Teide Sunset and Stargazing at 2,000 m, with Smartphone Astrophotography

Teide National Park is one of the better places on earth to look up: altitude, dry air, and very little light on the mountain after dark. Tenerife's peak is the highest in Spain, 3,715 metres. Pick-up is from the south only, at fixed points in Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos. The exact time arrives by WhatsApp or phone call on the morning of the trip. Return transport is included, and whoever is collected first is dropped off first. Sunset is watched from a viewpoint above the cloud layer, standing on lava with Teide behind you. The guide takes the photographs there. Afterwards the route crosses the park while there is still light on the volcanoes, with an explanation of how each of them got there. The observation point sits at around 2,000 metres and is not fixed: it is chosen on the night, by weather and sky. Professional telescopes, a laser pointer to trace constellations, and, depending on conditions, the Moon, planets, nebulae, star clusters or the Milky Way. Hold your own phone to the eyepiece and the guide will help you get the shot. Dinner is at a grill restaurant in a village on the way: vegetable soup with bread and canary sauce, roast chicken with papas canarias and salad, cake. Wine, water and soft drinks included. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free versions all exist, and there is a children's menu. The operator's own line about the food is worth repeating. The menu is basic and the portions are good; if you are particular about what you eat, book the no-meal option and bring your own to eat at the restaurant.