Astronomy and volcanoes in the Canary Islands: Spain
28 November 2024 – 7 days for £2,739 per person.
Join an exciting expedition to Europe's most important astronomy site, La Palma. Visit an array of telescopes, take part in expert-led stargazing at multiple sites across the islands of Tenerife and La Palma and visit rare sub-tropical rainforests, volcanoes and ancient cave petroglyphs.
Discover La Palma, a compact volcanic island with a unique natural environment and exceptional conditions for astronomy. Due to its clean dry air and low levels of light pollution, UNESCO has designated La Palma its first 'Starlight Reserve' and has also recognised it as a Biosphere Reserve for its volcanic landscape and lush laurel forests with species lost to most of the world.
On neighbouring Tenerife you will explore the dramatic interior Mount Teide National Park, which offers perfect conditions for stargazing. The islands are beautifully austere during the day and outstanding for stargazing at night.
You will be accompanied throughout by astronomy journalist, Stuart Clarke, who has devoted his career to presenting the complex world of astronomy to the general public. Stuart holds a first class honours degree and a PhD in astrophysics. He is a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a former vice chair of the Association of British Science Writers. He will be on hand to offer insight through a series of talks and walking seminars throughout the tour.
This tour is perfect for anyone with an interest in astronomy and dark skies, and will allow you to step back in time and visit ancient sub-tropical rainforests, volcanoes and ancient cave petroglyphs.
In partnership with Kirker Holidays.
DAY 1: LA PALMA ARRIVAL, VIA TENERIFE
After checking in to the Parador de La Palma, where you will stay for the first four nights, you will meet with the group and your expert in the evening for a welcome meeting and introductory lecture followed by a light dinner.
DAY 2: CUMBRE VIEJA VOLCANO AND LLANO DE JABLE
You will visit the region of the Cumbre Vieja volcano. The Canary Islands are an active volcanic archipelago, and the most recent major eruption came in 2021 at the Cumbre Vieja volcano. Whilst here, you will see the dramatic remnants of the crater.
You will then continue to Llano de Jable, an astronomic viewpoint which has an advanced 10-inch telescope, for a workshop on night-time landscape photography with a local Starlight Guide, followed by some guided stargazing. Then back to the hotel for dinner.
DAY 3: LOS TILOS AND LA ZARZA
Today, you will drive to the north of the island, where you will visit the Los Tilos laurel forest, a rare example of sub-tropical Laurisilva; a dense, primitive forest full of broad-leaved trees that dominated the planet millions of years ago.
Afterwards, you will continue to La Zarza, a ravine which was home to the early inhabitants of the island. Here there is the opportunity to see endemic bird species and enigmatic prehistoric rock art.
In the evening, you will enjoy a second astronomy lecture from the accompanying expert followed by dinner.
DAY 4: ROQUE DE LOS MUCHACHOS OBSERVATORY
Today, make a daytime visit to the Astronomical Observatory of the Roque de Los Muchachos, at an altitude of 2,420 metres. Here you will see one of the most complete telescope arrays in the world, with a total of 16 telescopes including the largest optical telescope in the world. Great advances in the study of the Universe have been made with these telescopes, ranging from the detection of the most distant galaxy to the confirmation of the existence of black holes and the accelerated expansion of the Universe. During the tour, you will visit the Gran Telescopio (the largest optical telescope in the world with a 10.4 metre mirror), the William Herschel Telescope (operating over the optical and near-infrared regimes) and the Isaac Newton Telescope (transferred from Herstmonceux Castle in England).
DAY 5: LA PALMA TO TENERIFE. TEIDE NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast and checking out, you will enjoy a 4-hour ferry journey to neighbouring Tenerife, then travel into the Teide National Park where you will check into the Parador Las Cañadas del Teide situated in the heart of the park at over 2,000 metres. The park is dominated by the Teide-Pico Viejo stratovolcano at 3,718 metres, the highest peak on Spanish soil. Whilst the coach parties return to the coast late afternoon, you will enjoy the peace and solitude of the mountain in the evening.
Over dinner, resident and island-expert Christopher Monckton will give a talk on the history, flora and fauna of the island.
DAY 6: TEIDE NATIONAL PARK
Today, you will explore the Teide National Park and it's dramatic lunar landscape with a local mountain guide. You will see fascinating endemic species of flora and fauna, and take a cable car to the peak at over 12,000ft.
In the evening after dinner, you will explore the night sky with the accompanying expert and local Starlight Guides who will provide a range of telescopes for your use.
DAY 7: WINE TASTING AND SITIO LITRE ORCHID GARDEN
The rocky volcanic soil of the Canary Islands makes this excellent winemaking territory, and this morning you will enjoy a tasting at a local winery. After lunch there is an optional excursion to the Sitio Litre Orchid Garden where more than 300 varieties of orchid can be seen, followed by the Parque Taoro Water Garden. In the evening there will be a farewell dinner.
DAY 8: DEPART TENERIFE
After breakfast, you will check out of the parador for your return flight from Tenerife. However, if you want to stay a few more days on the island, we can arrange a charming coastal hotel.
