Walking The Island Of La Palma
Spain
Summary
The entire island of La Palma (known as the Pretty Isle) was
classed as a Biosphere Reserve back in 2002, and is home to over
900 endemic species. This walking trip takes in the incredibly
diverse scenery of the island taking advantage of the islands well
waymarked paths. Days range from dramatic coastal hikes and
walks through the lush National Parks before culminating in
arguably the most classic walk on La Palma; La Ruta de los
Volcanes.
16
8 DAYS
8 DAYS
TSK
MIN AGE
FLIGHT INC.
LAND ONLY
TRIP CODE
At a glance
5 days point‐to‐point walking
Altitude max 2426m, average 800m
Group normally 6 to 16, plus local
leader. Min age 16yrs
7 nights accommodation in hotels and
apart hotels
All breakfast, 5 lunches and all dinners
included
Highlights
Fantastic walking across dramatic
volcanic terrain
Spectacular views reaching as far as
Mount Teide on Tenerife
Local delacies such as miel de palma
(palm honey)
The famous 'Ruta de los Volcanes'
Free airport transfers for any flight
Spain • Walking The Island Of La Palma
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All ascents, descents and distances listed below have been
measured by our local partners or tour leaders. Please note that
different GPS measuring devices can give differing results
dependent on the barometric pressures at the time.
Measurements stated throughout these trips notes are given to
help you understand the types of terrain and distances you will
encounter.
The entries in bold at the end of each day indicate the meals
included.
Day 1 ‐ Arrival in Santa Cruz
After arrival at the airport we take a 10 minute private transfer
to the hotel in Santa Cruz, the islands capital. Please note that if
you are arriving on a Sunday many of the shops will be closed but
the restaurants, cafes, the church, and other sights remain open.
The local leader will give an evening briefing before dinner.
Overnight Hotel El Galéon (Dinner)
Activity level 4 ‐ Moderate/Challenging
Day 2 ‐ Hike through Laurel Forest to Barlovento
Please see the introductory pages of the trekking holidays
brochure, or our website for more important information on
classification and grading.
After breakfast we transfer (approx. 40mins) to the starting point
of our hike in the lush north‐east of La Palma.The walk begins in
the town of Los Sauces with a short but steep climb up some 500
or so steps to a viewpoint, 'Mirador de Las Barandas' offering
views down to the densely forested ravine of Los Tilos. From here
the trail undulates through laurel forest, and we walk through
prehistoric vegetation until the path emerges at Laguna de
Barlovento, a manmade reservoir above Barlovento, where our
next hotel is located.
This is an 8 day walking holiday based out of three different
hotels with daily transfers to the walk start/end points. The
transfers are not far in terms of distance but the roads are steep
and windy in parts; the longest transfers are the return from
Roque de Los Muchachos on day 4 and the transfer to Los Brecitos
to being the walk on day 6. Average altitude is 800m, maximum
is 2426m on day 6 (the Caldera de Taburiente walk).
The walks on this trip vary between moderate and challenging
and each day involves a fair amount of ascent and descent (for
more details please see the daily itinerary). The trip requires a
reasonable amount of fitness, ideally with previous trekking
experience. The most challenging walks of the week are on days
6 and 7.
The terrain and type of path will vary but many of them can be
rocky and steep, especially on the gorge walks on days 4 and 6.
Good quality walking boots and poles are highly recommended
for the type of walking you will be doing. All of the paths walked
are approved and monitored by the Federación Española de
Montañismo and are well signed.
Due to the nature of some of the walks we would not particularly
recommend this trip to anyone who suffers from severe vertigo.
Some of the walks traverse steep‐sided slopes on relatively
narrow paths cut into the hillsides (particularly the morning of
the Caldera de Taburiente National Park walk on day 6). There is
also a section of the walk around the caldera rim on day 4 that
may not be suitable for vertigo sufferers.
You may find our Fitness Training Guide a useful reference:
http://www.exodus.co.uk/assets/pdf/Exodus_WT_Fitness_Traini
ng_Guide.pdf
Distance approx. 12km (7.5mi) / 4hrs walking, 750m ascent,
350m descent
Overnight Hotel La Palma Romantica (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 3 ‐ Trek along steep coastline to Barlovento
After a 20 minute transfer this morning, we will walk north along
the dramatic coastline towards Barlovento. The hike along the
steep coastline with deep gorges abd breathtaking views over the
ocean, and passes Dragon Tree populations and picturesque
villages. On arrival in Barlovento we can visit a local bar for a
drink, before walking back to our hotel for dinner.
