EXCURSIONS IN GRAN CANARIA

If you want to explore the wilderness around Maspalomas, a great way to do it is to go horseback riding.  El Salobre Canyon Horse Farm, also called The Black Horse, is an excellent way to accomplish this.  It is open 9am to sunset and the prices range from €22.00 to €50.00.  There is an organized tour that starts out from the ranch and explores the countryside for 60 minutes, 90 minutes, or two hours.  For inexperienced riders there is a tour that only lasts the hour, while those who are more experienced can go on longer rides with those who are at the same proficiency level and follow a more challenging path. For the experienced riders you can go through the woods and a little into the mountains.  The highlight of the journey is the view over Maspalomas as well as its surrounding Canarian countryside.  When you get back to the ranch you can have some lunch and swim in the pool.  If you are not going with an organized tour it is best to call the ranch, 928143294, to be sure there is space.

One of the most popular and fun ways to explore Gran Canaria is on an open top jeep tour of the mountains and countryside.  The jeeps hold 6 people each and all of the drivers are specially licensed to drive off roads around the island.  There is no age restriction, but the trip is a bit bumpy so that is something to take into account. The drivers are given special permits to take visitors to the protected national park land, where only the jeeps are allowed to go.  Usually the tours start out from the resorts in the south and drive up towards Puerto Mogán and the old village of Mogán.  The road ends soon after this and the jeeps start to climb the mountains.  When they reach the largest lakes on the island there is a stop so that those who wish to swim can.  After this there is a path through a Canarian village and a lunch stop with food and drinks provided.  After the food the jeeps start to head back down the mountain, with stops to see the view.  It is a great way to see a large part of the nature on the island without having to make a backpacking trip.

Near the capital of Las Palmas, in Tafira, is the best collection of both Canarian and subtropical plants and animals in all of Europe.  There is no charge to visit the gardens and you can spend an hour to a good half a day here.  There are more than 650 plants growing here that are from the Canaries and most can bee seen in the gardens. There are also pine and laurel forests, barren bush areas and cacti as well. If you want to see the famous Dragon Tree this is the place to do it.  The garden is government funded because it is an organization dedicated to protecting the one of a kind flora and fauna on the Canary Islands.  This garden is very popular with birdwatchers because almost all of the resident and migratory species visit there.  Along with the garden there are also laboratories and nurseries.  There is also a restaurant, Restaurante Jardin Canario, if you get hungry while exploring.

Phone 928 565108 or Fax 928 565048 Adults €26.00 Children €13.00

This is great way to explore Puerto de Mogán is in the Yellow Submarine tours.  In the water the tour takes you by two small wrecks in the harbour.  To get there it is possible to take the free bus that leaves Puerto Rico at 9:30, 12:35 and 3:30. Call to find out exactly where the pick up is, the number is 928 565108.  The tour is available at 10, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3:30, 4:20, and 5:10.  The tour is 7 days a week, so you can take the tour when it is most convenient for you.  The bus makes the return journey to Puerto Rico at 1:10, 4:10 and 6:10.