Canyoning Tenerife: Canyoning Los Arcos la Orotava

Los Arcos de Chimoche is the kind of canyon that makes you stop looking at your feet. Its large vertical walls and wind-carved caves give the route a raw, unusual shape, and the main descent lasts about four and a half hours. I like the small group limit of seven and the clear safety focus, which make a demanding setting feel more manageable.

I also like that the price includes approved canyoning equipment, gloves, a certified guide, and accident and civil liability insurance. The main catch is practical: you must reach the meeting point yourself, bring proper sports shoes and clothing, and the activity only runs with at least four clients.

Key points to know before booking

• The canyon itself is the star: Expect tall rock walls, caves, and forms shaped by wind and water.
• The active part lasts about 4.5 hours: Add a 35-minute walk in and a 30-minute walk out.
• Small groups help: No more than seven people take part, with a minimum of four required.
• Safety equipment is included: Approved canyoning gear, gloves, insurance, and a certified guide are provided.
• Meet near La Orotava: The start is Mirador Vista a La Palma, on the road toward Mount Teide.
• Bento has guided some outings: He is noted for taking time with explanations and sending photos and videos afterward.

Why Los Arcos is more than a simple walk

Canyoning Los Arcos is built around movement through a narrow volcanic ravine, not a scenic overlook followed by a short stroll. You begin near La Orotava and make your way toward Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche, where the rock changes from ordinary roadside terrain into high walls and hollowed forms.

The appeal is the canyon’s shape. Wind and water have worked the rock into unusual curves, walls, and caves. You are not simply walking beside a ravine and taking pictures from a path. You are making a guided descent through it, using the canyon’s natural structure as the setting for the activity.

That makes this a good choice if you want Tenerife to feel physical and close-up. The route calls for walking and negotiating different walls, so the reward comes from taking part rather than standing back. The large rock faces also give the outing a sense of scale that a standard hike may not provide.

The description promises safety and fun, but you should read that in a practical way. This is still an active canyoning trip. You need sports shoes, sportswear, and enough comfort with a six-hour outing to stay focused. The guide handles the technical side and supplies the approved material, but you remain an active part of the descent.

Meeting at Mirador Vista a La Palma

The official meeting point is Mirador Vista a La Palma, a viewpoint with a large parking area on the right as you travel up the provincial road from La Orotava toward Mount Teide. This is useful if you are driving, since the parking area gives you a clear place to meet before the group continues to the canyon.

Transport is not included. The directions indicate that the group continues by vehicle from the meeting point to where the route begins, so you need to confirm how that transfer works when you contact the provider on WhatsApp. Do not assume a hotel pickup or included shuttle.

This is one of the few parts that requires extra planning. If you are staying elsewhere in Tenerife, allow time to reach La Orotava and locate the viewpoint. You should also check availability before booking, since the activity needs at least four clients to operate.

The meeting point has an added benefit: it gives you a straightforward place to organize your footwear, clothing, water, and any personal items before the activity starts. Once the group heads onward, you will want to be ready.

The 20-minute safety briefing

At Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche, the day starts with a safety briefing lasting about 20 minutes. This is not wasted time. Canyoning involves uneven ground, walls, caves, and a long period of physical activity, so clear instructions matter.

The certified guide explains how the group will move through the ravine and how to use the supplied equipment. You can use this moment to ask questions in English or Spanish, especially if you have never tried canyoning before.

The small group limit helps here. With no more than seven people, the guide has a better chance to see how everyone is managing and to give explanations without rushing. The minimum of four creates a small working group rather than a crowded procession.

The safety record suggested by the provided information is one of the strongest reasons to consider this outing. You receive approved canyoning materials, gloves, and civil liability and accident insurance. Those inclusions do not remove the need for care, but they show that the activity is organized around proper equipment and supervision.

Walking 35 minutes to the canyon head

The approach walk takes about 35 minutes. That time is part of the activity, not a separate transfer you can skip. You should expect a gradual change from meeting-point logistics to the canyon environment as you walk toward the head of the ravine.

This approach gives you time to settle into the group and understand the route before the main descent begins. It also means the six-hour duration is not six hours of constant technical action. Some of your time is spent walking, preparing, and returning.

That is useful to know when judging the physical demand. You do not need to be moving through the most technical sections for the entire day, but you do need stamina for a full half-day outing. Comfortable sports shoes are required, and sportswear is the sensible choice.

The supplied information does not specify the exact elevation gain, surface, or technical level of each wall. I would contact the provider before booking if you need detailed information about the walking conditions or have concerns about your fitness.

Four and a half hours inside Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche

The main guided section lasts about four and a half hours. Inside the ravine, you descend along different walls and pass through caves, with time to notice the strange shapes formed by erosion.

This is where Los Arcos earns its appeal. The rock is not described as a single smooth corridor. Instead, the route moves through a series of walls, hollows, and changing forms. The natural shapes give the descent variety and make the canyon feel like a place to explore rather than a fixed athletic course.

The walls are the visual highlight. Their height can make the route feel dramatic, while the caves add moments of enclosure and contrast. One minute you may be looking at a broad rock face, and the next you are moving among tighter, more irregular forms.

You should also expect the guide to set the pace and explain what you are seeing. The activity is not marketed as a race. The best version of this outing combines the physical challenge with pauses to understand the canyon’s features.

