Frequently Asked Questions about Stargazing in Tenerife

• Are your tour guides professionally qualified?
  We have been operating for years on the island, our guides are certified by the Starlight Foundation and have knowledge of astronomy as well as geology and biology of the island…also, we are friendly and fun!

• Do the tour guides accept tips?
  …only if you twist their arm…Tips are the international sign of appreciation for a service, so we welcome Euros, US dollars, crypto and bitcoin (just kidding, we prefer the old-fashioned cash)

• I booked the tour, when will you get in touch with me?
  

  We get in contact with all participants the morning of the scheduled tour (not before). The exact pick-up time (VIP) or meeting time (U-DRIVE) will be notified via WhatsApp (disregard any different time on your digital ticket or on the confirmation email as it is only generic). Please make sure to check your whatsapp for our messages and other detailed and useful information about the tour. 

• How does the tour unfold ?
  If you booked the VIP tour, we pick you up at or close to your accommodation about one hour before sunset (this is why the exact time changes throughout the year!). After a drive of approximately 30 minutes, we stop at our first location to enjoy the sunset with a glass of Spanish sparkling wine or a soft drink provided by us. This is also where we rendez-vous with our guests who have chosen the U-Drive option.
  About 10 minutes after sunset we drive to a different location (the U-Drive guests will follow us with their vehicles) where we set up the telescopes and carry on the stargazing session. At the end of the session, U-Drivers can stay as long as they want while we will drive back to drop off our VIP tour guests. If the clouds block any of the viewpoints we normally use, we will assess the situation in-situ and decide whether to move to a different location or cancel the tour.
• What should I bring?
  Warm clothes, closed shoes (sneakers are perfectly fine), food and drinks, but most importantly a good attitude! Also you can bring binoculars and cameras if you want.
• What should I wear for the tour?
  Although many people associate Tenerife with warm weather and sunshine, our tours take place up on the mountain and, depending on weather conditions and time of the year, temperatures can drop to freezing after sunset.
  We have a limited number of coats our guests are welcome to borrow, but bring your warmest clothes and dress in layers. DO NOT wear shorts and open shoes because we do not want to hear you complain how much colder than you anticipated it is… we warned you!
• How many guests should I expect?
  We like to keep the groups as small as possible to ensure our guests have plenty of time to look through our telescopes and to interact with our guides. Our Classic tour tops at around 45 people, which might sound crowded but actually is less than half the number of guests compared to the other companies operating on the island.
  If you want an even more private and personal experience, we offer our VIP Sunset and Stargazing tour that is limited to 24 guests.

• Do you provide transportation?
  We provide transportation for VIP tour. If you have booked the VIP tour, we pick you up at or close to your accommodation. IMPORTANT: at this time we only provide transportation service in the south of the island between El Médano and Los Gigantes (excluding Las Galletas -Costa del Silencio – Palm-Mar). Please confirm with us that your address is within our pick-up area if you are unsure. You will be contacted via Whatsapp the morning of the scheduled tour with all the information. 
• I will come with my own transportation, where to meet?
  If you chose the U-Drive Tour, you meet us 30 minutes before the sunset here. 
  After sunset, you follow us with your vehicle to another location in the Teide National Park for the stargazing session. You will be given clear and detailed instructions about time and locations via Whatsapp messenger the day of the tour
• I booked the U-Drive option: is the drive safe to the meeting point?
  Absolutely. It is the easiest access to the Teide National Park, with perfect tarmac conditions and never exposed or too winding.
  Just check Google Maps in advance for traffic conditions, especially in the resort area and allow yourself plenty of time to reach the meeting point. Also be warned that at the sunset and stargazing locations cellphone coverage is spotty at best and non-existent in most cases so it will be very difficult to contact us.
• Do you provide children’s car seats?
  We have booster seats available, but not for small children. You can join our VIP tour with your toddler if you provide your own car seat. Regardless, all passengers (0-99 years old) must purchase a regular ticket and are considered adults.

• Is food provided during the tour ?
  We offer a welcome drink when we arrive at the sunset location but do not provide any food. You are more than welcome to bring snacks or sandwiches and to eat them at any time. No eating or drinking is allowed inside our vans and buses.

• Do Stargazing Tenerife tours take place at the summit of Mount Teide
  No, we carry on our tours in designated areas in the Teide National Park.
• Do Stargazing Tenerife tours take place at the Izaña Observatory ?
  No, the observatory is not accessible at night for public and we do not want to interfere with the research they conduct. We carry on our tours in designated areas in the Teide National Park.
• Are there facilities nearby ?
  There are no restaurants or facilities where we carry on our stargazing tours. Should you need to use the restroom, you can hide behind any of the trees nearby 😉 so plan accordingly.
• Temporary restrictions that may lead to cancel or move the tour outside the Teide National Park.
  Sometimes, local authorities close the roads in the Teide National Park for security reason due to fire hazard, snow or other extreme conditions. In those instances we go to alternative locations not affected by the road closures.
  When we are notified ahead of the scheduled tour date, we contact you offering the chance to join the tour or get refunded. If the restrictions are applied last-minute and the tour has already started, we talk to all the guests and the guides make the final decision whether to carry on the tour at the alternative location or cancel. If all guests agree to cancel, you get 50% refund.

