Mount Teide Astronomic Tour

Tenerife is so much more than just sun and beaches. The island is also famous for science, its volcanoes and the stars over Mt Teide. 

On this Astronomic Tour of Teide which includes a guided visit of the Teide Observatory in the afternoon. Here, you will have the opportunity to explore the facilities and, if weather conditions are favourable, participate in a solar observation session. 

Next, you will head to the cable car base station (Please note that you will not be using the cable car at any time during this tour) which is approximately 30 minutes away by bus. Upon arrival at the cable car base station, you will have around 25 minutes to enjoy your picnic. You can enjoy the food included in the package or the food you have brought with you depending on the option chosen.

Once it's nighttime, enjoy a stargazing experience using long-range telescopes at 2,356 m, under the clear and pure sky of the Teide National Park, the most visited national park in Europe.

The Canary Islands are one of the three best spots on Earth to observe the sky. The other two spots, just for curiosity’s sake, are Chile and Hawaii. This is why we are fortunate to have the most important solar observatory here in Tenerife. 

As part of the tour you can expect:

• Be introduced to the importance of the sky in the Canary Islands, the Teide Observatory telescopes and the different projects of the Canary Islands Institute of Astrophysics, also known as IAC. 
• Participate in the most interesting astrophysics workshop, held in the Teide Observatory visitors centre, shared with you by our Starlight guides, where we explain what astrophysics is and how the astrophysicists in this centre conduct their research. 
• Enjoy the sun like never before whilst observing sunspots and solar flares through two solar telescopes that we make available to you. 
• Visit the inside of a nocturnal telescope and don’t leave until you know how it functions and learn about its exciting history. 
• A stargazing experience on Mount Teide to unravel the mysteries of the starry sky and where it is possible to observe 83 of the 88 officially recognised constellations, due to it being away from the light pollution produced by the urban areas of the island.  
• Discover planets, galaxies and clusters like you never would have imagined, thanks to our professional, last-generation long-range telescopes, which you have at your disposal to go through the most interesting celestial objects of every night, visible from Mount Teide. 

We also allow for a meal stop during the tour where you can choose whether to bring your own food or buy our optional picnic.

Optional Sample Picnic Menu (subject to change)

Cured Meat Picnic:

• Water or soft drink
• Sandwich: cured meat and cheese
• Sweet treat

Vegetarian picnic:

• Water or soft drink
• Veggie sandwich
• Sweet treat

Departure Location:

• Round-trip transportation from a meeting point near your hotel*.

Departs:

• Wednesdays & Saturdays

Start Times:

• Between 2.15 pm and 4.30 pm depending on the sunset time*.

Duration:

• Approx 8 hours 

*Exact pick up location and start time will be advised once your reservation has been confirmed.