6-Hour Tour with Observation of the Stars 1242 with Lunch

This experience is interesting because it blends wine stops with serious astronomy, in the same evening. You start with a pine photo stop, then head to a high viewpoint for solar viewing, sunset, and finally a telescope session under dark skies.

I love the way it moves from day to night with specific equipment, like Coronado H-Alpha telescopes for the sun and a 12-inch Dobsonian setup for what’s up above you. One drawback to keep in mind: even though it’s capped at 8 people, the tour can be combined with other vans depending on demand.

Key highlights I’d plan around

• Small group promise, with a real-world chance of combined vehicles
• Coronado H-Alpha solar observing before the sun goes down
• El Retamar viewpoint at 2,100 meters for clear sunset timing
• 12-inch Dobsonian telescopes for hands-on stargazing
• Real-time astrophotography of galaxies and distant objects
• Organic wine tasting plus homemade tapas at Finca Tres Roques

A 5 to 6 hour Tenerife night-sky plan, with lunch included

This is a half-day style tour that really leans into the evening sky. You’ll be out for about 5 to 6 hours, and the pacing is built so you can enjoy sunset, not just arrive after dark.

The structure is also smart for people who want both sides of the day. You get a daylight warm-up with solar observation, then you switch fully to stargazing once the sky is dark enough. Plus, you won’t be skipping the food and wine part, since lunch and tasting stops are included.

Stop 1: El Pino Gordo, a 700 to 800 year pine photo moment

Your first stop is El Pino Gordo, a huge ancient pine in the Canary Islands. The tree is estimated to be between 700 and 800 years old, which makes the quick photo stop feel more meaningful than a typical roadside pull-off.

Expect about 15 minutes here, mostly to walk a little and grab photos at the point of interest. If you want a good shot, I’d treat it like a mini mission: arrive, check the light, and take a few angles fast, because the time window is short.

Practical note: this part is straightforward. There’s no telescope focus yet, so dress for moving outdoors and keep your camera ready.

Stop 2: Mirador El Retamar at 2,100 meters, sun viewing and sunset wine

Mirador El Retamar is where the evening really starts to shift gears. You’ll be at 2,100 meters above sea level, high enough that sunsets can feel sharp and timed well for stargazing later.

First, you do solar observation using Coronado H-Alpha telescopes. This is the “daytime astronomy” phase, where you’re looking at the sun with equipment designed for that purpose. If you’ve never done solar viewing before, it helps to know you’re not just admiring the sky, you’re getting a guided look through a proper astronomy instrument.

Then the sunset portion kicks in. You’ll have the sunset experience with a glass of wine described as chilling, and you’ll also receive beautiful photos as a gift. That’s a nice touch because it means you’re not relying entirely on your own camera skills in low light.

The telescope session: 12-inch Dobsonians and real-time astrophotography

Once night arrives, the tour transitions to proper stargazing. You’ll use 12-inch Dobsonian telescopes, which are big enough for a satisfying view and simple enough that you can actually follow what you’re looking at.

What makes this part feel special is that it’s paired with real-time astrophotography. You’re not only observing, you’re seeing deep-sky objects like galaxies and distant targets while the images are being captured in real time. That combo helps if you find it hard to picture what the telescope is showing, because the camera work can make the experience feel more concrete.

Also, this is one of those tours where small details matter. At night, it gets easier to enjoy the sky when you slow down and let the darkness settle in your eyes. If you can, keep your phone brightness low and avoid turning lights on unless you really need them.

How the Mirador phase is paced (3 hours is a lot, but it’s efficient)

You spend about 3 hours at Mirador El Retamar total. That’s plenty of time to do solar viewing, enjoy the sunset moment, and then settle into the stargazing phase without feeling rushed.

A good sign here is the structure. The tour isn’t just “show up and stare.” It stages the evening so you build from sun viewing, to sunset, to telescope work. That helps your brain transition, and it keeps the experience active even if the sky takes a while to cooperate.

One timing consideration: this tour clearly depends on good weather. If clouds roll in, the stargazing part can be limited, and you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. So I’d keep your schedule flexible if you’re booking late in your trip.

Stop 3: Restaurante Finca Tres Roques for organic wine and homemade tapas

After the astronomy-heavy time at the viewpoint, you head to Restaurante Finca Tres Roques for a food and wine break. You’ll have organic wine tasting paired with homemade tapas, and this stop runs about 1 hour 30 minutes.

This is a key part of the overall value. Instead of treating the meal as an afterthought, the tour gives you a real tasting experience, which fits the theme of the evening. If wine is your thing, this portion is where you’ll slow down and actually enjoy the flavors after hours outdoors.

