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, where the option you book includes it, is from fixed points in the south: Costa Adeje, Playa de las Américas and Los Cristianos. Puerto de la Cruz, over on the north side, is covered as well, but only when that option is selected. The exact time arrives by WhatsApp or phone call on the morning of the trip, so leave a number they can reach you on. 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. 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 a booking option rather than part of every ticket. Take it and it is three courses at a grill restaurant in a village on the way: vegetable soup with bread and Canarian sauce, roast chicken with papas arrugadas and salad, then cake. Local red and white wine, water and soft drinks come with it. Vegetarian and vegan plates are available if you say so in advance.