Self-Drive Teide National Park Sunset & Stargazing - No Dinner

Our family had such a...

Our family had such a great night. We drove ourselves and met the tour group at the restaurant. The drive up through the park was absolutely amazing. The sunset with the volcano in the distance was gorgeous and then we drove over to the star gazing location which was insane. We've never seen so many stars and it felt like they were so close. Kieran and the rest of the staff were so knowledgeable and did a great job explaining everything. It was a great experience and would definitely recommend it!

via Viator

Disappointing

This was a very disappointing experience. We met at the appointed time and place not realizing the group would be very large (arriving in an huge tour bus) and the set up of telescopes right along the road. The astronomy explanations were good but there was quite a bit of a wait to see each view and they were really tiny and difficult to see. Would not recommend this tour.The last straw was people smoking when told not to do so.

Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to leave your feedback. We're sorry to hear that the experience didn't meet your expectations. Our self-drive experience joins the same astronomy presentation as our coach tour, so group sizes can vary depending on the evening. We appreciate that some guests prefer a more intimate experience, and we're sorry if the size of the group came as a surprise. We're pleased that you enjoyed the astronomy explanations. As with all telescope observing sessions, each guest has the opportunity to view several celestial objects, and there can be some waiting while everyone takes their turn. The appearance of objects through a telescope can also be quite different from the colourful images often seen online, as those are typically created using long-exposure photography rather than what the human eye sees in real time. Regarding the observing location, Teide National Park has strict regulations governing where organised astronomy activities may take place. We use a private viewing area at the restaurant, which avoids the large crowds often found at the public viewpoints and provides a comfortable base for the evening, although it is still adjacent to the public road. Regarding smoking, smoking is not permitted within Teide National Park except on the designated terraces of restaurants, where it is allowed under the current regulations. We take these rules very seriously and always ensure our guests are aware of them, as the fines for individuals who breach the regulations can be substantial. Protecting and preserving the unique natural environment of the National Park is extremely important to us, and we are committed to ensuring our activities are conducted responsibly and with respect for this exceptional location. Thank you again for your comments. Feedback such as yours helps us continue to review and improve the experience we provide.

via Tripadvisor

An Amazing Stargazing Experience – Self-Drive Option Was the Right Choice

Regardless of which option you book, everyone spends the evening together as one group. My girlfriend and I chose the Self-Drive – No Dinner option, so we joined the larger group of around 30–40 people a little later while they were still having dinner. Unfortunately, the welcome from the guides felt a bit reserved at first. However, once they started explaining the night sky and introducing the telescopes, their enthusiasm really shone through. We were amazed by the stunning starry sky and the carefully selected celestial objects we were able to observe through the telescopes. We would definitely recommend this tour. Most participants had booked the full package, including transportation and dinner, but since we already had a rental car, the self-drive option was the perfect choice for us. In our opinion, the full package would simply have cost us extra time and money without adding much value. If we were to do the tour again, we would even skip the sunset option and watch the sunset on our own from a better location. The view from the restaurant terrace was nice, but certainly not worth the additional cost. One final tip: make sure to bring warm clothing, as it can get quite cold after sunset. The guides do have a few heavy jackets available if needed, but not enough for everyone in the group, so it’s best to come prepared.

via Tripadvisor

Must Book!

The most incredible experience ever! These guys are all so knowledgeable and we had an amazing time looking planets and stars! Thank you .

via Tripadvisor

Best sunset on top of the clouds .

Super experience! We had the best sunset of my life . We were on the top of the cloud enjoying a glass of cava offered by the staff ( the guys were super professional and super friendly ) they took some amazing pics that we had for free at the end of the tour . We headed at a traditional Canarian restaurant ( we had a a charge of 18€ per head bcs we didn’t choose the option with food when we make the reservation tour ) after the 3 course meal and drinks the magic started We looked at the start with some super professional telescopes, listening to the story that Kieran the professional astrological team member was telling about the stars and planets . We had warm jackets and hot chocolate ( the staff know how to take care of us ) I super recommend but keep in mind up there is super super cold so make sure you dress super well . Thank you guys . I had the best experience of my life . Kind regards. Amelia ❤️

via Tripadvisor