What to Expect: A birdwatching break in the Algarve in southern Portugal, with three excursions and a boat trip in Ria Formosa Natural Reserve.

Bird Photography: Opportunities quite good.
Group Size: Maximum of 14 participants plus leader(s).

Accommodation: Stay at Hotel Porta Nova****, with panoramic views.

Meals: Breakfast will be taken at the hotel. Lunches will be picnic-style. Dinners will be at local restaurants.

Walking: Easy. Short walks. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.

Boat Trips: We will take either a morning or afternoon boat trip in Ria Formosa Natural Reserve near Tavira to look for shorebirds. The trip usually lasts 1½ hours. Please note that this trip is subject to availability of the local operator, and weather permitting.

Travel: Flights are not included .

Ground Transport: By minibus.

Birds: About 100-150 species

Exclusions: Air fares, personal holiday insurance, admission fees, meals, tips/gratuities, baggage or personal insurance, beverages or food not described in the product's description and any other purchases of a personal nature.
Price:
Minimum per person price: 900 Euros.  Rates are based upon group tariffs - minimum no: 4.

Tipping: Tips are not included.  Any tipping is at your discretion.

We strongly recommend that each traveller has health, accident, luggage and trip insurance. We cannot be held responsible for those not covered.

Safety of our clients is paramount and we do monitor local events and conditions. If we feel it is necessary to modify an itinerary we will do so and naturally advise you immediately, although this is rare. You should be aware of potential hazards - terrain underfoot can vary.  As the tour leader is responsible for the safety of all group members, he or she may adopt a more cautious approach depending on local conditions. Do be aware that itineraries planned for some tours may be varied on the spot because of unexpected events such as weather conditions.

The final decision for any change rests with our leader. We cannot be held responsible for disruption to planned itineraries arising from weather conditions or other situations beyond our control.

The pace of our tours is comparatively relaxed but a certain amount of non-strenuous walking may be required; if you are in any doubt about the amount of physical exertion required, please ask.  As birds are more active in the early hours, we make no apology for rising early in the morning in order to see them. In hot climates, this allows us to enjoy birdwatching in cooler temperatures than the intense heat of the midday sun.
Individuals requiring special attention, treatment or whose condition limits their activities must disclose this information to us. We reserve the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a tour member should such a person’s health, mental condition, physical infirmity or attitude jeopardize the operation of the tour and the rights welfare or enjoyment of other participants or their own self.

Restrictions on participation are a matter of common sense and we have no absolute ones. If you have a health problem or any physical limitation which may hamper or restrict your full involvement in any aspect of the tour, or about which we should be aware for your safety (e.g. walking difficulties, diabetes, asthma, angina, etc.), please advise us in detail and in writing at the time you reserve space. We do not normally program strenuous physical exercise. Participants should be able to complete gentle walks of one-half day’s duration, ride in any seat in tour vehicles and meet the simple schedule of the tour.

Participants agree not to hold us responsible for any loss, injury or damage to any person, property or otherwise in connection with any accommodation, transportation or resulting from any Acts of God, dangers, incident at sea, fire, breakdowns in machinery or equipment, act of governments, or authorities, de jure or de facto, wars declared or not, hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, thefts, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, defaults, delays, cancellations or any causes beyond our control, for any loss or damage resulting from improperly issued visas or other documents, and that Another Level or its staff will not be responsible for any additional expenses or liability sustained for or incurred by the tour participant as a result of any of the forgoing clauses.

We reserve the right to send home persons unable or unwilling to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the satisfactory operation of the tour.

Day 1
Transfer to Hotel Porta Nova, Tavira. Free time until evening meeting (the Tour Guide will give a preview of next day's programme.) and dinner.

Day 2
Tavira and the salt pans.  Located in the heart of the Ria Formosa Natural Park, a wetland area of international importance recognized under the Ramsar Convention, the town is an ideal centre for bird watching.  Salinas and saltmarsh attract a wide range of birds according to season.  Autumn and winter bring Spoonbills, hundreds of Greater Flamingos, Audouin’s Gulls and Slender-billed Gulls and as many as 20 species of wading birds, including Stone-curlews.  In spring/summer, local breeding species include European Bee-eaters, Red-necked Nightjar, Little Terns, Avocets and Kentish Plovers.
Part of the day will be spent exploring the area on foot; in the afternoon we may visit Quinta do Marim, headquarters of the Natural Park where habitats include a fresh water lake or take the boat trip in the Ria Formosa starting from Tavira.

Day 3
This morning we drive out to Cape St Vincent, the most south-westerly point of mainland Europe where the coastline is formed mainly by rocky cliffs.  The landscape here is fairly barren with low bushy vegetation that includes plant species that are endemic to the area.  In autumn large numbers of migrant raptors can often be seen, notably Booted Eagles, Short-toed Eagles and Honey-buzzards; large flocks of Griffon Vultures also regularly occur at this time.  From the cliff top Gannets can regularly be seen and other seabirds passing off-shore may include Cory's Shearwaters.  There is often a small flock of Red-billed Choughs in the area, Blue Rock Thrush and Black Redstart are commonly seen and we would expect to see Thekla Larks.

Day 4 Free day
This is an ideal opportunity to relax around the hotel, bird independently, or visit local places of interest. From Castro Marim there is a wide variety of sightseeing available (our guide can advise and/or recommend options according to your interests.

Day 5
Today we visit the Castro Verde area where among our targets will be the Great Bustard, one of the world's heaviest flying birds.  These birds inhabit a huge area of uniform countryside in the Baixo Alentejo and can sometimes be difficult to see unless you know where to look. Other species that can be found include (according to season) Black-bellied Sandgrouse, Calandra Lark, Lesser Kestrel, European Roller, Griffon Vulture, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Red Kite, Black Kite, Montagu's Harrier, Common Crane and Little Bustard.  It is also an important breeding area for White Storks.  In spring, large areas are carpeted with multi-coloured wildflowers – a truly memorable sight.

Day 6
A day visiting the local Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim e Vila Real de Santo Antonio, an enormous area of wetland, saltmarsh and saltpans at the eastern end of the Algarve which is home to a wealth of birdlife.  Among the attractions here are Greater Flamingos at least some of which can be found all the year round.  As many as 1,000 of them may be seen in the winter months.  A varied selection of gulls, wildfowl and wading birds can be expected in spring, autumn and winter.   
If time allows, we may also visit an area of woodland at Aldeia Nova.

Day 7
Ludo Farm and Quinta do Lago are located west of Faro near to the airport and between them have an excellent mix of habitats including salinas, woodland, reedbeds, and saltmarsh.  The lake at Quinta do Lago is well-known as one of the best places in the Algarve to see Purple Swamp-hens but at any time the area is home to an excellent variety of species and in winter thousands of wildfowl and waders are usually present.

Day 8
Free time until transfer to Faro Airport.

Note:
We can tailor-make your itinerary to your personal requirements, so if you would like to make a side trip to some other destination, we will be happy to assist. Please contact us about your requirements