2025 Spain Trip Dates are LIVE! | $89 Deposit for 2025 Departures
9 Days | 8 Nights
Start Location
Granada, Spain
End Location
Málaga, Spain
Ages
25 – 50*
Group Size
6 – 12
Physical Activity
Starting at
$2,999
Embark on a Merakiva Trip across the stunning landscapes of southern Spain, designed for people who love to stay active and socialize. Discover the layered history of Granada, let loose in Málaga, and relax on the serene beaches of Cabo de Gata. Explore ancient sites and gaze at the stars, all while building new friendships. This experience is about more than just visiting new places; it’s about creating bonds over shared meals, laughs, and stories.
Infusing trips with soul and community. Our name reflects the goal of the trips—’Meraki‘ for doing something with passion + ‘Kiva‘ an ancient Pueblan place for communal gatherings.
By creating week-long stories and integrating historical places into that narrative, we make you more than a tourist. It’s not just about visiting a place, it’s about immersing yourself into a story.
Merakiva Trips are intentionally designed for the young (and the young-at-heart). We’ve listed that as 25-50, but that’s just a guideline — reach out if you’re not sure. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or have never ventured on a trip outside the country, our trips are for you.
Our trips are for meeting new people and forming new connections. We welcome the solo traveler and the dynamic duos. If you’re someone who thrives in meeting new faces and diving into authentic, unique experiences, we’re for you.
You can fly directly to Granada. Flights are limited, but you’ll arrive at the destination.
You can fly to Málaga. Málaga is about 1.5 hours from Granada and we will offer transfer services for those arriving in Málaga.
Málaga’s Pablo Ruiz Picasso Airport in Málaga is a major international hub, offering direct flights to over 150 cities worldwide.
Note: the trip will end in Málaga so you can easily depart from there.
You can fly to Madrid and take the train to Granada. Madrid is one of the largest airports in Europe with hundreds of connections around the world. From Madrid, you can take a 3 hour train to Granada. A good option for those comfortable navigating transportation and want to minimize flight connections.
Welcome to Granada & Bienvenidos a España!
Day 1 starts off easy to give you a rest from what may be a long day of travel. We’ll gather for our group dinner and explore Calle Calderería Nueva. This street is sometimes known as the “Moroccan street” is a step into the city’s Moorish past.
For the first full day, you’ll be immersed into the medieval center of Granada, the Albaicín.
Split up into small groups, you’ll be tasked to navigate and find places around the neighborhood. Part scavenger hunt, part getting lost on purpose. It’s the best combination of a guided tour and traveling by yourself.
After lunch together (& Spanish siesta) we’ll climb the hundreds of steps to the most breathtaking overlook in Granada, Iglesia de San Nicolás, to watch the sunset together.
One of the highlights of the trip – the iconic Alhambra Palace.
We’ll start off the day by touring Alhambra with our private guide, bypassing the lines. You’ll marvel at the immense fortifications and some of the best examples of Islamic architecture anywhere in the world.
After dark, we’ll return to the palace grounds to experience the world-renowned Generalife gardens under the Spanish sky.
Depart from Granada for a journey into the extraordinary landscapes that seem more Martian than Spanish. Discover a unique town with homes carved into the mountainsides and explore ancient caves adorned with prehistoric art.
We’ll break up the journey by enjoying lunch in the troglodyte town of Guadix en route to our remarkable accommodation: a converted 17th-century monastery. The two nights in this secluded hotel are some of the previous guests’ favorite experiences.
Today is for relaxation and natural exploration. Choose from a variety of hiking trails nearby, offering breathtaking views and serene forest walks. Opt for a guided hike to the historic town of Aledo, or enjoy leisure time at the hotel.
Later, we step back in time. Explore the ancient history at the La Bastida archaeological site, known as the “Troy of the West,” and home to an advanced civilization that mysteriously vanished. End the day with a unique stargazing experience within the site’s ruins.
Transition from the rugged mountains to the serene coast as we arrive in San José, nestled in the pristine Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. Home to some of Europe’s most unique landscapes, where desert mountains meet the sea. Volcanic rock formations protrude into the sea, surrounded by unique tropical fish. San José’s numerous small beaches are considered among the best in the world.
Spend the afternoon unwinding on the beach, enjoying a drink, or swimming in the Mediterranean. In the evening, take a hike to a secluded spot ideal for stargazing, in one of the darkest areas in all of Europe. Once back in town, gather for a beachside dinner, reflecting on the day’s adventures.
Embrace the leisure of beach life with a free morning to relax or enjoy the waters. Another day in Cabo de Gata-Níjar offers the opportunity to discover more sea life and landscapes. Engage with marine life through an optional snorkeling trip near the town, suitable for all skill levels.
Hike along the coast and into the mountains, or visit one of the small coves with white sand beaches. Eat at one of San José’s many great restaurants along the beach. After a week of exploring diverse landscapes and activities, today offers a chance to appreciate one of the continent’s most unique environments in your own way.
As we journey back to Málaga, immerse yourself once more in the serene ambiance of the sun-drenched coastline. We’ll head up into the nearby mountains to visit one of Andalucía’s most beautiful white-walled villages, Frigiliana.
