The Highlands
Enjoy the sun on your back, birdsong and the scent of pines carried on a cool breeze, bright flowers and grassy meadows, and truly spectacular upland walking; all during the winter months when Europe’s mountains are blanketed with snow and grey drizzle is falling at home. Gran Canaria is a four hour flight away, in the same time-zone as the UK, and the awesome landscapes of its central highlands – with tall towers of volcanic rock, deep valleys filled with exotic vegetation, and woods and meadows between – rise above 1,900m. The island is of course well known for its beaches, but the interior remains to be discovered, where the ancient paving of the Caminos Reales pathways link fascinating little villages and sites that have been holy to the ancient Canarians – the Canarios - since prehistoric times. A wealth of indigenous and imported plant species make the island a botanist’s paradise, and amongst the pines you may catch a glimpse of the rare, endemic blue chaffinch and hear the famous song of the Atlantic Canary.
| Dates: | 16 - 23 February 2008 15 - 22 November 2008 07 - 14 March 2009 |
| Prices per person – land only: | £715.00 (sharing twin room with other) £60.00 single room supplement |
Prices include group airport transfers**, transportation, accommodation, all breakfasts & packed-lunches, 2 dinners, all organised and self-guided walks, the services of the Upland Manager(s). ** see designated flight details below |
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| Group Departure prices are based on two people sharing a twin room. If you are a single traveller willing to occupy a non-smoking twin-share room with another traveller of the same gender, please indicate this on the booking form. If you would rather receive a room for single occupancy, this can be arranged on request (subject to availability) and the single room supplement rate will apply | |
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Designated Flight and Airport Transfers
On Group Departures, Upland Escapes will provide airport transfers to coincide with a designated flight arrival and departure. Those wishing to travel on different flights should meet at the airport at the ETA of the designated flight to join the transfer or alternatively a private transfer can be arranged at additional cost. On the last day of the tour, the transfer will arrive at the airport some 2 hours before the departure of the designated flight.
The designated flight details for Group Departures to Gran Canaria’s Highlands are:
| Outbound: | British Airways BA6994 | Gatwick | Las Palmas | 14.45 – 19.00 |
| Return: | British Airways BA6986 | Las Palmas | Gatwick | 19:30 - 23:45 |
NB - Please note that flight times are subject to change, so please check with the airline or with Upland Escapes prior to making your travel arrangements.
For those wishing to make their own way to the Las Palmas airport pick-up point or directly to Tejeda, please contact Upland Escapes if you would like travel suggestions.
Itinerary
Day 1 – Saturday Transfer from Las Palmas airport and enjoy a welcome dinner
Day 2 – Sunday Follow a pilgrim path to the Acusa Plateau and visit the aboriginal caves of Acusa Seca on an organised walk (9.3 miles, ↑↓ 520m). Or head out on a short self-guided walk into the great Tejeda Ravine.
Day 3 – Monday Take a self-guided walk through forests of Canarian Pine to the monolith of Roque Nublo and the pretty village of La Culata (5.3 miles, ↑↓ 530m). Or you might relax at your hotel, and enjoy Tejeda’s cafés and shops.
Day 4 – Tuesday Set out from the attractive town of Valleseco to explore the tranquil north of the island on today’s organised walk (9.5 miles, ↑825m /↓ 550m). Or choose a self-guided walk from Tejeda, maybe circuiting beneath Roque Nublo to La Culata.
Day 5 – Wednesday Today’s self-guided walk ascends the lush Barranco de la Mina to reach high pastures (5.8 miles, ↑↓ 430m). Or spend the day in Tejeda and maybe visit a museum or two.
Day 6 – Thursday Your last organised walk takes you from the highest point on the island along the amazing central ridge, with stunning views (11.9 miles, ↑ 200 / ↓ 1000m).
Day 7 – Friday Take a final self-guided walk around the rim of the Caldera de Galdar and then to Artenara to explore the many cave-villages in the area (8.5 miles, ↑450 /↓ 850m). Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner in a fine local restaurant.
Day 8 – Saturday Transfer to Las Palmas airport.
