LANZAROTE - THE ISLAND OF ETERNAL SPRING

Transcription

1 A centre-based Canary Islands walking holiday on Lanzarote traversing from south to north following the GR131 HOLIDAY CODE LWW Hike the excellent GR131 long distance footpath across the island of Lanzarote Walk over Lanzarote's high point Las Penas del Chache (670m) on the Famara cliffs Explore the charming Isla of La Graciosa and ancient capital of Teguise Centre-based in superb accommodation with a swimming pool and terraces Spain, Lanzarote, Trek & Walk, 8 Days 7 nights villa with swimming pool, 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners, max group size: 14, 6 days walking, max. altitude metres VIEW DATES, PRICES & BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY HERE

2 PAGE 2 Introduction With its year round mild climate, sweeping sea views, endemic flora, dramatic volcanic landscape and stark beauty, Lanzarote is known as the Island of Eternal Spring. The most welcoming of the Canaries and declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993, Lanzarote has an abundance of volcanic cones, a palm-filled valley, meandering footpaths, white-washed villages and colourful lava fields. During this centre-based walking holiday we stay in the coastal town of Costa Teguise and each day walk a section of the excellent GR 131 long distance footpath which traverses across all seven of the Canary Islands. We'll explore the South-Western coast with its traditional villages and views across to neighbouring Fuerteventura, and walk through a landscape of volcanic vineyards, tiny hamlets, fragrant orchards and lava fields. We'll enjoy views of the Timanfaya National Park, home to the Fire Mountains and explore pretty Teguise, once the ancient capital and known as La Villa due to its cobbled streets lined with beautiful buildings. A holiday highlight is hiking across the highest point on the island and taking a ferry to explore the charming Isla of Graciosa. If you re looking for a Canary Islands walking holiday which offers a kaleidoscope of colours, winter sunshine, excellent accommodation and a wonderful volcanic landscape then Lanzarote is the perfect choice. Looking For A Two Week Canary Islands Holiday? For a complete Canary Islands experience, why not combine our Laznarote - The Island of Eternal Spring with our one week Hidden Trails of Fuerteventura Our dates work back to back and with frequent ferry crossings between Playa Blanca on Lanzarote and Corralejo on Fuerteventura it really couldn't be simpler! The Lanzarote Traditional Villa Experience Part of the overall Lanzarote walking holiday experience is the wonderful accommodation. During the week we stay in traditional villas or bungalows complete with shady terraces and pool. Each accommodation has either two or three light and airy bedrooms, bathrooms, a relaxing living room and kitchen facilities. Using this style of accommodation ensures a more spacious style of holiday and if you decide to take a day off walking, you have a lot more than just a hotel room to relax in! Breakfasts are set up self-service style in the morning, and having kitchen facilities with a fridge, means a pre-dinner glass of wine or relaxing night cap is kept nicely chilled. The accommodation is located in a quiet area of the town, so each evening we'll sample a wide range of restaurants which are close by before heading back to the calm of our lovely base. The excellent location of Costa Teguise means driving times at the start and end of each day are kept to a minimum, leaving more time for walking. Is this holiday for you? This wonderful holiday is centre-based with easy day walks which follow the GR131, the long distance footpath which crosses the Canary Islands. During the week we walk across the complete island on a wide variety of terrain which includes well defined footpaths, tracks of gravel, volcanic scree (lapilli), volcanic ash and small roads. There are minor sections of the trail with stony slopes, but these are mainly when ascending and descending. Each walk will be from hours allowing plenty of time for sightseeing and photography along the way. On top of this, each day is optional and you can choose to walk or have a day off hiking. Adding to the relaxation factor is our choice of excellent bungalow and villa based accommodation. Whilst there is sufficient walking on each day to satisfy weekend hikers, it is intended that this should be a walking holiday led at a relaxing pace. Evenings will be spent enjoying dinner in the town and of course, sampling local wines. (Please note that depending on the weather

