There's a reason La Palma is known as ‘The Green Paradise', and you'll see why on this trip to the northeast. And with our expert local guides, you'll get the inside track from passionate locals. Rudi, one of our guides, says, ‘Before becoming a guide, I worked on a Canarian banana plantation for 5 years. It was a great way to immerse myself in island life.' On this full-day tour, you'll discover fragrant forests, volcanic rock pools and colonial villages. Then, to round off the experience, you'll sample sweet-as-honey local rum.
Kick off this jam-packed excursion at San Bartolo viewpoint overlooking steep coastal hills and the Atlantic beyond. You'll also stop at Los Tilos Forest, part of an ancient laurel rainforest ecosystem that feels like something out of a prehistoric movie set. Its jungle trails weave through hand-carved rock tunnels that lead to a hidden waterfall cascading down the cliffside. From here, it's on to the natural sea-water pools of Charco Azul – the ‘blue pools' where, weather permitting, you'll have a quick swim. Then, you'll continue to the sea-view village of San Andres, a flower-filled cluster of brightly coloured buildings enhanced by all the greenery.
Next up, is one of Rudi's favourite parts of the tour. ‘You walk beside tropical banana plantations and find out why they're essential to island life,' he says. Then, after a stroll along the volcanic shoreline of Charco Azul, you'll stop to taste rum at one of the last traditional distilleries in the Canaries.'