Spring in Las Alpujarras - Wild flower Week with Dr Mark Spencer
Saturday 1st May - Saturday 8th May 2027
1st to 8th May (provisional dates for 2027. Please check for possible alternative dates)
Explore the beautiful flowers of the Las Alpujarras with expert guide Dr Mark Spencer whilst enjoying all the comforts Las Chimeneas has to offer.
The Alpujarras is blessed with an incredible diversity of plants, many of which are found nowhere else on earth.
Anyone with an interest in botany, from absolute beginner to expert amateur, is invited to discover this floral paradise and enjoy a week of walks, talks, special visits, foraging, good food, expert guidance and excellent company.
The Alpujarras is not only celebrated for the high number of endemic species that exist here, but the fact that an array of diverse habitats is found within a relatively small area. The Mediterranean- type vegetation of the lower slopes gives way to oak and alpine forests from 1000 meters, while the treeless slopes of the high mountains, which extend to over 3000 meters, are home to the most specialised of plants - relicts from the last ice age surviving in the harshest of environments.
In early spring, new flowers pop up each day, and the air is rich with the scent of wild herbs. With the expert guidance of botanist Mark Spencer, the true intrigue and joy of this unique botanical landscape can be discovered. The week is also an opportunity to hone identification skills in the field and back at the Las Chimeneas ‘lab’ (which doubles up as a restaurant serving up delicious local food in the evening!)
Please contact David & Emma at Las Chimeneas for all bookings and information on recommended flights and transfer times on info@laschimeneas.com
Normally group pick up time is at 2pm from Malaga airport on arrival day and drop off at 12h for afternoon flights on departure day.
Spending an extra night in the vibrant city of Malaga is always a good option
Price includes:
- Airport transfer (single timed for group minibus) plus local transfers to other botanising locations
- Buffet breakfast, light lunch, three course evening meal
- Three additional activities - eg. olive oil mill visit with chat about local olive oil production, visit to ancient mosque/ church with talk on local history and overlapping cultures, short cookery class with our Chimeneas chef Conchi or visit to Lola’s weaving and spinning workshop (to be decided with group leaders)
- All tuition / use of studio, equipment etc
- Extra excursions can be booked and paid for locally eg massage, longer cookery classes, guided electric mountain bike tour, group guided visit to Almeria or Granada
€1050 per twin/double room at main site Las Chimeneas per person sharing.
€1385 per single use of larger suite /studio rooms at main site Las Chimeneas
€1295 per single room use of standard double room at main site Las Chimeneas
€1150 per single room at larger village cottage with own bathroom Casa Ermita, Casa Iglesia
€1050 per single room at village cottage with two rooms sharing one bathroom Casa Puri
Excluded: Flights, travel insurance. Please confirm you have your own adequate personal travel insurance. Massages. Alcohol and soft drinks. Transport for optional excursion to Granada (around 35 euros per trip depending on numbers)
Transfers: Please contact us to discuss our recommendations for your flight requirements.
Making your own way
By car: We are at Las Chimeneas, Calle Amargura 4, Mairena, 18494, Granada. Spain. 2.5 hrs from Malaga and Granada airports. 1.5 hrs from Almeria.
Cancellation Policy:
Deposits: All deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Full Payments: For places paid in full and then cancelled the following applies:
- More than 10 weeks before the start of the retreat: 100% refund less the deposit.
- 10-6 weeks before the start of the retreat:50% refund less the deposit.
- Up to 6 weeks before the start of the retreat:No refund will be given.
IT IS ADVISABLE TO TAKE OUT TRAVEL INSURANCE IN THE EVENT THAT YOU HAVE TO CANCEL DUE TO UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.
Highlights
- Botanical rambles with expert guide in Mediterranean vegetation, alpine, riverine and high mountain ecosystems.
- Early spring orchids, such as Yellow Orphrys, Giant Orchid, Sombre Bee Orchid, and other highlights, such as Crocus nevadensis, wild lilies, tiny narcissuses, gentians and multiple others.
- Foraging in the local area and in Las Chimeneas’ organic farm, followed by traditional cooking demonstration with local cooks.
- Mountain Ibex, Golden Eagles, bee eaters, and incredible diversity of butterflies and other insects.
- Introduction to botany identification, with microscope and hand lense session.
- Talk on the history of Las Alpujarras: reflected in the wild and cultivated flora in the area.
Your guide, Dr Mark Spencer
Dr Mark Spencer is an experienced and internationally respected botanist. He also works globally as a seasoned writer, public speaker and television presenter.
With several decades experience of studying plants, Dr Mark Spencer has worked and studied at some of the UK’s most important botanical organisations. Currently he is a consultant botanist specialising in several fields, particularly forensic botany (the use of plants as evidence in serious crime), botanical surveys, curation & museology.
Originally a horticulturist, he studied at the world-famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. He later studied botany at the University of Reading. Mark remained at Reading to do a PhD in the evolution of plant pathogenic fungi.
After University he returned to London where he surveyed the capital’s wild plants on behalf of the Greater London Authority. He then spent over 12 years working for the prestigious Natural History Museum, London where he gained an international reputation as an expert in many aspects of botany, collections management and gallery development.
In his spare time, he either tends his garden and allotment on the Isle of Wight or can be found in the back streets of London looking for plants or fungi.
