Anyone who has lived on Tenerife for some time, or who regularly comes there on holiday, often thinks they know the island well: the beaches, the walking trails, the terraces, the markets and, of course, Mount Teide. But as soon as the sun goes down and the bustle of the coast is left behind, Tenerife reveals a completely different side. High up in Teide National Park, above the clouds and far away from the lights of the coast, the starry sky is one of the island’s great attractions. This is exactly what the tours offered by Astrophototour.com focus on.
Astrophototour is a small-scale family project run by Alessandro Marchetti and Antonella Tinarelli, based on the slopes of Mount Teide. Alessandro writes that his passion for astronomy goes back to his childhood and that, since 1995, he has gained experience at an observatory and planetarium in northern Italy. In 2022, he obtained the title of Starlight Monitor, awarded by the Starlight Foundation.
The basic idea behind the offer is simple: to take visitors to Tenerife’s dark skies and help them observe the moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies in an accessible way. The tours take place in Teide National Park, at an altitude of more than 2,200 metres. The exact location may vary depending on the season, the weather and the celestial objects that are visible; participants receive the location by WhatsApp about six hours in advance.
One of the most striking activities is the Grand 32” Scope Adventure. This uses what Astrophototour describes as the largest private telescope in the Canary Islands: a computer-controlled 32-inch telescope. The tour is intended for small groups and lasts around three hours, shortly after sunset. According to the website, the activity is suitable for people of all ages, with or without prior knowledge of astronomy.
For those who want to celebrate something special, there is the Exclusive Starlight Experience. This is a private option for two to six people, for example for a birthday, honeymoon, anniversary, family outing or an evening with friends. The content is similar to the Grand 32” experience, but with personal guidance, more room for questions and a programme that can be better adapted to the group’s level. Photos of the group under the starry sky are included.
Astrophototour also offers the Night Vision Voyage. This tour uses a modified 12-inch Ritchey-Chrétien telescope with a night-vision system. According to the provider, this technology amplifies faint light and makes certain infrared signals visible, allowing objects to be observed that are more difficult to see with ordinary optical systems. This tour lasts around three hours and is currently available only in English.
There are also workshops for photography enthusiasts. The Basic Photo Workshop is intended for those who want to learn how to photograph the starry sky or the Milky Way using their own camera, torch and sturdy tripod. However, the website states that this workshop is temporarily suspended and that interested participants can join a waiting list. The Advanced Photo Workshop, on the other hand, is aimed at experienced enthusiasts who want to delve deeper into astrophotography, stacking and working with specialised cameras.
For visitors, the practical side is especially important. Astrophototour does not organise transport: you therefore need to drive to the observation site yourself or take a taxi. Warm clothing is essential, even in summer, because at more than 2,200 metres it can become very cold at night. The tours are only available in Spanish, Italian and English.
Anyone who wants to experience Tenerife in a different way will not find a mass excursion with buses here, but rather a small-scale evening under an exceptional sky. For residents, winter visitors and loyal holidaymakers, this may be exactly the kind of experience that makes the island feel surprising again.
Photo: AI ChatGPT
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