Hike The Volcanic Island of Gran Canaria

The guides on this trip- Benjamin and Rachael were brilliant. Really professional, hard working, kind and could not do enough for you. They knew so much about the history, culture and landscape of Gran Canaria. I would very highly recommend them. They were perfect! The hiking is also amazing. Stunning scenery, just challenging enough, and finishing at the sea for a swim on the final day was just amazing. It is a great hike.

The food is generally pretty good. It was lovely to have such good lunches (not sandwiches). Plenty of food at all times.

So some really great pluses.

Now for the bits that need some rethinking:

I think the issue with this trip is that it is being missold in terms of accommodation. The description makes it sound like mid range guest houses, but in reality it feels more like backpacking.

The little check list at the top on the website says “twin rooms”. I didn’t sleep in a twin room on any night, I was always in a triple or for two nights in a room of 5 people. I slept on a creaky camp bed twice as apparently the trip size has been increased from 12 to 14, so they are two beds short. Hot showers were non existent unless you were first in.

Couples get a marginally better deal, but two nights (after the hardest two days) were in a room sharing one tiny shower/loo between five. The door to the toilet is glass, so your other 4 room mates can see you sitting on the loo. There are no hooks for towels or drying clothes and the ceilings are so low (the rooms are in the eaves) and there are reduced height doorways, that several of our party banged their heads. I banged it so hard I needed an ice pack, and one of the team had a cut across her head. I didn’t have a single hot shower until the final night.

The mountain accommodation also had silly rules like not being able to use the toaster at breakfast, and you were not allowed forks or large spoons. You had to ask for fruit. These things were only for the other guests. I did question what I was doing with my life as I cut up a piece of ham with a teaspoon and my finger!! The food was good apart from that. The guides mentioned that they are held over a barrel because there are no alternative forms of accommodation in these villages.

As others have mentioned the first day is a bit of a waste of precious holiday- you are basically waiting around to be ferried up the mountain in groups because there is not enough space in the van for the whole group. This could be so easily improved.

Information about the trip came really, really late (24 hours before) so it made it tricky to make the most of that day.

The yoga class needs a rethink. It was the wrong kind of class for people who have been hiking for four days and who need general gentle stretching and rehabilitation - some nice gentle flows and salutations would have been better. Others had similar feedback, which is a shame as Carla is lovely and I wanted to love it!

I would still recommend this trip, as I came for the hiking and the hiking was wonderful. But I think guests will be happier (and the guides will get less pressure/grumbling from customers!) if the description is more truthful. We were all moaning about it the whole time!!

One final thought: Prices should be adjusted if it is always the case that people travelling alone get triples/rooms for 5, and couples get doubles with their own bathroom. And the accommodation needs to be accurately described as “basic”.

All that said, I did have a really great time and would still recommend it …..

1. They bribe for good reviews (£500 gift for "favourite" review) so bear that in mind. Also at least one of the promo pics for the trip is for the hotel next door (the pool in the pics is not where you stay!)

2. Our guides were great, lovely people and good knowledge of the area, nice pacing. The group was also really fun (3 couples and 8 solo, everyone socialized together).

3. Hike was good, right level of challenge, varied terrain, good views - desert dust, pine forest, canyon descents. One day is a loop not a point to point. Sea pools on the final stop are really cool.

4. Accommodation was average to poor. Up to 5 sharing, no hot water on most days, no power one day, weird rooms. Food was OK though.

5. Logistics need work. First day is a waste of time, but pickup time only communicated day before. Van too small for the group so multiple trips, ridiculous check ins, no water sometimes, taxi organised by them €10 more than the meter fare, no hotel pickup or drop off, generally a bit chaotic.

The tour was very well guided by very special people. The accommodation and food was just ok for me but the most important thing is the hiking and that was great.

