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Guillermo was the perfect guide: good sense of humour, very accommodating, extremely knowledgeable on everything, from natural history through to archaeology, history and culture. Great hotel - good food, nice location, relaxed and very friendly staff & atmosphere.
CA, Aberdeenshire, Feb 24
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Go Slow in Gran Canaria
Tour Code: ESP56A leisurely 8-day holiday focusing on Gran Canaria’s endemic wildlife and impressive archaeological sites.
8 days
from
£2,295 (Inc flights)
£2,295 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£1,995
£1,995
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
This ‘Go Slow’ holiday is based in a very comfortable and peaceful spa hotel situated in the quieter north of the island, just a short walk from the beach. From it we will enjoy, in leisurely fashion, both the island’s endemic wildlife and its cultural highlights which includes Roque Bentagya, a natural rock formation which is at its most impressive at the time of the autumn equinox in September. This area also offers the best chance of seeing the island’s star endemic bird, the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch, as well as wild Canary, Laurel Pigeon, and the local subspecies of Common Chaffinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Add a little wine-tasting, delicious local cuisine, plenty of opportunities in which to make use of the excellent facilities offered by the hotel, and a whale-watching excursion, and this promises to be a relaxed and varied break bathed in warm sunshine.
- Comfortable spa hotel with pool
- Explore the beautiful laurel forest of Unesco World Heritage Site
- Gran Canaria Giant Lizard and endemic flora
- Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch, Canary and Laurel Pigeon
- Chance to dive for any PADI-certified guests
- Short-finned Pilot Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins and other cetacean species
- Cory's Shearwater and Bulwer's Petrel
- Led by expert Gran Canarian naturalist guide + Naturetrek leader
Grading
A
The Canary Islands are remarkable for their wealth of unique plant and animal-life and are a popular holiday destination for those seeking rugged beauty and year-round sunshine. Whilst our long-standing and popular Canary Islands holiday visits Tenerife, La Gomera and Fuerteventura, this new ‘Go Slow’ tour will be our first to the centrally-located, circular island of Gran Canaria. Once an active volcano, Gran Canaria’s highest peak, Pico de Las Nieves, rises into the clear blue Atlantic sky to well over 6,000 feet at its summit, providing fabulous panoramic views all around.
In order to explore this island at a gentle pace, we will be based for the week in a very comfortable and peaceful spa hotel situated in the quieter north of the island, just a short walk from the beach. From it we will enjoy, in leisurely fashion, both the island’s endemic wildlife and its cultural and gastronomic highlights. In the Jardin Canario, Spain’s largest and arguably most impressive botanical garden, we will gain a wonderful introduction to many of the habitats that we will visit during the week, as well as some of the Canary Islands’ 600 endemic plant species. The gardens are also home to African Blue Tit, the local subspecies of Robin, and the impressive Gran Canaria Giant Lizard. The UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on Gran Canaria covers 40% of the island and stretches from the spectacular mountain tops down to the coast. During our two full days in the reserve, we will search for its wildlife and explore the most interesting pre-hispanic archaeological sites, including Roque Bentagya, a natural rock formation which is at its most impressive at the time of the autumn equinox in September, when we will be visiting. This area also offers the best chance of seeing the island’s star endemic bird, the Gran Canaria Blue Chaffinch, as well as wild Canary, Laurel Pigeon, and the local subspecies of Common Chaffinch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. Completing the picture of our week on Gran Canaria will be a little wine-tasting, delicious local cuisine, plenty of opportunities in which to make use of the excellent facilities offered by the hotel, and a whale-watching excursion in search of Short-finned Pilot Whales, Bottlenose Dolphins and other cetacean species, as well as such seabirds as Cory's Shearwater and Bulwer's Petrel.
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly Gran Canaria; transfer to hotel
Day 2/7
Daily wildlife excursions around Gran Canaria
Day 8
Fly UK
Reviews
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The tour leaders were first class; Guillermo full of enthusiasm & information, Jessica amazed us with her detailed knowledge. I think I said my last Naturetrek tour was best ever, but now I think it was this one. You just get better & better. (And a big thank you for helping me celebrate my 70th birthday in style!)
MR, Devon, Feb 23 -
A small group trip to see flora, fauna, geology and archaeology of Gran Canaria. Weather perfect - 22 to 24 C with blue skies. We drove all over the island and saw a great variety of flora and fauna. The geology was fascinating - will never forget the parador and cauldera it overlooked. Interesting history too. Never new there were historical links with Canary Wharf in London.
F.M. Lanarkshire, Feb 20 -
This was a well-planned and well-run trip. It covered a wide range of habitats and enabled us to see all the hoped-for species, as well as a couple of unexpected wanderers as a bonus. The leaders were excellent and the accommodation first-class. A good group of fellow-travellers also helped to make it a memorable trip. Definitely recommended!
P.S. Ross-shire, Feb 20 -
The holiday was well packed with wonderful sightings of rare birds, hundreds of wildflowers, insects and amphibians but also looking at the underlying geology that formed this amazing island. Two very knowledgeable and caring leaders made it an unforgettable experience. A very comfortable hotel allowed for a relaxing evening ready for the next day's wonders.
