Canyoning Tenerife: Canyoning Los Arcos la Orotava

Los Arcos de Chimoche is the kind of canyon that makes Tenerife feel far wilder than its beach resorts. You move through towering rock walls, caves, and strange shapes cut by wind and water, then rappel down the canyon under the eye of an accredited guide. I like the small group limit of seven, and I like that the activity gives first-timers time to learn before the main descent. The main drawback is practical: you need at least four participants, and transportation is not included.

I also like the balance between excitement and quiet nature. The 4.5-hour canyon section includes walking and rappelling rather than one short thrill ride, and guide Bentoray is praised for making beginners feel at ease. Still, this is a physical outing with a long approach and return walk, so it is not a good fit for children under 12, pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone over 110 kilograms.

Key points to know before booking

• The canyon is Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche: Expect large vertical walls, caves, and unusual rock shapes formed by erosion.
• The main guided section lasts 4.5 hours: This is a substantial half-day outdoor activity, not a quick introductory rappel.
• Groups are limited to seven people: You get a more personal experience and clearer contact with the guide.
• The walk in takes about 35 minutes: Wear proper sports shoes and be ready for a physical approach before the canyon begins.
• The activity starts and ends at Mirador Vista a La Palma: You must arrange your own way to the meeting point, since transportation is not included.
• A minimum of four clients is required: Contact the provider through WhatsApp before making firm plans.

What makes Los Arcos de Chimoche special

Canyoning is part hiking, part rope work, and part careful movement through a natural gorge. At Los Arcos de Chimoche, the setting does much of the work. The canyon’s tall walls close around you, while erosion has shaped the rock into forms that can look almost architectural.

You will not simply walk up to a viewpoint, take a photo, and leave. The route takes you inside the canyon. You move between walls, pass through caves, and negotiate the changing shapes of the ravine with your guide. The setting feels more direct and physical than a standard mountain walk.

The most dramatic moments come from the vertical sections. You will be shown how to use the approved canyoning equipment before tackling the descent, then guided down different walls by rope. For a first canyoning experience, that structure matters. You get the excitement of rappelling, but you are not expected to work out the technique alone.

The canyon also has a quieter side. Between the rope sections, you walk through rock corridors and formations shaped by wind and water. That gives the day a useful rhythm. You are not hanging on a rope for six straight hours, and you are not walking without a clear goal.

Meeting at Mirador Vista a La Palma

The meeting point is Mirador Vista a La Palma, on the road climbing from La Orotava toward Teide. The viewpoint is on the right and has a large parking area, which makes it easier to find than a meeting spot on a small urban street.

The activity begins and ends here. That makes planning simple once you reach the viewpoint, but you need to pay attention to the transportation note: transportation is not included. The instructions say the group continues by vehicles from the meeting point to the route, so confirm the arrangement with 8 Mosquetones Adventure through WhatsApp before you go.

This advance contact is not a minor detail. Availability should be checked by WhatsApp, and the activity needs a minimum of four clients to operate. If you are building a tight Tenerife schedule, do not assume the trip will run on your preferred day until the provider confirms it.

A six-hour block is sensible. You need time for the briefing, equipment, the walk to the canyon, the guided descent, and the return walk. Check the available start time and leave room around it rather than booking a meal or another timed attraction immediately afterward.

The 20-minute safety briefing

The first formal stop is at Barranco Los Arcos de Chimoche, where the safety briefing takes about 20 minutes. This is the point at which the adventure becomes a practical activity rather than a sightseeing outing.

Your guide will explain the equipment and how the descent works. The supplied gear is approved canyoning equipment, and liability and accident insurance are included. Those inclusions do not remove the need for care, but they are important signs that the trip is organized around proper rope work rather than improvised equipment.

If you are new to canyoning, use this time well. Listen closely, ask questions, and tell the guide if you feel uncertain. The small group size should help here, since a maximum of seven people gives the instructor a better chance to keep track of each participant.

Guide Bentoray received particular praise for his mix of encouragement, humor, and professionalism. That combination can make a real difference when you first look down a vertical wall. A calm guide does not make the canyon less exciting. It helps you focus on the next movement instead of letting nerves take over.

The 35-minute walk into the ravine

After the briefing, the group walks for around 35 minutes toward the head of the ravine. This approach is part of the day, not dead time. You gradually leave the meeting area behind and reach the point where the canyon begins to close around you.

You should treat this as a proper hike. Bring sports shoes with a secure grip and wear sports clothing that allows you to move freely. The instructions do not call for special footwear beyond sports shoes, but sandals or loose casual shoes would be a poor choice for a route involving rock, walking, and rope work.

The approach also helps set expectations. The main descent does not begin the moment you arrive at the viewpoint. If you want a quick activity with little walking, this is not the right format. If you like earning the dramatic section by walking into it, the approach adds to the sense of getting somewhere less accessible.

A small bottle of water is included, but it is still wise to think about hydration. Food is not included, and no meal is built into the six-hour schedule. Eat beforehand and carry anything the provider allows you to bring safely, while remembering that the equipment and movement through the canyon may limit what you can carry.

Four and a half hours among walls and caves

The guided canyon section takes about 4.5 hours, making it the heart of the outing. You will descend different walls, pass through caves, and walk between rock forms shaped by erosion. The route has enough variety to keep the experience from becoming a series of identical rappels.

The large vertical walls are the visual signature of Los Arcos de Chimoche. From inside the ravine, the scale changes. You are no longer looking at the rock from a distant trail. You are moving alongside it and, in places, down it.

The caves add another change of mood. They break up the open vertical sections and bring you close to the canyon’s more enclosed shapes. The information available does not promise water jumps or swimming, so you should book this for the walls, caves, hiking, and rappelling that are specifically part of the route, not for a particular water feature.

