Round The Island Trip Without Teide VIP TOUR

Tenerife reveals its variety quickly on this small-group island tour. In one long day, you move from the former capital of La Laguna to old mansions, volcanic towns, a legendary dragon tree, a major church, and cliffs nearly 1,000 meters high. It is a smart first look at the island, especially if you do not have a car.

I like the free pickup in Santa Cruz or La Laguna, plus the chance to hear local stories from guides such as Angel, who was praised for his humor, careful driving, and strong knowledge of Tenerife. I also like the flexible feel of the day: with a group of five, you can arrange the timetable and spend more time at places that interest you.

The main drawback is the pace. Six stops in 8 to 9 hours means most visits are brief, with only 15 to 45 minutes at each place. Pickup from the north or south costs extra, and one poor account describes delays and confusion near the end of the day, so cruise passengers should confirm timing carefully.

Key points to know before booking

• Six very different stops: You see historic towns, volcanic scenery, a famous tree, dramatic cliffs, and Tenerife’s largest church in one day.
• Teide is not included: This tour focuses on the rest of the island, making it useful if you have already visited Mount Teide.
• Small group transport: The maximum is seven people, and the ride is in an air-conditioned minivan with free Wi-Fi.
• Best free pickup area: Pickup and drop-off in Santa Cruz or La Laguna are included. North and south island pickups cost extra.
• Short visits by design: Stops range from 15 minutes at the Drago tree and Los Gigantes to 45 minutes in La Laguna and La Orotava.
• Weather needs a plan: Tenerife can change from warm sun to cool or wet conditions quickly, so bring a light jacket, sun cream, and sensible layers.

A fast, useful look at Tenerife beyond Teide

This is not a Mount Teide excursion. That distinction matters. The tour circles through the island’s towns and coastal viewpoints, giving you a broad sense of Tenerife beyond its best-known volcano. If Teide is already on your plans, this fills in several important pieces of the island.

You spend roughly 8 to 9 hours in a minivan, with transport, insurance, a professional guide, and Wi-Fi included. The group limit of seven keeps the vehicle smaller than a coach, which makes a long day less tiring and gives the guide a better chance to speak with you directly.

I would think of this as an orientation tour rather than a deep visit to each town. You get a guided introduction, time to walk around, and enough scenery to understand how varied Tenerife is. You do not get hours in any single place, and meals are not included, so plan to bring money and use free time sensibly.

The experience costs $86.42 per person. That is fair value if you need transport and want to cover several parts of the island in one day. A rental car could offer more freedom, but it would also leave you with driving, parking, directions, and winding roads. Here, you pay for the vehicle, route, guide, and convenience.

Plaza del Adelantado and UNESCO La Laguna

The day begins in La Laguna, Tenerife’s first capital. The visit centers on Plaza del Adelantado and lasts about 45 minutes. UNESCO named the city a World Heritage Site in 1999, so this is more than a quick photo stop. It is your first introduction to the island’s older urban character.

The square gives you a practical starting point for understanding La Laguna. You can walk, take photographs, and listen as the guide explains the city before exploring on your own. The free admission keeps this visit focused on the streets and public spaces rather than a ticketed attraction.

Forty-five minutes is enough to get your bearings, but not enough for a full city visit. If you are fascinated by architecture or want to see museums, you will need a separate return visit. For a first-day overview, though, the stop works well because it brings history into the trip before the route moves toward the north.

If you are picked up in La Laguna or Santa Cruz, this part of the day is especially convenient. Pickup and drop-off in those areas are free. Confirm the exact meeting point and time when you book, since the tour ends back at the meeting point.

La Orotava and its old stately homes

The next major town is La Orotava, where you spend about 45 minutes. The focus is on the town’s unusual stately homes from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. These buildings give you a look at Tenerife’s traditional upper-class architecture without requiring a long museum visit.

I like this stop because it slows the day down after the opening drive. You can walk through the town, study the facades, and hear how local life developed around these old homes. The visit is short, so keep your expectations realistic: you are seeing the town’s character, not touring every building.

La Orotava is also a good place to pay attention to the guide’s commentary. Angel, named in several positive accounts, was praised for explaining local culture, history, food, and everyday life in a friendly way. His approach appears to give you an introduction before each stop, followed by time to explore at your own pace.

That balance matters. A guide who talks constantly can make a short stop feel crowded. Here, the format aims to give you context first and freedom second.

The Drago Milenario in Icod de los Vinos

The visit to the Drago Milenario lasts only 15 minutes, making it the quickest stop on the route. The tree is described as the oldest in Tenerife, and local claims put its age at more than 3,000 years. It is an endemic Canary Islands species, so you are seeing something closely tied to this island group.

The short visit is enough for photographs and a quick look. It is not a long botanical tour, and there is no included admission ticket. If ancient trees and plant life are high on your list, you may wish you had more time here. Still, as one piece of a full-island route, the stop adds something different from the towns and sea views.

This is also a place where the guide’s explanation can make a brief stop more meaningful. Without context, you might simply see a large, unusual tree and move on. With the local story, you understand why it matters to Tenerife.

Garachico, Tenerife’s volcanic turning point

Garachico receives about 20 minutes. The town helps explain how volcanic activity can change a community’s life and history. It is sometimes compared to Pompeii because a volcanic eruption reshaped the town, though you should treat that nickname as a quick way to understand the scale of the story rather than expect an archaeological site like Pompeii.

The value here is the link between geology and daily life. Tenerife is not just pretty coast and sunshine. Its volcanoes have affected roads, settlements, trade, and the shape of towns. Garachico gives you a compact lesson in that connection.

