| Gomera Travel &
Dive S.L. |
| Tel.: 0034 696 48 66
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The island of La Gomera, has an area of 378 sq.km. It is the second smallest of the Canary
Islands. The highest mountain is the "Garajonay", reaching an altitude of 1487m. About 16.000
people live on the island. The capital is San Sebastian de la Gomera, with a ferry harbour
and a marina for sport boats. The airport for flights between the islands is situated in
Playa de Santiago in the south of the island. La Gomeras marvellous character comes from
its rough nature, and the deep, spectacular valleys, called "barrancos". In the middle of
the island you find the national park "Garajonay", which is a protected
area, with it`s "Laurisilva" forest. This has been declared by the UNESCO
as an Human Heritage area.
The forest gets the water it needs, from the trade wind clouds, coming from the north towards
the island. This is the reason, why it is also called misty forest. All over the island you
can find remote beaches and impressive tracks for hiking tours. Today, the main income of
the island is, tourism with small apartment establishments and the "turismo
rural", with
traditional "fincas" predominating on the island. The main hotel on the island is the
hotel "Jardin Tecina" with 434 rooms. |
Tradition:
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The "baile del tambor" is a typical and rythmic dance with
drums, traditionally for celebrating
religious fiestas. Chácaras, a type of castanets are also used. When celebrating the religious
festivities the islanders carry the patron saint of a village or of the
fishermen, from the chapel
to their village and back. This is an impressive event for all visitors of La
Gomera. In Playa
de Santiago, they have the "Fiesta del Carmen", patron saint of the
fishermen, in the middle of July. In the mountain village of Alajeró you can visit the "Fiesta de nuestra Seņora del Buen Paso"
in the middle of September, with a large procession and traditional
customs. |
El Silbo is an old whistling language of the inhabitants. Only by whistling signals was it possible
to talk to each other without climbing for hours through the large barrancos from one village to the
other. Today el Silbo is again taught in the local shools.
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On the island of La Gomera you can find also traditional handicrafts like hand made
pottery, basket-making, carving or weaving. Visitors who are interested in
pottery, can have a little
course with Doņa Rufina, in the mountain village of El Cercado. She knows everthing about this
traditional handicraft. |
Activities
We can offer the following activities |
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Mountainbike
Tri-Tour
( Bus/Bike/Boat)
Primera Bicicleta
 This
is a tour for people who are not professional bikers or great sportsmen. We
leave at 10 am with the bus or taxi to Igualero (1340m). After an introduction
how to use your bike, we start our tour through the rainforest up to the
Garajonay , the highest mountain of La Gomera. This was already the most
sportive part of the tour. After a rest we continue from there on forest
trails and quiet streets, mostly heading downhill in direction to Valle Gran
Rey. We pass the villages Chipude, Las Hayas and Arure, stop at several
intersting points where we have enough time to enjoy the beautiful views and
nature. From Valle Gran Rey we take the afternoon ferry back to Playa
Santiago.
Santa Clara Tour
This tour will bring us to the northwestern part of the
island where we find bizarre and wild landscape and rock formation. We will
have breathtaking view to the other islands, La Palma and el Hierro. Return
either to Valle Gran Rey and from there by ferry, , or with the bike through
the national parque and directly to Playa Santigo.
Km: aprox. 50-70; altitude 600-900m ; degree of
difficulty: middle to difficult
Laurisilva Tour
From Igualero we are heading downhill to "Juego de
Bolas" where we visit the visitors centre and get a lot of information
about Gomeras history of origins. We cross then the valley of Meriga and
bike through the Laurisilva forest, back to Playa Santiago
Km aprox. 60; altitude 650m, degree of
difficulty: middle
El
Helechal Tour
This is the most unspoiled and isolated tour, with trails
where we even have sometimes to walk. It is absolutely quiet. Surrounded by
impressive landscape, deep barrancos and view to the island of Tenerife, we
mostly bike uphill until we reach Degollada de Peraza, from where we can enjoy
the relaxed and easy way back to Playa Santiago, all the way downhill.
Km: 80; altitude 1300m; "good condition"
is required
minimum participants for all tours 4 people.
good
condition a experience on mountain biking is expected
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Excursion Los Organos from Valle Gran Rey
Los Organos, is a formation of rocks, resembling organ-pipes, situated in the north of La
Gomera.
They are a wonder of nature and only visible by boat. While sailing with the motor yacht "Tina"
you pass the rocks of Los Organos when the weather is fine. Often the boat
will be accompanied by Dolphins. With a little luck you could also see
whales. On its round
trip "Tina" will anchor inside some isolated bays, where the water invites you to take a swim
in the sea or go snorkeling. Lunch and one drink are included in the price. Why not see the
islands coastline from a boattrip and get a different perspective of La Gomera and enjoy its
many splendours.
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Bootstour Chinea Morales from Playa Santiago
 boat
excursions, whale watching and deep sea fishing. Small groups max. 11 people
Prices and departure time on request
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Hiking
La Gomera is the "hiking island" of the Canary Islands. It is better to discover the island
with an experienced guide, accompanied by a nice group of hikers. Please donīt forget to bring
good hiking shoes.
" Timah Tours" has already been operating on the island for many years
and offers a full programme of excursions and hiking tours.
please ask for excursions and prices
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