Tenerife Jeep Safaris - a great way to explore the island!

What better way to explore the island than on one of the Jeep Safaris! They're not as exhausting as walking or cycling, yet, in an open-topped jeep, you get to appreciate the open air, plus, unlike the tour buses, they can go off road!

There are two companies offering these jeep safaris, that I know of. Here is a selection of the ones available.

Teide/Masca

Setting off from Las Americas, this tour explores Tenerife's most popular national park, Las Cañadas del Teide, passing through many small villages in the area. Noteworthy is the visit to Vilaflor, the highest municipal region in the whole of Spain.

Vilaflor
Photo: Jens Steckert

On reaching Mount Teide, you may take in the views and the guide will tell you all about the history and evolution of the area.

Next, after descending from the mountain to Santiago del Teide, the tour visits "Chinyero", a typical Canarian restaurant for lunch (the cost of this is not included in the tour price).

Next comes a stop at the famous "hidden" village of Masca, where you have 30 minutes to explore.

Return to your resort is via Guia de Isora, with its panoramic views of the west coast.

It is advisable to take some warm clothing with you, as the temperature up Teide can be quite chilly. As the jeeps are open to the sun, a hat would be advisable, too.

Pick-up times are between 8am and 9pm, depending on the location of your accommodation. The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

Rough price guide: Adult 43 euros (£38.30) Child: 12.50 euros (£11.13)

Yes, this is the road into Masca!
Photo: Jens Steckert

Half Day Teide

For those of you who don't want to spend a whole day on a jeep safari, this half-day tour covers similar ground to the previous one, but just lasts for the morning.

Rough price guide: Adult: 35 euros (£31.35) Child: 17.50 (£15.23)

Masca Tour

According to their website, this north island tour departs from Puerto de la Cruz. There may be a similar departure from the southern resorts, but I'm not sure.

The tour takes in not only the "lost village" of Masca, but several other quaint small villages, all famous in their own right.

Departing at around 9am, the tour heads for Guia de Isora, eventually stopping at Santiago del Teide. There, you have the opportunity for some sightseeing and also visit a bodega to sample some local wines and cheeses.

From there, it is on to Masca, until recently a "lost village", where you can marvel at the ancient houses built unbelievably on the rock face of the unforgiving terrain.

There is a stop-off for lunch in the village of El Tanque.

After that, passing through Buenavista del Norte, the tour arrives at Los Silos, another picturesque village, ripe for sightseeing.

There an opportunity for a camel ride mentioned on the website, but I'm not sure whereabouts in the itinerary it happens!

You are eventually returned to your accommodation by about 5pm.

Rough guide to price: Adult: 42 euros (£37.62) Child: 21 euros (£18.81)

Jeep Safari Gomera

Yes, you read that right! There is a jeep safari that takes you to the neighbouring Canary Island of La Gomera!

You are picked up from your hotel, any time between 7 and 8am (you'll be told when you book). The fleet of jeeps descend on Los Cristianos harbour and board one of the Fred Olsen express ferries. The journey takes some 90 minutes, during which you can relax on deck and admire the views.

Photo: Oliver Raupach

You land at the island's capital, San Sebastian and then the tour proper begins.

La Gomera - much, much less touristy than Tenerife - has dramatic, beautiful countryside, plus the Garajonay National Park.

Garajonay forest (Photo: Thorsten Bachner)

Initially travelling south, the tour visits the monument of Sagrado Corazón, overlooking the capital, then on to the Garajonay Park, with its beautiful forest, rocky outcrops and freshwater springs. There is also the famous Roque de Agando volcanic chimney.

The tour continues through this amazing landscape, passing quaint, picturesque villages, eventually reaching the Mirador de Igualero and the village of Chipude. There will be a stop for a drink and you'll be treated to a demonstration of the unique whistling language of La Gomera, "el silbo". Found nowhere else in the world, this weird and wonderful communication device enabled Gomerans to send messages over extremely long distances.

The tour then moves on, passing through Las Hayes and La Laguna Grande, then goes off-road for a time.

On reaching Las Rosas, there is a stop for lunch. You will be able to partake of a meal of barbecue chicken, Canarian potatoes, salad and bread, plus a choice of wine or water. Vegetarians can be catered for, if you inform the tour operator at the time of booking. The cost of this meal is not included in the tour price.

You'll then continue on to a local beauty spot, Hermigua, with the dramatic Roque de San Pedro as a backdrop. Here, you can explore the gardens with their palm groves and extensive banana plantations.

You then are taken back to San Sebastian, where you are given a bit of time for exploring this historical town.

Eventually, you return to the harbour and board the ferry home.

This tour occurs daily, all year round and lasts about 11 hours.

Rough price guide: Adult: £77 Child: £39

Roque de Agando (Photo: Pinzonazul)

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