover the Romanesque charm of Aínsa, a stunning Medieval village, visit the Pyrenean Wildlife EcoMuseum, and enjoy traditional local tapas in a typical Pyrenean village.

Day 5. JOURNEY TO NORTHERN BURGOS Private transfer to Las Merindades (Burgos), accompanied by a nature guide, with a few strategic stops along the way for birdwatching.

Las Merindades: Land of Vultures & Limestone Canyons

Nights 5 - 8

A quiet corner of northern Spain shaped by limestone plateaus, deep canyons and small traditional villages. Over these open landscapes soar Griffon Vultures, Egyptian Vultures, Golden Eagles and other iconic species, while shrikes, larks, buntings and woodpeckers inhabit the mosaic of farmland, oak woods and river valleys.

The accommodation Posada Molino del Canto is a restored 13th‑century millhouse set in a quiet Ebro valley. Its stone‑and‑timber interiors feel warm and authentic, with cosy sitting rooms, gallery bedrooms and views to the river. Fresh, seasonal dinners and a peaceful riverside setting make it a favourite hideaway for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Only 5 double lovely rooms. Certified under the Ceres‑Ecotur ecolabel.

Molino del Canto is a key contributor to eBird and Merlin Bird ID, collaborating with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to improve global knowledge of Iberian birds.

Day 5. GENTLE ARRIVAL AFTER THE PYRENEES. Arrival and check‑in at a historic millhouse set in a peaceful riverside valley. A fresh, seasonal dinner awaits in this warm and authentic rural lodging.

Day 6. EXPLORING THE DRAMATIC LIMESTONE GORGES AND QUIET VALLEYS CARVED BY THE RIVER EBRO. Cliffs, open slopes and mixed woodland create superb habitat for Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, Peregrine Falcon, Honey Buzzard, Short‑toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Red‑backed Shrike, woodpeckers, warblers, tits, larks…

Day 7. HIGH PLATEAUS AND THE EBRO RESERVOIR.The mix of steppe-like habitats and wetlands offers excellent birding: from harriers, shrikes and larks in the páramos to waders, herons, ducks and occasional Osprey or White‑tailed Eagle around the reservoir.

Day 8. OPEN CEREAL STEPPES AND WIDE, SUNLIT PLATEAUS WHERE FARMLAND BIRDS THRIVE. The mix of crops, grasslands and scattered rocky outcrops creates ideal habitat for bustards, shrikes, larks and steppe raptors, including the impressive Spanish Imperial Eagle.

Day 9. PRIVATE TRANSFER TO BILBAO AEROPORT

Meet Your Birdwatching Guides

Pyrenees. Huesca. Alberto Marín is an accredited mountain and nature guide with nearly twenty years of experience

He combines bird expertise with deep knowledge of local flora, fauna, geology and the region’s unique cultural heritage, which he defends with genuine passion.

His collaboration with the Bearded Vulture Conservation Foundation adds specialist insight into this emblematic species.

A member of Birding Aragón and a Collaborating Entity of the Sobrarbe‑Pyrenees UNESCO Global Geopark, he is widely praised for his professionalism, empathy and his remarkable ability to find bearded vultures and other iconic species.

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Las Merindades. Burgos. Javier Morala McBirding is a naturalist and birdwatching guide with more than thirty years of experience studying and protecting the birdlife and rural landscapes of Castilla y León.

He has collaborated for over 15 years with SEO/BirdLife on national bird atlases, censuses and monitoring projects, and currently contributes to bird surveys in the IBA Hoces del Alto Ebro y Rudrón.

Since 2009 he has been an active member of the global eBird project, working closely with the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and helping develop Merlin Bird ID for the Western Palearctic.

His long-term fieldwork and coordination roles make him one of Spain’s most consistent contributors to eBird and Merlin.

Who we are

Mireia Cabrero, manager of Ecoagrotours, is a biologist specialised in ecotourism and climate action. She works with small rural businesses to help them offer authentic nature‑based experiences while preserving their identity and strengthening local culture. Her approach promotes a slower, more responsible and place‑based form of ecotourism that supports both communities and landscapes.

Ecoagrotours is a travel agency linked to the Ecoagroturismo Foundation (Ecotur), a Spanish non‑profit organization founded in 2005 that promotes responsible rural tourism and the sustainable development of local communities. Its approach connects travelers with nature, organic farming, and the region’s ethnographic heritage.