Extraordinary Echiums - Canary Islands in May

In an archipelago where nature has run wild and herbs have turned to tree beneath smoldering volcanos there can be few more vivid icons of the unique flora of Canary Islands than the towering spires of its extraordinary Echiums. And there is not just one but several of these fabulous plants on show and we will island hop to make the most of what is on offer.

An 8-day tour with Hiro Takenouchi.

Day 1.    Arrival in Gran Canaria

After landing in Gran Canaria we will transfer to the hotel.

Day 2.    Gran Canaria

We’ll visit an interesting old community in Guayadeque Valley where endemic plants grow in its drier environment, including our first Echium species, such as E. decaisnei and E. onosmifolium as well as a large colony of the so-called "Tree Aeonium”, Aeonium arboreum. If we are lucky, we might get a glimpse of the endangered Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini) which is known to attain the length of 80cm (although they are usually much smaller!). After visiting the old cave houses on the way back, we might have time to the Viera y Clavijo Botanical Garden where we can see a collection of some endemic plants from all over the archipelago. Back to the hotel and enjoy a seaside dinner.

Day 3.    Gran Canaria to Tenerife

In the morning, we will drive up the hill to the scenic area of La Caldera de los Marteles for a gentle hike surrounded by the pines and many Aeonium species, large endemic Sonchus, Ferula (giant fennel), and numerous and fragrant Fabaceae. This is also an area of an impressive colony of the Gran Canaria endemic Echium, Echium callithyrsum but the flowers will have mostly finished by this time of the year. We will enjoy a picnic lunch in the area. We will drive to the port of Agaete for a ferry trip to Tenerife where we overnight.

Day 4.    Tenerife

In the morning, we will drive towards the northern shore of Tenerife to the area called Anaga. Depending on the weather, we will make a trek near the sea for a few kilometres to find, amongst many other plants, our first large Echium of the tour, Echium simplex, a Tenerife endemic. After the walk we will have a quick lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we will drive further east to a quiet cloud forest where we can have a stroll to find more endemic plants such as Isoplex canariensis and Ixanthus viscosus. Overnight Tenerife.

Day 5.    La Gomera

We will make a day excursion to the smaller island of La Gomera today. Leaving the hotel early in the morning, we will drive to the southern port of Los Cristianos and take a ferry ride (50 min) to San Sebastian de la Gomera. After arriving, we will travel to the beautiful Garajonay National Park for a relaxing hike and enjoy our picnic lunch at the top of the Alto de Garajonay (weather permitting). We might just be in time for the Gomeran endemic and endangered blue Echium, Echium acanthocarpum. We will also make an unmissable stop at the Agando viewpoint to enjoy the iconic and dramatic volcanic rock formations. We will drive back to the port of San Sebastian to catch the evening ferry back to the island of Tenerife and go up to the lovely village of Vilaflor for an overnight stay.

Day 6.    El Teide

Today is one of the highlights of the tour: a visit to the Mount Teide National Park. We leave the hotel soon after breakfast and drive through some beautiful pine forests and eventually into the dry and rocky volcanic zone. Mount Teide, standing at 3,715m above sea level, is the highest peak in Spain and the rugged scenery inside its vast caldera is breathtaking. Numerous endemic flowers are also found here, including the iconic Echium wildpretii, aka the tower of jewels. We are planning to make one or two hikes today: the first from the El Portillo Visitor Centre to visit the area known for the large number of echiums growing, and another on the south side of the caldera. If time allows, we will also make an excursion to the outside of the caldera near Vilaflor. Saying goodbye to the magnificent landscape and flowers, we will descend to the port of Los Cristianos again to catch an evening ferry this time to La Palma.

Day 7.    La Palma

We will go up the mountains again today! Leaving the hotel soon after the breakfast, we drive up towards the Caldera de Taburiente National Park, a massive erosion caldera covered in pine trees. Located in the highest area of the entire island is the world-famous Roque de los Muchachos Observatory and the views from this area are simply breathtaking. Luckily for us, there are also some beautiful and interesting plants growing there, including another massive Echium, Echium perezii, as well as the smaller but beautiful azure-coloured Echium gentianoides, and they are of course both endemic to La Palma! After refreshing strolls in the mountains, we will descend through the winding mountain road towards the northeastern corner of the island. On the way we’ll see a nice colony of another endemic, Echium webbii. Near the town of Barlovento, we will take a walk in the area of lush lowland forest to find the endangered and the biggest of all Echiums, Echium pininana that can grow as tall as 6 metres. Return to Santa Cruz for a final night on the island.

Day 8.    Flights

Direct flights are available to European cities and others via Madrid for international connections. Anyone needing to fly from Tenerife can join Hiro on the return ferry in the morning.