Tenerife and La Gomera
- Trekking & Hiking
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our UK team
Arrival at Tenerife South Airport. A member of the Kandoo Adventures team will be at the airport to meet you and we transfer to our hotel in the town of Guimar. You will meet your guide and the rest of the group at the hotel. Depending on your arrival time there may be a chance to get out and explore the town. Our pre-trek briefing will be held this evening.
We start our exploration of Tenerife in the World Biosphere Reserve of Anaga Rural Park. The rugged and remote Anaga Peninsula forms the northern most tip of the island and offers magnificent hiking with sublime scenery. We follow stone paths through tiny terraced villages and pause for lunch on Bermejo Beach. In the afternoon we begin climbing up to the village of Charmorga, the most isolated village in the area, where we will be spending the night.
This morning we take a private transfer to Teide National Park in the center of the island. Our goal for today is the peak of Guajara, the third highest peak on the island at 2718m and a great acclimatization hike. We cross barren, lunar landscapes where endemic plant life such as white broom, tajinaste and wallflower are surviving despite the harsh conditions. Ascending gradually to the summit plateau of Guajara, we are suddenly treated to incredible 360 degree views of Tenerife, Teide and the surrounding islands. After some time to soak up our surroundings we descend by the same route.
Today we are taking it easy because we need to save our strength for the ascent of Mt Teide early tomorrow. We take a short hike through stunning scenery to reach the Roques de Garcia. These beautiful rock formations rise up out of the landscape and create a picturesque foreground to the views of Pico Viejo and Mt Teide beyond. We return to our hotel in the afternoon and get an early night, our ascent will start before sunrise.
We depart from our hotel at around 1.30am to begin our climb of the highest peak in Spain and the third highest volcano in the world. Using our head torches to illuminate the trail, we will ascend 1190m, hopefully reaching the summit in time to witness the sunrise over the Atlantic.
From the Montana Blanca car park at the base of the peak, we begin climbing the El Culaton lava flow. As we gain height the views of Caldera las Canadas become increasingly spectacular. The caldera is named after the ancient volcano, Canadas, whose collapse formed the enormous basin we see before us. A steep but steady climb takes us up to the Altavista refuge at 3270m (closed since the pandemic). Our next point of call is the cable car station at 3550m known as La Rambleta. From here we joint the Telesforo Bravo path which will guide us to the top. Once at the summit, an exceptional spectacle awaits us as we watch the sunrise over Tenerife, the archipelago and the Atlantic Ocean. An unforgettable experience.
We descend 160m back to La Rambleta and take the cable car back to the base of the volcano. After pausing for lunch in Vilaflor, we transfer to the port of Los Cristianos where we board our ferry to La Gomera. As we approach the port of San Sebastien, the views of La Gomera’s vertical cliffs rising out of the waters are stunning and a sense of excitement builds at the prospect of exploring our second island. We transfer to the town of Hermigua and settle down for a well earned rest.
Garajonay National Park covers approximately 4000 hectares and is home to more than 400 plant species. Today we depart on the most beautiful circular hike on La Gomera. We begin by following a stream which irrigates the fertile and cultivated Hermigua valley all year round. The trail leads to the foot of the El Cedro waterfall and past the tiny chapel of Lourdes before descending into laurel forests. In the afternoon we arrive back at our accommodation on foot with some time to relax and take in the panoramic views of the Hermigua valley.
NOTE - Early in the morning today transport will be provided for you to travel to San Sebastien to get a PCR test for Covid19. Your results will then be ready before your return flight. The cost for a test is €90 which must be paid locally.
The first time he saw Imada, the French traveller and scientist, Rene Verneau called it “little paradise”. Time seems to have stood still in the tiny hamlet, a cluster of stone houses surrounded by neat cultivated terraces. The crops of wheat and barley are ringed by endemic vegetation and a healthy population of goats roam through the greenery. We take a circular walk through this enchanting valley before transferring back to Tenerife in the afternoon.
Depending on your flight time there may be an opportunity to wonder the streets of Los Cristianos and pick up some souvenirs before transferring to the airport for your flight home.
This adventure is of moderate difficulty.
The walking is continuous for 6 days and we will be reaching altitudes well
over 3500m. Volcanic terrain can be loose, rocky and difficult to walk on so
care should be taken to avoid slips and trips. The weather on the Canary
Islands can be hot with intense sunshine which makes trekking more demanding. The maximum ascent in a single day is 1000m and descent 1550m, trekking poles are recommended to reduce the impact on your joints. You should be in good physical condition
with recent experience of hiking for several days in row, in a mountainous environment, with over 1000m of
ascent and descent in a day. To ask about your suitability for this trip and
what you can do to prepare please feel free to give us a call.
Breakfasts
are taken either at our hotel or in small adjoining restaurants. The breakfasts
will be continental in style with a selection of bread, jam, pastries, cold
meats, cheese, yoghurts and fruit.
Lunches
are picnic style, the Canarian
cuisine lending itself perfectly to fresh fruits and vegetables (banana, mango,
avocado and tomatoes), cold meats and local cheeses etc.
In
the evening, meals are taken in small local restaurants. We attach great
importance to gastronomy and all the places we eat have been chosen with
care. You will have the opportunity to sample all the local specialties
such as papas arrugadas, ropa vieja or miel de palma.
Please
note that the water on Tenerife is not drinkable everywhere. During the trip,
drinks including water, are your own responsibility. Although drinkable water
is widely available, it is a good idea to bring a water filter along for peace
of mind and flexibility.
If
you have special dietary requirements please call and let us know as soon as
possible before departure. We will do everything possible to accommodate your
needs.
The main form of accommodation we use on
the Canary Islands is hotels. We use 3
star hotels and select properties carefully to ensure you are staying in the
best locations. Rooms will be double or twin with en-suite
facilities. Triple rooms and single
supplements are available subject to availability.
While climbing Mt Teide, we will spend
one night in the Altavista refuge.
Accommodation in the refuge is in dormitories of between 4 and 12 people with shared bathroom
facilities and a communal dinning area.
At the end of your tour, the evening
before departure, we may use apartment accommodation. Apartments will consist
of one or two bedrooms, kitchen area, bathroom and living room.
During your trip your luggage will be
transported by vehicle. Your main bag must be flexible (a duffle bag and
not a rigid suitcase) and weigh a maximum of 15kg. Your luggage will be
transported to your accommodation each afternoon and you will not be able to
access it during the day. You should also bring a small day pack to carry
water, snacks and anything else you may need whilst walking.
The currency on the Canary Islands is the
Euro (EUR). For the latest exchange rates please see www.xe.com
It is possible to withdraw cash from ATMs
on the island but please be mindful of any charges from your bank. Credit cards
are widely accepted in the towns but not in remote areas. Please budget for
drinks, souvenirs and any meals not included in your tour.
Although the custom is practiced here, it
is not expected. If you are satisfied with the services of your guide and local
team, tipping is always appreciated. It
is not obligatory and should be left to the discretion of each individual.
From | To | Price | Availability | Book | Enquire |
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08/10/2022 | 15/10/2022 | $1,625 £1,249 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
15/10/2022 | 22/10/2022 | $1,625 £1,249 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
19/11/2022 | 26/11/2022 | $1,625 £1,249 |
Available
|
Book now | Enquire now |
Want to add flights or create a private trip? Don't hesitate to contact us!
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