Canary Islands Tenerife Challenger Expedition - Sample Itinerary

Arrive at Tenerife South Airport where you’ll meet your tour leader who will be with you for the duration of your expedition. You’ll start with an orientation discussion about what to expect on your expedition and an introduction to Tenerife.

Traditional Canarian dinner 

A Canarian style dinner will act as an icebreaker for your group as you get to sample local paella. Settle into your accommodation for the first night in Tenerife. Your group will share rooms throughout your trip.

Orientation and training

Start the day with a health and safety briefing, followed by training where you’ll learn about our local projects and partnerships. As part of your training, you’ll learn about cetaceans (whales and dolphins) and prepare for your first expedition activities.

Outcomes:

• Health and safety

• Local projects and partners

All staff are trained professionals

Lead a beach clean

After a brief introduction to marine litter and pollution, you'll take turns to lead your group on a beach clean. Working as a team, you'll learn the importance of working with others, delegation, trust and group communication.

Outcomes:

• Leadership

• Communication

Developing self-awareness

Team conservation challenge

Applying teamwork and planning, you'll split into teams and collect data on boat and sailboat activity and then compare your data with other teams. Learn to work together to contribute towards local conservation efforts.

Outcomes:

• Teamwork

• Planning

Sustainable project outcomes

Test your teamwork and species knowledge

After learning about pilot whales and identification techniques, you'll split into teams to test your conservation knowledge as a group. Take part in a fun species identification quiz that challenges your communication and teamwork skills.

Outcomes:

• Species protection

• Teamwork

Clear roles and specialised training

Marine navigation

As a team, you'll learn how to use a compass while boating and how to navigate at sea using local locations and landmarks. Develop your leadership skills by navigating to particular monitoring points. Working as a team, you'll monitor, take notes and record data on cetaceans.

Outcomes:

• Leadership

• Planning

Locally driven, collaborative projects

Continue dolphin and whale monitoring

Continue cetacean data collection. While taking part in a fin identification process, you'll also capture the behaviour and the number of species and juveniles you've seen. Your group will end the day by doing a beach clean followed by a swim.

Outcomes:

• Citizen science

• Climate change

Hike to a remote mountain village

Hike to the tiny town of Masca in the middle of the mountains. You'll need to work as a group – ensuring you choose the best route for the team’s fitness level and that everyone stays hydrated – as you make your way up Masca Gorge while enjoying the biodiversity and spectacular scenery.

Outcomes:

• Resilience

• Teamwork

Lead a tour at Icod de los Vinos

Develop leadership skills by leading a tour for your group around the small town of Icod de los Vinos. You'll be responsible for researching the history of the town, the ancient 2,000-year-old Drago Tree, and overseeing the budget for the day trip.

Outcomes:

• Leadership

• Budgeting and currency conversion

Permanent in-country staff

Challenge your local language skills

Learn a few key Spanish phrases before ordering food and walking around the old town and square of Garachico – one of the most picturesque villages in Tenerife. As part of your activity, your group will discuss the correlation between language and privilege.

Outcomes:

• Learn Spanish

• Privilege

Final celebration

Enjoy your last night together with a special leaving dinner where you reflect as a group on your journey, celebrate your achievements and start preparing for your trip home. During or after the dinner your group will learn how to continue making an impact. 

Depart from Tenerife

At the end of of every expedition, groups reflect on their experiences, the issues they engaged with, and how to apply what they’ve learned. After final packing and goodbyes, your tour leader will accompany you to the airport for your flight home.