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 tall walls, caves, and wind-and-water-shaped rock formations give the route a sense of scale that simple hiking cannot match. You move through the ravine under the care of certified guides, using approved canyoning equipment.

I like the small group of no more than seven, since that gives the guide room to explain techniques and watch each person closely. I also like that the price includes equipment, gloves, a certified guide, and accident and civil liability insurance. The main drawback is practical: transport and food are not included, and the activity only runs with at least four clients.

What makes this canyoning trip worth a closer look

• Towering rock walls: Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche is shaped by erosion, with caves and unusual natural forms along the route.
• A real half-day adventure: Six hours includes the briefing, approach walk, canyon descent, and walk back to the meeting point.
• Small groups: The maximum group size is seven, useful when you need help with equipment or instructions.
• Guide Bento’s personal touch: He is praised for taking time to explain the canyon and for sending photos and videos afterward.
• A clear meeting point: You meet at Mirador Vista a La Palma, with a large parking area on the road toward Mount Teide.
• Good safety coverage: Approved gear, gloves, a certified guide, and accident and civil liability insurance are included.

Entering the ravine near La Orotava

This is not a quick tourist stop with a short walk and a photo. You set aside about six hours for a proper canyoning outing in the hills above La Orotava, where the route follows Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche.

The setting is the main attraction. The ravine has large vertical walls, caves, and rock shapes formed by wind and water erosion. You are not simply passing a canyon from a roadside viewpoint. You move inside it, along its walls and through its narrower sections, with the rock close around you.

That makes the experience feel more active and direct than a standard Tenerife excursion. You will need to walk, listen to instructions, use the provided equipment, and stay engaged for several hours. The reward is access to a striking natural space that is difficult to appreciate from above.

The meeting point is Mirador Vista a La Palma, on the provincial road that climbs from La Orotava toward Mount Teide. The viewpoint is on the right as you go uphill and has a large parking area. This is useful if you are driving, but you should pay attention to the road and arrange your own transport because vehicle transfer is not included.

The 20-minute safety briefing

The activity begins at Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche with a safety briefing of about 20 minutes. This is an important part of the day, not a formality to rush through.

Your guide will explain how the outing works and how to use the canyoning equipment. You should expect instructions about moving through the ravine, handling the route, and following the guide’s directions at each section. If you are new to canyoning, this is your chance to ask questions before the more demanding part begins.

The small group limit helps here. With no more than seven participants, the guide can keep the briefing focused instead of trying to address a large crowd. The activity requires at least four clients to operate, so confirm availability through WhatsApp before setting your plans around it.

The guide team speaks English and Spanish. Guide Bento receives specific praise for taking time with explanations and showing the canyon’s natural features. That personal approach matters in an activity where clear instructions affect both comfort and safety.

A 35-minute walk to the canyon entrance

After the briefing, you walk for about 35 minutes toward the head of the ravine. This approach adds time and effort before the main descent begins, but it also gives you a gradual start rather than dropping straight into the technical part of the route.

You should wear sports shoes with a secure sole and sportswear that allows free movement. The provided gloves help protect your hands, but your footwear and clothing are your responsibility. The supplied information does not specify whether clothing or shoes become wet, so bring gear suited to an active outdoor outing rather than casual sightseeing.

The approach walk is also a useful test of how you feel before the canyon begins. Canyoning is not a passive ride. If a 35-minute uphill or uneven walk already feels difficult, the rest of the day may be tiring.

Four and a half hours among walls and caves

The guided section lasts about four and a half hours, making it the heart of the experience. Inside the ravine, you descend along different walls and pass through caves and rock formations shaped by erosion.

The exact movement at each section is not specified, so you should not book this expecting a fixed list of rappels, jumps, or water slides. What is clear is that the route involves a sustained descent through a natural canyon, with the guide leading you through its walls, caves, and unusual rock shapes.

That uncertainty is not necessarily a weakness. Natural canyoning routes change in character from one section to the next, and the guide can manage the route as a complete outing rather than forcing every group through an identical amusement-park sequence. Still, anyone hoping for a particular technical feature should ask the provider before booking.

The canyon’s geology provides much of the drama. Wind and water have cut the rock into forms that can look almost sculpted, while the large walls create a strong sense of enclosure. You will want to look up as well as ahead. The most memorable parts may be the shapes around you, not just the physical challenge of getting down.

Safety is central to the experience. A certified guide leads the group, and the price includes approved canyoning materials, gloves, accident insurance, and civil liability insurance. Those inclusions do not remove the need to follow instructions, but they do mean you are not expected to bring your own technical equipment.

I would pay close attention during every explanation, especially if you have never tried canyoning. The guide’s job is to help you move through the route safely, but your cooperation is part of the safety system.

Walking back after the descent

Once the guided canyon section ends, you hike for about 30 minutes back toward Mirador Vista a La Palma. This final walk is shorter than the approach, but it comes after several hours of activity.