Even if you’re not a wine person, the tapas are the safety net. Homemade tapas tend to be shareable and friendly for different tastes, and it’s a comfortable way to reset before the night-sky finale at the mirador earlier in the sequence.

Price and what $75 really buys you in Tenerife

At $75, this tour has a lot going for it if you care about both astronomy and food. You’re getting telescope time, guided instruction from the astronomy team, and included admissions at stops. You’re also getting wine, tapas, and at least one wine moment tied to the sunset.

In plain terms, you’re paying for the combination. A standard viewing tour might focus only on telescopes. A wine tour might focus only on tastings. This one tries to do both in a single evening, and that can be a good value if you want one itinerary that covers multiple interests.

The only reason the price might feel steep is if you end up not loving the wine side, or if weather limits the telescope portion. But the experience is structured so the core astronomy segment is the main event, and the meal and tastings support it rather than replace it.

Group size: max 8 people, and why it still might feel larger

The promise is maximum 8 travelers, which is the right size for a more personal astronomy session. With telescopes, smaller groups generally mean less waiting and better chances to look through the equipment.

That said, there is a real-world note to plan for. In some cases, the tour can be combined with other vans. If you’re someone who likes quiet and tight attention, that matters. You might find the experience still works well because the guide and astronomer typically keep the flow organized, but the intimacy could vary.

My practical advice: assume it can be small, but don’t build a trip around guaranteed quiet solitude. Bring your patience and you’ll still get plenty out of the sky time.

What to bring for sunset and telescope night, without overthinking it

The tour runs in the evening and includes both sunset and nighttime stargazing. You’ll want to dress for cooler temperatures, especially at 2,100 meters, and be comfortable standing or waiting around for the next viewing moment.

Bring layers you can add or remove. Keep your hands warm if you can, because handling a camera or phone in the cold can be annoying. If you wear glasses, keep a plan for them since you’ll be looking through telescopes and also using your own eyes to navigate the sky.

Also, if you have any trouble walking for short outdoor stops, you should consider how long you’ll be outside. Stop 1 is only about 15 minutes, and Stop 3 is inside at a restaurant, but Mirador time includes a long outdoor stretch.

Weather rules and how that affects your decision

Because stargazing depends on clear skies, this experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

This is one of the best kinds of travel flexibility. You’re not gambling with money, and you’re not stuck with an experience that you would rather skip. Still, I’d aim to book on a day with decent weather in your overall forecast, especially if your trip schedule is tight.

Who this tour is best for in Tenerife

This is a strong fit if you want an evening plan that feels more like a guided experience than a generic bus ride. I’d especially recommend it if you like astronomy, even if you’re a beginner, because you get solar viewing first and then telescope observing later.

It’s also great if you enjoy pairing experiences, like mixing food and wine with something you can’t do every day. The organic wine tasting and homemade tapas give you a grounded, local-feeling stop, not just snacks.

If you’re mainly in it for stargazing and don’t care about wine, it may still be worth it because the astronomy portion is the centerpiece. But if you dislike wine, you might enjoy the food more than the tastings.

Should you book Stargazing 1242 for stars over Tenerife?

Book it if you want a complete evening package: ancient pine photos, high-mountain viewpoint time, solar H-Alpha viewing, and then a proper stargazing session with 12-inch Dobsonian telescopes plus real-time astrophotography. The included wine and tapas make the night feel like an event, not a rushed checklist.

Skip it or choose another option if you hate the idea of weather uncertainty, or if you need guaranteed small-group quiet. The small-group cap is there, but the tour can be combined with other vans. If that doesn’t sound like your vibe, plan accordingly.

If you can handle a flexible schedule and you’re excited by the mix of science plus sunset plus wine, this is a solid use of a Tenerife evening.

FAQ

How long is the 6-Hour Tour with Observation of the Stars 1242 with Lunch?

It runs about 5 to 6 hours.

What time does this tour operate?

The listed hours show Thursday from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM.

Is pickup offered?

Yes, pickup is offered.

How big is the group?

The tour has a maximum of 8 people.

What telescopes are used for the observing?

For solar viewing, the tour uses Coronado H-Alpha telescopes. For night stargazing, it uses 12-inch Dobsonian telescopes.

Does it include food and wine?

Yes. You’ll have a glass of wine at the viewpoint, and you’ll also get organic wine tasting with homemade tapas at the restaurant.

Where do you stop during the tour?

You stop at El Pino Gordo for a short photo stop, Mirador El Retamar for the solar observing and stargazing, and Restaurante Finca Tres Roques for wine tasting and tapas.

Is a mobile ticket used?

Yes, the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Do you need good weather for the experience?

Yes, it requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered another date or a full refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you will not receive a refund.