M.R. Ross-shire, Feb 20 -
The unexpected variety of Gran Canaria made each day a surprise, and the itinerary of the tour certainly showcased the island's stunning geology and landscapes. The pinnacle of the week, of course, was sighting 6 blue chaffinches! Waxbills were also on cue where I was told to expect them, and we all enjoyed the unexpected sightings of an Abyssinian roller and desert wheatear. The tour guides live and breathe Gran Canaria, and we were all in awe of their knowledge. I was very happy with the high quality of the hotel's facilities and its picturesque, quiet setting in Agaete. The service from the Naturetrek office was also excellent. I feel I have got to know most of the staff through your very approachable and friendly engagement, and I find everyone very efficient in researching options, such as alternative flights, and answering queries promptly.
K.C, Roxburghshire, March 20
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sat 22nd Feb – Sat 1st Mar
FULL
£2,295
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£250
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Guillermo Bernal
Tour Leader: Guillermo Bernal
Guillermo is a Spanish naturalist who lives in Gran Canaria, and is truly passionate about showing and sharing the beautiful things that the island has to offer. In his first part-time job, back in 2004, Guillermo was a wilderness guide in the surroundings of Doñana National Park, in Huelva and Sevilla, in southwest Spain, where he was completing his degree in Environmental Sciences. He arrived in Gran Canaria to work as a health and safety inspector in 2011, but he quickly decided that he had to spend his time and energy doing what he likes most and does best: showing off the beauty and natural and cultural heritage of Gran Canaria as an Official Canary Islands Guide.
Guillermo loves to give his clients the feeling that they have really squeezed the best out of their time in Gran Canaria, and to hear an often-repeated sentence: "I didn't expect Gran Canaria to be like this!"
Sat 15th Nov – Sat 22nd Nov
SPACES
£2,295
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£250
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Guillermo Bernal
Tour Leader: Guillermo Bernal
Guillermo is a Spanish naturalist who lives in Gran Canaria, and is truly passionate about showing and sharing the beautiful things that the island has to offer. In his first part-time job, back in 2004, Guillermo was a wilderness guide in the surroundings of Doñana National Park, in Huelva and Sevilla, in southwest Spain, where he was completing his degree in Environmental Sciences. He arrived in Gran Canaria to work as a health and safety inspector in 2011, but he quickly decided that he had to spend his time and energy doing what he likes most and does best: showing off the beauty and natural and cultural heritage of Gran Canaria as an Official Canary Islands Guide.
Guillermo loves to give his clients the feeling that they have really squeezed the best out of their time in Gran Canaria, and to hear an often-repeated sentence: "I didn't expect Gran Canaria to be like this!"
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Fri 20th Feb – Fri 27th Feb
SPACES
£2,295
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£250
Fri 13th Nov – Fri 20th Nov
SPACES
£2,295
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,995
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£250
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Our programme of Go Slow wildlife holidays allows guests to enjoy the natural world at a more leisurely pace than on one of our conventional wildlife holidays. There will be more time to relax, more time to potter, excursions will be optional and we hope you will return, not only having enjoyed a fascinating mix of birds, plants and other wildlife, but also feeling refreshed and relaxed!
Our Go Slow tours range from week-long holidays that offer warm spring sunshine and gentle natural history excursions in Portugal, the Camargue and Mallorca, to tours which take on a more cultural air each afternoon, such as Go Slow … in Istria in Autumn and Go Slow … in Southern Spain. Our Go Slow holidays in the Swiss Alps and Cyprus both combine the best of the region’s botany and birdlife, or, if you would like to travel a little further afield, why not join us for a leisurely-paced exploration of India’s Tiger Country, Kenya’s Masai Mara, or South Africa’s Western Cape?
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek Go Slow holiday?
On each Go Slow holiday we aim to offer as many of the following as possible:
- A single-centre holiday
- Direct flights with sociable timings
- Comfortable hotel of high quality (with swimming pool if possible), serving meals of a high standard
- Leisurely paced walks on gentle terrain
- Expert leaders, as ever, with more time for interpretation & explanation
- A maximum of 6 hours in the field each day (9.30am-3.30pm with picnic lunch or two 3-hour excursions)
- Morning and afternoon toilet/comfort stops
- Minimal long drives
- Back in time for afternoon tea
- All excursions optional
- All-inclusive cost (except bar drinks & laundry)
- Time to relax, read, paint, potter, swim or enjoy anything else that you might wish to do!
Our specialist recommends...
"If you’re looking for wonderful wildlife and great hospitality at a slower, more relaxing pace, our Go Slow portfolio could be just right. Why not consider Go Slow … in Extremadura, based at Viña las Torres in the heart of the Extremadura countryside, to enjoy some of Europe’s top birdwatching? Or, for something more exotic, have a look at Go Slow … in Trinidad, which is based at the incomparable Asa Wright Centre.”
Andy Tucker - Operations Manager
Andy Tucker - Operations Manager
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
