OPERATORS TRIP

Tablas de Daimiel National Park Cabañeros National Park La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve

(CASTILLA LA MANCHA) 25 - 27 November 2016

Castilla – La Mancha enjoys a rich natural and cultural heritage, including natural spaces that are waiting to be admired on this press trip, a journey designed to display the region’s values and rich offerings for tourists.

Tablas de Daimiel National Park is the upmost example of a wetlands ecosystem, an environment produced by the flooding of the and Cigüela rivers and aided by the flatness of the land. These are some of the most valuable ecosystems on our planet, ensuring as they do the survival of the various species of bird that use these wetlands to pass the winter, change their feathers and build nests.

The Cabañeros National Park is today one of the most important protected areas on the Iberian peninsula. The great diversity of flora and fauna, together with its remarkable geology lend this national park its great natural value, its unusual landscape of plains and mountain formations have seen the park nicknamed ‘The Spanish Serengeti’.

The La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve is situated in the heart of La Mancha, sweeping plains where we can find extensive wetlands, rich in flora and fauna. The reserve hosts wonderful places such as The Lakes, The Villafranca Lakes, Taray Lagoon etc. The lands is tied to the men that have grown up and live on the very same plains where once stood the legendary Don Quijote de La Mancha.

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CHARACTERISTICS

o This trip is organized by the Spanish Tourism Office (Turespaña), the Autonomous National Parks Organisation, the Castille – La Mancha Government, TUREBE (Ecotourism club of Spain) and the Tourist Association of Tablas de Damiel o Participants: 2 markets o Airport: Adolfo Suarez Madrid – Barajas o Language: English o IMPORTANT RECOMENDATIONS: it is recommended you bring: o Hiking equipment such as; hiking boots, clothes suitable for walking, a light rucksack etc

o Contact person: To be confirmed

SCHEDULE OF THE TRIP

24th of November, Thursday

o Arrival to Barajas Airport (time to be confirmed). Preferably the flights would arrive before 12hr. o 16:00 Hiring tables in the Ferial Pavilion of Daimiel in the framework of the I Congress of Ecotourism in Spain o 19:30 Departure towards the Parque Nacional de Cabañeros (1 h 28 min 108 km) o 21:00 Arrival to the Hotel Parque Cabañeros

o 21:30 Dinner in the Restaurante del Mirador de Cabañeros

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25 of November, Friday

o 08:00 Departure towards (35 min 42,7 km), 30 minute stop at the top of the Sendero de ‘La Viñuela’ and access to the panoramic viewpoint. Brief description of the limits of the National Park and its offering of trails. o 09:00 Guided visit on foot to the Boquerón del Estena trail (3 hours) +info about the trail

o 12:00 Departure towards Bodegas Dehesa del Carrizal (6 min 6,9 km) o 12:15 Guided tour and lunch at the Bodega (2,5 hours)

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o 14:45 Departure towards the Visitors Centre of Casa Palillos (36 min 50,4 km) o 15:30 4x4 visit to the Cabañeros National Park (3 hours) +info offered by Visitacabaneros

o 18:30 Departure to Daimiel (1 h 12 min 82,8 km) o 19:30 Arrival to the Hotel Doña Manuela

o 21:00 Dinner at Restaurante Canela Fina

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26 of November, Saturday

o 08:00 Guided tour of the Motilla del Azuer (1,5hours)

o 09:30 Departure to Almagro (34 min 33,7 km) o 10.30 Guided tour of Almagro (1,5hours)

o 12:00 Departure to restaurant (34 min 33,7 km) o 13:00 Lunch in Rest. Las Brujas

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o 14:30 Departure to Tablas de Daimiel National Park (15 min 12 km) o 15:00 Guided tour and observation of cranes at the Tablas de Daimiel National Park (3,5hours). Tours on foot and in vehicles provided by the Ecodestinos and Caminos del Guadiana companies

o 19:00 Arrival to the Hotel Doña Manuela o 20:30 Dinner in Rest. Enosentidos

27th of November, Sunday

This day will depend on the flight schedules for the return of the operators, we propose that they leave after 18h in order that Sunday’s programme can be carried out. o 08:30 Departure to the Hotel and Las Lagunas de Ruidera (59 min 76,5 km) o 09:30 Guided tour of Las Lagunas de Ruidera y Cueva de Montesinos by Ruideractiva

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o 12:00 Departure towards (1 h 9 min 71,8 km) o 13:00 Lunch in Restaurante Las Musas

o 14:30 Departure towards the airport (Adolfo Suarez Madrid - Barajas) (1 h 41 min160 Km).

CONSIDERATIONS:  The businesses have been selected according to the following parameters 1. They adhere to the European Charter of Sustainable Tourism in Cabañeros 2. They are associated to the Tourist Association of Tablas de Daimiel and/or the Manchego, Spanish Association of Business of Active Tourism and Ecotourism 3. They are committed to the sustainable tourist development of the area 4. They offer services of proven quality

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