3 PAGE 3 and wind conditions the leader may run this holiday from north to south. However this won't take away any of the enjoyment and the decision will be made once you have arrived.) Holiday Itinerary Day 1: Meet at the group accommodation in Costa Teguise. After arriving at Lanzarote Airport you'll take a taxi to the group accommodation which is a short 15min ride and costs approximately 25 euros. Our wonderful bungalow and villa style accommodation for the week is in a quiet residential area of the town. With its communal pool and relaxed surroundings, this is the perfect place to unwind after a day of walking. Depending on your arrival time you may wish to have a swim, relax on the terrace, stroll along the beach or enjoy a coffee in one of the many cafes. Costa Teguise is easy to navigate with a traffic free promenade, wide tree-lined avenues, beaches and a refreshing breeze which makes it a pleasant place to wander in the evening after dinner. The town is also home to the largest aquarium in the Canary Islands (10:00-18:00 daily 14 Euro) home to an amazing underwater tunnel which takes you up close to marine life including sharks! The aquarium has a successful rehabilitation programme for injured turtles and works to educate visitors on traditional species from the Canary Islands such as gilthead sea breams, turtles, clownfish and blowfish. During the evening and after settling in, we'll stroll into town to sample one of the many restaurants and our leader will brief us over dinner. MEALS D Day 2: Join the GR131 in Playa Blanca and hike through the Los Ajache Mountains to Uga. Today begins with a short transfer (40mins) to the start of the GR131 at Playa Blanca "White Beach" in the south of the island. Originally a fishing village the town has a bustling marina and is overlooked by the dramatic dormant volcano of Montana Roja "The Red Mountain." This whole area had the first volcanic eruptions 15 million years ago and is a great start to the walking week. We leave Playa Blanca and follow a wide trial of gravel and scree that gently ascends out of the town. After a brief ascent the path is level and easy underfoot as we head through the centre of a lava field known as the Rubicon Desert Plain! We'll see white-washed houses before the path climbs briefly to reach a small road to Las Breñas. Today we are walking through one of the oldest areas of the island, the region of the Los Ajache Mountains. Created during the first volcanic activity this mountain range lies on our left as we walk and dominates the south of the island. Leaving Los Brenas we follow a soft dirt track which descends slowly to the base of the Montana de la Cinta (441m). Next a gentle ascent brings us to Yaiza. Described as "short of a miracle" in the village should be under layers of lava after the volcanic eruptions of However, as lava flowed towards the town, it split into two streams, leaving Yaiza and its pretty church unscathed! The town has twice won "prettiest village in Spain" with it's whitewashed buildings. After leaving Yaiza we can enjoy a relaxing stroll to the neighbouring village of Uga where the walking ends. On our way to Costa Teguise we'll visit El Golfo "the Green Lagoon" where trapped sea water has formed a striking green lake. After arriving back at the villas we'll freshen up before heading out for dinner. ASCENT 300M DISTANCE 15KM MEALS BLD DESCENT 120M TIME 4-5 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 3: Walk up the Guardilama Volcano and explore the land of volcanic vineyards.

