What we’re about
Hello all!
My name is Jon and I am an experienced and trained hiking leader, nature and wildlife lover who knows more about birds than about himself.
I have recently decided to stretch my wings and to create this group to meet others who are as passionate as I am about the wildlife or would like to learn about it and what a country we live in!
With the world's largest Grey seals colonies, to gannets, puffins and even a walrus and an albatross on the coast to red and black grouses, owls of all sorts , eagles and millions of migrating and wintering birds who travel to and through our island every year, we will have a lot of animals to find and snap.
My trips are open to everyone, from wildlife fanatics to people who would like to discover a bit more about our beloved prettier neighbours.
I will not rush you, we are there to enjoy every minute and even if some trips can be more strenuous than others, we will take the time that you need, you will be able to take photos and videos or just have a breath of fresh air.
I promise laughter, smiles, food orgies and some drinks for those who like a glass of wine or fruit juice alike.
If you want to connect with wonderful people and spend days and weekend trips walking in a nature reserve with other birders or joining a last minute trip to try and find one of the rarities who visit those lands join me on my trails.
There is a lot to see and do and you will have a wonderful time and will fill your head with souvenirs of our giggles and journeys.
See you soon!
Jon
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Winter Sun in PORTUGAL: Hike Seven Hanging Valleys, see rare birds & dolphinsNeeds location
It is Autumn, it is cold and wet and it is sad in London, so what can I do about it your are going to ask?
Well I am going to take you on a sunny holiday in the South of Portugal! Not hot enough to swim in the sea sadly but good enough to hike without your jacket before you relax by the indoor pool of our 4 stars hotel!
Does this sound exciting to you?
Yes it does!
DAY ONE:
Meet me at Stansted airport at 7:30am. I am booked on the Ryanair Flight FR5785 on the Saturday 16th of November at 09:50am.
If you decide to take a later flight, you will have to make your own way to Albufeira and meet us directly at the hotel.
We will fly to Faro where I will have arranged an airport transfer to what will be our home for the next 4 days; Albufeira, the white town! What can I say about this beautiful coastal town? Well, it has become one of the most visited towns in Europe, thanks to its beauty, it is famous for hosting the most beautiful beach in Europe as well as one of the top three most scenic hikes on the continent, so I think it means everything.
Even better, it is winter, meaning, no hordes of tourists filling up the landscape and restaurants of this gorgeous place!
DAY TWO:
Our first full day will be where the magic happen!
We will get our hiking gears on and hike the famous Seven Hanging Valleys. Elected as one of the best hikes in Europe this scenic route runs from Praia da Marinha in the east to Praia de Vale Centeanes in the west.
It offers a string of notable stops at the Alfanzina lighthouse, and at the Benagil and Carvalho beaches The walk takes place along the top of coastal cliffs with sculpted shapes and beautiful ocher and yellow hues.
And of course, the famous Benagil caves.
DAY THREE:
In the morning we will take it easy, we will make our way to the marina for a boat trip at 10 am to see the local dolphins and Benagil caves, the trip takes around 2.5 hours. We will then have lunch then explore the coast and woods near Albufeira before we head for diner and some drinks for our last evening in Portugal.
DAY FOUR:
We need to leave by 12 for our plane so you will have the choice between some free time or a walk near Albufeira or if you prefer, we will leave early, drop our luggage at a left luggage and visit Faro, Capital of the Algarve and its famous nature reserve. To be decided as a group...
VISA:
British and European citizens do not need a visa, some of you might need a Schengen visa, I am happy to direct you into the right direction. As it is peak season, I am posting this hike now so that you can find a date for your visa application at the embassy
PRICE:
£430 via this link to my website.
Winter Sun Weekend in PORTUGAL: The Seven Hanging Valleys, Albufeira & Dolphins | Jon's Trails (jonathanhenrotayoztek.com)
I only have 9 spots, your booking will only be confirmed once you have paid for your trip. Booking closes on the 20th of October.
FLIGHT:
I am booked on the Ryanair Flight FR5785 on the Saturday 16th of November at 09:50am from Stansted to Faro.
My return is on the Tuesday 19th of November on the RyanairFR5766 from Faro to Luton, at 15:15. (I have paid £50 return)
Please book the same flight unless you want to make your own way from the hotel to the airport.
INCLUDED IN PRICE:
-3 nights stay at a 4 stars hotel
-breakfast at the hotel
-guided hikes
-Benagil caves
-Dolphin trip
-Benagil caves
-Public transportation in Portugal
-Airport transfers from Faro to Albufeira
-A fabulous time with the world's loveliest people
NOT INCLUDED:
-Flight(They start at £60 return)
-Food(Except breakfast)
-Anything not mentioned above
You MUST have a travel insurance, check if you need a visa.
WHAT TO BRING:
Spare clothes and hiking boots are a must.
