• Day 1 - Sunday
Arrivals and departures, 8PM evening dinner and introduction for Arrivals.
• Day 2 - Monday
9:00 AM departure for south coast trip.
10:00 begin at St. Thomas Bay
Route
Starting From St Thomas Bay Marsascala, up along Munxar cliffs and Xrobb l-lajjin, along cliff edge to Ras il-Fenek and ending at Marsaxlokk Bay.
Description
The South coast is characterised by unique white limestone cliffs, beautiful rocky bays and maritime vegetation. The site is also home to the newly set up Park at Xrobb l-lajjin where afforestation has started and plans are underway for the setting up of a wildlife rehab clinic.
Some narrow cliff-edge paths but otherwise easy-going country roads.
Picnic lunch. Length of walk approx. 7km
5:00PM return to Mosta for lecture with Institute of Environmental studies at 6 PM
6:00-8:00 Ecology lecture from
8:30 dinner
• Day 3 Tuesday
9:00 AM pick up at hotel for transfer to Majjistral Nature Park.
9:30 Begin Tour of Nature Park with Annalise Falzon of the Nature Trust
Route
Starting and ending at Golden bay.
Description
Coastal and distant views, endemic Rdum landscape, garigue, traditional rural features such as the Maltese corbelled stone hut and farmhouse. Length of walk approx. 6km
12:30PM Lunch
1:00 transfer to Wied Ghollieqa Nature reserve.
1:30 Begin Talk and walk of Nature Centre
Route: Starting and ending at the University of Malta.
Description: A talk on Maltese natural History at the Wied Gollieqa Environment Centre followed by a walk in the nature reserve. This protected area close to the University of Malta has been undergoing a unique restoration plan by Nature Trust (Malta) to re-create a Maltese woodland and a landscape of tradtional dry stone walls. Thousands of indigenous trees have been planted over the last 15 years and include some rare species. Length of walk approx. 2 km.
5:30 Return to hotel and dinner.
• Day 4 Wednesday
9:00AM pick up from Hotel
9:30 Meet at Adira Sailing Centre for kayak trip
Route
Begin at Sailing centre making a counter clockwise tour of Adira bay.
Description
After some basic kayak instruction we will be visiting several secluded spots in Adira bay while accompanied by a biologist from the institute of environmental studies where we will discuss various aspects of the marine environment of Malta. We will stop in Selmun bay for a picnic lunch followed by a beach cleanup. Afterwards we will go to Dahlet ix-Xilep point to visit other areas of the Bay and return to the Adira Saling Centre. Length of kayak trip approx. 8 KM.
5 PM Return to hotel
• Day 5 Thursday
9:00AM pickup from hotel
9:30 Arrive at the walled city of Mdina
Self guided tour of area museums and shops.
12:30PM Lunch
1:00 coach pickup Transfer to Valetta
1:30 Arrive in Valetta -
Self guided tour of area museums and shops
5:00 Pick up and transfer to Hotel.
• Day 6 Gozo Friday
9:00AM Pick up at hotel
9:45 ferry to Gozo
10.:30 Begin walk of Dwejra Nature Reserve with Annalise Falzon
Route
Beginning in Santa Luċija village and continuing through Dwerja nature park finishing at Rabat.
Description
Starting off from the quaint village of Santa Luċija we take some country roads to reach the cliffs overlooking Xlendi. Past the freshwater pond of Ta’ Sarraflu we either take a cliff edge route along the high Wardija Cliffs with the suggestive Punic Sanctuary at its tip or else we proceed along an easier path amidst typical stone quarries. The view starts unfolding the first images of the westernmost coast of the island with the Dwejra/Qawra area being its main attraction – an area which is now a Heritage Park and a proposed Natura 2000 site (more info www.dwejra.org ). We will explore the most important geological, historical and ecological features of this area and visit the Knights’ Tower. From here we proceed up to the village of San Lawrenz along a steep path. Transport will take us to the ancient walled Citadel in Rabat where we will have lunch with a typical platter and home made wine and after we can have a walk around its fortifications before taking the ferry back to Malta.
Length of walk approx.9km
• Day 7 Saturday
Free Day
Optional activities include rock climbing, sea kayaking or mountain biking, diving or just relaxing on the beach.
• Day 8 Arrival/Departure Day
