Madeira - The Floating Garden

Tour Code: PRT01

An 8-day natural history tour exploring the Madeiran archipelago in search of birds, plants and butterflies.

8 days from
£2,150 (Inc flights)
Land only price from
£1,850
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

This tour to Madeira, a naturalist’s paradise often referred to as ‘the floating garden’, is timed to coincide with the peak flowering times of a vast array of beautiful plants, and the breeding season for most of the birds. It is a tour for the all-round naturalist, concentrating on the species that are unique to the islands. Situated in the north Atlantic about 560 kilometres off the north-west coast of Africa, the Madeiran archipelago is very much the Galápagos of Europe, being of volcanic origin and isolated from colonisation from the continent by the predominantly westerly winds. Like the Galápagos, many of the species found in Madeira are found nowhere else on Earth. Unlike the Galápagos, however, very little is known about most of them! The colours and fragrances of Madeira, the stunning and varied scenery, and the opportunity to observe some of the extremely localised birds will surely make this tour one to remember.

  • Volcanic Madeira has a unique and fascinating natural history - perfect for the all-round naturalist
  • Search for 113 endemic plants amongst the island's 1,163 species
  • Look for 3 endemic birds -  Trocaz Pigeon, Madeira Firecrest and possibly Zino's Petrel plus other endemic subspecies
  • Enjoy the beautiful and dramatic scenery!
  • Walk along the 'levadas' - man-made watercourses which provide an ideal way of exploring its forests and remote corners at a gentle pace
  • Explore the evergreen Laurisilva forest - a type of forest found only in Macaronesia

Grading

B. Moderate day walks with some steep gradients.

This tour to Madeira, a naturalist’s paradise often referred to as ‘the floating garden’, is timed to coincide with the peak flowering times of a vast array of beautiful plants, and the breeding season for most of the birds. It is a tour for the all-round naturalist, concentrating on the species that are unique to the islands.

Situated in the north Atlantic about 560 kilometres off the north-west coast of Africa, the Madeiran archipelago is very much the Galápagos of Europe, being of volcanic origin and isolated from colonisation from the continent by the predominantly westerly winds. Like the Galápagos, many of the species found in Madeira are found nowhere else on Earth. Unlike the Galápagos, however, very little is known about most of them!

The Madeiran archipelago comprises five main islands. The largest, Madeira itself, is only about the size of the Isle of Wight, but rises to over 1,830 metres. The landscape is rugged and spectacular, with deep ravines, gorges and swathes of lush and pristine Laurissilva forest — home to the rare and endemic Madeiran Laurel Pigeon. The vast system of levadas — man-made watercourses — which run at a steady gradient along the sides of the mountains and hills throughout the island provides an ideal means of exploring its little-known corners at a gentle pace. The incredible number of 1,163 plant species has been recorded from the islands, of which 113 are endemic! Even in a week, by carefully planning the itinerary to visit as wide a range of habitats as possible, we will be able to appreciate the great richness and diversity of this wonderful island.

This ‘floating garden’ is aptly named for, apart from the wild flowers, birds and butterflies for which this tour is planned, the whole island is also awash with cultivated flowers. Indeed most roadside verges are planted with lilies and other flowering plants and the process is continuing as can be seen from our minibus as we traverse the island each day. Funchal, the main city where we are based, is a garden in itself with many beautifully managed squares planted with stunning tropical and subtropical trees, shrubs, plants and creepers of all kinds; even the rivers running through the centre are covered in a canopy of bougainvillea, and it is this lush flora with its nectar, pollen and attendant insects that is a natural magnet for birds and especially butterflies.

On our rest day (day 6) we will have time free to explore Funchal. We especially recommend visiting the excellent botanical gardens overlooking Funchal which have been laid out in various vegetation zones of endemic plants and exotics. The birdwatching is surprisingly good too as the varied flora and attendant insects is a natural magnet for birds and, of course, butterflies — such as the newly colonised Monarch butterfly. The endemic races of Blackbirds, Blackcaps and Robins are ubiquitous, as well as Spanish Sparrows. Alternatively, there will also be an opportunity for an optional pelagic trip to look for cetaceans and seabirds. Sightings can include a variety of whales and dolphins, as well as seabirds such as Cory’s and Manx Shearwaters, Bulwer’s Petrel and even, with luck, the endemic Zino’s Petrel.