We were blessed with perfect weather conditions on this 6 day experience. Despite the baking midday heat, the hiking was challenging but doable. The summits, views, experiences as well as the destinations make that quad burn worth it.The biggest commendations go out to the guides, Rachel, Mike and Diego and their organisation of the trip. Their local knowledge of the island and expertise are outstanding. It was refreshing to be able to really enjoy the hike while Rachel leads the pack safely to summmit and everywhere in between. Enclosed by our safeguarding Diego at the rear. And then like an angel in disguise, there is Mike whose logisitcs, water, lunch, snacks and friendship kept us motivated throughout the day. The attention to detail within the accommodation by the hosts and guides was impeccable. The combination of the experience above leaves me with no doubt in recommending this excursion!

This trip is truly exceptional - the guides are not only extremely knowledgeable about the history of the island and a great support at the tougher parts of the hike, but are fantastic and fun people to spend time with. The hike is challenging but in the best way, and balanced perfectly with relaxation, fun and surprises along the way. And the VIEWS… extraordinary. Don’t think about booking this trip - just do it.

Awesome trip! The trails weee beautiful and the accommodations were good. Benjamin and Mike were great guides, very friendly and knowledgeable.

Wow, what a fabulous trip. I never leave reviews, ever, but I must. From beginning to end- we were thoroughly looked after, our guides (Ben/ Michel) were absolutely ace. I wasn’t sure about doing this trip, but seriously though it was amazing, great accommodation, great food, stunning scenery and fabulous hiking and side trips- just book it….

This was my first MBA trip and it couldn’t have been a better experience. The hiking was challenging at times, more due to the heat and the long days than anything else, but the amazing views are well worth it. We stayed in some really pretty places, and the food was good and always plentiful. Our guides Rachael, Benjamin, Michele and Diego were brilliant. Everything from start to finish was so well organised, communication was great, and they had thought of everything to make sure we all had a good time. We had a lovely, fun group of people which made the experience even better.

What an incredible trip! The scenery is stunning and incredibly varied, and the hiking hugely fun - the ‘challenging’ rating feels right as no individual hike is particularly extreme, but several days of it in a row will add up!

The views you get are completely unique, and will leave a lasting impression.

The guides are the real star of the show though, who were so welcoming and engaging that they immediately felt like old friends and really helped a group of strangers bond, along with doing a great job of pacing the days and looking out for everyone in the group. From the moment we arrived to the moment we left, we were exceptionally well looked after!

The organisation and logistics was expertly handled as well. Considering that lunch is freshly prepared each day; lots of fresh water is always available; that we stayed in 4(!) different incredible locations; and we even had a cheese and wine night, it’s a real accomplishment to make it feel seamless. One of the best parts of the trip was that basically everything is taken care of - meaning you can focus on the hiking and having a fantastic time, without having to worry about the tricky details.

I had a great time, and would always recommend this trip (and the team of Rachael, Benjamin, Mike and Diago!) to anyone else!

I have had one of THE best weeks im my life. Met amazing group of people and saw the Gran Canaria Island through a different lense than just going for a beach holiday. The whole organisation, program and the food was impeccable. If anyone hesitates to book this trip- do yourself a favour and do book it right away.

One of the best trips I have ever been on. My 3rd MBA and it will hard to be topped. Our guides were amazing, Benji, Rachael and Mike. They gave the trip a relaxed and awesome atmosphere which went down well amongst the group. Climbo, there company, is extremely lucky to have them. We had great weather, beautiful accommodation, and awesome landscapes. We were a group of 12 individuals who all clicked instantly. Hiking from one place to another feels like a proper adventure. The first 2 hikes are pretty tough, but if you feel capable of hiking a long distance, then it is certainly doable. Overall an experience that will live long in the memory. If you’re thinking about doing this, just go for it!

This was a wonderful trip; the island is spectacular, with rugged mountains on one side and green forest on the other. Our leaders Benjamin and Rachael, and our driver Micha, were amazing - Micha in particular took great care of me when I didn’t have the energy for some segments of the trip.

