Itarinatura Naturalistic trips

Here at Itarinatura we consider our trips as a comprehensive interpretation of the environment, because we understand that the environment must be treated as a whole, and that any of the subjects addressed (ornithology, mammals, entomology, etc. ..) are interconnected with others such as geography, flora, climate, geology, among others. So in all our trips we provide information about all those issues, provided the customer has an interest in doing it that way.

By default, all trails are offered with bird guide. We are ready to provide service for the initiated, as well as for the experts alike. In all cases we loan binoculars, and sometimes we carry telescopes.

FOREST OF IRATI; The last medieval forest in Europe This forest is the largest beech beech fir forest in Europe with more than 17.000 hectares. It extends along the valleys of Aezkoa and Salazar in the Spanish side and in the valleys of Garazi (Cize) and Xiberua (Soule) in the French side. It also includes large areas of high mountain pastures, pastures, subject -in the case of Aezkoa and GaraziGarazi- to a livestock treaty more than 500 years old. Hemingway, who came to fish in the Irati river, said that Irati was the last medieval forest in Europe. Having oceanic, alpine and very closely mediterranean influences, influences, Irati is rich in different species of plants and animals from those regions, regions, with many endemic Species , rare species that you cannot find out of these areas.

A journey of smugglers
Simple mountain trail that shows the best karst area of Irati forest and meadows, during which we can observe an ancestral human use: 8000 years of History. Duration: Duration 430 hours Season All except winter

Discovering a centennial oak

Path with spectacular visual watchtowers and the discovery of ancient ethnographic uses through Aezkoa Valley (Northern Navarre)

Duration: Duration 2 hours Season: All year

The echoes of the forest, birds of Irati

Walk to observe characteristic birds of the Atlantic forest, and specially one of the most emblematic species of the forest of Irati: the woodpecker. White backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos leucotos, lilfordi) Black woodpecker (Dryocopus martius) Eurasian green woodpecker (Picus viridis Sharpei) Middle spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos medius) Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) Wryneck (Jynx torquilla) Duration: Duration 3 hours. Season: Preferably spring. Second option, summer and fall.

Organbidexka, one of the natural gateways to the Iberian pensinsula

Observation of migrating birds, from a large open spot in the forest of Irati. Season: depending on species to observe, in general, after the beginning of September. Contact us for more information.

Old way to the dam of Irabia by paths

Old path leading from the Orbaizeta village to the water reservoir of Irabia, with variations across the ravines to rise and find the peaks sorrounding the forest of Irati. Duration: Duration 5 hours Season: All but unfit in case of snow or rain

Ravines of Irati
Tour and travel on old paths and rugged ravines. Spectacular views through ancient forests, waterfalls and traditional activities (locks from XVIII century, coal places,..). Requires good physical shape. Duration: Duration 7 hours Season: Spring, summer, and autumn

Ancient Anci ent coral reefs in the old tropical Navarre

We will discover the remains of an ancient Devonian reef bottom (440 million years), another of the upper cretaceous (60 million years ago) where we will see coral fossils of various species, and you will know through a beautiful journey how were the conditions of this ecosystem in the past, and how the landscape was evolving. Visit a hematite iron ore mine from the XIX century. Splendid wiews of the Irati forest. Duration: Duration 4 hours Season Spring, summer and autumn

From the Neolitic to the XIX century

Route covering 8000 years of History, from Neolitic pastoral culture, IndoEuropean invasions, Romans, the ruins of a fort of war convention of the XVIII century, to Orbaizeta arms factory, in the XVIII-XIX centuries. Duration: Duration 6 hours Season: Spring, summer and autumn

THE URDERWORLD The old mining culture:

We show you some of the best preserved ancient mines in the jungle of Irati, and some of the surroundings, with all necesary security measures. And we will explain you the history of the mineral, from its formation, until the final product is done.

Caverns beneath the forest:

Depending on your likes and level of experience, we will enter in the inside of the earth to see large caverns, underground rivers and rock formations unimaginable from the outside. Duration and season: Look up previously.

Special tours to see special plants and flowers

A special trip to see plants listed as rare. Gentians, lilies, orchids, carnivorous plants.. Tell us what you want to see and we will take you there.

Duration and season: Look up previously.

