GOMERA & TENERIFE

Year Round Walking On Spain's Exotic Islands

You will see Mount Teide (3718m) from the plane window. A few days later you’ll be there, walking across the massive crater and staying at the 4 star Parador del Teide. The remainder of the week is spent walking the lower warm coastal and mountain routes. On to La Gomera and more dramatic volcanic island scenery. Hiking from high rocky mountains to cloud forest and banana plantations is an ideal way to see the real Gomera. For walking alone with nature then this is the place to be.

Tenerife is the highest island in the Atlantic, Mount Teide is Spain's highest mountain and the third tallest volcano in the world. Walk in northern Tenerife on the rugged Anaga peninsula - its top covered in dripping ancient 'laurisilva' woodland, descending past fields, villages, then dry cactus strewn valleys to the rocky coast. Walk through a maze of forest trails amongst majestic Canarian pines. More coastal walking passes banana plantations and vineyards in the beautiful Orotava valley to the black sand beach of Bollullo. The northwest has its own mountain range, the ‘Teno’ with views to La Gomera and down to the impossibly located village of Masca. The walking on Mount Teide tops a wonderful week of walking on Tenerife
So rugged is the island of La Gomera that pre telephones, Gomerans developed a language of whistling to communicate from valley to valley. With a little practice you can place an order for an ice cold beer or a gin & tonic ready for your arrival. Just Whistle. La Gomera’s highest point is the Alto de Garajonay at 1,450 metres and there is very little flat land at all due to the deep ravines (barrancos) that cut into the island from the central highlands. You will walk virtually round the island, having gone from a dry, rocky landscape through cultivated terraces and banana plantations, up to the rare laurisilva cloud forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Inn to Inn 15 days	Click here for detailed dossier
Duration: 14 nights/15 days Tour Code: JGT Grade: Moderate - Challenging Day Stages: Minimum 10km, max 20km.	Click here for detailed dossier
SELF-GUIDED Dates 2012	Click here for latest SELF-GUIDED prices
January - December (any day except 17-26 Feb) Tuesday & Friday departures will offer you more flight opportunities than any other day of the week.

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Accommodation

14 nights/15 days - Nights 1 & 2 are at San Cristobal de La Laguna in a 3* Aparthotel in this old town, a World Heritage Site. Rooms are ensuite. Dinner can be taken in town. Nights 3, 4, 6 & 7: Puerto de la Cruz. Our 3* hotel is in the pedestrian centre of this coastal town. All rooms are ensuite. There is a pool on the roof. On Day 5 you leave the bulk of your luggage at reception, take the bus to El Portillo with your day sack and overnight essentials. Night 5: Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide. This 4* hotel provides shampoo, body lotion, hairdryer, etc. Dinner is included in the hotel's elegant dining room. Note: On day 5 & 6 you will need to carry items required for the overnight stay at the Parador. Luggage is not transported. On La Gomera in San Sebastian we stay in a 3* hotel in the centre of town. On the second night we discover that some of the attractive accommodation does not have an official classification. One such place is the converted Canarian style manor house in a beautiful position above Hermigua. Breakfast here is a buffet. In Vallehermoso accommodation is a restored manor house that was built back in 1896. Two nights are spent in Chipude, situated near the top of the island at 1100m. In this village accommodation is a little more simple, however, rooms are en-suite at this family run hotel/restaurant/bar. Two nights in the fishing village of Playa de Santiago in a well appointed apartment on a pedestrian lane close to the beach and restaurants.

An upgrade to a 4* hotel is possible in San Sebastian. The Parador hotel is in a fantastic position above town. Rooms are old Canarian style, there is a good sized pool, fantastic dining room and quality food. Prices on request.

Sherpa Notes

Waymarking
Signposting and waymarking is patchy, need to use walking notes with photos and/or maps of key points.

Accommodation and Meals
On Tenerife 2 nights in 3* apartment hotel in San Cristobal de la Laguna, 4 nights in 3* hotel in Puerto de la Cruz and 1 night in the 4* Parador de Las Canadas del Teide. On La Gomera nights 1 & 7 are in a 3* hotel in San Sebastian. In Vallehermoso accommodation is a restored manor house. 2 nights in Chipude where rooms are a little more simple. 2 nights in Playa de Santiago in a well appointed apartment. All rooms have ensuite facilities. Bed & breakfast throughout, 3 evening meal and 1 picnic lunch.

Travel
via Air: Charter flights are available on most days to Tenerife South from Gatwick. Flights from regional airports available.
NB: More charter flights available on Tuesdays & Fridays.
From the airport take the bus to Santa Cruz and taxi to La Laguna (approx 1½ hour, € 25).
On day 3 a taxi is used to take you to the start of the days walk and deliver your bags to the hotel in Puerto de la Cruz. The cost of this taxi is not included in the tour price and you will be required to pay 60 Euros to the hotel on your arrival in Puerto de la Cruz.
To La Gomera by bus/taxi to port of Los Cristianos then ferry (35 or 75mins) (approx €19-28 single). Your hotel in San Sabastion is only a short taxi journey or 15 min walk from the ferry. The tour ends in San Sebastian.

Regional airports available.

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