At Alexandra Tour we are constantly thinking of ways to improve our clients' vacations in the Canary Islands. Therefore, we offer you a wide variety of day trips to the most exuberant corners of the archipelago. On this occasion, the island of La Palma, known by the nickname of "La Isla Bonita", will more than fulfill the idea of a natural paradise that many wish to inhabit. We invite you to discover the most important places of the island where, nature in all its magnitude awaits your presence. You can witness the dynamic of seduction of the waves with the cliffs, the breeze between the perfumed eucalyptus leaves ... however, it will not be enough for you to witness the natural phenomena, you will feel them in your skin thanks to the warm volcanic sand in your fingers, the humidity of the mountain and the seashore of the coast. Put all your senses alert to catch each stimulus and take them as the best souvenir back home. We assure you that it will be an unforgettable experience!
Day 1
The starting point of our adventure is Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Alexandra Tour offers a shuttle service from the accommodation to the capital, if necessary, for an extra price. We will start taking the boat immediately towards Santa Cruz de La Palma. Upon disembarking you will be able to admire the beautiful panoramic views of the Risco de La Concepción, recently declared a Natural Monument. At its top, 400 meters high, is the chapel that houses the Virgin of La Concepción, and a viewpoint from which you can see the city in its fullness.
The next stop will be the Royal Insular Shrine of Our Lady of Las Nieves, patron saint of the island. Its 16th century altar is an impressive work of art, with elements covered in ancient silver and gold. In addition, we will find ourselves before the oldest Marian image of the Canary Islands, which, by the style of carving, dates from the 14th century. The Benahoarita aborigines were the fortunate ones who found this sculpture on the coast, probably as a result of the shipwreck of some ship.
Leaving behind the city, we enter the heart of La Palma with the aim of discovering the magnificent treasure of the National Park of La Caldera de Taburiente. This immense volcanic crater, formed 400,000 years ago, is covered with a forest that contains all kinds of native flora and fauna: laurisilva, pine, heather or willows are some examples of the plant species that we will find. On the other hand, there live small animals, most birds such as the kestrel or the blackbird, but there are also reptiles, such as lizards and “perenquenes”, or even small frogs. Therefore, La Caldera de Taburiente is a space full of life where there is no lack of water. There are no shortage of natural sources of this precious commodity, which continues its course through ravines and forms waterfalls of great height. This is how this place, declared a World Biosphere Reserve, becomes an essential visit for the nature lover.
To not miss anything, we will visit different parts of the park stopping at their viewpoints. We will start with the Roque de los Muchachos, the highest point of the island. There, in addition to the wonderful panoramic view that its height offers us, we will admire the rock group that gives its name to the most symbolic natural monument of the island. On the other hand, in this area you will find one of the most complete and modern facilities in the world for observing the night and day sky. That’s why La Palma, because of its height and little light pollution is a privileged place for this type of activities, becoming a meeting point for fans of stargazing. If you are interested in knowing the ins and outs of this headquarters of the Astrophysical Institute of the Canary Islands, familiarize yourself with their work and see closely the great main telescope, we recommend you do not miss the visit. The entrance to the observatory is planned for 11:45, time strictly established by the people in charge of the venue.
After this stop we will have time to share our impressions and a delicious lunch in a small restaurant in the municipality of Puntagorda. There, we can taste the typical dishes of the island. Like this, surrounded by almond trees, with wonderful views, we will finish our first day of excursion.
Day 2
Our objective in this second part of the tour is to explore the volcanic nature of the island: we will visit the southern volcanoes and their beautiful surrounding vineyards that undoubtedly will surprise you. In the same way, you will have time to know the traditions, culture and gastronomy of the island. We will start walking through the streets of Los Llanos de Aridane, where we will hear unique stories from local residents. Also, we will visit unique sites such as the picturesque Plaza de la Glorieta, covered with colorful mosaics that constitute a true work of art, or the pottery workshop, where artisans create from their imagination and skill the most original pieces. We will have many things to see in this place and the time will pass very quickly for what we will eat there, in a small local restaurant.
Later we will visit the municipality of Fuencaliente, whose popularity crosses borders due to its exquisite wine production. The area of the vineyards is surrounded by a beautiful rural landscape, where the green fields contrast with the volcanic cones of San Antonio and Teneguía. From the San Antonio volcano we will clearly see the islands of La Gomera and El Hierro. Next, near the volcano we will visit the visitor center where you can enjoy an exhibition dedicated to it. If you wish, you can also watch the documentary about the geological history of the island, even learn how an earthquake meter works. The entrance to this center is not included on the price.
Continuing our journey, not far from there are Las Salinas de Fuencaliente, which covers an area of 37,000 square meters. Here we will witness the process followed to obtain salt from the Atlantic Ocean, with ancestral techniques that have remained almost intact. In addition, this site is also characterized by the heavy transit of migratory birds, so do not forget to look up at the sky to see them. But that is not all! To close the coastal theme, we could not leave without visiting the lighthouse. In this case, it no longer performs its function, but has been converted into a museum and interpretation center of La Palma Marine Reserve.
Later, in the small town of Breña Baja we will go to the Mirador de La Montaña, where impressive views of the coast and the mountains await us. In this magical environment, we will have the opportunity to listen to the tragic legend of the two twin dragos, one of the most deeply rooted myths of local history.
To finish our second day, we will return to the capital and explore its corners. Founded in 1493, the city was the wealthiest on the island, which can be seen in the architectural richness of churches and large houses owned by local nobles. Finally, we will spend some time shopping and resting after which we will go to the port to return to Tenerife.
Accommodation
After the first day of excursion, we will spend the night at the Hacienda de Abajo hotel. Belonging to the noble Sotomayor family, this is one of the oldest and most exclusive hotels on the island. This small but charming place will welcome you in an atmosphere of hospitality and luxury that will be difficult for you to say goodbye. Therefore, your friendly staff will also serve you, with all the attention, all kinds of international and local dishes accompanied by the best wines.
Observations:
- This excursion is planned for a coordinated group of up to 15 people
- Some visits are reserved in advance, so please inform us of any cancellation.
- The observatory is located at an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level, which is why adults and children suffering from respiratory problems, as well as those in advanced age, must take this into account for the proper enjoyment of the visit.
- The price does not include accommodation
- Remember to bring warm clothes, rain jacket and comfortable shoes
