Camino of Gran Canary Island Tour

Spain's Canary Islands are famous for their beaches, palm trees, and volcanoes, but perhaps lesser known, is the officially recognized Camino de Santiago! On this new Fresco Tours adventure, we lace up our boots and leaving the southern sand dunes, we head north through stunning volcanic landscapes, pine forests and small oases as we cross the island of Gran Canary following our good friends, the yellow arrow and Fresco Tours!

Experience and Expertise

Your two bilingual guides that accompany the tour are either Spanish or live in Spain year round. This is our home and we love to share it with you!

Fabulous Food

All your meals (B,L,D) are included, so you only need to worry about enjoying the trail! Weather permitting, our gourmet picnics showcase the freshest of local flavors.

Unique Accommodations

4 star hotels throughout the tour, featuring the Parador of Tejeda.

Semi-Independent Tour

You choose! Walk alone with the assurance that we’ll take care of you or enjoy the company of others and your knowledgeable guides.

Van Supported

No need to carry a heavy pack – let us do the lifting while you do the walking.

Expect to have a wonderful time!

We’ve designed each trip to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Canary Islands landscape, while giving you a true sense of the soul and magic of these exciting people and their culture. We love to share this magnificent region and want you to feel a part of it – for us it is more than just a trip, it is our home.

Support All Along The Way

Although this is the most physically challenging of all the Fresco Tours hikes, please keep in mind that routine checkpoints and shorter walking options will be available each day. Additionally, as we will be staying at the same hotel 2 nights in a row on 3 different occasions, there will be opportunities to have a day off from the boots and enjoy the pool of the hotel!

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The dunes at Maspalomas.

Day 1

Maspalomas

Accommodations: Maspalomas (D)

Meeting time: 3:30pm

Walking: 4 km / 2 mi

In the afternoon we meet at the seaside town of Maspalomas, where your guide takes you through all your materials for your island adventure. Afterward, we stroll down to the lighthouse that keeps the ships away while we build up an appetite for our welcome dinner. Our Camino begins from Maspalomas, where we turn our backs to the sea and slowly make our way north into the gorge of Barranco de Fataga.
The Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria.

Day 2

Arteara to Maspalomas

Accommodations: Maspalomas (B, L, D)

Walking: 17 km / 11 mi

After a delicious buffet breakfast, we hit the trail and work our way through the valley. The landscape changes dramatically from palm groves and volcanic slopes dotted with pine trees to dunes. We begin our day in Arteara, home to the largest aboriginal cemetery of the Canary Islands with hundreds of monuments to the original inhabitants. After lunch we head back to Maspalomas to relax and enjoy some quiet time by the pool or perhaps an afternoon stroll along the beach!
The village of Tunte on the Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria.

Day 3

Arteara to Tunte

Accommodations: Parador Cruz de Tejeda (B, L, D)

Walking: 10 km / 6 mi

After packing up, we shuttle back to Arteara and continue to climb northward along the same trail used for hundreds of years to move around the island. As we make our way through the gorge, we come upon the charming village of Fataga, with its whitewashed houses and narrow streets. We continue to work our way up and after tucking into a signature Fresco Tours gourmet picnic lunch, we come to the town of Tunte and the Church of San Bartolomé where we find the 15th century statute of Saint James brought by those faithful Galician sailors centuries ago!
Camino of Gran Canary Island Tour

Day 4

Tunte to Cruz de Tejeda

Accommodations: Parador Cruz de Tejeda (B, L, D)

Walking: 15 km / 9 mi

Today, we leave Tunte and follow the trail up into the heart of the island. Although this stage is challenging, the spectacular views are worth every step of the climb. One of today’s highlights is Roque Nublo, a towering rock formation and the island’s central landmark. After a picnic lunch, we continue to Cruz de Tejeda and back to our hotel.
Gran Canaria Rest Day

Day 5

Rest Day or Optional Hike

Accommodations: Parador Cruz de Tejeda (B, L, D)

Walking: 7 km / 4 mi

Today we are going to take it easy... or not! It's our Rest or Play Day, and you choose!
The Galdar pine forest.

Day 6

Cruz de Tejeda to Alto de Pavón

Accommodations: Gáldar (B, L, D)

Walking: 14 km / 9 mi

Starting from the stone cross, or cruceiro, in the front of the Parador, we get the blood moving with a short but steep climb out of town, where we have an impressive view of the volcanic crater below. We then start to work our way down through coarse volcanic gravel paths and shady pine forests. After lunch, we continue with views of the blue sea below! After dinner, we head to bed early to be ready to finish our Camino de Santiago.
Views of Galdar on the Camino de Santiago de Gran Canaria.

