Montana Palentina Wildlife

Join us as we cross the open ocean in search of whales, dolphins and seabirds before exploring Montana Palentina in northern Spain. From the thrill of seeing cetaceans in their natural environment to the beautiful Montaña Palentina National park where we will observe the amazing wildlife this wonderful area has to offer.

Sunday  July 6th 
1515-1530   Millbay Docks, Plymouth.    Meet the Tour Guide, Paul Burley,  in the Terminal Building to the right of the Brittany Ferries’ Counter  between it and the Buffet window wall underneath the big Brittany Ferries picture. He will have a chat with you about the crossing and then you’ll collect your Boarding Card/Cabin Key and when boarding commences around an hour before departure you will proceed to the ship and may go directly to your cabin. Later and next day you’ll find him on Deck 10  ready to share his knowledge of pelagic birds and cetaceans.

Monday- Thursday
We sail into the Bay of Santander in mid-morning  and expect to be disembarking at 1400 (Spanish time which is one hour ahead of GMT). You will walk off the ship, then  through the Customs & Immigration part of the Terminal and then through the Terminal exit and find  Lupefer, the Spanish coach, waiting to drive you to Cervera de Pisuerga. 

The Montaña Palentina has for many  years, been one of the most demanded and attractive ornithological destinations in the Iberian Peninsula. A new and fascinating ornithological world. The declaration as a Natural Park, the presence of amazing mountain and forestall landscapes and of course the fact of being refuge of a great variety of wildlife like raptors, woodpeckers, passerines, butterflies, reptiles makes it a privileged place to enjoy Iberian wildlife and a motivation for all kinds of wildlife watchers.

It is an environment located at high altitude. Thus, it is not difficult to find a great number of passerines, raptors and of course a large variety of butterflies everywhere. In our tour we will visit places like Brañosera (the oldest village in Spain), “El Golobar”, more that 1.700 m above the sea level and an amazing place to find subalpine birds and  mountain habitats. The area of San Felices de Castillería is the best place to find Warblers, Shrikes and other passerines. 

The area known as “Ruta de los Pantanos” with large limestone cliffs is one of the best areas to enjoy raptors in a wild and unforgettable landscape. 

Bird Target. The Montaña Palentina is an unbelievably good place to enjoy a great and varied number of birds: Passerines: Bluethroat, Rock Bunting, Cirl Bunting, Rock Bunting Citril Finch, Rock Sparrow, Rock Thrush, Woodchat Shrike, Red-Backed Shrike, Iberian Grey Shrike, Golden Oriol, Bee Eater, Firecrest, Iberian Ciffchaff, Bonelli´s Warbler, Spectacler Warbler, Subalpine Warbler, Dartford Warbler, and all kind of larks. Raptors like Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Egyptian Vulture, short-Toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Lesser Kestrel Harriers, Black Kite, Hobby, and some Forestal Birds like Middle-Spotted Woodpecker and Wryneck and others like Yellow and Re Billed Chough, Red Billed Chough…etc

All of them through easy walking paths. An amazing challenge both for beginners and expert birdwatchers

On the final day we have a morning observation . We   then drive to Santander where  there’ll be a little  time to wander around the harbour area before we board at 1500-ish. Keep your passport to hand and don’t stow it  away in your luggage!!

Paul will now supervise the handing out your boarding card/cabin key and the ship sails at 1600(Spanish time). Remember, the cruise is part of the holiday and is there to be enjoyed. Paul takes over the Guiding aspect for the crossing to England. 

Friday
Continue enjoying the cruise.  As ever, Paul will be on Deck 10! Around dawn  we’ll be sailing through the Ushant Islands which lie off the Breton coast which you’ll be able to see quite close by. We expect to be on berth at 1115 and at Plymouth you’ll walk off the ship via the covered walkway and into the Immigration/Customs Hall.       Bon voyage!

4-berth cabin(for two) £120 : 4-berth outside Cabin (for two) £180 –
NB These prices are for the cabin, not per person :
( There are no 2-berth outside cabins).

Departure Date July 6th 2025

Cost £715

Single Supplement £145

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