• What about bad weather?
  Before we confirm the tour we exhaustively check weather forecast websites, monitor cloud movements via satellite images, and take a good look at the live Teide webcam. When we confirm the tour we are confident that the conditions are going to be excellent, however, in rare instances unexpected weather can force us to cancel the tours.
  There are also instances where local authorities close roads or prevent access to the Teide National Park for security reasons at the last minute, especially during heat waves or snow storms. You can find all the details about our Cancellation Policy according to the different scenarios in the relative FAQ paragraph.
• What about the Moon?
  Our natural satellite is one of the best celestial objects to marvel at, but depending on the time of the month, especially 2-3 days before full moon, the sky is not as dark and not all the deep-sky objects might be visible. We strongly recommend that you check the moon calendar to select your favorite night and, if you are not sure, send us a message and we will be happy to give you advice.

• My tour was canceled by Stargazing Tenerife before or on the day of the booked tour.
  If we cancel our tours before they take place, you have either the option to be rescheduled to the next available date or to receive a full refund if you are not available.
• My tour was canceled by Stargazing Tenerife after it had already started.
  If the conditions worsen to the point where our guides make the decision to stop the tour, you can reschedule at no cost within one year or get 50% refund. The decision to cancel a tour is made by our guides and it is final.
• My tour was canceled by Stargazing Tenerife but was booked through a third part agency or platform, so not directly through Stargazing Tenerife.
  In such cases, if the platform allows us refunds, we will proceed to reimburse you, otherwise you need to contact the agency or platform.
• My tour was not canceled but the stargazing spot was moved outside the Teide National Park.
  Sometimes, local authorities close the roads in the Teide National Park for security reason due to fire hazard, snow or other extreme conditions. In those instances we go to alternative locations not affected by the road closures. If the restrictions are applied last-minute and the tour has already started, we talk to all the guests and the guides make the final decision whether to carry on the tour at the alternative location or cancel. If all guests agree to cancel, you get 50% refund.
• My tour was not cancelled but we did not make it in time to watch the sunset.
  Traffic can be problematic in some areas at certain times of the day. Our pick-up times allow for plenty of time to arrive at the sunset location without rushing, but sometimes accidents and last-minute closures can cause delays. We usually arrive 30 minutes before sunset but we shall not be held responsible for delays due to traffic. In addition, we shall not be held responsible for delays due to guests arriving late at the agreed meeting point.

• I have to cancel my booking because I cannot attend the tour.
  If you cancel up to 24 hours before the scheduled tour date (48 hours for bookings of more than 5 people), you will be fully reimbursed. After that, rescheduling and refunding is at our discretion.
• I had a last-minute problem and could not attend the tour I had booked but did not notify Stargazing Tenerife.
  If you do not participate in the tour and you do not notify our staff, you will not be reimbursed.
  We strive to communicate with our guests before the scheduled tour so that nothing remains unclear. We shall not be held responsible if you are not reachable using Whatsapp Messenger or if you fail to provide correct contact data. Also keep in mind that cellphone coverage up on the mountain is not available in most places, so we are not responsible if you cannot contact us at that point.
• I had a last-minute problem and could not attend the tour I had booked and notified Stargazing Tenerife.

  Example A: you have a medical emergency and cannot attend the tour. In this case we will ask you for proof (medical certificate or similar). If you can provide it, you will be reimbursed of 50% of the price paid at the time of booking. If you paid a deposit, you will receive 50% of it. Example B: your car breaks down on the way to the meeting point and you call us or send us a message. We are human beings and understand that there are sometimes unexpected issues, but that kind of situation is not our responsibility. Rescheduling is at our discretion and based on availability. In no case you will be refunded. Example C: you went kayaking in the morning and came back late, or you went diving and they recommended against going high up the mountain for 24 hours, so you cannot attend the tour with Stargazing Tenerife. In such cases, it is your responsibility to plan your other activities for the day in order to make sure you participate in the Stargazing tour you booked, so you will not be reimbursed if you are not able to join the tour even after notifying us. Rescheduling is at our discretion and based on availability. Example D: you booked a U-drive tour but do not have your own transportation, instead you are planning to join by taxi or public transportation. In order to avoid misunderstandings, on our listings we clearly and repeatedly state that the U-Drive tour is suitable only if you have a rental car as every transfer must be done with your own transportation. In such cases, if you fail to show up at the designated meeting point in time to attend the tour, you will not be refunded. Rescheduling is at our discretion and based on availability.

• I have to cancel my RESCHEDULED booking because I cannot attend the tour.
  In case we rescheduled your booking (for any reason: bad weather conditions or any unexpected situations, as above, outside Stargazing Tenerife’s control), the 24-hours cancellation policy applies. After that, you will not be reimbursed and rescheduling is at our discretion. If you cannot reschedule anymore, you will lose your booking.

• Tenerife is a premier destination for stargazing due to its unique geographical and atmospheric conditions. The island offers exceptionally clear skies, minimal light pollution, and favorable weather year-round, making it an astronomer’s paradise. Teide National Park, in particular, is renowned for its high altitude and low humidity, providing perfect conditions for observing the night sky. Recognized by NASA as one of the top three places in the world for stargazing, Tenerife attracts enthusiasts from around the globe. Our expert guides enhance your experience by offering insightful knowledge and high-quality equipment, ensuring you have an unforgettable stargazing adventure.

Here are some information to help our pregnant customers (and their partners) decide if the tour is suitable for them. 

The highest altitude we reach is 2000m and there is no hiking nor any other physical activity involved. You will just be standing outside for around 3 hours and, depending on the time of the year, it can be cold (in winter temperatures can go below 10°C, often 0-5ºC). Around the spots where the activity is carried out, there are no restrooms, nor we stop during our transfers to the sunset and stargazing points.

Pregnant women normally attend our tours, but please check with your physician if the above conditions are compatible with your pregnancy.

tbc