4 PAGE 4 This morning we transfer back to Uga (30mins) and pick up the GR 131 where we finished yesterday. The path from Uga leads us across the central volcanic crest of the island. The path is mainly "lapilli" or small lava stones and interesting to walk on as it covers a lava stream lying below and we'll see the famous Lanzarote "vineyards" where thousands of pits have been dug into the ash and are flanked by dry stone walls that shelter grape vines. Farmers in this region have taken advantage of the soft ash and volcanic cinder which has an amazing ability to hold moisture. The area is dotted with figs, almonds and vines so the whole landscape takes on a chequers board look! We'll walk along a wide track of volcanic ash as we ascend towards the Guardilama Volcano (603m) also known as Montana de Guardilama. Before the optional ascent of the volcano we'll see the "GR131 50km" marker which offers a great photo opportunity with the mountain behind! The trail to the top of Guardilama rises steeply on a small path of scree which isn't technically difficult and the reward is to stand on "Best Panorama Peak of Lanzarote!" From the summit the view extends to the north-west "Fire Mountains" - the Montanas del Fuego, the Los Ajaches Range in the South and the neighbouring island of Fuerteventura. After enjoying the views we'll descend on a path of "lapilli" and re-join the GR131 which takes us to the village of La Asomada. From the village we join a wide trail that skirts the peak of Montana Blanca before we reach the village of the same name. This is where our walking for today ends and we'll transfer back to our accommodation. ASCENT 480M DISTANCE 18KM MEALS BLD DESCENT 390M TIME 5-6 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 4: The central desert home to partridge and bustard plus explore the former capital of Teguise. This morning starts with a brief transfer (20mins) to the village of Montana Blanca and we re-join the GR131. Today we'll be walking from the wine producing area to a region known as the central desert of Lanzarote. We leave the village of Montana Blanca and walk on a wide trail that is good underfoot with an occasional patch of gravel. In this area the ground is dry but incredibly rich, and we are likely to see melon, water melon, corn and sweet potatoes all growing and we'll pass small local farms along the trail. As we walk towards the village of San Bartolome (260m) the wide trail ascends very slightly as the path is adorned with a variety of xerofitic plants including cacti. This landscape is composed of rich volcanic ash and home to a number of rare ground nesting birds. If we're lucky we'll spot a number of species including partridges and possibly the elegant Houbaras bustard. These unusual birds are found along the North African rim all the way from Egypt to Mauritania and a small population can be found on the Canary Islands including Lanzarote. San Bartolome is a pretty town with some interesting buildings including the rather grand Casa Mayor Guerra, the former home of the military Governor of Lanzarote. The next part of our walk sees us leave the village on a paved footpath before we join a wide dirt trail that looks and feels more like sand. The trail is gentle underfoot through a landscape of "sandy fields" hence the name "Central Desert of Lanzarote." Finally our sandy path snakes its way through lava fields and cultivated areas before passing the local cemetery to finish in the town of Teguise (300m) and the end of our walk today. The town was the ancient capital of the island and is known as La Villa due to its interesting array of white-washed buildings around a central square. The town takes its name from a 14th Century chieftain's daughter who was married to Maciot, a son of the French nobleman and explorer Jean de Bethancourt. In 1402 Bethancourt conquered the Canary Islands, earning himself the title "King of the Canary Islands." There will be some free time to explore the town including Calle de la Sangre "Blood Street!" After enjoying Teguise we drive (20mins) to visit the Cesar Manrique Foundation, one of the most fascinating houses on the island and built over five volcanic bubbles! Born in Arrecife in 1919, Manrique was an artist and architect who studied in Madrid and New York before dedicating his life to promoting architecture alongside nature. It is because of Manrique's vision and passion that the island has avoided an explosion of highrise hotels and buildings. Finally we'll transfer (15mins) back to our accommodation where we'll freshen up before heading out for dinner.

5 PAGE 5 ASCENT 300M DISTANCE 15KM MEALS BLD DESCENT 260M TIME 4-5 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 5: Hike the Famaras home to Canarian Lavender and to Las Penas del Chache the highest point. After a short transfer (20mins) back to Teguise (300m) we re-join the GR131, however during today we'll leave the GR131 briefly so we can walk along the spectacular Famaras Cliffs and the highest point in the country. Initially we walk out of Teguise on a trail consisting of clay which is soft and easy underfoot. Slowly we'll see the trail change from clay to gravel as we start a gradual ascent towards Las Penas del Chache (670m) the highest point on the island. Towering over 400m high these amazing cliffs offer panoramic views across to Isla Graciosa, Isla de Montana Clara and the uninhabited Alegranza Islands. Remote and wild the Famara attracts a small number of walkers so we'll stay on coastal paths to enjoy the views (weather and strong wind permitting). We'll be looking over the East and West coasts plus the northern most point of the Canary Islands - Alegranza. Located just off the African Coast and uninhabited, the Alegranza Nature Park is a geological treasure with an incredible successful natural breeding programme of loggerhead sea turtles, ospreys, the Egyptian vulture, peregrine falcons and an extremely rare Eastern Canary gecko which is only found on Alegranza. Created over 11 million years ago, this part of the Famara is one of the oldest places on the island and at night-time becomes the best place on the island for viewing the milky-way. Along our way today we should be able to see Canarian Lavender, purple bell flowers and endemic daisies. After enjoying the views we'll leave the cliffs and start a steep descent on narrow stony paths until we reach the GR131 again. This dirt track eventually turns into a quiet tarmac road as we arrive in Haria "The Valley of a Thousand Palms." This pretty oasis town has a long tradition of planting a palm tree each time a child is born and there are a number of old, traditional buildings with wooden balconies. Local gardens are filled with fruit trees and vegetables, whilst the streets are awash with poinsettia and bougainvillea. The main square of Plaza y Castillo is shaded with eucalyptus trees and the cemetery is the final resting place of artist Cesar Manrique. After exploring the town we'll visit the Jardin de Cactus designed by Manrique himself and a celebration of the world's spiniest plants! Situated in an atmospheric old quarry, the garden is laid out in terraces and resembles a beautiful amphitheatre. A short transfer (20mins) at the end of the afternoon takes us back to Costa Teguise into time to relax a little before heading out for dinner. ASCENT 360M DISTANCE 13KM MEALS BLD DESCENT 380M TIME 4 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 6: Walk from Haria to Orzola and visit the architectural masterpiece Jameos del Agua. Today is our final day traversing across the island as tomorrow we'll be walking on the Isla of Graciosa. A short transfer (20mins) takes us back to Haria to pick up the GR131 where we left off yesterday. Today we walk north and pass the cultivated fields of Guinate where potatoes, corn, peas and figs grow. Initially we walk along quiet country roads before joining a wide dirt track which takes us towards one of the highest volcanoes on the island - La Corona (609m). After its final eruption almost 4000 years ago Corona's lava covered a large area of the northeast of the island. The footpath is undulating with no steep ascents or descents and easy underfoot. Next we skirt the hamlet of Ye and the base of Monte Corona on a trail of gravel and "lapilli" before a gentle ascent towards Orzola. As we approach the coast the footpath is dotted with spurge and the quirky "vinagreras rumex lunaria." Part of the diet for goats and chickens this acidic plant is now fondly known as the vinegar tree! Finally we reach Orzola a relaxed fishing settlement famed for a laid back feel and ferries to Isla Graciosa Orzola. This is the end of

