Stargazing through a telescope on Teide - self-drive option
About this experience
This is the version for people who have a car on the island and would rather drive up to Teide themselves. You pay only for the observation: sunset, the guide’s commentary and a session at professional telescopes at around 2000 m above sea level. The pin for the meeting point arrives after purchase.
How the evening works
We meet before sunset. The time depends on the season, since the sun goes down far later here in summer than in December. We send the exact details with your ticket after booking, so there is nothing for you to work out.
First you watch the sun set over Teide National Park. Once it is gone we move a little higher, to around 2000 m, and wait for the sky to darken enough for the first stars to appear.
The guide uses a powerful laser to trace specific constellations, the key stars and the way sailors once navigated by them. Then the telescopes come out. Through them you see the surface of the Moon with its large craters (whenever it is visible that night), planets, nebulae, star clusters and double stars. In good conditions the Andromeda galaxy too, and at certain times of year the Milky Way.
Photos are taken on your own phone, held to the telescope eyepiece. A lunar crater on your own screen lands better than someone else’s picture, and you go home with something to show.
Who this is for, and who it is not
It suits anyone with a hire car who would rather not pay for transport, and anyone who likes knowing what they are looking at. Mount Teide is 3718 m high and the highest point in Spain, and the park sits far from town lights, so the sky here looks nothing like the sky above a resort.
If you have no car, or no appetite for driving mountain hairpins at night, choose the version with transport instead. The drive down needs concentration, especially at the end of a long day.
Practical information
The price is 50 euros per person and does not include transport. After purchase you get a pin with the meeting point, and within 24 hours a ticket with the exact time. Keep it on your phone.
Dress warmly. In winter, from December to February, the temperature at this altitude runs between 2 and 10 degrees, and after dark it is colder still. Under 18s can take part only with an adult’s consent. The operator may offer extras on site, such as photos, payable separately. Cancellation is free up to 72 hours before the start, with a 100 percent refund.
If you would rather eat before the observation, there is also a version that includes dinner at a Canarian restaurant.
How the tour goes
Meeting at the pin
You meet at the location we send after purchase. The time depends on the season and on when the sun sets.
Sunset
The evening opens with the sunset over Teide National Park, before the sky begins to darken.
Higher, to 2000 m
After sunset the group moves a little higher, to around 2000 m, where the first stars start to come out.
Constellations and laser
The guide traces constellations and key stars with a laser, explaining how people navigated by the night sky.
Telescope session
Through the telescopes you see the Moon and its craters, planets, nebulae, star clusters and double stars, and in good conditions the Andromeda galaxy.
Phone photography
At the end we take photos on your phone through the eyepiece. At certain times of year the Milky Way can be captured too.
What's included
- watching the sunset in the Teide National Park area
- guide commentary on the constellations using a laser pointer
- stargazing through professional telescopes
- photos through the telescope taken on your own phone
- a pin with the exact meeting point, sent after purchase
Pick-up
This is the self-drive option, so the price does not include transport. We meet in Teide National Park at the Mirador de los Poleos viewpoint. If you would rather be picked up at your hotel, choose the version of the tour with transfers.
Good to know
- this is the self-drive option, the price does not include transport
- the meeting time depends on the season and the time of sunset, exact details follow after booking
- the observation takes place at around 2000 m above sea level
- the Moon is shown only when it is visible that night
- the Milky Way is visible only at certain times of year
- in winter, from December to February, the temperature here is between 2 and 10 degrees
- under 18s can take part only with an adult's consent
- free cancellation up to 72 hours before the start, 100 percent refund
- What to bring: a warm jacket, comfortable, closed shoes, water, a charged phone for photos through the telescope, your ticket in electronic form
FAQ
No, this is the self-drive version, which is why it costs less. After purchase we send a pin with the exact meeting point, and within 24 hours a ticket with the meeting time. If you need hotel pick-up, choose the version of the tour that includes transfers.
The surface of the Moon with its large craters, whenever it is visible that night, plus planets, nebulae, star clusters and double stars. In good conditions the guide also shows the Andromeda galaxy, and at certain times of year the Milky Way.
Yes, and it is part of the programme. The guide holds your phone to the telescope eyepiece so you see the lunar surface on your own screen. At certain times of year the Milky Way can be photographed the same way.
The time depends on the season, because everything is built around sunset. We send the exact details after booking, together with the ticket you receive within 24 hours. Keep it on your phone for the meeting point.
Warm and comfortable clothing. In winter, from December to February, the temperature at this altitude runs between 2 and 10 degrees, and it drops further after dark. Bring a jacket, closed shoes and water, as you spend the evening outdoors, mostly standing.
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