A brilliant trip from start to finish - really well organised, including detailed pre-departure information. Benjamin, Mike and Rachael really went above and beyond - looking after us so well, leading the hikes and ensuring that the group had an excellent time. The accommodation is good, the walks are very doable, the scenery is beautiful and it was a great trip all-round. Thank you!

Our guides were all great fun & also very helpful, doing everything they could to meet our needs, even in some challenging / unforeseen situations! The hiking routes were really pretty, a really different landscape to most. There was tonnes of food! The accomodation exceeded my expectations. One day we were unable to hike to due a calima (sand in the air from the Sahara desert) which was a shame, but they still kept us entertained by showing us around some caves and we went to a museum. Also if you get the chance, there’s a spa hotel just down the road from one of the places you stay, definitely go there it’s absolutely stunning and well worth the money! Like €40 for 2 hours or something. It was dreamy! Great trip overall!

Our hiking trip was easily the best trip I’ve ever been on. The accommodations were interesting and more than sufficient, the food was fantastic, and the hikes themselves were a fulfilling challenge. For various reasons, this should have been a nightmare trip for me, but the guides Benjamin and Rachael were heavensent. Benjamin in particular was part personal trainer, part philosopher, part therapist, and got me up and down the mountains in spite of my severe fear of heights and dismal physical condition. The entire team (special mention goes to Mike, who dealt with logistics) running the trip went above and beyond, juggling a million things, and putting so much of themselves into everything they did. I’m extremely grateful.

An amazing trip to beautiful Gran Canaria, thanks to the absolute dream team of Benjamin, Rachael and Mike. They went above and beyond to make the trip special. The group were amazing too. MBA say it’s challenging and it is, so you have to be fit. I was the slowest in what was a very fast group and so I really recommend being able to hike distances to get maximum enjoyment out of the trip. Racheal and Benjamin were amazing keeping the group together as well so I never felt rushed. We had great weather (all the seasons at one point), the accommodation was basic but really comfortable and the food was ridiculously good. So much food and so yummy. Would recommend this trip to everyone! Loved it all. Thanks Benji and the tuppers! :-)

A brilliant hike across a spectacular volcanic island, a ‘petrified storm’ as its landscape has been described. Benjamin, Rachael and Mike were outstanding hosts, highly professional, a real credit to the company, and logistics were so thoroughly dealt with by Ana. Very enjoyable, and had the luck of having the best group ever to walk around with. Be aware - the weather IS incredibly changeable - the climate of Gran Canaria is very unique. Thank you!

This trip is absolutely wonderful. Each day is different and Gran Canaria is beautiful - it was very lush when we were there, so lots of greenery and wild flowers. The views from the hikes are incredible. The guides (Benjamin, Rachel and Michele) are brilliant - hikes are perfectly paced and they share great knowledge about the area. Accommodation is very good as is the food. Would highly recommend.

Our guides, Benjamin, Rachael and Mike were absolutely fantastic! They were attentative and motivating throughout the week and showed us some unique perspectives to the island. The scenery, people and the group itself left only good memories and I would highly recommend this trip to anyone!

This was an absolutely fantastic experience from start to finish! The hikes were varied each day and allowed us to experience all the beautiful scenery Gran Canaria has to offer. I liked that there was a mix of inclines and varied terrain. It allowed us to find some amazing viewpoints that were tucked away from the usual tourist spots. The views were just incredible; photos don't do it justice! Benjamin, Rachael & Michele were so friendly and accommodating. They are really knowledgeable and helpful. They provided lots of interesting information about the flora, fauna and folklore of the island. Everything was organised and efficient and they went above and beyond to make sure everyone was looked after. There were some lovely surprises thrown in too which really added to the trip. Their relaxed and warm approach made this a stress free experience. The group made this trip for me! A week spent laughing, chatting, eating and exploring with incredible people in the sunshine (& the rain!) was so enjoyable and exceeded my expectations in every way. I'm already looking forward to choosing my next trip!