Guide Bento has received specific praise for taking time to explain the route and point out the beauty of the canyon. He has also sent photos and videos after the day. That is a useful extra if your guide is Bento, though you should not assume the same guide will lead every departure.

The canyon’s appeal is also its limitation. A six-hour descent through walls and caves may feel long if you want a light outdoor activity. The experience suits you best if you enjoy sustained activity and prefer being involved in the setting rather than viewing it from a roadside stop.

What the included equipment means

The $75 price includes approved canyoning materials and gloves. It also includes a certified guide plus civil liability and accident insurance. That package matters because buying or hiring the right equipment separately would make a self-guided attempt less sensible and far less controlled.

The equipment list does not include food or transport. You need to plan both yourself. The supplied information does not state whether water, snacks, or a meal are available, so bring food only after confirming what is practical for the route and what you can carry comfortably.

Gloves are a small but useful inclusion. They protect your hands and make contact with rock more comfortable. You still need to bring sports shoes and sportswear, since those are not listed as supplied.

The activity does not include a promise of personal photos on every departure. Bento has sent photos and videos after some outings, so it is worth asking whether that service is available on your date rather than treating it as guaranteed.

Is $75 a fair price?

At $75 per person, this is a reasonable price if you want a guided canyoning experience rather than a basic walk. You are paying for six hours of organized activity, a certified guide, approved equipment, gloves, and insurance.

The small group size improves the value. A maximum of seven means the guide is not managing a large crowd inside the ravine. That can make explanations clearer and reduce the feeling that you are simply following a line of people through the canyon.

The value is weaker if you need transport from your hotel or expect food to be provided. Neither is included, and the meeting point is outside the main activity area. Add the cost and time of reaching La Orotava when comparing this with other Tenerife outings.

I would also check the minimum group rule before making firm plans. The activity takes place with at least four clients, so a small party of one or two should confirm that the departure is operating.

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity gives you some protection if your plans change. You can also reserve and pay later, which helps if you are arranging several Tenerife activities at once.

Who should book this canyoning outing?

I would recommend it to adults and children aged 12 or older who want an active half-day in a striking natural setting. It should suit you if you like the idea of walking through caves, negotiating walls, and spending several hours under the direction of a guide.

It is especially appealing for people who want a small group. Seven participants is enough for a social outing without turning the canyon into a busy route. English and Spanish instruction also makes it workable for a mixed-language group.

You should think twice if you want a relaxed sightseeing trip, dislike enclosed rock spaces, or are not comfortable with a six-hour activity. The supplied information does not give a detailed difficulty grade, so ask the provider for more guidance if you are unsure.

The activity is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with altitude sickness, or anyone over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

How to prepare for the six-hour day

Start with sports shoes that you can use securely on uneven ground. The provider specifically asks for sports shoes and sportswear, so sandals, casual shoes, and restrictive clothing are poor choices.

Contact the provider through WhatsApp before booking to check availability. This is particularly important because the group needs a minimum of four clients and because the meeting point and vehicle arrangements deserve confirmation.

Plan your arrival at Mirador Vista a La Palma carefully. The viewpoint is on the right as you go up the La Orotava provincial road toward Mount Teide and has a large parking area. Since transport is not included, verify whether you will follow the guide’s vehicle or make your own way to the route start.

Bring what you need for a long outdoor activity, but confirm food and drink arrangements first. Food is not included, and the available details do not specify storage or refreshment stops.

The return walk and end of the route

After the guided descent, the group hikes for about 30 minutes before returning to Mirador Vista a La Palma. This final walk is short compared with the main canyon section, but it comes after several hours of activity.

That timing is worth considering. You may be tired by the end, so comfortable shoes and a sensible pace matter. The return also means the experience finishes where it began, which simplifies getting back to your vehicle.

The six-hour schedule includes the briefing, approach walk, canyon section, and return. Check the available starting time before booking, since the exact departure time is not fixed in the information provided.

My recommendation: book it if the canyon is your priority

I would book Canyoning Los Arcos if you want Tenerife scenery with a real physical component. The tall walls, caves, and erosion-shaped rock give the outing a clear sense of place, while the certified guide, included equipment, insurance, and seven-person limit address the main concerns of a guided adventure.

I would not book it blindly if transport, food, or technical difficulty are major concerns. Confirm those details by WhatsApp, make sure the minimum group of four is met, and be honest about your fitness and any back or health problems.

For the right person, $75 is a solid price for a six-hour canyoning day. It is not a casual viewpoint visit, but it offers a closer, more active way to experience the rock formations around La Orotava.

FAQ

Where does the canyoning experience meet?

The meeting point is Mirador Vista a La Palma, on the right side of the provincial road from La Orotava toward Mount Teide. The viewpoint has a large parking area.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts about six hours. This includes a 20-minute safety briefing, a 35-minute approach walk, about 4.5 hours in the canyon, and a 30-minute return walk.

What language does the guide speak?

Guides provide instruction in English and Spanish.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to seven participants. The activity requires a minimum of four clients to take place.

What equipment is included?

Approved canyoning materials and gloves are included. A certified guide, civil liability insurance, and accident insurance are also provided.

What should I bring?

Bring sports shoes and sportswear. Food is not included, and transport is not included.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, people with back problems, people with altitude sickness, or people weighing over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms.

Can I cancel or pay later?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve now and pay later option lets you book without paying immediately.