Teide: Nuit étoilée inoubliable à l'observatoire de Ténérife

Nous nous sommes rendus à l’observatoire par nos propres moyens (voiture de location) et n’avions réservé que la visite guidée en français. Notre jeune guide était un passionné et a donné énormément d’explications. Mais difficile de tout « digérer » tant il en a donné ! La visite n’est pas ouverte aux jeunes enfants et je comprends pourquoi. Nous avons très vite « perdus » les nôtres, de 9 et 13 ans. Il faut vraiment être intéressé par l’astronomie et maîtriser un minimum de connaissances dans le domaine. Pour autant, j’ai apprécié de pouvoir déambuler entre les diverses stations de recherche en activité (on ne peut y entrer), de voir le montage en cours de l’une d’entre elles. Nous avons pu faire un stop dans un bâtiment (climatisé) pour avoir un certain nombre d’explications puis dans un ancien télescope pour voir tout son équipement. Intéressante observation également du soleil via un petit télescope en extérieur. Au-delà, c’est le site et son environnement qui méritent d’être vus. Cela reste un endroit « pas comme les autres » pour l’observatoire et pour le volcan. Peut-être serait-il possible d’imaginer une formule de visite moins « scientifique » et plus accessible aux non-initiés ? En l’état, ce n’est pas une activité « grand public ». Je n'ai de loin ni tout retenu, ni tout compris mais j’ai bien aimé tout de même.

Visite de l'observatoire intéressante avec un guide français sympathique. Coucher de soleil sur la mer de nuage magnifique. Cependant nous n'avons pas pu observer les étoiles à cause des nuages. Cela n'est la faute de personne. Mais nous n'avons été remboursé que 35 euros par personne alors que le billet coûte 95 euros par personne et c'est clairement pour voir les étoiles que nous sommes venus. Notez que vous pouvez accéder à l'observatoire à pieds sans qu'ils vous emmènent. Très déçu du service client.

Pour les passionnés, c’est une visite incontournable avec des guides de haute qualité qui connaissent parfaitement leur sujet. Tant la visite de l’observatoire et ses explications que l’observation des étoiles au pied du téléphérique ont été pour nous une expérience quasi magique. Notre guide, un vrai passionné, a su rendre simples des informations pourtant très scientifiques avec une touche d’humour très efficace. Nous avons pu observer le soleil (à l’observatoire) ainsi qu’une galaxie et la nébuleuse d’Orion (observation au pied du téléphérique et qui sera différente selon la saison à laquelle vous irez). Un grand merci pour ce souvenir inoubliable!

Si vous aimez l'astronomie. Je recommande vraiment ce tour. magnifique coucher de soleil et visiter l'intérieur du télescope. Le guide de l'astronome était incroyable.

Les guides parlaient bien anglais et étaient de véritables astronomes. On nous a montré les nombreux observatoires situés sur un côté de la montagne et des projets internationaux. Fascinant. Beau coucher de soleil au dessus des nuages. Ensuite, conduit à la base du centre des visiteurs de la télécabine. Des télescopes réfléchissants de 30 cm ont été installés pour la visualisation. J'ai été surpris par la grande taille du groupe - pas comme annoncé. Cela signifiait moins de chances de voir. Je l’aimais toujours, mais vous devez être prêt pour un long voyage et un temps d’attente ennuyeux au milieu.

It was a very good tour overall. We enjoyed the observatory and telescope visits (‘Carlos Sanchez’ observatory and views of sun through the Lunt Solar Scope 🔭). The Astrophysics workshop was okay. However, the speaker was asking the audience questions in español (- no ingles!). In future, please ask audience questions in English as well, so that we can all be fully engaged in the workshop. Gr8 shout out to Lucas Peirera, our main guide, who was very engaging with the telescopes/observatory tour and observing later in evening (- we saw some amazing views of the night sky!).

The visit to the observatory included lots of interesting information and was a good setup for the second part of the tour. The scenery and views from the top of the volcano are beautiful, particularly the sunset which was spectacular. The tour of the cosmos was amazing, I learned a lot and could have stayed there all night Our guide Lucas was great - knowledgeable, funny, and engaging Thank you for a great evening!

We were picked up from our hotel in Los Cristianos exactly on time at 4pm. Had a number of other pick ups before setting off for Teide which is a long drive but interesting to see how the landscape changes as you drive up the mountain. There was a short stop at the Roques de Garcia viewpoint which was a bonus, and good toilets here as well, then on to the Observatory where we arrived about 6.45pm. We had the opportunity to look at the sun through a special telescope set up outside, followed by a tour of the Observatory with our guide who was exceptionally knowledgeable. He explained all about the research going on and the different countries involved. It's amazing how many projects there are and the guide took us inside one of the domes to see the mechanics close up. The Observatory is situated 2400m up so the sunset was spectacular. There was some cloud around which produced amazing colours. Once it started getting dark we were taken to the base station of the cable car where we had about half an hour to eat and use the facilities. We had pre-purchased the "picnic" which consisted of a ham & cheese baguette, a muffin and a small bottle of water. It was actually very good. If you don't go for the picnic option you really need to bring your own food as nothing was open by that time although there are a couple of vending machines. The final part of the tour was the night sky viewing using 3 telescopes set up in the car park. By then it was about 10pm and we had about an hour there. Luckily the cloud had cleared away and we had an unobstructed view. As well as looking through the telescopes the guide was explaining about the constellations and the stars and planets that were visible. You do have to stand around for the whole time and some of the group were tiring by this point. It was also getting cold. Viewing through the telescopes was a bit underwhelming as they are not hugely powerful and we didn't see any galaxies or planets in detail...but wow there were so many stars! Finally we had the long drive back and we were not back at our hotel until just before 1am, so it was nearly 9 hours out! The tour was very professionally run and quite scientific with a lot of factual information and very detailed explanations . Well worth the price for what you get. Would recommend if you are interested in astronomy but only suitable for older children if they have a real interest.

Very simple process to book through Tripadvisor with links sent and emails confirmingbokking. This was a good organised and well informed tour - picked up almost at the hotel and were a very small inital group of 8. 2 families of 4 both with 2 children. Joined later by a further 6-8 people. Maximillian was very informative and full of interesting pieces of information throughout the trip, not just about astronomy. Unfortunately there was too many clouds to be able to see the stars. Made for a very disappointing end to what was a very good day. Trip on cable car not included as we thought but expect that would have added another couple of hours on to the trip. I can only confirm you really do need winter clothes as the temperature dropped very quickly. Took the kids hats scarves and gloves and were needed. I am hoping I will get an invititaion to return for the star gazing as we visit Tenerife each year in February and considering Tenerife gets 300 days a year of clear skys was unlucky. I'll update with outcome so you know what happens if you miss the stars as this is the main event in my opinion.

This tour involved being taken from close by our hotel with several others on a tour of the Observatory. The tour of the Observatory was well organised informative and enjoyable. The second part involved being taken to the base station of the cable car to Teide. There telescopes were set up to enable us to view the night sky. This was less enjoyable because it was extremely cold. I would advise anybody to go on this tour in the summer. We also felt that there was a fair amount of waiting about and felt that the whole trip would benefit from a tighter schedule. Having said that it was very informative and very reasonably priced for the expertise offered.