Passport
Visa if you are not British or European
POLICIES:
1: This group is designed for the pleasure and enjoyment of all of us, we do not accept any derogatory comments or behaviours towards anyone. Racism, discrimination and other unacceptable behaviours will only lead to your rejection of any of our trips and this is without exception. Everyone is welcome, we have religious and non-religious people, gay, straight, bisexual people, all shades and colours or nationalities, people of all ages, sex and political beliefs and mutual respect is the fundamental spirit of this group.
2: This trip is refundable up to the 20th of October included.(Except flight)
3:In the eventuality that our transports are delayed, or cancelled which is out of my control, I do not pay for taxis, flight or alternative routes, if this happens, you will be able to claim delay repay from the train companies who will reimburse your train ticket and some eventual costs occurred or your insurance provider. By signing up to my events, you agree to this. - The dance of the owls hike: bird, walk and photograph rare birdsSaint Pancras Station, London£17.00
Time to take an easy walk along the coast, I am not feeling like hiking hills and travelling too far away on this day so let's hop on a train to the coast of Kent and breath in the fresh air! If you want wild traditional English Coast, this is a place to go to. Pebble beaches. swamps, surrounded by nature reserves, golf courses and manor houses, without the crowd of Brighton or Eastbourne.
I do recommend cameras and binoculars as you never know what surprise you can get in this magical place!
We will look for wildlife but the star of the day will be the short eared owls! If the weather allows, they came put up quite a unique show and will flight just a meter or two away in some cases not caring the least about any of us, so if you are a photographer or a birder, this is your trip!
The area is a well known nature reserve with one of the largest concentration of overwintering owls in the country, there were at least nine the last time I came so let's hope for some lucky day! We will walk along and will stop for photos whenever we spot one of those gorgeous feathery friends. This year is one of the most exceptional for the shorties, as we call them in the country and populations at a number rarely seen before have just arrived from Russia and Scandinavia.France is right across the Chanel and we might spot the white cliffs of Calais on a clear day.
This is a lovely walk, flat and easy, great for beginners of for people who just want to spend a day out on the Coast without too many human activities around.
The area is one of the prime migratory routes for birds in Britain and host an impressive list of rare bird species from around the globe over wintering.
A colony of harbour seals also inhabit the nearby bay so we might even spot one or two at hight tide.
Sandwich Bay is home to nature reserves and two world-class golf courses, Royal St George's and Prince's where golfers are used to being interrupted by hunting short eared, barn and long eared owls, quite peculiar isn't it? The town is also home to many educational and cultural events. Sandwich also gave its name to the food that you like by way of John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich, who didn't actually live in Sandwich...
ATTENTION: PLEASE WEAR WARM CLOTHING. WE WILL STAY AT THE SAME SPOT FOR ABOUT an HOUR TO WAIT FOR THE OWLS and will spend some time in a hide for lunch to spot snipes, jack snipes, avocets and other birds.
Those who wish are welcome to join for a delightful diner at a Turkish restaurant afterwards. It is located next to the station so if you prefer to head back home, just jump on the train.
DISTANCE: 10 miles/16km
DIFFICULTY: Easy/no major climb
PRICE:
£17 for the guide's fee
£25 in cash for the return train journey.
INCLUDED:
Guide fee
A lovely time with the loveliest people, also called Jonions
NOT INCLUDED:
Transport:
Will cost about £25(roughly) for the return train ticket
Please bring cash on the day to get a discounted group ticket.
Food
Anything not mentioned above
WHAT TO BRING:
A packed lunch
Cash for the transport
Weather appropriate clothing(Think winter, you will get wet)
Preferably hiking shoes, unless you wish your shoes to die. They will!
MEETING POINT:
London St Pancras at 8:30 am I will send the location when I am there.
ATTENTION:
Our trips will not be cancelled due to weather conditions so please ensure that you do wear and carry appropriate clothing. 😄
As you can see, my humour is terrible, good luck with that but know that I take care of my Jonions and read the bit about discrimination please, if you are racist, homophobic, cannot accept that people have other opinions or mental health issues, this might not be a trip for you. If you aren't any of the above, we will love you so, come on, press the button.
POLICIES:
1: This group is designed for the pleasure and enjoyment of all of us, we do not accept any derogatory comments or behaviours towards anyone. Racism, discrimination and other unacceptable behaviours will only lead to your rejection to any of our trips and this without exception. Everyone is welcome, we have religious and non-religious people, gay, straight, bisexual people, all shades and colours or nationality, people of all ages, sex and political believes and mutual respect is the fundamental spirit of this group.
2: Our trips are only refundable up to 14 days before departure, if you wish to cancel after that, you will be offered a transfer to another trip for the same price or you may resell your slot to somebody else.
3: If we do cancel the entirety of the trip on our side, you will be fully refunded,