6 PAGE 6 our walking trail and the most northern village on the island. After a brief refreshment stop on Orzola we'll transfer (15mins) to one of Ceser Manrique's architectural masterpieces - Jameos del Agua. Described by the Hollywood movie star Rita Heyworth as "the Eighth Wonder of the World" Manrique created a concert auditorium, in a 6km long lava tuba running under the Atlantic which was formed 4000 years ago when Montana La Corona erupted. Although Jameos del Agua is one of the islands top attractions and popular, it's a great place to see how Manrique worked perfectly with nature and architecture. The centrepiece is a natural lake home to a species of blind crab and the symbol of Jameos del Agua. The tables that surround the lake are a great place to enjoy a drink and relax. After exploring we'll transfer (15mins) back to our accommodation. ASCENT 150M DISTANCE 11KM MEALS BLD DESCENT 430M TIME 3 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 7: Walk and explore the deserted Isla Graciosa After a short transfer from Costa Teguise to Orzola, we take a ferry (35mins) across the strait of El Rio to the charming little port and fishing village of Caleta del Sebo. With a population of only 700, Isla Graciosa is a compact 8km long and 4km wide. Today is more a day of wandering rather than following exact footpaths as we explore beaches and dunes. A few areas are lava but mainly we'll be enjoying walking on sandy trails and beaches. Often called the Eight Canary Island, Isla Graciosa has been described as the original Treasure Island! Legend has it that in the 18th Century ships bound for the West Indies would pass through the El Rio Straits and one particular vessel whilst been chased by pirates, managed to reach land and bury the ships treasure before the crew were captured and tortured. Apparently a cabin boy escaped and made his way to Lanzarote before boarding a ship back to England. Whilst laying on his deathbed, he revealed the location of the treasure and the legend of Treasure Island was born. It's easy to see how the island could be a base for pirate legends as we traverse dunes, beaches and lava fields through a beautiful landscape of volcanic and coastal vegetation. We'll spend our final day enjoying a lack of tourism facilities and infrastructure by exploring the end of the GR131. In the afternoon we'll take the ferry back to the mainland before transferring to Costa Teguise. After freshening up, we'll head out to a local restaurant for our final dinner on Lanzarote. DISTANCE 10KM MEALS BLD TIME 3 HOURS WALKING HOURS Day 8: Departure day. Depending on your departure time there may be time to enjoy a final walk along the promenade and enjoy your final sea views. KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. You can arrange a taxi through the KE leader. The drive time is usually just 15 minutes and the cost is a maximum of 25 Euros. MEALS B Holiday Information What's Included Professional English-speaking local leader All accommodation as described in the trip notes