Distance approx. 11km (7 miles) / 5 hours walking, ascent 900m,
descent 700m
Overnight Hotel La Palma Romantica (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4 ‐ Transfer to Pico de la Nieve; trek the Caldera rim
Today we trek to the highest point on the island! After a transfer
(1hr) to Pico de la Nieve at an elevation of approx. 2239m, we
begin the spectacular hike around the caldera rim, one of the
largest craters in the world. The beautiful
Spain • Walking The Island Of La Palma
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subalpine landscape combined with sweeping views over La
Palma and towards the neighbouring Canary Islands make this
walk an unforgettable experience! Although it cannot be
guaranteed, this trek is above the usual cloud level and on a
clear day it is possible to see as far as Mount Teide on Tenerife.
neighbouring gorge which we follow for the rest of the afternoon.
After the walk, transfer back to Los Cancajos.
There are glimpses into the caldera and of colourful red and
yellow rock surfaces on the colossal caldera sides. Continuing on
past Pico de la Cruz, we walk right by some of the world's most
powerful telescopes and observatories to finish at Roque de Los
Muchachos, at 2426m, the top of La Palma. Our bus will pick us
up from here for the 1hr 30 min transfer to our final base in Los
Cancajos.
Overnight Apartamentos La Caleta (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Distance approx. 15km (9.3mi) / 5hrs 30 ‐ 6hrs walking, ascent
1000m descent 490m (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Distance approx. 21km (13.6mi) / approx. 6 hours, ascent 144m,
descent 950m
Day 7 ‐ Ruta de Los Volcanes
Today we walk arguably the most classic and scenic trek La Palma
has to offer; La Ruta de Los Volcanes. After a transfer (30 mins)
to Refugio del Pilar the trail begins, walking across the youngest
part of the island with countless volcanic craters along the path
down to Fuencaliente. Lava landscapes and Canary pine forests
make for unique scenery throughout the walk. Transfer back to
Los Cancajos.
Day 5 ‐ Free day.
Today is a free day and there are numerous activities nearby you
can enjoy, ranging from a boat trip in search of dolphins and
whales (seasonal/weather dependant), a massage, or diving
trips. It is also possible to take advantage of La Palma's famously
clear skies on a stargazing trip after dinner (subject to availability
and weather conditions). Alternatively you could spend the day
discovering the old town of Santa Cruz, or relaxing on the nearby
black sand volcanic beach or by the pool within the apartment
complex.
Distance approx. 20km (12.6mi) / approx. 6 hours 30 mins,
ascent 780m, descent 1470m
Overnight Apartamentos La Caleta (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 8 ‐ Finish Los Cancajos
After breakfast you have the majority of the day to relax or
explore Cancajos at your own pace before transfering to Santa
Cruz de La Palma for your flight back. (Breakfast)
Overnight Apartamentos La Caleta (Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 6 ‐ Caldera de Taburiente N.P
After a transfer (1hr 30) up a windy road to Los Brecitos at an
elevation of 1050m we begin a magnificent journey through the
National Park, with its endemic flora. There is an initial gradual
descent (1.5‐2hrs) on a trail cut into the steep gorge sides, which
winds through pine forest all the way down to the ever running
River Taburiente. The rocks along the river banks make for a
perfect perch for a picnic lunch and there's also time to visit the
small information centre here which houses a model of the
caldera. After lunch we cross the river and have a short uphill
climb before dropping down into a spectacular
7 nights are spent in a mixture of 3‐star hotels and apart‐hotels.