As someone who has done many group trips in the past but who was feeling a bit rusty, this trip was a perfect reintroduction to group hiking. The itinerary is great as the mix of challenging longer days followed by opportunities to rest meant I still felt like I had been able to push myself but also have a holiday in the process. The landscape was beautiful and varied - pine forests, lava fields and jaw-dropping views all along the way. But the success of the trip lies with the fantastic guides Benjamin, Mike and Rachel. They ran the trip with amazing efficiency, giving the assurance we were very well looking after at every stage, all with good humour and demonstrating a clear passion for this wonderful island.

We had such an excellent trip to Gran Canaria. I felt in safe hands throughout, and loved getting to share life experiences with the other people in the group. The hiking is strenuous but not overwhelming and you're rewarded with mega views and lovely evenings.

We had a brilliant time on our trip!

The guides were fantastic throughout: kind, interesting, knowledgeable & good at hosting the group during and around the walking.

The trip took us on gorgeous routes across the different landscapes of Gran Canaria and was a good balance of big walking days and relaxed time to enjoy the views.

Benjamin, Mike and Rachel were the most wonderful organizers. They made sure everyone was happy. The hike was wonderful.

It’s hard to sun up quite how good this trip was - from stunning scenery to undoubtedly one of the best team guiding and coordinating

Our group dynamics were very special, albeit I believe Benjamin Rachel and Mikele would make every trip one you’d want to repeat - expertly pacing the group, seamlessly gelling group dynamics, among so much more.

The scenery was breathtaking, hikes a fantastic mix of satisfactory hard to make you wonder momentarily “what on earth am I doing” before breaking to a plateau or peak to relish the journey as much as destination.

So much more I could say, but will leave it there. If you’re sitting on the fence, stop hesitating and book

• it’s likely to be a trip of a lifetime

I cannot recommend this adventure trip enough, one of the best ever! The organisation was excellent, the route incredible, the accommodation impeccable and food was homemade at all times. But the best thing of all were our guides, Ben, Rachael and Mike, so incredibly kind, caring, supportive and working very hard to give you the best time and happiest trekking experience. 10/10 without a doubt 🤩🤩

Amazing hiking holiday. Every day was varied and interesting, incredible views, tasty food and stunning sunset. Every detail was made extra special by our amazing tour leaders, Benjamin, Mike and Racheal who worked incredibly hard to ensure everyone had the best time, thank you so much xxx

Well organised great trip, beautiful views and very good guides. Food was so tasty!

I've done a few group trips over the past few years but this has definitely been my favourite so far! Everything was really well organised and everyone was always aware of what was happening each day. The walking was challenging but very achievable and it was nice to have the escape points as an option. The amazing views also made the long days worthwhile! Make sure to take lots of layers, the micro climates in the mountains really can catch you out! Benjamin, Rachael and Michele were great guides and made everyone feel so welcome. I wouldn't necessarily have considered Gran Canaria before I saw this trip but it's become one of my favourite places so far. I would recommend this trip to anyone!

I enjoyed this trip but I didn't feel like it was worth the money I paid. The accommodation was basic, for two nights we had a room where we were in the eaves so we couldn't stand up straight. The food was tasty but again very cheap to prepare. Lunch was often pasta in sauce with some vegetables. I just don't see where the money was spent. The guides did a great job during the walk making us all feel safe and looked after. In other ways communication was lacking. I wanted to arrange an extension on the trip and finding out if the drop off location could be altered before we went was very difficult. In the end I had to wait until we arrived and ask the guides. We were encouraged to buy water from the restaurants for our next walking day which didn't feel very sustainable. I expected water to be included on a walking trip. The guides didn't help with paying for the drinks on the first day which resulted in someone paying for all of them. We had a minibus that was too small to fit us all in so they had to run multiple shuttles. I enjoyed the overall experience but based on this trip and lack of value for money I wouldn't book with MBA again.