7 PAGE 7 All meals from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 8 All land transport involved in the itinerary What's Not Included Travel insurance Tips for support staff and guide Miscellaneous expenses drinks souvenirs etc Meal Plan All meals are included in the holiday price from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 8. Food Breakfasts each day will be more of a continental style, consisting of tea and coffee, bread, toast, butter, jam, honey and fruit juice. Lunches will be picnic style which we ll carry with us to enjoy during the day, either consisting of sandwiches that we ll make up in the morning after breakfast or a range of picnic items that we ll stop and share between us at a suitable point on the trail. During the evening we will eat in one of the many local restaurants walking distance from our accommodation. The evening meal is a social affair on Lanzarote and during the week we ll sample a range of different restaurants. Some of these will offer a fixed menu of 2 or 3 courses whilst others offer tapas style menus. Traditional tapas is a great way of sampling different local dishes and as a group we ll order a selection of items that we ll share as a group followed by dessert. Lanzarote produces around 2 million litres of wine and the island has an excellent selection of local wines mainly from the area of La Geria. The most popular grape is Malvasia, originally a honey coloured medium to sweet variety which was highly praised by William Shakespeare! Nowadays the grape produces a variety of quality white, red and rose wines from very sweet to very dry so something for everyone! Worth sampling is the ron miel or local honey run served over ice and don t forget summer Sangria is widely available! Joining Arrangements & Transfers Due to the close proximity of the airport, wide range of flights arriving and ease of using public transport, airport transfers are not included in the holiday price. We recommend that you take a taxi from Lanzarote (Arecife) Airport to the villas. The taxi rank is located directly outside the arrivals hall of Terminal 1. Taxis are metred with the journey time taking 10 to 15 minutes and costing approximately 25 euros. On arrival accommodation check-in is possible from 1pm however as the villas are a more "independent" style of group accommodation we need you to inform the KE office of your flight and approximate arrival time. We can then pass these details onto the KE leader and you will be provided with a contact number to call when you arrive at the airport on Lanzarote. This will ensure someone will be there to meet you on your arrival at the accommodation. Check-out at the end of the holiday is 11am. Luggage can be stored at the villas if you are leaving later and the pool can be used until your departure time. During the week the KE leader can assist you in reserving a taxi for your departure transfer to the airport. Accommodation During the week the group will stay in two or three bedroomed bungalows / villa style accommodation, each with their own private terrace and access to a wonderful communal pool. Using this style of accommodation on a centre-based holiday means rooms are more spacious than staying in a hotel. Located in a quiet residential area of Costa Teguise, each property is light and airy with an open plan living room plus a kitchenette. Having the added bonus of a kitchen area means any local drinks or refreshments purchased during your week can be kept chilled to enjoy at leisure on your terrace, perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif or night-cap! Rooms are on a twin-share basis and

8 PAGE 8 although not all bedrooms are en-suite, each property has enough bathrooms to ensure comfort. Every morning breakfast will be laid out self-service style in one of the properties, ensuring a more leisurely start to the day, whilst for dinner the group will enjoy a short walk into Costa Teguise to sample one of the many restaurants. During the week if you wish to opt out of one of the day walks, you can spend the day relaxing and reading on your terrace whilst enjoying the pool. (N.B: Accommodation check-in is possible from 1pm however as the villas are a more "independent" style of group accommodation we need you to inform the KE office of your flight and approximate arrival time. We can then pass these details onto the KE leader and ensure someone will be there to meet you on your arrival.) Group Leader & Support Staff The group will be accompanied throughout the holiday by a local English speaking tour leader. Spending Money Approximately Euros should be sufficient for miscellaneous expenses, including a reasonable amount of wine with meals. If you are intending to buy souvenirs you should budget accordingly. ATMs are available at the airport and in Costa Teguise. Credit cards can be used in Costa Teguise. Free KE Gift We give you a free gift as a way to thank all our clients who book a KE holiday. Choose from KE T-shirts, buffs, KE trek bags* (where applicable) plus many more. Alternatively you can choose to make a 10 donation to the Juniper Trust Charity. You can make your selection in your My KE account after booking. * A trek bag is not required for this holiday. You can however purchase a KE trek bag for Delivery outside of the UK will be charged. Baggage Allowance We ask you to restrict your baggage to one main bag and a day pack of approximately litres. The KE trek bag may not necessarily be the best option for this trip and we recommend a bag with wheels or a rucksack for this holiday. Group Size & Holiday Status For each holiday there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to run'. You can check the trip status for each departure in Dates and Prices table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements. General Information Passport & Visas A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required for visits to countries outside the EU. The information that we provide is for UK passport holders. Please check the relevant embassy or consulate for other nationalities. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents and