Twenty minutes goes quickly. You will have time to look around and take pictures, but not to wander far or settle in for a long coffee. If volcanic history is your main interest, ask the guide where to focus during the stop.

Los Gigantes and the nearly 1,000-meter cliffs

At Acantilado de los Gigantes, the minivan pauses for about 15 minutes at a viewpoint. From here, you can see cliffs described as almost 1,000 meters high and among the tallest in Europe. This is the trip’s big-scale scenic moment.

The viewpoint format is practical. You get the dramatic view without spending hours on a hike or boat trip. Bring your camera, but also take a moment to look beyond the screen. The height of the cliffs is difficult to grasp until you compare the rock face with the sea and buildings below.

Fifteen minutes is enough for a viewpoint, not enough for a full exploration of the area. You should not book this tour expecting a coastal walk or a boat excursion. The stop gives you a strong visual impression, then the route continues.

The drive can include winding roads, and careful driving matters. Angel received specific praise for handling these roads well. Even so, if you get motion sick, sit where you normally feel most comfortable and bring whatever personal remedy you use.

Candelaria and the island’s largest church

The final listed stop is Candelaria, with about 20 minutes to visit the largest church on the island. The tour is not presented as a religious excursion, but the church is an important Tenerife landmark and a useful way to see another side of local identity.

The short stop lets you look at the building, take photographs, and hear why it matters. You will not have time for a long religious or architectural study, and the tour does not include a separate church program. Think of it as a cultural stop with a religious landmark at its center.

Candelaria also helps round out the day. After old towns, volcanic scenery, and ocean cliffs, you finish with a place tied to Tenerife’s traditions and public life. It is a different kind of attraction from the natural viewpoints earlier in the route.

How the small-group format changes the day

The maximum group size is seven. That is one of the strongest reasons to consider this tour over a large coach excursion. A small group usually makes it easier to hear the guide, get in and out of the vehicle, and adjust the timing when conditions change.

The tour allows some flexibility when five people book together. You can arrange the timetable and indicate which places matter most to you. That does not mean every stop becomes a long private visit, but it gives a group some influence over the rhythm of the day.

The guide may also adjust the route for weather. Angel was praised for rearranging the plan during a tropical storm, which is useful on an island where conditions can shift quickly. Bring a jacket or pullover and sun cream. In summer, if the weather is good, you can also bring swimwear and a towel, though the listed stops do not promise a beach visit.

There was also one serious complaint about a late start, waiting for missing passengers, guide-driver communication, and a delayed final pickup that nearly caused a ship departure problem. The operator disputed the account and stated that the guide arrived on time and explained the stops. The practical lesson is simple: if you are on a cruise, confirm the schedule and leave a generous buffer before sailing.

Pickup, food, and what to bring

Pickup and drop-off are included in Santa Cruz and La Laguna. Pickup in the north or south of Tenerife has an additional fee, and you should check the price for your exact area before paying. The experience ends back at the meeting point.

Food and drinks are not included. The supplied details do not specify a set lunch stop, so bring water and plan for a long day. You may have free time to buy something, but do not assume a full meal break.

Your best packing list is short:

• Light jacket or pullover
• Sun cream
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Water and money for food or drinks
• Swimwear and towel in good summer weather
• A charged phone for the mobile ticket and tour contact

The operator asks for your phone number and email, preferably a mobile number, to confirm details. Confirmation is provided when you book. The tour is offered in English.

Who should book this island tour?

I would recommend it most strongly to first-time visitors who want a broad look at Tenerife without renting a car. It also suits anyone staying in Santa Cruz or La Laguna, since free pickup makes the day easier to arrange.

It is a particularly good choice if you have already seen Teide. You get a different picture of Tenerife, with more emphasis on historic towns, coastal scenery, volcanic effects, and local landmarks.

Families can join, and a child rate applies when the child shares with two paying adults. Most people can participate, but the schedule involves getting out of the minivan and walking around each stop. Anyone who needs a highly accessible route should ask the provider for details before booking, since the supplied information does not describe specific accessibility arrangements.

I would not choose this tour if you want a slow day in one town, a serious church visit, a long nature walk, or extensive time at Los Gigantes. The route is broad rather than leisurely. You see a lot, but you must accept short stops and several hours on the road.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that period are not accepted, and a minimum number of participants is required. If the operator cancels for that reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Should you book the Round The Island Trip Without Teide?

Book it if you want maximum island coverage in one day, especially without driving. The combination of La Laguna, La Orotava, Garachico, the Drago tree, Los Gigantes, and Candelaria gives you a useful first map of Tenerife. A strong guide such as Angel can add the local context that makes short stops worthwhile.

Skip it if your priority is a relaxed pace or a long visit at any one attraction. Also check pickup fees carefully if you are staying in the north or south, and allow extra time if you must return to a cruise ship. For most first-time visitors who have already scheduled Teide, this is a sensible second excursion and a good value at $86.42.

FAQ

Is Mount Teide included in this tour?

No. The tour specifically visits other parts of Tenerife and does not include Mount Teide.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately 8 to 9 hours.

What places will I visit?

The route includes Plaza del Adelantado in La Laguna, La Orotava, the Drago Milenario, Garachico, Acantilado de los Gigantes, and Candelaria.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off from Santa Cruz or La Laguna are free. Pickup from the north or south of Tenerife costs extra, depending on the area.

How many people can join?

The maximum group size is seven travelers.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included in the price.

What should I wear?

Tenerife’s weather can change quickly. Bring a jacket or pullover and sun cream. In summer, you can also bring swimwear and a towel if the weather is good.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.