Day 1 Arrival day in Malaga, Spain.

A friendly face from Motohire Spain will meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, you may have time to relax or do some sightseeing before our detailed briefing session. Then, the whole group will get together for dinner in a local restaurant where you’ll get to know your fellow biking companions. Note that Day 1 and Day 10 of the itinerary are your arrival and departure days.

Day 2 Malaga – Aracena: Journey details: 330 km / about 3h30 hours

The first full day of our tour takes us through the spectacular mountains of Andalusia as we head towards the Sierra de Grazalema for a break. Vultures will be hovering overhead, riding the thermals, while we ride some of the finest twisting roads in Spain. We pass to the north of Seville, traverse the lowlands of the mighty Guadalquivir, and arrive at our day’s destination in the Sierra Aracena.

Day 3 Aracena – Monchique: Journey details: 275 kms / 3h20

We leave Aracena through spectral cork oak forests with wonderful views of several pueblos blancos along the way. Discover the uncanny stillness of the mines of Tharsis, once the world’s biggest copper mine. The formidable craters bear witness to the industriousness of past cultures going right back to ancient times. We cross into Portugal over the Guadiana bridge near Mertola, with its castle and impressive battlements. We continue into Portugal, serenely, trying not to get too distracted by the magnificent views, pass mighty windmills and enter the green forests of Sierra Monchique, which is where we’ll stay tonight.

Day 4   Monchique – Lisbon (via Troia to Setúbal ferry): Journey details: 370 kms / 5h00

More of the Atlantic coast today. Big ocean views and coastline await you on the way to Lisbon. There is a short ferry crossing from Cabo de Sines to Setúbal, across the Troia peninsula. Before hitting Lisbon’s bustling down-town, we’ll pause at the Christo Rei monument and enjoy views of the April 25th bridge, Europe’s longest suspension bridge. Any resemblance to San Francisco’s Golden Gate bridge is not coincidental – it was designed by the same architects, the American Bridge Company.

Day 5  Lisbon rest day: Journey details: visit the splendors of Lisbon

For Granada to Sevilla, there’s a “high road” and a “low road”, so depending on how we’re all feeling today, we’ll collectively choose one or other of these options. We can stretch out the journey a little by heading further north into some of Andalucia’s lesser-known treasures, the Sierra de Hornachuelos and the Sierra del Norte. Either way, there’ll be plenty of time to get to know Andalucia’s capital Seville. 4h18 / 314 km

Day 6  Lisbon – Tomar: Journey details: 270 km / 5h

We’ll visit Europe’s most westerly point, the lighthouse at Cabo da Roca, before bidding farewell to the Atlantic and heading inland, towards the medieval town of Obidos. Traditional salt mining in Rio Maior, the impressive monastery of Bathala and the pilgrimage site of Fatima are further points of interest on your way to the ancient Templar city of Tomar. On the approaches to Tomar, we’ll catch a glimpse of the magnificent six-kilometre aqueduct Pegões.

Day 7  Tomar – Manteigas, Sierra de Estrella: Journey details: 255 km / 3h35

A visit here wouldn’t be complete without seeing the Convento do Christo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then get ready for some curves, lots of them, for the next 2 days in the Serra de Estrela, one of the most mesmerizing places in Portugal. Serra da Estrela means “mountain range of the star”. It is a well-protected park that boasts the highest mountain range in the country. You will come across charming valleys that are towered over by massive granite outcrops, as well as icy lakes and gurgling rivers.

Day 8  Manteigas – Mérida: Journey details: 300 km / 4h30

Enjoy views over the peaks as we leave the Serra, then drop down into lands farmed for wheat, olives and grapes. We exit Portugal over the roman bridge of Alcantara, and discover one of Spain’s least know regions, Extremadura, once the heart of the Western Roman Empire. In Mérida, another UNESCO world heritage site you’ll see Roman remains that rival anything Italy has to offer. Archaeologists from the world over make regular pilgrimages to this Spanish gem.

Day 9 Mérida – Malaga: Journey details: 390 kms / 5h30

Malaga beckons, as we traverse the Sierra Morena, an area of sparsely populated rolling hills that run across northern Andalucia, creating a natural barrier between Extremadura to the north and Andalucia itself. Few tourists venture into these wild and remote pine- and oak-clad hills, but we will, before dropping down into Malaga via the Montes that overlook the city. Back we come, simultaneously tired and yet energized by the experiences just lived.

Day 8 Departure day

Day 10 Departure day. We hope you’ll go home with fabulous memories (and a few souvenirs) and look forward to seeing you again. Hasta la vista!