El Galeon is located within walking distance to the pretty capital
Santa Cruz. Hotel Palma de la Romantica is 1km from Barlovento,
in the north of La Palma. Views from your balcony or terrace will
be over the mountains or ocean, and the hotel comes with an
inside and an outside pool and spa. La Caleta is an apartment‐
style hotel located in the seaside town of Los Cancajos and is set
just behind the rocky seafront and has a dramatic cliff backdrop
in the distance. All rooms have a balcony or terrace and there is
a large outdoor swimming pool in the centre of the complex. The
resort is approximately a 5 minute walk to a black sand beach
Spain • Walking The Island Of La Palma
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and is located close to a small strip of bars and restaurants where
you will generally take your evening meals. All hotels have en
suite rooms and come with free WiFi. Please note that in the
apart‐hotel the rooms will be cleaned every two days.
Please be aware that the availability of accommodation in La
Palma is limited, so the hotels and apart‐hotels listed above are
subject to change.
Single Accommodation
We can arrange single rooms throughout the trip for a
supplement (subject to availability) from £150. Please ask your
sales consultant for details.
Extra Accommodation
Extra accommodation can be arranged in Los Cancajos or Santa
Cruz de La Palma, subject to availability. Please ask your sales
consultant for details.
Food
All breakfasts, 5 lunches and all dinners included.
Breakfasts are generally a simple buffet affair at your hotel,
usually including a selection of bread, jam, pastries and cold
meats and cheese. Lunches will be a picnic prepared by the
hotel, usually consisting of bread, meat & cheese, with nuts,
fruits, chocolate and water.
Dinners are taken from a set menu at a local restaurant or at
your hotel and offer a variety of mouthwatering local specialities
and international cuisine.
Transport
Depending on the group size we will use a small or large minivan
for the transfers. On one of the days (day 3) public transport will
be used to travel back to the hotel after the walk.
La Palma enjoys a relatively balanced climate year round due to
the trade winds that affect all of the Canary Islands. These winds
from the north east carry moisture and can mean that two
different sides of the island can be experiencing completely
different weather patterns simultaneously. The winds provide a
lovely natural cooling system which is perfect for hiking. However
you should be prepared for rain at any time, La Palma is a lush,
green island and the weather systems can be quite
unpredictable. We offer this trip year round, but please be aware
that there can be significant increases in temperature in July and
August and this may lead to cancellation of some walking days if
the weather is too hot. The best time to trek is from October to
May, when the island is a little cooler.
8 days, normally depart London Sun, return Sun
Itinerary Start
The group flight from London is a daytime flight departing on Day
1 of the itinerary.
Flights from London
We normally use the scheduled services of Thomson Airways
(depending on availability). As flight timings and schedules
change regularly we recommend you call one of our specialist
sales staff or your agent to confirm up‐to‐date timings. Please
note timings may change at a later date and cannot be confirmed
until approximately two weeks before departure.
UK Regional Flights
The Flight Inclusive price is based on a London departure, but we
are happy to tailor this to your local or regional airport. Please
visit www.exodus.co.uk/regionaldepartures for a useful overview
of the options available, and contact our sales team for expert
advice.
Spain • Walking The Island Of La Palma
If booking regional flights other than with Exodus, you must allow
a minimum connecting time (in addition to the international
check in time) of 1 hour at Gatwick, and 1½ hours at Heathrow;
this is longer than the official minimum, but baggage handling is
known to be subject to delays.
Free Transfers
Exodus offers free airport arrival and departure transfers on any
flight for this trip: please see the Free Transfers section below for
more details.
8 days, normally start Santa Cruz de la Palma Sun, end Los
Cancajos Sun
Itinerary Start
Your trip normally starts at our accommodation in Santa Cruz de
la Palma in the of Day 1 of the itinerary. Details of how to reach
the start point are provided in the Final Joining Instructions ‐ sent
approximately two weeks before departure.
Free Transfers
Exodus offers FREE airport arrival and departure transfers on any
flight for this trip, so no matter which flight you choose to arrive
on you will be met and transferred to your hotel. All those taking
advantage of the free airport transfers must provide full flight
details for both arrival and departure in advance; unless
specified otherwise, the transfer will be to the Exodus start (or
pre‐tour) hotel; transfers to other hotels in the same city may
attract an extra charge; transfers may be shared with other
Exodus customers on the same flight, or on a flight with similar
arrival times.
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers will
be sent to you as part of our Final Joining Instructions. If you do
not receive these at least a week before departure, or require
them earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
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Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing
income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to
protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to
responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan
and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company.