Visiting the old arms factory of Orbaizeta

These are the ruins of one of the largest arms factories in Europe of the XVIII century, and the best preserved. The ruins have a Spanish protection status, called Bien de inters cultural . Nestled in the Irati forest is actually one of its greatest ethnographic treasures. We offer a guided tour through its story, describing the lifestyle in the factory of more than 300 employees and its murky story. To complete the visit, we will show you exclusive materials made in the factory. Duration: 1 hour Season: All year, depending on the weather. Prices: Minimum group size 10 people. 5 /each

Observing the night sky

We will learn to interpret the night sky. Types of stars, nebulae, star clusters, galaxies, contellations... On moonlight nights we will watch through astronomical binoculars and see its seas, mountain ranges, the landing sites of apollo All with a thermos of hot drink and a space heater to better stand the cold. Duration: 45min. Season: All year, depending on the weather Prices: Departures from Orbaizeta: minimum 3 persons, 10/ each. Departures from other locations: consulting.

Prices Irati (Aezkoa and Salazar valleys) CHILDREN UNDER 10 FREE

* Groups 2 to 4 people Half day: 25/person * Groups 5 to 9 people Half day: 20/person * Groups 1010-16 people Half day: 15/person Full day: (6(6-8 h.):35/ person Full day: (6(6-8 h.): 30/ person Full day: (6(6-8 h.):18/ person

OTHER PLACES OF NAVARRE

Pitillas Visit to Pi tillas lake

We will visit one of the best wetlands throughout Navarre, home to many very special birds as the purple gallinule (Porphyrio porphyrio), the Botaurus (Botaurus stellaris) and others. Duration: Duration 3 hours All year, preferably spring, summer and autumn. We have some binoculars and a telescope.

Observation of prey and scavenger birds in the gorges of Lumbier and Arbaiun

There are two impressive gorges carved in limestone by rivers Irati ans Salazar. With a specialist in the gorges, we will visit the inside of the gorge of Lumbier, and the viewpoint of the gorge of Arbaiun. Depending on the season we may observe vultures (Gyps fulvus), red and black kites (milvus milvus/ milvus migrans), Egyptian vultur (Neophron pernocpterus), blue rock thrush (Monticola solitarius), wallcreeper (Tychodroma muralis) and others. Duration: Duration 330 hours Season: All, preferably spring

The high Pyrenees of Navarre

At the Eastern limit of Navarre, the Pyrenees mountains range begins to exceed 2000 meters altitude. It is home to many plant and animal species, relics of the last glaciation. It is also the meeting point of two bioclimatic regions, the Alpine and the Mediterranean. As transition zone, it harbors unique species. It is the land of the last brown bear (Ursus arctus). Its lanscapes are rugged, and well-preserved villages are of extraordinary beauty. From 1000 meters altitude, we will take an old path that will lead to the high meadows at 1600 meters. Beech and black pine forest, the large karst area in Europe, Stunning wiews of belagoa Valley, will not leave anyone indifferent. Requires good physical shape. Duration: 6 hours Season: June to October, depending on the weather

Prices for rest of Navarre CHILDREN UNDER 10 FREE

* Groups 5 to 9 people Half day: 25/person Half day: 20/person Full day: (6(6-8 h.): 30/ person Full day: (6(6-8 h.):25 person

* Groups 1010-16 people

EXCLUSIVE SERVICE GUIDE AND GROUPS OF MORE THAN 16 PEOPLE :

Tell us what do you want want to see, and we will take you there. Half day: 150 150 / 1 guide Full time: 200/ 200/ 1 guide

Prices include: tour guide, advice, field manuals for consultation, binoculars and telescope, (for small groups) insurance and rescue assistance, technical organization, organization, 8% VAT, CD with the photographs of the trip , technical material when necessary. Not included: transportation, meals, or optional extras. Equipment required: trekking boots, sport wear for walking and warm, waterproof jacket. Preferably consult us before . Recommended: walking stick, collapsible umbrella according to weather forecast.

We are members and collaborators:

Registro de turismo activo y cultural de Navarra; Uetac 019

Information and reservations: Koldo Villalba de Diego: 660 26 87 50 itarinatura@itarinatura.com www.itarinatura.com You can follow our blog at: http://infoselvairati.blogspot.com/