Teide Morning or Sunset Buggy Tour Tenerife

Teide National Park

Teide National Park surrounds Mount Teide, at 3,715 metres the highest peak in Spain and one of the largest volcanoes on Earth measured from the ocean floor. The park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 for its extraordinary volcanic scenery: lava flows frozen in place, craters, pumice fields and rock formations in red, ochre and black.

On this Teide National Park tour you reach a high plateau at about 2,100 metres, where the air is thin and clear and the views stretch over the island. Your guide shares stories about the eruptions that shaped Tenerife and about the national park's history. If you have asked yourself whether Mount Teide is worth visiting, standing among these lunar landscapes answers the question.

Vilaflor, the mountain village

The first stop is Vilaflor, one of the highest villages in Spain at around 1,400 metres above sea level. Its white houses, old church and terraced fields sit on the edge of the pine forest, and the village is known for its mineral water springs, lace-making and the clear mountain air that once drew visitors seeking a healthier climate.

The short photo stop gives you a first view back down to the coast and a chance to stretch your legs before the steeper part of the road. From Vilaflor the route climbs on the historic mountain road towards the park, one of the most scenic drives on the island. Its church square is a pleasant spot for a quick photo.

Canarian pine forest and endemic flora

Between Vilaflor and the park, the road crosses the Canarian pine forest. The Canarian pine is one of the most fire-resistant trees on Earth: its thick bark protects it, and it can sprout new green needles from a blackened trunk after a forest fire. The long needles also comb moisture from the passing clouds, feeding the island's water reserves.

Higher up you may see the Teide bugloss, an endemic plant whose spike of red flowers can grow up to three metres tall in late spring, along with yellow broom bushes. Keep an eye out for canaries, rabbits and lizards. The guide stops for photos where the landscape is at its best.

Above the sea of clouds

Tenerife's trade winds often create a thick layer of clouds on the northern and middle slopes of the island, known locally as the mar de nubes, the sea of clouds. As the buggies climb above it, the clouds spread out below like a white ocean, with the peaks of La Gomera and La Palma sometimes poking through on the horizon.

The viewpoint stop is the highlight of the drive and the moment for photos of the buggies against the volcano. On the sunset options, the departure is timed so that you reach the viewpoint as the sun goes down and turns the clouds orange and pink, the best time to visit Teide for photographers.

The buggy experience

The buggies are modern off-road vehicles in 2-seat or 4-seat versions. The driver must be at least 21 and present a physical full driving licence; passengers sit alongside, and in the 4-seat buggy children from 4 years old ride in the back seats until the age of 14. The group follows the guide in a convoy, at a pace that suits everyone.

Before setting off you receive a jacket, gloves and goggles, because the ride can be windy and dusty. Fuel and insurance are included. At the end, back at the base, you can view and buy professional photos of your tour before the transfer back to your hotel. Drive at a steady pace and enjoy the views.