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Guillermo was the perfect guide: good sense of humour, very accommodating, extremely knowledgeable on everything, from natural history through to archaeology, history and culture. Great hotel - good food, nice location, relaxed and very friendly staff & atmosphere.
CA, Aberdeenshire, Feb 24
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Go Slow in Gran Canaria
Tour Code: ESP56A leisurely 8-day holiday focusing on Gran Canaria’s endemic wildlife and impressive archaeological sites.
8 days
from
£1,995 (Inc flights)
£1,995 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£1,695
£1,695
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
This ‘Go Slow’ holiday is based in a very comfortable and peaceful spa hotel situated in the quieter north of the island, just a short walk from the beach. From it we will enjoy, in leisurely fashion, both the island’s endemic wildlife and its cultural highlights which includes Roque Bentagya, a natural rock formation which is at its most impressive at the time of the autumn equinox in September. This area also offers the best chance of seeing the island’s star endemic bird, the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch, as well as wild Canary, Laurel Pigeon, and the local subspecies of Common Chaffinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Add a little wine-tasting, delicious local cuisine, plenty of opportunities in which to make use of the excellent facilities offered by the hotel, and a whale-watching excursion, and this promises to be a relaxed and varied break bathed in warm sunshine.
- Comfortable spa hotel with pool
- Explore the beautiful laurel forest of Unesco World Heritage Site
- Gran Canaria Giant Lizard and endemic flora
- Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch, Canary and Laurel Pigeon
- Chance to dive for any PADI-certified guests
- Short-finned Pilot Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins and other cetacean species
- Cory's Shearwater and Bulwer's Petrel
- Led by expert Gran Canarian naturalist guide + Naturetrek leader
Grading
A
The Canary Islands are remarkable for their wealth of unique plant and animal-life and are a popular holiday destination for those seeking rugged beauty and year-round sunshine. Whilst our long-standing and popular Canary Islands holiday visits Tenerife, La Gomera and Fuerteventura, this new ‘Go Slow’ tour will be our first to the centrally-located, circular island of Gran Canaria. Once an active volcano, Gran Canaria’s highest peak, Pico de Las Nieves, rises into the clear blue Atlantic sky to well over 6,000 feet at its summit, providing fabulous panoramic views all around.
In order to explore this island at a gentle pace, we will be based for the week in a very comfortable and peaceful spa hotel situated in the quieter north of the island, just a short walk from the beach. From it we will enjoy, in leisurely fashion, both the island’s endemic wildlife and its cultural and gastronomic highlights. In the Jardin Canario, Spain’s largest and arguably most impressive botanical garden, we will gain a wonderful introduction to many of the habitats that we will visit during the week, as well as some of the Canary Islands’ 600 endemic plant species. The gardens are also home to African Blue Tit, the local subspecies of Robin, and the impressive Gran Canaria Giant Lizard. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on Gran Canaria covers 40% of the island and stretches from the spectacular mountain tops down to the coast. During our two full days in the reserve, we will search for its wildlife and explore the most interesting pre-hispanic archaeological sites, including Roque Bentagya, a natural rock formation which is at its most impressive at the time of the autumn equinox in September, when we will be visiting. This area also offers the best chance of seeing the island’s star endemic bird, the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch, as well as wild Canary, Laurel Pigeon, and the local subspecies of Common Chaffinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Completing the picture of our week on Gran Canaria will be a little wine-tasting, delicious local cuisine, plenty of opportunities in which to make use of the excellent facilities offered by the hotel, and a whale-watching excursion in search of Short-finned Pilot Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins and other cetacean species, as well as such seabirds as Cory's Shearwater and Bulwer's Petrel.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Gran Canaria; transfer to hotel
Day 2/7
Daily wildlife excursions around Gran Canaria
Day 8
Fly UK
Reviews
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The tour leaders were first class; Guillermo full of enthusiasm & information, Jessica amazed us with her detailed knowledge. I think I said my last Naturetrek tour was best ever, but now I think it was this one. You just get better & better. (And a big thank you for helping me celebrate my 70th birthday in style!)
MR, Devon, Feb 23 -
A small group trip to see flora, fauna, geology and archaeology of Gran Canaria. Weather perfect - 22 to 24 C with blue skies. We drove all over the island and saw a great variety of flora and fauna. The geology was fascinating - will never forget the parador and cauldera it overlooked. Interesting history too. Never new there were historical links with Canary Wharf in London.
F.M. Lanarkshire, Feb 20 -
This was a well-planned and well-run trip. It covered a wide range of habitats and enabled us to see all the hoped-for species, as well as a couple of unexpected wanderers as a bonus. The leaders were excellent and the accommodation first-class. A good group of fellow-travellers also helped to make it a memorable trip. Definitely recommended!
P.S. Ross-shire, Feb 20 -
The holiday was well packed with wonderful sightings of rare birds, hundreds of wildflowers, insects and amphibians but also looking at the underlying geology that formed this amazing island. Two very knowledgeable and caring leaders made it an unforgettable experience. A very comfortable hotel allowed for a relaxing evening ready for the next day's wonders.
M.R. Ross-shire, Feb 20 -
The unexpected variety of Gran Canaria made each day a surprise, and the itinerary of the tour certainly showcased the island's stunning geology and landscapes. The pinnacle of the week, of course, was sighting 6 blue chaffinches! Waxbills were also on cue where I was told to expect them, and we all enjoyed the unexpected sightings of an Abyssinian roller and desert wheatear. The tour guides live and breathe Gran Canaria, and we were all in awe of their knowledge. I was very happy with the high quality of the hotel's facilities and its picturesque, quiet setting in Agaete. The service from the Naturetrek office was also excellent. I feel I have got to know most of the staff through your very approachable and friendly engagement, and I find everyone very efficient in researching options, such as alternative flights, and answering queries promptly.
K.C, Roxburghshire, March 20
Dates & Prices
2024
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 16th Nov – Sat 23rd Nov
SPACES
£1,995
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,695
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£250
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 22nd Feb – Sat 1st Mar
SPACES
£2,295
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£250
Sat 15th Nov – Sat 22nd Nov
SPACES
£2,295
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£250
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
