Astronomy in the Canary Islands 8 days among volcanoes, observatories and starry skies

On arrival in La Palma, your guide welcomes you before a transfer to Santa Cruz de La Palma, a charming coastal capital with cobbled streets, colourful façades and colonial architecture.

Check in at your hotel for three nights, followed by a briefing introducing the holiday programme, astronomical activities and planned hikes.

In the evening, dinner at a local restaurant.

Meals: dinner.

Your first full day is devoted to La Palma’s recent volcanic history. Discover the Tajogaite area, shaped by the 2021 eruption, and see how profoundly the landscape has changed.

Continue through the lava fields along the new road built after the eruption, then visit the Caños de Fuego centre, which focuses particularly on the 1949 eruption of the San Juan volcano.

The route continues south to the San Antonio crater and the landscapes of Teneguía, one of the island’s most recent volcanoes.

After dinner, your first stargazing session beneath La Palma’s skies.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Ascend to La Palma’s highest point to discover the Roque de Los Muchachos Observatory, one of the major international astronomical research centres.

The visit provides insight into the scientific activities carried out here and the role of the large telescopes installed at this exceptional site.

Then visit the viewpoints at Roque de Los Muchachos overlooking the Caldera de Taburiente, before a short hike along the ridges to observe the flora and high-mountain landscapes.

At the end of the day, enjoy the sunset followed by another astronomical observation session.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

In the morning, a guided walking tour of Santa Cruz de La Palma to discover its historic streets, landmark buildings and island atmosphere.

Then transfer to the airport for an inter-island flight to Tenerife. On arrival, drive to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Teide National Park.

As you ascend, the vegetation and scenery gradually change until you reach the vast volcanic expanses of the high mountains.

Check in for three nights in the national park area. After dinner, an evening observing Tenerife’s starry skies.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A day devoted to Mount Teide. Subject to conditions, permits and cable car operation, ascend to high altitude to approach the summit and discover the park’s most spectacular landscapes.

The hike lets you observe volcanic formations, fumaroles and the ways life adapts to a high-mountain environment.

After descending, drive to Vilaflor, Tenerife’s highest village, for a meal and wine tasting at a local vineyard.

Before returning, stop at Pino Gordo, one of the island’s iconic large Canary Island pines. Another evening beneath the stars.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After breakfast, visit the high-altitude Teide Observatory. Discover its facilities and the research activities carried out on site.

Depending on the planned visit programme, use telescopes to observe solar activity and gain a better understanding of the astronomers’ work.

In the afternoon, hike through the western part of Teide’s caldera, among lava flows, rugged terrain, volcanic caves and spectacular colour contrasts.

Your final sunset in the park, followed by another evening observing the sky.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The morning begins with a final walk in Teide National Park around the iconic Roques de García formations.

In the afternoon, drive to San Cristóbal de La Laguna, a historic city listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

After checking in at the hotel, a guided tour of the old town to discover its colonial architecture, squares, historic streets and principal cultural sites.

Free time at the end of the day, followed by a farewell dinner.

Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After breakfast, transfer to Tenerife North Airport for your return flight.

End of this journey among volcanoes, observatories and starry skies.

Meals: breakfast.