Guided group walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 2
Moderate
20.0Kg CO2e
Printed route
directions
Led by our expert local walking guide this varied guided walking holiday allows you to discover the breathtaking natural beauty of La Gomera. Short transfers to various locations around the island ensure you will experience the bewitching variety of landscapes on offer in this sub-tropical paradise.
We visit the UNESCO World Heritage National Park of Garajonay, a rare example of the humid sub-tropical forest that covered most of Europe before the arrival of man. From the misty heights of its peak, we will walk through forests and fertile terraces dotted with palms and rugged ravines. We'll follow goat herders' tracks and ancient paths, linking remote villages and hermitages perched above dramatic gorges with spectacular coastal views. La Gomera is also a plant lover's paradise due to its temperate climes; it offers a wide variety of plants and we spot many endemic and sometimes rare species. As we explore the pretty towns and villages en route, we'll stop for refreshing drinks and also include lunch in two restaurants specialising in local cuisine.
Your base is the stunning and tranquil 4 star Parador in the charming capital of San Sebastian. Perched high on the cliff top and surrounded by exotic gardens planted with hibiscus, bougainvillea and palms, the hotel's pool is spectacularly positioned overlooking the sea and the colourful harbour below. It is built in traditional Canarian style with elegantly furnished wooden-beamed rooms with air conditioning and pretty interior patios. Excellent evening meals are served in the hotel, and expect to sample some typical Gomeran specialities.
This varied level 2 holiday includes coastal and gorge walking. Walkers should be sure footed and hiking boots are essential. Those with a fear of heights may have problems with days 4 and 6. In order that you see as much of this varied region as possible, transfers (typically 45-70 minutes) are built into the beginning/end of most walking days.
We meet you at the airport and take you to Los Cristianos. You have free time to eat or drink, walk by the seaside or go to the beach until the ferry departure. We will take care of your luggage.
You stay at Parador de La Gomera.
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Safe
Tea/coffee
The Parador de la Gomera enjoys a stunning position perched on a cliff known as the Lomo de la Horca (Gallows Ridge) above the port of San Sebastian. The hotel is set in subtropical gardens from where you enjoy spectacular views across to Mount Teide on Tenerife looming up out of the sea.
Each of the twin rooms is furnished with 16th century style furniture, with wooden floors, en-suite marble bathrooms, mini-bar, telephones, satellite television and hairdryers. All our rooms overlook either the well-tended patio gardens, or have a balcony overlooking an internal courtyard garden.
Today's walk starts in the impressive surroundings of Los Roques with gigantic lava plugs all around us. We descend through colourful vegetation and Canarian Pine and palm trees to the pretty white cottages of Benchijigua, one of the oldest settlements on the island. A short climb rewards us with stunning views of the Santiago ravine, towered over by the colossal Roque Agando, before we finish our walk in the hamlet of Imada. Ravines and rocks are evidence of the erosion here after two million years without volcanic eruptions, while terraced fields colonise the steep slopes and goat-bells ring in the distance.
A UNESCO World Heritage National Park since 1986, the ancient laurel forest of the Garajonay National Park is a magical green oasis. Today's walk descends gently through the high-humidity forest, alive with flora and fauna including wax myrtle, Canary laurel, blue tits and Bolle's pigeons; our expert local guide will share their knowledge with us. We follow one of the few streams on the island which flows all year round, down towards the hamlet of El Cedro where we stop for lunch in a local restaurant, dining on watercress soup, gofio, almogrote and goats' cheese, before continuing our walk through the forest.
Starting in Arure with its patchwork of green and gold terraces, the ground opens dramatically on both sides. There are spectacular views from the ridge over the most emblematic valley on the island - Valle Gran Rey - to the left, and over Taguluche village far down to the right. We continue our walk, passing goat farms, until an abandoned canal leads us to a terraced plateau which is deserted apart from some ruined houses. We walk down to La Calera where locals grow bananas, mangos and avocados in abundance. It's time for a refreshing swim in the ocean and a relaxing drink.
Today you could explore the pretty harbour and old quarter of San Sebastian, which dates back 500 years to the Conquest of the Americas. Here you can see Columbus' house, the Church of the Incarnation and Columbus' well, where water supplies were taken for his final voyage. It's also market day here today. Or maybe just relax in the hotel's beautiful gardens by the pool.
This walk reveals the very best of the island with verdant gorges, dramatic coastline, and magnificent views. From bustling Vallehermoso in the fertile north west, we ascend a lush ravine to the Santa Clara chapel for a picnic lunch. A stunning coastal walk and a beautiful descent with a commanding view of lofty Roque Cano, returns us to Vallehermoso.
Today, a short and spectacular climb to the Garajonay peak, in the centre of the UNESCO World Heritage National Park, rewards us with breathtaking views of the islands of La Palma, El Hierro, Tenerife and Gran Canaria. We'll pass fig, palm and Canary pine trees as we descend through some of the most iconic villages in La Gomera, the first being Igualero, from where we can see the UNESCO World Heritage monument to Silbo Gomero. We head on to the 16th century mountain village of Chipude, where we pass a huge rock fortress, The Fortress of Chipude (or Argodey) and where we stop for a typical Canarian lunch. We finish the day in El Cercado where traditional pottery methods are still used in some of the craft shops. Round off your week with a tasty local tipple such as guarapo, mistela or gomeron.
If you'd like to extend your trip with extra hotel nights we recommend: Hotel San Roque, Garachico.
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This hotel is one of the very few original Canarian mansions still in private hands. Located in the heart of Garachico, a beautifully preserved traditional town, the building, like so many Canarian mansions seems quite unassuming from the outside. Inside though, the luxurious bedrooms surround two striking central courtyards, each with attractive wooden walkways at first floor level.
The hotel has an heated outdoor pool and sauna.
Meals are taken in the hotel restaurant or around the side of the pool in fine weather.
Room upgrades: Superior Room, Duplex Room, Junior Suite or Duplex Suite.
Duplex Rooms have 2 floors with the lounge and bathroom, with a whirlpool tub, on the lower floor. Stairs take you up to the top floor to discover the loft-type bedroom. The Junior Suite is a larger room with a seating area and Jacuzzi bath. Duplex Suites have two floors. There is a lounge on the lower level with flat-screen TV, DVD and CD player, desk and bathroom with jacuzzi. The air-conditioned bedroom is on the upper level and it has a double bed, flat-screen TV, DVD player, minibar and skylight. If required, a second bed can be put in the lounge area.
Extra nights: Please contact us for details.
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Guided group walking
7 nights,
single centre
Level: 2
Moderate
20.0Kg CO2e
Printed route
directions
