W I L D M A D R I D
W I N T E R
M A D R I D , S P A I N
Photograph rare Imperial Eagles, Mediterranean birds & mammals just a stone's throw from Madrid
D A T E S & P R I C E S
2026
Departures Availability Price
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Feb 05 - 09 5 Places £1690
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Mar 22 - 26 5 Places £1690
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2027
Departures Availability Price
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Feb - ENQUIRE 5 Places TBC
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Mar - ENQUIRE 5 Places TBC
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Are you interested in this tour or something similar? Or perhaps the dates don't work? Just send me a message below and I’ll reply soon to discuss further.
H I G H L I G H T S
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4 nights stay in a comfortable non-shared hotel, in a charming medieval village outside Madrid
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Exclusive access to the estate's network of photography hides - no one outside of Spain has access!
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Photograph the Spanish Imperial Eagle, Spain's rarest & most iconic raptor, as plus Goshawk, Golden Eagle & Vultures
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Rare mammals such as Ibex & Genet
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Develop a rich portfolio of Mediterranean birds such as the Azure-Winged Magpie, Crested Tit & Iberian Green Woodpecker
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Expert 1-on-1 tuition from award-winning photographer & local guides
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Bird photography from ground & water level hides
T R I P O V E R V I E W
Just a few kilometres from Madrid lies a hidden treasure that few know about and even fewer can access. For this workshop, we have exclusive access to a protected 8000-hectare estate with a network of hides dedicated to photographing some of Spain's rarest creatures such as the Spanish Imperial Eagle, the Eagle Owl, and the Genet.
The combination of exclusive access, a rare ancient holm oak forest and well-preserved Mediterranean pasture, a higher density of Imperial Eagles than anywhere else in Spain, and proximity to Madrid, make this a truly unique destination and photographic experience.
I T I N E R A R Y
The following is a proposed itinerary, which should be considered provisional, subject to bird activity, weather and hide choices. In the case of inclement weather, we will recommend other hides where we may observe these species, or try to rearrange sessions for another day. You may also choose to extend your stay to make the most of other hides! Day 1: Fly to Madrid. Transfer by car 40mins north to our accommodation just beyond Madrid, in the quaint medieval fortress town of Manzanares el Real, near Tres Cantos, on the edge of the Sierra de Guadarrama. Local exploration, settling in, and a chance to see the widespread White Storks which nest around town. Dinner at a local restaurant. Welcome presentation of our itinerary as well as photographic techniques to apply in the field. Day 2: We head to our private estate for a full day of photography from the hides. The morning will be spent photographing the rare Spanish Imperial Eagle. After lunch, a hide session for Black and Griffon Vultures. Dinner in Manzanares el Real or Tres Cantos, and a chance to review and edit the day's photographs. Day 3: Full day's photography at the private estate. Morning session in the forest bird hide - here we may photograph at eye-level the colourful Azure-Winged Magpie, Iberian Green Woodpecker, Crested Tit, Rock Sparrow, Spotless Starling, Serin, and much else. Afternoon sessions with Little Owl and Iberian Grey Shrike. Dinner in Manzanares el Real, and a chance to review and edit the day's photographs. An optional evening hide session to photograph Genets. Day 4: Morning photography on the private estate. An afternoon walk at the nearby La Pedriza, an area of stunning rock formations, looking for Ibex which can venture close for photos. Alternatively, if you'd rather keep photographing the birdlife, a trip can be arranged to a hide in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range for Golden Eagles. Evening session with White Storks returning to nests at sunset. Last dinner in town. Day 5: Morning hide session on the private estate, with any species you'd like to add or revisit. A leisurely lunch and time to pack and wind down. Late afternoon flight home. Why not combine this with a trip down south to the Pyrenees? Photograph a smorgasbord of 14 raptor species, from the Bearded Vulture to the Bonelli's Eagle and Eagle Owl, in the town of Montsonis.
T H E H I D E S
This private estate is home to a rich variety of species throughout the year. We'll use many fixed and portable hides (for those species with a shorter breeding season).
The hides are designed with photographers in mind, featuring high-quality one-way glass (to the same high spec as on my other photo tours). This keeps us hidden from view, increasing the chances of spotting natural behaviours.
Spanish Imperial Eagle
Hides for photographing the endemic Spanish Imperial Eagle. Late winter is an excellent time to observe this rare species in good numbers, with the arrival of spring's warmth and subtle daylight.
Eagles often settle about 10 to 15 metres from our hide, sometimes much closer.
Capacity Seats up to 4 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm.
Timing Morning or full day session.
Vultures
Photograph Cinereous and Griffon Vultures as they gather in large groups in the winter, alongside Black & Red Kites and Buzzards.
Vultures often settle about 10 to 15 metres from our hide, often much closer.
Capacity Seats up to 4 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm.
Timing Morning or full day session.
Eagle Owl
This winter, it has been possible to get photos of Europe's largest owl, the Eagle Owl! With evening visits often lasting up to 40 minutes at a time, this is a rare opportunity to photograph the owl under the golden glow of sunset.
Please get in touch if you are interested in photo opportunities with the Eagle Owl.
Capacity Seats up to 2 people.
Lens 100-400mm, up to 500mm.
Timing Evening session.
Woodland Hides
With a buzz of activity and wonderful light especially in the mornings, this is a fun hide to get your teeth into hide photography and to try out interesting shots on a wide variety of Mediterranean birds.
Birds will be perched approximately 4 to 5 metres from our hide.
Species: Crested Tit, Azure-Winged Magpie, Rock Sparrow, Hawfinch, Dartford Warbler, Nuthatch, Iberian Green Woodpecker, finches, tits, thrushes
Capacity Seats up to 4 people.
Lens 100-400mm. 300mm is sufficient.
Timing Morning or full day session.
Goshawk
Photograph the formidable Goshawk at a woodland perch or water source, as it hunts near the woodland bird hide.
Capacity Seats up to 2 people.
Lens 100-400mm.
Timing Morning or full day session.
Mammals
There are also opportunities to photograph the estate's herds of Red and Fallow Deer, and occasionally some of the rarer mammals such as Genet.
Capacity Seats up to 4 people.
Lens 100-400mm.
Timing Morning, evening or full day session.
P R A C T I C A L I N F O R M A T I O N
F A Q
For full terms and conditions, including our cancellation policy and personal travel insurance, please click to see the Terms & Conditions
* To take part in our trip, you must be covered by adequate insurance for its entire duration. The insurance must cover for cancellation, medical and emergency expenses.
We recommend insurance against damage or loss of baggage, camera equipment, instruments and personal items.