Hiking in Tenerife solves the eternal question, "Mountains or Sea?" once and for all. This small piece of land, measuring only 2,034 square kilometers, is in fact the highest peak of the Atlantic (7,500 meters from the bottom of the ocean), one of the peaks of a long mountain chain along the coast of Africa. Thus, even stepping only on the coast of Tenerife you, in any case, turn into a mountain climber. Atlantic Mountaineer. )))) This is not to be missed!
In 11 days we will climb Mount Teide, a stratovolcano 3,718m high (the highest point in Spain), learn about volcanology and the formation of the Earth, trekking through 28 microclimatic zones, admiring the clearest stars, and practicing astrophotography; swim in the ocean and eat fresh fish and seafood on the black surf beaches, go for a light hike in the green misty mountain range Anaga in the north of the island, which seems to remember the dinosaurs, and finally - visit the longest lava tube (in such caves mankind will build their first base on the Moon and Mars! ). Let's go hiking in Tenerife with us!
We do not cancel or reschedule groups. If the manager has given permission to buy a ticket, you can buy it with confidence. There will be no cancellation through our fault.
The program is rich, varied and quite unusual - some uncomplicated mountaineering, some trekking, some sci-fi, some gastro-touring, some astrophotography.
Because your team leader is a professional photographer, so you will have great pictures and videos to remember after the trip.
You will be accompanied by a professional photographer and an experienced mountain team leader, with 10 years of trekking experience in the Canary archipelago and an unusual hobby of volcanology. Languages of communication are Ukrainian and English.
During the hike we will use not stewed meat and condensed milk, but interesting and delicious products from local farms.
More than 12,000 participants have already been with Kuluar and 97.8% were satisfied. We're sure you will, too!
Usually you start with the city of Santa Cruz, the capital of the island. But we won't be so boring - what can Man Geer find interesting in a big city? (Besides, in the South of the island, unlike in the North, you can swim in the ocean even in winter.) We'll meet at a hostel in the small town of Los Gigantes in the south of Tenerife. For those arriving in the morning, an added bonus will be either a sea walk with dolphin watching, or (for the more experienced) a warm-up dizzying Skywalk Trail - a narrow, extra-lively trail over the steeps above the ocean.
Before climbing to Teide we need to acclimatize and warm up, so we will start our Tenerife adventure at Masca Gorge. A day trekking through the most beautiful gorge on the island with a descent to the ocean with a dip in the Atlantic (on a pirate beach) and back. Dinner at a fish restaurant. Overnight in a hostel in Los Gigantes.
Total distance: 9 km. Altitude difference: 1200 m (600 m downhill and 600 m uphill). Walking time: about 8 hours.
Along the mountain serpentine we move 1,500 meters up and closer to the center of the island. First the village of Vilaflor, the highest settlement in Tenerife, famous for its ancient huge pine trees, and then the 10-kilometer trek to the so-called "Moonscape" awaits us. Overnight in the mountains in tents.
Total distance: 7 km. Difference in elevation: 600 m. Walking time: about 3 hours.
We will start our morning in the pine forest with a cup of coffee. After breakfast we will start climbing higher to the edge of the main volcanic caldera of Las Cañadas Island. From the pass where we will spend the night (2400 m) we finally have a stunning view of Volcan Teide, the main object of our desires and hopes on this trip. On the other side of the saddle we will see the ocean and, weather permitting, the neighboring Canary Islands. At the top we will drop our backpacks and walk along the ridge of the caldera lightweight.
Total distance: 5 km. Height difference: 560 m. Walking time: about 2.5 hours.
It's time to go down to the caldera (about 2,000 meters above sea level) and walk through the "Martian" lava fields. We'll have a small picnic in the shade of the legendary de Garcia Rocks. After a snack, the bus will take us to the northern part of the caldera, where we will begin our ascent of Teide past the famous "eggs of Teide." Overnight stay at the Altavista shelter near the summit (due to the pandemic the shelter was closed and is still not open, so we sleep (depending on the weather) either below the shelter in tents or near the shelter in a small emergence hut).
Total distance: 15 km (6.2 km before lunch and 8.7 km after). Difference in elevation: 200 m downhill before lunch and 940 m uphill after). Walking time: about 8 hours.
This is the most physically demanding, but most beautiful day of our hike in Tenerife. We leave the Altavista shelter while it's still dark. The ascent to Teide Peak follows a winding path among the blocks of frozen lava, warming our hands with the steam rising from the depths of the long-dormant but still-living volcano. You can already feel the altitude here. We will reach the top at dawn, with a 360 degree view not only of the island but also (on a clear day) of the entire west side of the Canary archipelago. We'll take amazing photos and, when it's dawn, we'll walk around.
According to the physical condition and preferences of the group we will either go straight down to the caldera (using the elevator) and rest, or we will make one more day trip down the slopes of Pico Viejo, the older volcano behind Teide, for about 8 kilometers with 1 kilometer altitude difference.
Going to the north of the island to rest. Transfer to the hostel in the mountain range of Anaga.
Total distance: 12.3 km (2.3 km of ascent to the summit and 10 km of descent through Pico Viejo). Difference in elevation: 420 m to the summit and 1,700 m of descent through Pico Viejo. Walking time: about 7 hours.