On this trip you will use some public transport to minimise your
carbon footprint. La Palma is one of the quietest of the Canary
Islands so you are benefitting an area which is generally not
overwhelmed with tourism. On day 6 the walk is within the
Taburiente National Park, the fees for visiting which help to
support the park and the protection of the endemic species found
there.
We stay in the family‐run hotels and much of the food is
homemade using locally produced and sourced goods. The hotels
have installed solar panels which provide hot water for all rooms
all year round. By employing local staff and using local produce,
they maintain their commitment to responsible tourism. Your
tour leader will select a variety of local restaurants for dinners
and often will suggest visiting a local bar for a drink at the end of
the walks ‐ this helps to spread the income from tourism
throughout the community.
For full details of our Responsible Tourism Policy please visit:
www.exodus.co.uk/responsible‐travel
Passports and Visas
All nationalities require a full passport that must be valid beyond
the intended length of stay. It is your responsibility to have the
correct personal documents and to obtain your own visa, if one is
necessary, in accordance with the regulations of the country you
are to visit. The information offered below is to help you with
that process. We are not responsible for the actions of local
immigration and customs officials, whether at points of entry or
otherwise, and any subsequent effects.
Spain • Walking The Island Of La Palma
No visa required for British passport holders.
Visa regulations can change without notice: please check the
current regulations in good time to obtain a visa if one is
required.
Vaccinations and Health
Travel health can often be something people forget about before
going away, but a little preparation and knowledge can go a long
way to help you stay fit and healthy while abroad.
There are no specific health risks on this trip.
The above information can change at short notice; as we are not
qualified to answer all your questions about travel health we
strongly recommend you contact your Medical Professional or a
Travel Health Clinic at least 8 weeks prior to departure for up‐to‐
date information.
Insurance ‐ are you adequately covered?
You must have adequate travel insurance, and if you are joining
a trip which goes to high altitude, you must check that you are
covered up to the maximum altitude of the trip. If you are
resident in the UK we strongly recommend Exodus travel
insurance, which is specifically designed to cover all activities on
your trip.
Local Time
GMT
Group, Staff and Support
The group will generally be between 4 and 16 people. There will
be a local leader and drivers and local guides where needed.
The minimum age of clients on this trip is 16 years. Please note
that anyone aged under 18 must be accompanied by (and share
accommodation with) a parent or legal guardian.
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Optional Excursions (approximate costs, depending on group
sizes)
On the free day there are a number of optional activities which
can be booked locally. The prices below are a guide and the
activities are always subject to availability and weather
conditions. Please also note that the prices given do not include
the cost of transfers to/from the activities.
Diving €32 per person
Stargazing €25 per person ‐ the stargazing can often get booked
up in advance so if you wish to do it, please ask your leader to
book it at the start of your holiday.
Whale watching €35 per person
Massage €64 per person
Tipping (leader and local staff)
Although optional, a tip for the leader at the end of the trip is
greatly appreciated. The sum you choose to give is entirely
personal, but as a reasonable starting point, we suggest a
contribution from €15‐20 (approx. £15) per person for the
leader. Smaller groups may wish to give a little more per person.
Essential Equipment and Clothing
As well as casual clothes for travel and days off, we recommend
that you bring the following:
Day sack with 30‐40 litres capacity
Water bottle (1‐2 litre)
A good quality waterproof/windproof jacket and waterproof
trousers
Walking boots with good ankle support and a strong sole
A warm fleece or lightweight down jacket
Sun hat, sun cream and sun glasses
Hat and gloves
Walking poles are highly recommended
A sit mat for picnic lunches
Optional items
Swimming costume/trunks
Beach towel
Currency Information
Baggage and Baggage Allowance
The national currency of Spain is the Euro (EUR), with an
exchange rate at the time of publication of approximately 1.2 to
the UK£ and 0.9 to the US$.
At time of writing the standard weight limit for hold baggage on
the recommended international carrier for this trip is 20kg. We
recommend packing only one piece of checked baggage.
ATM availability/Credit Card Acceptance/Travellers cheques
ATMs are available in Santa Cruz, Los Sauces and Barlovento.
Credit cards are generally accepted but it is advisable to have
some cash for more rural areas.