The rock formations are another strong point. Wind and water have carved whimsical shapes into the ravine, giving you something to notice during the walking sections. This is where the experience feels most connected to Tenerife’s natural character. You are not just paying for an adrenaline activity. You are getting access to a striking part of the island in a way a roadside viewpoint cannot provide.

The pace will depend on the group and the route conditions, but the small group format should help avoid the feel of a crowded assembly line. Seven is still enough people to create some waiting at rope sections, yet it is small enough for the guide to offer direct instruction.

For many people, the first rappel is the mental high point. You may expect it to demand great strength, but the activity is described as more about moving with the natural shape of the canyon and following the technique than forcing your way through it. That does not mean it is effortless. You need to be comfortable with sustained outdoor movement and with the idea of descending rock under instruction.

The guides speak English and Spanish. If you need a particular language for safety instructions, confirm that the available guide can provide it when you contact the company.

The 30-minute walk back

Once the canyon section ends, you walk for about 30 minutes before returning to Mirador Vista a La Palma. This final stretch is easy to overlook when planning, but it is part of the physical demand.

By then, you may be tired from the approach, the rope work, and the long guided section. Good shoes matter again, and sports clothing will be more comfortable than anything restrictive. The walk also gives you time to come down from the most intense moments before the activity ends.

The trip finishes back at the original meeting point. That makes the endpoint clear, but again, do not confuse this with an included transfer service. Arrange your own arrival at the viewpoint and confirm how the group’s vehicle movement is handled between the meeting point and the canyon.

Is $73 a fair price?

At $73 per person, this sits in a reasonable range for a six-hour, small-group canyoning outing. The price includes approved canyoning materials, an accredited guide, liability insurance, accident insurance, and a small bottle of water.

The value comes from the length and the setting. You are paying for a full guided route with a 4.5-hour canyon section, not just equipment rental or a short rappel. The maximum group size of seven also gives the price more weight, especially if you value close instruction.

Transportation and food are not included, so add those costs when planning. You also need to bring your own sports shoes and clothing. The price is strongest for someone who wants a guided introduction to canyoning and prefers a small group over a large commercial outing.

The free cancellation policy allows a full refund when you cancel at least 24 hours ahead. You can also reserve now and pay later, which is useful if your Tenerife plans are still shifting. Those terms do not replace confirmation by WhatsApp, since the activity requires at least four clients.

Who should book this canyoning trip?

This is a good choice if you want a serious outdoor activity with a clear safety structure. It suits adults and children aged 12 or older who are comfortable hiking, following rope instructions, and spending several hours in a canyon.

It is especially suitable for a first canyoning experience if you want support from an instructor rather than attempting a route independently. The guide’s approach, especially the calm encouragement and humor noted for Bentoray, can help you manage the nerves that come with the first vertical section.

You should think twice if you dislike heights, have trouble with sustained walking, or want a gentle nature excursion. The activity includes vertical walls and rappelling, so the adrenaline is not optional. The rules also exclude pregnant women, people with back problems, people with altitude sickness, and anyone over 110 kilograms.

Children under 12 cannot take part. Smoking, alcohol, and drugs are not allowed, which is exactly what you would expect for a rope-based mountain activity.

What to bring and how to prepare

Keep your clothing simple and practical. Wear sports shoes and sportswear, and expect both walking and technical movement. A small bottle of water is supplied, but food is not, so eat before the activity and ask the provider about any additional food or drink you plan to bring.

Arrive ready for a six-hour outing. The time includes the safety talk, the walk to the canyon, the guided route, and the return walk. Do not plan on treating the meeting point as a quick stop between other attractions.

Contact 8 Mosquetones Adventure by WhatsApp before booking to check availability and confirm the details. Ask about the starting time, the minimum group requirement, and the vehicle arrangement from the viewpoint to the route. These questions are particularly useful if you are traveling alone or with only one other person.

Should you book Los Arcos de Chimoche?

Book it if you want to see a dramatic part of Tenerife from inside the rock rather than from a lookout. The combination of caves, unusual erosion forms, tall walls, and rappelling gives you both scenery and action, while the seven-person limit keeps the instruction personal.

I would be most comfortable recommending it to active beginners who want a well-supported introduction. The guide quality, especially Bentoray’s reassuring style, is a major part of the appeal. Just be honest about the physical demands, arrange transportation carefully, and confirm that the minimum group of four has been met.

At $73, it is good value for a six-hour guided canyoning route with equipment and insurance included. It is not a casual half-day walk, but if you are ready for rope work and a long approach, Los Arcos de Chimoche offers one of Tenerife’s more memorable ways to meet the island’s wild side.

FAQ

Where does the canyoning activity start?

It starts at Mirador Vista a La Palma, on the road up from La Orotava toward Teide. The viewpoint is on the right and has a large parking area.

Where does the activity finish?

It finishes back at Mirador Vista a La Palma, the original meeting point.

How long does the canyoning experience last?

The activity lasts about six hours. This includes a 20-minute safety briefing, a 35-minute walk to the ravine, about 4.5 hours of guided canyoning, and a 30-minute walk back.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English and Spanish.

How many people are in each group?

Groups are limited to seven participants.

Is transportation included?

Transportation is not included. The group continues by vehicles from the meeting point toward the route, so contact the provider through WhatsApp to confirm the arrangement.

What equipment is included?

Approved canyoning materials are included, along with an accredited guide, liability insurance, accident insurance, and a small bottle of water.

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 more than 110 kilograms. A minimum of four clients is also required for the activity to take place.