Day 7

Alto de Pavón to Gáldar

Accommodations: Gáldar (B, L, D)

Walking: 9 km / 6 mi

Returning to the Alto de Pavón, we still have a descent into the green valley where we can spot small cave houses. Passing through Hoya de Pineda, you may even see some pottery ovens where the locals would make bowls and jugs. The last portion into Gáldar follows the walls of the ravine and the open vertical chasm. We head straight to the Church of Santiago de los Caballeros for our last stamp in our Pilgrim’s Passport and admire Saint James literally standing on a wave of the Canary Islands - Congratulations pilgrim!
Gáldar to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Day 8

Gáldar to Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

Accommodations: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we make our last cultural excursion to visit the Cenobio de Valerón. This fascinating archaeological site has nothing to do with a Monastery (Cenobio) as the name suggests. So, what were these impressive honeycomb-like cavities carved into the stone some 800 years ago used for? We’ll show you before transferring you to the capital of the island, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
las palmas de gran canaria tour end

Day 9

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria - Tour end

Accommodations: B

After breakfast, we say hasta pronto until our next Fresco Tours adventure!

 

*Please note: This itinerary is subject to slight modifications due to hotel availability, weather, festivals, and other occurences.

2 Guides

Our greatest resource! We know Spain, because it is our home.  Both of your guides are experienced professionals that are either Spanish or live in Spain year round – no hired out summer help! Having 2 guides means that we will be there to look out for your well-being, comfort, and safety. When specified, local art historians will join us to provide further insights of the specific monument / museum that we visit.

* Groups of 3 – 6 pax are accompanied by only 1 guide.

Limited Group Sizes

Fresco Tours are in small groups to ensure that you receive the individual attention that you deserve. In order to treat each of our clients with a personal touch, we limit our group size to a maximum of 16 participants.

Local Guided Visits

We will be joined by local art historians, who will bring the monuments and areas to life! A minimum of 5 people is necessary for this service to be provided.

Accommodations

Fresco Tours has selected for this tour a combination of 4 star hotels that offer the best in hospitality, comfort and location. All rooms have their own bathrooms. Tour prices are based on double occupancy.

All Meals

Food speaks volumes about a culture and we love to eat! During our walk days, when possible, we prepare gourmet picnics, using the freshest of local ingredients and selecting the tastiest recipes of the region. Dinners are celebrated in restaurants chosen not only for their menu, but also their atmosphere and service. All breakfast, lunches and dinners are included. We are proud to cater to vegetarians and those with food allergies as well.

Support Vehicle

Your walks will be accompanied by a support vehicle that will be there to provide you assistance when the route permits. When groups are more than 10, in addition to the 2 guides, there will be a minibus & driver to care to your needs. The possibility of shorter routes and pick-up options will be explained on a daily basis.

Luggage Transfer

Your luggage will be transported between hotels. You do the walking, we’ll do the lifting!

Special Event Tickets

Wine tastings, garden tours, concerts, etc. as outlined in the itinerary.

Additional Services

We are here to help! Need assistance with hotels prior to or after your trip? Questions about what to wear? Need a taxi while on the trail?

Based in Spain, we are here to make sure that your trip runs smooth as can be – we are available!

* Please note that any additional services purchased will have the following conditions:
Hotel reservations – can be cancelled up to 1 week before arrival without penalty
Extra luggage/Private transfers – can be cancelled up to 72 hours before without penalty

Ground Transportation

All ground transportation between the designated starting and finishing point of your Fresco Tour is provided. We will help facilitate information for your travel arrangements prior to and after the tour start and finish.

Not Included

Airfare to and from the Canary Islands (Spain), airport taxes / departure fees, visas, gratuities or tips, items of personal nature – laundry, phone, luggage surplus charges, medical expenses, bar, etc.

Prior to / After your Fresco Tour: Should your vacation to Spain be for more than a few days prior to or after your Fresco Tour, perhaps you would be interested in a Spain-taineous Custom Tour and personalized private itinerary. Let us know and we’ll create an itinerary especially in tune with your needs and desires.

Table of Contents

Getting There & Back 

How do I get to the Camino de Gran Canaria Tour starting point? 