Porto Santo, about 55 kilometres to the north-east of Madeira, is also part of the archipelago, as are the arid Desertas Islands which form a chain lying about 25 kilometres to the south-east of Madeira. They are a designated nature reserve for their internationally important seabird populations. They are managed by the National Park Service of Madeira and, due to the vulnerability of the Fea’s Petrel colonies, access is restricted.

The colours and fragrances of Madeira, the stunning and varied scenery, and the opportunity to observe some of the extremely localised birds will surely make this tour one to remember.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Itinerary

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Depart London for 7 nights Funchal
Day 2
Ribeiro Frio, Balcões levada walk
Day 3
Walk up Pico Ruivo
Day 4
Punta do São Lorenço
Day 5
Day off
Day 6
Encumeada levada walk
Day 7
Paul da Serra, Rabaçal levada walk
Day 8
Fly London
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What's Included

What's Included?

  • Flights
  • Accommodation:

    Comfortable, harbourside 4-star hotel in Funchal, with private facilities.

  • Food:

    All included in the price except for evening meals in Funchal. Allow £120+.

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2025

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 13th Jun – Fri 20th Jun SPACES £2,150
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,850
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£315

2026

Departures Availability Cost
Fri 12th Jun – Fri 19th Jun SPACES £2,150
Book Tour Show Details
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,850
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£315 
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Botanical Tours – See Wild Flowers with our Expert Botanical Guides


There are few more pleasing sights in the natural world than a meadow filled with wildflowers. Seeing plants in their native habitat is always exciting and our flower tours offer you an incredible choice, from dazzling tropical blooms and the thrill of finding elusive orchids or delicate alpines, to seeing island endemics or British flora. Our tours range from week-long holidays focusing on the ‘Alpine flowers of the Swiss Alps’, the ‘Italian Dolomites’ and the ‘Alpine Flowers of Slovenia’s Julian Alps’, to orchid-hunting on Italy’s Gargano Peninsula and searching for the Autumn Plants of Greece’s Peloponnese. We also visit more remote areas of the world in search of plant-life, from the Tien Shan Mountains of Kazakhstan where we look for wild tulips, to the rainforests and spiny deserts of Madagascar where over 80% of the flora is endemic.  


Many of us want to know more about the plants we see around us. Whether inspired by an appreciation of the aesthetic appeal of flowers, or a more focused desire to identify individual species, everyone with an interest in botany will derive pleasure from joining one of Naturetrek’s flower tours.


Why choose Naturetrek’s botanical holidays?


    

  • All our botanical holidays are led by expert botanist guides
    • 

  • All levels of interest and expertise are catered for, from hobby gardeners and complete beginners to keen botanists who wish to explore a new area with the help of a knowledgeable leader
    • 

  • We keep the overall focus on flora, though expert guidance is also given on other wildlife
    • 



What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek botanical holiday?


    

  • Travel with a group of like-minded people
    • 

  • Stay at a comfortable hotel or lodge, close to an area of outstanding botanical interest
    • 

  • Enjoy a series of leisurely day excursions with ample time to appreciate the local flora
    • 



In addition to our dedicated flower tours, we also offer holidays with a wider theme to encompass birds, butterflies and other aspects of natural history as well as the flora. Our spring tours to 'Crete' and ‘The Island of Cyprus’ are both timed to allow us to enjoy the botanical highlights as well as the spring bird migration, whilst ‘Croatia and Slovenia – Spring in Istria’ also allows time to enjoy a little of the local culture. ‘Romania – the Wildlife of Transylvania’ combines an appreciation of the flora of the Carpathian Mountains with birding, butterflying and a trip to look for Brown Bears from a purpose built hide, and our holidays in both the ‘French Pyrenees’ and the ‘Spanish Pyrenees’ combine birds, butterflies and botany throughout the week.  




Our specialist recommends...






"I'd recommend 'Wengen – Alpine Flowers of the Swiss Alps', 'Crete' and 'The French Pyrenees', which all offer some fascinating European botany, along with plenty of wider natural history and some stunning scenery. If you’re keen to travel a little further afield, I’d suggest joining us in South Africa for our 'Wild Flowers of the Cape & Namaqualand' tour” 

David Tattersfield - Tour Leader




All Botany Tours

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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Enquire
Why Naturetrek?

Why Naturetrek?

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

  • The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
  • Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
  • Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!