Here are the most common questions that people from all over the world ask us at Discover Experience when they want to see stars at Teide.
If you have any specific questions that you can't find the answer to, you can contact us through the contact page or directly via WhatsApp. We'll be happy to help you in any way we can with your guided stargazing tour on Mount Teide.
Go up on your own is a free and popular option, but most visitors only see white dots due to a lack of equipment. At Discover Experience, we use high-end telescopes and telescopes with live astrophotography technology that allows you to see galaxies and nebulae in full color, invisible to the naked eye. Plus, you avoid the crowds and light pollution of public viewpoints.
Although viewpoints like Las Narices del Teide, Tabonal Negro, and Roque de Caramujo are well-known, the "best" spot is the one that guarantees complete darkness and stability that night. At Discover Experience, we analyze the haze and wind forecast before each tour to confirm that our usual observation point offers 100% clarity. By choosing strategic locations away from the most crowded areas, we avoid light pollution from cars driving up the mountain independently, allowing our telescopes to capture the universe with total clarity.
The skies above Mount Teide are clear almost 300 nights a year. To determine if tonight is a good night (for example, to see the Lyrid or Perseid meteor shower), the most important factor is the lunar phase. If you have any questions, click the WhatsApp button below and we'll provide you with real-time updates on tonight's visibility and the best nights based on the lunar phase.
Unlike tours on large flatbed buses, we offer small groups and a personalized experience with certified guides. Our key difference lies in our use of state-of-the-art, high-end, smart telescopes: you don't just look, you participate in capturing images that you then take home as a gift.
Many people seek the experience of sunset and stargazing on Mount Teide. Our experiences are focused exclusively on astronomical observation. However, Teide offers one of the best sunsets in the world. Many of our clients choose to hike up to the National Park on their own to freely enjoy the sunset and the sea of clouds from their favorite viewpoints, and then join our activity right afterward. It's the perfect combination: you enjoy the sunset at your own pace, and we take care of revealing the universe to you with our technology as the first star appears. At Discover Experience, we recommend arriving at the meeting point about 20 minutes before the activity begins.
The Izaña Observatory (IAC) primarily offers daytime visits for viewing the Sun. If you're looking for a professional nighttime observation experience, our tours take place at strategic viewpoints within the National Park, using high-end telescopes. We offer a private and intimate alternative where, unlike scientific visits, you are the protagonist and actively participate in capturing images of the universe.
Without a doubt, Teide National Park. Thanks to its altitude and the Canary Islands' "Law of the Sky," it is one of the best places in the world for astronomy. Although there are other spots on the island, the purity of the air at 2,000 meters makes Teide the preferred location for professionals and enthusiasts alike to view galaxies and nebulae with a clarity impossible to find on the coast.
Absolutely not! Our mission is to share science in a fun and engaging way. The activity is designed so that both children and adults can enjoy it without needing any prior knowledge of the universe. We'll explain everything!
The main difference is exclusivity and personalization. On the group tour, you'll share the experience and use of the telescopes with other travelers (always in small groups and without mixing languages to guarantee quality). On the private tour, the guide and telescopes are dedicated solely to you and your companions. This allows us to go at your pace and delve deeper into the topics that interest you most. It's the ideal option for couples, families, or special celebrations.
Our experiences are based on a meeting point at Teide, therefore we do not offer a transport service.
We'll be waiting for you with our telescopes already set up. Furthermore, from the moment you make your reservation, we'll give you the necessary instructions so you can recognize us in the dark.
This is the most important question. At 2,000 meters altitude, the temperature can drop below 5°C even in summer. It's essential to dress in layers; the more layers, the better. For example: a thermal base layer, a fleece, a thick coat, long pants, and closed-toe shoes.
If weather conditions prevent viewing, we will contact you in advance to offer a date change or a full refund. Your satisfaction and safety are our priority.
We meet at specific viewpoints within the National Park to avoid light pollution. After confirming your booking, we will send you the exact Google Maps location via WhatsApp so you can easily find it by car.
As they are natural viewpoints, there are no restrooms at the observation site.
Yes, it's exciting for them. We especially recommend that they dress very warmly, as the cold nights are their biggest challenge.
Absolutely. The access roads to the National Park are in excellent condition and well signposted. We always recommend that our clients leave early to drive at a leisurely pace, enjoy the sunset scenery, and above all, respect the speed limits, as it is a high mountain area. It is a safe and popular route.
Yes, we take photographs, but only of some of the astronomical objects observed during the experience. We will share these photos with you free of charge. We do not take group or individual photographs under the night sky.
The experience usually lasts about 1 hour and 20 minutes. It's the perfect amount of time to enjoy a detailed explanation of the sky, observe various objects through the telescope, and have all your questions answered without the cold weather being a problem.
We recommend arriving at the meeting point 15-20 minutes before the time we've indicated. This will allow you to park without worry, let your eyes adjust to the darkness, and enjoy the last colors of the sunset in the National Park.
The visibility of the planets depends on their position in the sky at different times of the year. If they are visible that night, we will do our best to show them to you. Seeing the rings of Saturn or Jupiter for the first time is an experience you will never forget.
It's not necessary. At Discover Experience, we're committed to the environment. Simply bring your confirmation on your mobile phone or tell us the reservation name upon arrival.
We guarantee the quality of the explanation by conducting the activity in the language you selected when booking (Spanish or English). We don't mix languages in the same explanation to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, and to avoid wasting time on translations.
We are at an altitude of over 2,000 meters. At this altitude, the oxygen level is slightly lower. Generally, there are no problems, but if you have severe hypertension, heart problems, or a high-risk pregnancy, we recommend consulting your doctor before ascending.
We love animals, but to ensure the peace of mind of all participants and the safety of the optical equipment (which is very sensitive), we do not allow pets during the activity. Furthermore, nighttime temperatures and wind on Mount Teide can be very stressful for them.
We ask that you keep your screen brightness at its lowest or avoid using it altogether. The human eye takes about 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness to see the stars clearly; every time someone turns on a white screen, that process is disrupted for everyone in the group. Unplug to connect with the universe!
No, you don't need any special permits. Access to Teide National Park is open to the general public 24 hours a day. We'll guide you to the best viewpoints legally and safely.
Absolutely! Thanks to our large-aperture telescopes, we can observe not only planets, but also nebulae, star clusters, and distant galaxies that are invisible to the naked eye. Every night the sky is different, and we'll make sure to show you the most spectacular objects visible during your visit.