05 Feb 2016
For the past 30+years, leading tour operator, Headwater has carved a niche in creating some of the finest walking and cycling holidays on the planet and, by choosing Headwater, customers are invited to engage with all senses to really experience how their chosen destination "feels" and what makes it "tick". Every Headwater holiday has been meticulously designed too around nature and being outdoors - just breathing in clean, fresh air feels good! - with selected destinations made even more remarkable by their amazing wealth of wildlife. From birdwatching in Portugal's Alentejo - a true twitchers' paradise! - to whale-watching in the Azores, to a once-in-a-lifetime voyage of discovery through the Galapagos, these trips offer unrivalled, up-front encounters with wildlife in their natural habitat.
Birding in Portugal's Alentejo With more than 120 year-round resident species, southern Portugal's Alentejo is one of Europe's foremost birding destinations, with spring and autumn particularly good times to visit. On this 7-night walking holiday, the focus is very much on combining gentle walks with great birding and, during the course of your stay, you'll explore the northern inland plains (85 species in one day spotted by a lucky Headwater group last year!) as well as the south western coast - excellent for waders and shore birds. Guests stay with qualified birding guide, Frank McClintock at his beautiful lakeside quinta, a home he shares with kingfishers, otters, polecats and water voles. Prices for this holiday start at £1048 per person (tour only)/ £1279 (inc return BA flights from Gatwick to Faro, and onward transfers) and include 7 nights' half board hotel accommodation, 6 picnic lunches, all local transfers, fully guided walking & birding week and 24/7 support from Headwater both in UK and overseas.
Birdwatching in Extremadura Based in one of the last beautifully unspoilt regions of southern Spain, Extremadura is renowned among ornithologists as being one of the top birding destinations in Southern Europe. On Headwater's 6-night, expertly-guided trip, guests should expect to see magnificent birds of prey - Griffon Vultures, Peregrine Falcons, Spanish Imperial Eagles - alongside a whole host of lesser-known species such as Iberian Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warbler and Eurasian Bullfinch. Masses of colourful flowers cloak and perfume the landscape where butterflies are prolific too. To really get the most out of a visit here, this tour has been set up as a twin-centre holiday, staying first in a converted 16th century palace in historic Trujillo before moving on to a beautifully-restored 200-year-old farmhouse with stunning views over the UNESCO-recognised Monfrague National Park. Spring 2016 departures cost from £1358 per person (tour only)/ £1599 (inc return Iberia flights from Heathrow-Madrid and onward transfers) and include 6 nights' full board hotel accommodation, fully guided birdwatching itinerary (with local transfers as required), 24/7 support from Headwater both in UK and overseas.
http://gallery.headwater.com/download.php?id=MjgyOCwyODI0LDI4MjMsMjgyMiwyODIwLDI4MTks
Exploring the Azores Triangle This exciting 7-night, guided walking holday explores the very best of the Azores, one of the world's most beautiful and diverse archipelagos and a paradise for walkers and nature lovers. During the week, guests will explore curious lava-stone vineyards, lush tropical valleys, and verdant gorges with steaming geysers, sparkling waterfalls and crystal-clear lakes. Highlight of the week for many is an unforgettable whale-watching trip - fin, sperm and blue whale have all been spotted here - or there is a chance to swim with dolphins (or, from Jun-Sep, sharks, for the more adventurous!) Prices for this holiday start at £1179 per person (tour only)/ £1479 (inc return SATA International flights from Gatwick to Ponta Delgada, and onward transfers) and include 7 nights' B&B hotel accommodation, 5 picnic lunches, all local transfers including inter-island ferries and flights, fully guided walking programme and 24/7 support from Headwater both in UK and overseas.
Costa Rica Wildlife Walk Costa Rica is an exciting land of dramatic contrasts - cloud forests, volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, thermal springs - and an incredible amount of wildlife. On this unforgettable 11-night tour, Headwater's expert local guides lead clients to quetzals and tree frogs, agoutis and iguanas, scrambling coatis and swinging spider monkeys! With 850+ bird species, masses of rare flora and a number of endangered mammal and repitle species, Costa Rica's unique natural inheritance takes some beating! Accommodation is typically upmarket mountain lodges with the final two nights spent at the **** Bosque del Mar in Playa Hermosa overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Prices from £2169 per person (tour only)/ £2878 (including return United Airlines flights from Heathrow) include full board hotel accommodation, fully guided walking & wildlife programme, local transport and entrance fees, 24/7 support from Headwater both in UK and overseas.
Galapagos Voyage of Discovery First discovered by Darwin over 150 years ago, this small archipelago of 13 fiercely protected islands and 40 islets are strewn like jewels in the eastern Pacific, with visitor numbers strictly limited. On Headwater's 9-night tour, customers visit 7 of the islands and come across pink flamingoes, playful sea lions, giant tortoise, comical blue-footed boobies, coal-black iguanas and rainbows of spectacular fish. Each island is home to different species united by the common characteristic that none fear humans allowing for the most precious and almost surreal close encounters. Base for this trip is the intimate 32-guest M/V Evolution and departures this spring cost from £4469 per person (tour only)/ £5289 (inc return KLM flights from Heathrow). These prices include 9 nights' B&B accommodation, 7 lunches, 7 evening meals, fully escorted walking & wildlife programme and 24/7 support from Headwater both in UK and overseas.
Note to Editors:
* Established in 1985, Headwater is celebrating 31 years of hand-crafting walking and cycling holidays in Europe and beyond;
* Appeals in the main to well-heeled, well-travelled couples, aged 45yrs+, looking to enjoy gentle activity by day without compromising on creature comforts in the evening;
* Interest-packed itineraries focus on culture/ history, nature/ wildlife, gourmet cuisine and fine wines;
* Over 150 holidays on offer for 2016; mix of self-guided and small group trips;
* Headwater is proud to be part of the TUI Adventure Division