9 PAGE 9 visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice. If you are travelling outside the EU you should have at least 2 blank pages in your passport for each country that you visit. Electricity Supply & Plug We recommend you check if you require an adaptor for your electrical items at: Preparing For Your Holiday This is an easy walking holiday with limited ascents and descents. However the more prepared you are for a walking holiday, the more enjoyable you will find the experience. Regular walking is the best preparation whilst jogging, cycling or swimming are good for your fitness too. Travel Aware As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign & Commonwealth Offices' Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that prior to travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: for essential travel advice and tips. KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates direct from the FCO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office. Climate The islands of the Canaries are a year-round holiday destination with what is often described as eternal spring conditions with temperatures ranging between 16 in the winter to 25 in the summer. Lanzarote has its own microclimate with the north being slightly windier and cloudier whilst the south is drier and warmer with approximately 2,500 hours of annual sunshine. Central Lanzarote has a moderate and stable climate. Due to its proximity to Africa, Lanzarote is one of the sunniest places on the planet. Due to the sunny climate the island is home to over 600 plant species including scrub, lichens, lavender, bougainvilleas, geraniums, hibiscuses and many species of cacti. Books Lanzarote Marco Polo Pocket Guide The Wind off the Small Isles - Mary Stewart Sandwiches in the Sun: The Extrodinary Truth about Life on a Spanish Island - Chris Herman Lanzarote & Fuerteventura Pocket Guide - Berlitz Pocket Guides

10 PAGE 10 Flight Information Flight Inclusive Or Land Only? On our website we display a UK Flight inclusive package price and Land only package price for the majority of our holidays. Land Only Notes We sell this holiday on a Land Only basis and recommend that you book your flights to Lanzarote (Arrecife) Airport, which is just 15 minutes drive from the villas in Costa Teguise. Please refer to Joining Arrangements and Transfers for further details. You SHOULD NOT book your flights until you have received your booking confirmation and the departure is showing 'Guaranteed to Run' or 'Limited'. If flying from the UK there are a number of low cost airlines to Lanzarote. Easyjet has flights from Gatwick & Bristol. Ryanair from East Midlands, Luton, Newcastle & Glasgow. Jet 2 have flights from East Midlands, Glasgow, Leeds Bradford, Manchester & Newcastle and Thomas Cook have flights from Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow. If you would prefer to book a 'flight inclusive package' using scheduled airlines from the UK please contact our flights department for a quote. Whilst flight prices are likely to be more expensive you will benefit from full financial protection. Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Why Choose KE Adventure Travel? Experience KE has 34 years experience of adventure travel worldwide. All of our holidays are accompanied by an experienced leader, some of whom have worked with KE groups for many years. Many are professional guides and instructors with an unrivalled knowledge of the areas in which they work. In many parts of the world, we recruit local guides with appropriate training and experience. In addition to having the technical skills to ensure your safety, KE expects its leaders to be active members of the group. A leader should be fun to travel with and ready to share with you their enthusiasm for adventure travel and their knowledge of the area. Alongside the group leader, there will be a local support crew, which could be just a driver, or a complete team of guides, drivers, porters, muleherders and cooks. The hard work of our support crews, along with the fascinating insight they can offer into their local culture, is integral to providing you with the very best adventure travel experience. The team of KE office staff is amongst the most experienced in the business, with the proven ability to set up and operate a worldwide programme of adventures. Every one has adventure travel at heart and joins at least one trip a year. It is this depth of experience that makes KE stand out from other adventure travel operators. When you contact KE, by phone or , or visit our office, you will find the help and advice you need, from someone who has actually done the trip and can give you the benefit of their first-hand experience. KE can guarantee the very best in trek support, excellent food, a good standard of hotel and camp accommodation, plus the back up of one of the most respected companies in the business. Client satisfaction is at the top of our agenda and almost 50% of our bookings each year come from repeat business. If you are looking for adventure then look no further than KE.