Home to the last remaining traditional sugar factory in Europe, Frigiliana’s many cobblestone streets and charming buildings will be our spot for lunch. After some time for exploration on your own, we’ll get back on the road.
Upon arrival in Málaga, settle into your accommodation before we venture out to capture one more stunning sunset. As the sun dips below the horizon, we may see the Rock of Gibraltar or Morocco in the distance.
Our final night together will be marked by a celebratory farewell dinner, providing an opportunity to reminisce and create lasting memories with your travel companions.
The end of our time marks the beginning of your return home. Depending on your flight schedule, you may have additional time to uncover Málaga’s hidden gems or proceed directly to the airport. For those with later flights, we’ll explore some of Málaga’s yet-to-be-seen attractions.
We provide a transfer service to the airport, ensuring a smooth conclusion to your travels. Please provide us with your departure details to coordinate your transfer accurately. For those extending their travels, we are happy to assist with any further arrangements.
2025 Dates
September 20-28, 2025
Pay only $89 today to secure your spot
starting at
$2,999
Hotels here are shown for illustrative purposes only. Actual hotels may vary and Merakiva Travel reserves the right to change lodging options.
I understand — a tour is a big purchase! There are always lots of questions before feeling comfortable. If you’d like to meet with Marshall, the founder of Merakiva Travel, I’d love to talk. There are a limited number of slots available across weekdays and weekends.
Common questions and answers about traveling to Spain and Andalucia.
Flights to Málaga from Europe are quite cheap, as it’s one of the continent’s top vacation destinations.
Flights to Málaga from the United States are reasonable, often the same or only slightly more expensive than flights to major hubs.
From the East Coast, you can expect to pay $600-1000 for a round-trip flight, if you’re leaving from a major city. Flights from major West Coast cities will range from $900-1300 for (round-trip). The Midwest is usually between those two ranges, and there can be large variations when flying out of smaller airports.
We are happy to help you find the best flight option and even how to best utilize miles & points!
Our trips are designed to be intimate and avoid the giant coach buses that many people think of when they think of “guided tours.”
Trips have 6 people at a minimum, with group sizes maxing out at around 12 depending on the trip.
The official age range is 25-40, so if you’re in that, great! We’re not for 21-year-olds who want to party every night of the trip. But we’re still for people who like to have a good time (and maybe party one night of the trip!).
More than the age range, the trip is not designed for retiree-aged travelers. Families are welcome, but children are not allowed.
Booking a trip typically requires just a $500 deposit, but we may run sales or specials. We require 50% of the remaining cost to be paid 60 days before departure and 100% to be paid 30 days before departure.
Our booking software will prompt you to pay before each of those deadlines. At the time we don’t offer monthly installments, but you can pay each of those payments before the due date in order to spread out the cost more.
This trip to Spain is moderately physically demanding. What does that mean you ask?
Cities we visit are often steep and strenuous to get around. Hiking is an activity (though not required) and those with a baseline level of physical fitness will be able to partake in those activities more.
Moderately does not mean you need to be a super-athlete. If you can walk around a city for a few hours and walk up a hill, you’re good to go!
If you have physical limitations or disabilities, please contact us to learn more and see how we can accommodate you.
Booking a trip requires a $500 deposit.
For cancellations up to 61 days before the trip departure, that deposit is non-refundable but can be issued a Trip credit for a future trip. Any additional money paid in addition to your deposit at that point is refundable.
For cancellations 60-31 days before trip departure, 50% of trip cost is non-refundable, with the remainder refundable or transferrable to another trip.
Cancellations within 30 days are non-refundable.
Merakiva Travel is fully insured by Berkshire Hathaway Speciality Insurance. We are a member of the Arival Travel organization. We operate as a California Seller of Travel (No. 2090937-40) and Florida Seller of Travel (No. ST15578).
On the trip, you’ll be led by Marshall, the Founder of Merakiva Travel. He’s spent many months crafting the perfect itinerary, going to Spain to test it, and has worked in Spain before on archaeological projects.
Travel insurance is a great addition to any trip (with Merakiva Travel or not!). We require travel insurance on all of our trips to make sure you can have as much protection as possible.
Unfortunately, things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads
offers coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.
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HQ: Philadelphia, PA | [email protected]
©2024 Mērakíva Travel Inc
For only:
$2,899
Celebrate our inaugural launch to Spain with special pricing and an exclusive bundle of extras – limited spots are remaining!
Savings of $2000+ off regular trip Dates
8 Nights. 10 Meals. All-Inclusive Transportation & Activities
Value: $3,599
Remember moments and put your phone away. A professional will be joining us to photograph and film the group. (You’ll also receive your own copy!)
Value: $500
Get hands-on assistance in researching and finding the best flight option.
Value: $250
Your Trip Leader will be Dr. Marshall Schurtz, Founder of Merakiva Travel and an expert Archaeologist. He’s traveled around the world and devoted hundreds of hours researching & planning this one-of-a-kind trip.
Value: $750
Extra Bonuses Value: $1500
The TOTAL VALUE of the Launch Edition Elite Package equals:
$5,099
But, get it for only
$2,899