As advice about luggage allowances for both hand and hold
luggage is subject to change, we suggest you check the airline's
website for the latest information prior to your departure.
Extra Expenses and Spending Money
For the meals not included we recommend that you allow €8‐15
for lunch if taken in a café or restaurant. Wine is not included
with dinner, the average price of a bottle is €12.
Don't forget to visit the Community area on our website. You can
view the range of Exodus videos and podcasts, read trip
Spain • Walking The Island Of La Palma
write‐ups which have featured in the national media and take
advantage of some special deals on travel gear and equipment.
In the Community Travel Forum you'll find the Departure Lounge
where you can discuss your trip with fellow travellers before you
depart. When you get back from your holiday remember to
upload your images to the relevant trip page on our website. This
helps other people see what our holidays are really like and you'll
be entered automatically into our monthly photo competition.
To make full use of the Community you'll need to join My Exodus.
It's free, registration is simple and easy, so what are you waiting
for?
http://www.exodus.co.uk/community
In booking this trip you should be confident in your ability to
participate in all activities described in these Trip Notes. If you
have any doubt about your suitability you should call the Exodus
office and ask to speak to one of the experts on this itinerary.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different
capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone's ability to
safely partake in an activity, or their impact on other people's
enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in
some circumstances, may involve asking someone to miss that
activity.
Although rarely enforced, by booking this trip you agree to
section 16 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our
leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances we
will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered
alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided
for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional
costs incurred.
In an emergency, please contact our 24 hour out of hours service
on +44 (0) 844 326 7041.
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Every time that you travel abroad you should take the time to
read the warnings in the essential information in the brochure or
at www.exodus.co.uk/about‐exodus/essential‐information?
Full joining instructions including local emergency numbers, and
details of how to reach the start point, will be sent to you
approximately 2 to 3 weeks prior to departure. If you do not
receive these at least a week before departure, or require them
earlier please contact our office or your travel agent.
The information in these Trip Notes is given in good faith. Where
differences exist between the Trip Notes and our current
brochure or website, the Trip Notes supersede the brochure and
website. All holidays can be subject to unexpected changes; in
order to enjoy them you should be prepared to be flexible where
necessary. Occasionally, as stated in our brochure, it may not be
possible to follow the itinerary as planned. This may be for a
variety of reasons ‐ climatic, political, physical or other. In these
circumstances we will make the best possible alternative
arrangements that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.
As fuel prices, airport taxes and exchange rates fluctuate, and
airlines manage their rates to match demand, it is proving harder
than ever to guarantee our Flight Inclusive prices. Although we
endeavour to keep our website as accurate as possible, daily
fluctuations mean that our Flight Inclusive price may be out of
date. For accurate prices we recommend that you contact one of
our Travel Experts, or your Travel Agent.
The UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice
Service advises British tourists on the potential dangers they
might experience when travelling overseas. We liaise closely with
them and adhere to their travel advice. For up‐to‐date advice on
all countries, please visit www.gov.uk/foreign‐travel‐advice.
Should there be any change to advice prior to or during travel,
we may have to cancel or curtail a tour at short notice, or re‐
route an itinerary part way through.
Prices and exchange rates were correct at the time of
publication. The most up‐to‐date prices can be found on the
Exodus website.
© Exodus Travels Ltd. ATOL 2582/FTO
Spain • Walking The Island Of La Palma
1. Check availability
Go online to check availability, or contact us by phone or email.
2. Secure your place
You can provisionally hold a place on this trip, usually for
between three and seven days.
3. Complete your booking and payment
When you're ready to book, go to www.exodus.co.uk for online
booking, book over the phone or you can complete a booking
form (available online or on request by calling us). We accept all
major credit and debit cards, or you can pay be cheque. Book
with confidence: Exodus is fully licensed and bonded as a tour
operator. We hold Air Traffic Organisers Licence (ATOL) number
2582 issued and bonded with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
We are also bonded to the International Air Transport Association
(IATA) and we are members of the Federation of Tour Operators
(FTO) and ABTA ‐ The Travel Association. This means you can
book your Exodus holiday with confidence, as all monies paid to
us for your trip are fully protected.
Edition No. GE 03 2017
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