The return gives you time to settle down and take in what you have just done. It also means the outing is not finished the moment you leave the deepest part of the ravine. Plan your day with enough space afterward rather than scheduling a tight meal, excursion, or drive immediately after the advertised end time.

At the starting and ending point, you can return to your parked vehicle. Since food is not included, carry whatever you need for the day within the limits allowed by the provider. The supplied details do not state whether food or drinks are available along the route, so do not assume that they are.

What the $75 price really covers

At $75 per person, this sits in a reasonable range for a six-hour guided outdoor activity, especially because the cost includes several practical items. You receive approved canyoning equipment, gloves, a certified guide, accident insurance, and civil liability insurance.

The value is strongest if you do not already own canyoning gear or have the experience to organize a route independently. You are paying for access to a demanding natural setting, technical equipment, guide supervision, and a planned route that includes the approach and return walks.

The price does not include transport or food. If you are staying in another part of Tenerife, you need to get yourself to the meeting point at Mirador Vista a La Palma. That can make the real cost higher than the headline price, especially if you need a taxi or rental car.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Tenerife schedule is still changing. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms are useful, but the minimum group requirement still matters, so contact the provider by WhatsApp to confirm that the outing will run.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend Los Arcos de Chimoche to adults and older teenagers who want an active day in Tenerife and feel comfortable with a six-hour outdoor commitment. It suits you best if you enjoy physical challenges, unusual rock formations, and guided adventure more than a relaxed sightseeing trip.

It can also work well for first-time canyoners who want professional supervision and a small group. The briefing, included gear, and guide support give beginners a structured way to try the activity.

You should think carefully before booking if you have back problems, altitude sickness, or are pregnant. The activity is not suitable for children under 12 or for people over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed.

The route may not suit you if you dislike enclosed spaces, uneven walking, or being active for several hours. The canyon includes walls and caves, and the day includes a 35-minute approach walk plus a 30-minute return walk. Ask the provider for more detail if you need to know the exact physical or technical demands before committing.

The guide makes a real difference

Canyoning depends heavily on the guide. The guide needs to explain the equipment, set a safe pace, point out the route, and help the group stay calm when the terrain feels unfamiliar.

The available feedback gives a useful picture of the guiding style. Bento is singled out for taking time to explain the canyon and show its natural features. He is also praised for sending photos and videos after the day, a thoughtful extra for an activity where you may not want to handle your own phone.

That detail matters because canyoning is hard to document while you are moving through a ravine. You are focused on footing, instructions, and the next section. If your guide provides photos and videos, you can keep a record without turning the whole outing into a camera exercise.

The broader impression is of an energetic and professional guide service, but you should still confirm the guide and language available for your date. English and Spanish are offered, and the group is limited to seven.

How to prepare for a better day

Wear sports shoes and sportswear, as requested by the provider. Choose clothing that lets you move freely and that you will not mind using for a rugged outdoor activity.

Arrive ready for a full six-hour outing. The schedule includes a 20-minute safety briefing, a 35-minute walk to the canyon, about four and a half hours inside the ravine, and a 30-minute walk back. Even if the timings shift slightly, this is a substantial part of your day.

Bring food if you need it, since meals are not included. Transport is also your responsibility, so check the route to Mirador Vista a La Palma before leaving. The meeting point is on the road toward Mount Teide, uphill from La Orotava, with a large parking area on the right.

Contact the provider through WhatsApp before booking or before your activity date to check availability. The activity requires a minimum of four clients, and checking ahead can save you from building an itinerary around a departure that may not operate.

Is Los Arcos de Chimoche worth booking?

I would book this canyoning trip if you want a serious half-day outdoor activity with a small group, certified guides, and equipment included. The tall walls, caves, and eroded rock shapes give it more character than a generic walk, while the six-hour format gives you time to experience the ravine rather than simply visit it.

I would skip it if you need included transport, prefer a short and easy outing, or want a guaranteed list of specific technical features such as jumps or rappels. For everyone else, the $75 price is fair when you factor in the guide, gear, gloves, and insurance.

Before paying, confirm the minimum group size, meeting point, language, and exact route conditions by WhatsApp. If those details suit your plans, Los Arcos de Chimoche offers a memorable way to see Tenerife from inside its rock walls.

FAQ

Where does the canyoning activity meet?

You meet at Mirador Vista a La Palma, on the right side of the provincial road going uphill 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 walk to the ravine, about four and a half hours of guided canyoning, and a 30-minute walk back.

What is included in the price?

The price includes approved canyoning materials, a certified guide, accident and civil liability insurance, and gloves.

Is transport included?

No. You must arrange your own transport to the meeting point, and food is also not included.

What should I bring?

Bring sports shoes and sportswear. You should also plan for a six-hour outdoor activity and arrange your own food, since meals are not provided.

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 over 243 pounds, or 110 kilograms. The activity also requires at least four clients to run.