The day after the ascent we will relax by the ocean in Anaga Nature Park, walking along the black sand surfers' beaches and small villages that remember Columbus. We swim and eat fresh fish and learn a lot of interesting things about the indigenous people of the island, the Guanches and their way of life. We return to the hostel for the night. The hike around Tenerife is comfortable and varied: from the summit of Teide to the ocean in a day.
We will travel with backpacks from Benijo Beach through the green misty mountains and laurel forests of Anaga to the village of Chamorga along the ocean, climbing higher and higher. Lunch of goat stew at a local restaurant and a visit to the lighthouse. Overnight in tents with an unreal view of the Roque de Dentro or in a half-cave (depending on the weather).
Total distance: 8,4 km. Difference in elevation: 620 m. Walking time: about 6 hours.
We continue our trek through Anaga. The trail winds along the oceanfront past tiny, semi-abandoned villages founded by conquistadors in the 15th century and legendary dragon trees. We'll have lunch at Playa Las Breñas beach and end our day watching the sunset at Playa de Benijo beach. We move overnight to a hostel in Icod de los Vinos, on the opposite side of the island.
Total distance: 8.1 km. Difference in elevation: 260 m. Walking time: about 6 hours.
On the penultimate day we will visit the southwestern part of the island to tour one of the largest lava tubes in the world, the Cave of the Winds, and learn more about volcanology from local geologists.
Afterwards we will have a farewell barbecue on the volcanic rocks at an extremely picturesque spot in the Arenas Negras pine forest.
For the night we will return to the hostel in Icod de los Vinos.
Today is the last day of our Tenerife adventure and the end of the program. We'll have breakfast together, and then those who don't leave in the morning can enjoy a trip together to the island's capital, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and a stroll through the city.
A manager will advise you on equipment, help you find the best flight, and share hotel information. You make your own payments and purchases. If you want the manager to buy the ticket for you, it's possible, but for extra money, because it's a big responsibility. More in the article: extras and service fees.
According to the weather conditions, condition and general wishes of the group, the guide has the right to make changes to the itinerary.
To visit Spain the citizens of Ukraine must have a biometric passport. Period of validity of the passport must be not less than 6 months after the end of the trip.
To participate in the tour you must not have any diseases from this list.
* Important: Please note that the Spanish government is very careful about the safety of visitors to the Teide National Park, avoiding all risks. Therefore, if there is snowfall or strong winds, the access to the summit of Teide and the cable car may be closed. In this case, we will change the program and continue the hike around the caldera to allow you to enjoy the surroundings of the volcano as much as possible, or postpone the ascent to another day.
As always, we recommend that you buy your tickets in advance. You should buy tickets only after we confirm your participation in the trip.
You can find our recommendations on flight selection services in this article.
We will stay overnight not only in hostels, but also in tents, and climb to an altitude of 3,718 meters, where most people already experience mild symptoms of mountain sickness - headache and, sometimes, lack of oxygen. If you do not have such experience, to take part in this tour you must be well aware and adequately assess the capabilities of your body and not have serious cardiovascular disease.
Tenerife's climate is extremely mild and pleasant, on the coast the average daily winter temperature is +20°C, but in the mountains the temperature is much lower: about +5°C at the caldera and about 0°C at the peak of Teide (which may feel lower because of the strong wind). Make sure you buy (or rent) and bring enough clothing and equipment to feel comfortable and enjoy the adventure!
What to do if you flew in a few days early, or want to stay after camping for a few more days?
Fresh fish and local subtropical fruits, legendary Canarian potatoes with sauces, goat stew, wine from local grapes growing on volcanic lava. Chestnuts, chorizo, gofio, turon, fresh and smoked goat cheese, local almonds, figs, oranges, tuna, gazpacho, avocados.
This is not a complete list of what we will try on our trip. We believe that food is as integral to getting to know a new place as trekking or climbing the highest local mountain!
In the mountains and on the trek, we will be sampling hot food cooked on a gas burner. Cheeses, sausages and vegetables and goodies from the local farmer's market for snacks. And in the small local villages of Anaga we will try local traditional cuisine - fresh fish, goat stew, Canarian sweets, young wine.
o participate in the program, you need insurance that will cover trekking in Spain. Please do not neglect this point. It has saved some participants thousands of euros. Our recommendations for insurance can be found here: "Insurance for Kuluar Hiker".
The total amount of obligatory expenses, which are not included in the price, will be about 100 euros for food in the cafe (depends on your appetite). But we recommend to have on your card from 200 euros for souvenirs and possible extra expenses.
*Please note: It is not the manager's task to select an individual flight for each participant. The manager gives general recommendations, based on his experience and shares the flights of other participants, so that you can fly together. It's up to the participant to select and purchase his own convenient airfare. However, if you would like a manager to buy your airfare, book your hotel or additional excursions, check out the terms and conditions on the page: additional services.
In order to book a place in the group you need to make an advance payment of 300 euros. We recommend this as early as possible. Methods of payment and conditions of return in case of cancellation or dropping out of the tour here. The rest of the sum is to be returned to the team leader on the first day of the program.