11 PAGE 11 RESPONSIBLE TOURISM AND AWARDS Responsible Tourism has always fitted naturally with KEs travel ethic. It is important to us that our clients are not the only beneficiaries of the travel experience, but that we share a two-way relationship with the areas that we visit. We make sure that our local staff are well treated and well paid, we respect indigenous cultures, take care to protect the environment and make the most of every opportunity to make a positive contribution wherever we travel. In addition to holding an AITO 5-star Sustainable Tourism rating, we are recipients of AITO s Achievement in Sustainable Tourism Award in recognition of the work carried out over the past 20 years, giving back to the communities and areas we visit. We have been awarded Highly Commended status in the Best Tour Operator category of the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards, and were named Best Trekking Operator on Earth by National Geographic Magazine, whose criteria included commitment to responsible tourism. We continue to travel responsibly, and more information on our policy, practice, and specific projects can be found at and on the website of our partner charity the Juniper Trust: KEs Mountain Code is issued to our staff, trek leaders and overseas agents, and we recommend it to our clients, too! Your Complete Financial Protection KE Adventure Travel is a fully licensed and bonded tour operator. We are a member of the Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO), bonded with the CAA (ATOL 2808) and ABTA licensed (W4341). You can book your trip with KE Adventure Travel in complete confidence that all monies you pay for a trip are fully protected. BOOKING YOUR HOLIDAY Making a Booking The easiest way to make your booking is online. You will need to pay a deposit at the time of booking. This is normally 200 but for some holidays with special permit fees or internal flights, this may be more. The amount of deposit required for an individual holiday is given on the dates and prices page of the holiday. Late bookings will require full payment. We cannot confirm any booking until we receive your fully completed booking form. Adventure Travel Insurance IMPORTANT - It is a condition of joining any of our trips that you are insured against medical and personal accident risks (to include repatriation costs, air ambulance and helicopter rescue services). We also strongly recommend that you take out holiday cancellation insurance, as all deposits paid are non-refundable. Please ensure that your insurer is aware of your KE Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities being undertaken. You will then need to advise us of your policy details and complete an Insurance Declaration Form. CAMPBELL IRVINE DIRECT travel insurance is available to EU residents and will cover the majority of KE Adventure holidays. It has been designed to provide cover for activities normally excluded by other insurers such as trekking, mountain biking and climbing. Please note that certain activities may attract a higher premium. In addition Campbell Irvine Direct cannot provide cover for KE climbing trips above 6000m. Cover for these can be obtained through either the British Mountaineering Council (BMC) or Snowcard. TRAVELEX is a USA based insurer offering travel insurance, which can be used by US citizens and US residents only. KE recommends the "Travelex Select" package for our holidays. If your holiday involves using mountaineering equipment (ropes, harness or crampons), for climbing or glacial travel, you should consider the "Adventure Plus Pak" optional upgrade on the Travelex Select Plan. Please refer to the 'Description of Coverage' for a summary of

12 PAGE 12 the terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations of the applicable Protection Plan. This policy will also cover KE climbing trips above 6000m. We hope that this trip notes has answered most of your questions. Please feel free to contact us and speak to one of our experts.

13 PAGE 13 Equipment List The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. Please be aware that you will be required to carry your bag to your room which in some cases may involve flights of stairs. Although this is the Canary Islands it can be quite chilly in the evening and you should bring some warm clothing. You Must Bring The Following Items: Hiking boots (these should be sturdy with a good tread on the sole and with ankle support) Socks Trekking trousers Lightweight waterproof overtrousers Underwear Baselayer shirts (long sleeved and short sleeved) T-shirts and/or casual shirts Fleece jacket or similar Waterproof jacket Lightweight thermal gloves Warm hat Sunhat Eyewear - sunglasses Daypack c litres Headtorch Sun protection (including for lips) Water bottles 1 Litre (x2) Washbag and toiletries Antibacterial handwash Small padlock (to lock your KE trek bag) Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters (band-aids) and blister treatment, insect repellent, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite).?The Following Items Are Optional: Trekking poles (highly recommended) Thermal vest Trainers or sandals Shorts Camera and batteries Spare SD/memory cards (these are not available on route) Spare laces Penknife (for picnic lunches) Please note: This document was downloaded on 1 Mar 2018, and the trip is subject to change.