Maspalomas, on the southern coast of Gran Canaria, is the official starting point of the Camino de Canarias Tour and can be reached via bus or taxi from the International Airport of Gran Canaria or the Port of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. For a sample timetable of buses from the airport (bus line #5), please see: 

Guaguas Global: Gran Canary Airport to Maspalomas 

How do I get to Gran Canary? 

The Gran Canaria International Airport of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the 6th largest airport in Spain and there are frequent flights to mainland Spain (round trip flights from Madrid can cost less than 100) and the rest of Europe. On the neighboring island of Tenerife, there are two international airports and you can fly there directly from Newark From Tenerife to Gran Canaria, there are frequent flights (30 min) and ferries (1:30h). For more details on these airports, please see Spain’s AENA website.

How do I get from Gran Canary Airport to the city center of Las Palmas (the capital)? 

If you arrive at the Gran Canaria International Airport of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, bus 60 will take you directly to the city center of Las Palmas, the capital of the island. Here is a sample timetable for bus line #60. Additionally, taxis are readily available and will take you to the center of Las Palmas for about €28.

On the Road 

What is the weather like on the Camino de Gran Canaria Tour? 

Due to its diverse geography and climates, Gran Canaria is often referred to as a mini continent. As we will be starting at sea level on sandy dunes and working our way up to the top of a volcanic crater, we will see these changes firsthand. The temperate climate means that winter is perfect for hiking – keep in mind that at higher elevations it will be much cooler, especially in the evenings and early mornings, so you will need a jacket. 

Visit these links for a peek at average monthly temperatures in Maspalomas and Gáldar.

What is a typical day like on the Camino de Gran Canaria Tour? 

After breakfast, we lace up and get moving. After walking for a couple of hours, we do a checkpoint to make sure that everything is OK.  This is a good opportunity to change your shoes, put on more sunscreen, or even get a ride to the next checkpoint if necessary.  After walking along the Camino for another 1-2 hours, you will indulge in a complete gourmet picnic prepared with the freshest local ingredients. On some days, we walk 1-2 more hours after lunch to burn off dessert.  

In the afternoon, we go to our hotels, where we take a shower, have a siesta, or just relax by the pool! We finish our day with a glass of tinto and a scrumptious dinner to sample the local gastronomy. We then retire for the night and get ready to do it again the next day. On some evenings, we will do cultural visits to learn more about local customs and history.

Does the group stop for breaks on the Camino de Gran Canaria Tour? 

The scenic trail along the Island of Gran Canaria offers many spots to rest and admire the blue water and coastal views. There will also be checkpoints to fill up our water bottles and get some snacks to fuel us up on our way.  

At some points, we will also be able to have a break on the beach and enjoy a drink with our toes in the sand.  

What is the terrain like on the Camino de Gran Canaria Tour? 

Diverse is the best word to describe it all! Crossing an island formed millions of years ago by volcanos, you will find sand, volcanic gravel, rocks, fertile soil, forest trails, and some paved roads. Aside from the first and last day, when you will be leaving and entering larger towns, most of the Camino finds you hiking offroad to the top of the crater and then back down.  

What is the change in elevation on the Camino de Gran Canaria Tour? 

We start at sea level and eventually work our way up to 1,700 m (5,600 ft). During the entire 61 km (38 mi) walk, the cumulative elevation gain is about 2,785 m (9,150 ft) with a cumulative elevation loss of 2,670 m (8,750 ft). For a detailed description of the route, please see the following map of the Camino de Santiago Gran Canaria.

How many kilometers are walked each day on the Camino de Gran Canaria Tour? 

The number of kilometers scheduled for each day varies from 4 to 17 km (2.5 to 11 miles). Due to the changes in elevation, all the walks will be accompanied by 2 support vehicles to provide greater assistance and allow options for less (or more!) km’s each day.

Will I be able to do laundry on the Camino de Gran Canaria Tour?  

Some hotels offer laundry services on the premises or you can use local laundromats. We also recommend that you bring quick-drying clothes that you can handwash and dry overnight at the hotel if all else fails!

Before You Go / Preparing 

What type of shoes do I need to walk the Camino de Gran Canaria Tour? 

Footwear is a very personal question – depending on how active you are and how much support you need. Since we will be walking the Canary Island Camino every day, comfort is key – you do not want to get blisters. The trail can be quite rocky at some points, so a full high-cut boot that covers your ankle is probably a good idea. Keep in mind that there may be some mud and water along the trail. Most importantly: Make sure that your boots are well broken in!

What sort of conditioning do I need to undertake before the Camino de Gran Canaria Tour? 

We encourage you to train beforehand by hiking up and down hills, so that you are prepared and can more fully enjoy your experience. During your walk, one of the two guides will be on the trail with the group at all times to ensure that all is well. We also have planned checkpoints along the way with our support van to offer you water, a change of shoes, or a much-needed break. In most cases, you will see the van at least every couple of hours.

Booking a Tour

Thank you for choosing to travel with Fresco Tours! We are very excited for you to join the ranks of our Happy Customers. If at any moment you should have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you again and we look forward to sharing memories of a lifetime with you.

Reservations and Payments

To join us on a Fresco Tour, please visit our Secure Online Reservation Form or download and print a PDF version of the Reservation Form, one for each participant. To reserve your space on a tour, a 15% deposit per person is required and payment should be made via credit card (Visa or MasterCard only), bank transfer or via Wise transferThe balance of your tour payment is due 60 days prior to the departure date. If the tour that you selected begins within 60 days of booking, final payment is due at that time. Failure to receive the remainder of your trip balance by the due date will be considered a cancellation.

Confirmation

Once Fresco Tours has received your registration form and tour deposit, we will send you an email with an invoice of payments received and your remaining balance, a copy of our Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver Form and a link to your Guest Questionnaire. These last 2 items must be returned 60 days prior to the start of tour. In addition, we will send you a Confirmation Packet with information regarding suggestions on preparation, a packing and reading list and other tips to get you excited and prepared for your Fresco Tour.

Final Registration

Once we have received final payment, the signed Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver Form and Guest Questionnaire, you will be sent a receipt and final details regarding your tour, including a detailed itinerary and the hotel contact list.

Single Supplement Fee

Due to the nature of the accommodations we use, there are a limited number of single rooms available. Requests for these rooms are based on availability. Please see the tour itinerary for the cost of this fee. In some cases, it may imply a room smaller in size than a standard double room. If you are traveling alone, and would like to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a same-gender roommate.

Cancellation / Refund Policies

All cancellations must be made in writing. No refunds will be issued due to late arrival, early departure, or any unused portion of a tour. The Assumption of Risk / Liability Waiver form must be signed and received 60 days prior to tour departure or the reservation will also be treated as a cancellation. W

Time Price
Cancellations received 121 or more days prior to trip start
10% of trip price
Cancellations received 120 – 61 days prior to trip start
15% of trip price
Cancellations received 60 – 31 days prior to trip start
50% of trip price
Cancellations received 30 days or less prior to trip start
100% of trip price

Fresco Tours reserves the right to change, modify, or cancel a tour prior to departure for any reason, including lack of participants (tour minimum: 3-6 passengers with 1 guide, 7 passengers or more with 2 guides) or acts of nature and/or circumstances beyond our control. In this case, any payments received will be refunded in full, and this will constitute full settlement. Fresco Tours is not responsible for any additional expenses due to a canceled tour, such as the purchase of non-refundable airline tickets.

Fresco Tours reserves the right to accept, refuse, or decline any tour member’s participation at any time for any reason. In such a case, Fresco Tour’s liability is limited to the actual cost of the unused services.

Changing Tour Dates

If we are notified of a change to your scheduled tour date 6 months prior, you can apply your tour deposit to another departure date without penalty. This change can be up to 1 calendar year in advance and is subject to availability. Otherwise, the above Cancellation Fees will be applied.

As Spain-taneous Private Tours are custom built and created with specific dates in mind, any modifications will incur a 15% surcharge.

Insurance

In accordance with Spanish law and for the duration of your tour with Fresco Tours, you are covered by a basic insurance provided by Intermundial.  We  strongly advise the purchase of a more comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation / interruption. We suggest using Travelinsurance.com, which allows you to compare and assess top insurance provider policies and their different coverage plans.

Traveling Safely and Responsibly

Traveling during these complex times requires a bit more planning and a lot more reassurance. We believe that the Fresco Tours style of travel is particularly well-suited to safe activities: walking in the outdoors, small group sizes, strong reliable relationships with our local partners and, most importantly, we have the local knowledge of our home – the Camino de Santiago and the Spanish culture.

Guided

9 days / 8 nights

61,9 km / 38 mi

Canary Islands

May 9 - 17, 2025
Half Full

Price per person

4195 €

4,393.77 $

* USD$ price based on current exchange rate

Single Supplement Fee

595 €

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