LA PALMA

28 JUNE - 1 JULY

In a nutshell

Group Icon

Group

only 6 people

Duration Icon

Duration

5 days

Price Icon

Price

€1090

Fitness Icon

Fitness

Low

Intro

Hey, stargazers and comet chasers! Ready for an adventure that’ll make your friends green with envy? Pack your bags and your best camera gear, because we’re heading to La Palma for an exclusive astro photo tour. Small private group, great food, swimming, excellent dark sky, and a lot of fun in this special trip we prepared for you!

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this trip is perfect for anyone who’s obsessed with the starry sky.

Person sitting on the ground between rocks at night, looking up at the starry sky with a telescope set up nearby.
Person in a red puffer jacket standing near rocky terrain at night, using a tripod-mounted camera to photograph a starry sky.

Important notes

  • You have two main options for how to reach the Canary Islands. You can take a flight to Tenerife South Airport (TFS) and arrive on the 2nd of October, or a flight directly to La Palma Airport, where we will meet on the 3rd.

  • Having a travel insurance that covers you for trip and flight cancellation is always the best option. Better safe than sorry!

  • Having travel insurance that covers medical expenses, trip cancellations, and unforeseen situations is highly recommended (and sometimes required). Better safe than sorry!

  • We’ll spent at least 2 whole nights out in the beach. The temperatures are pretty nice and cozy to sleep under the stars, so make sure to bring anything that will make you feel cozy as we’ll return in the morning.

Itinerary - daily schedule

ARRIVAL: All participants should arrived and be picked up from the CHQ airport or Chania city until 12pm on 25/6. If you can't find a suitable flight in the morning, it’s better to come a day before.

DEPARTURE: We will return back to Chania CHQ airport at 12pm in on 29/7, so please book Your flight at least 2-3 hours later that day.

We will embark on a journey to Crete, landing at Chania airport, located on the northwest side of the island. Upon arrival, we will meet with other participants and start our trip. Our accommodation is Xasteria Rooms, a newly established facility near Elafonisi.

Last year’s trip

Where exactly are we going?

A packed schedule awaits us on the volcanic caldera of La Palma. During the day, we'll explore local beaches, the small and cozy town with its great restaurants and gelato places. Nature's beauty, including a waterfall and scenic viewpoints, is waiting for us. We may swim in the Atlantic Ocean, immerse ourselves in dark black volcanic sand, and savor the local cuisine. Our evening activities continue with a visit to the Roque de Los Muchachos observatory and its surroundings for breathtaking sunsets above the clouds and night photography of the darkest sky.

A night view of the Milky Way galaxy above a rugged mountain landscape with clouds in the distance.
An observatory building on a hillside under a starry night sky with the Milky Way galaxy visible above, and clouds below the horizon.
Night sky with the Milky Way galaxy and stars visible, telescope and observatory on a hill in silhouette.
Nighttime landscape with large rocks and hills in the foreground, and a sky filled with stars, including the Milky Way galaxy and multiple shooting stars.

Staying in La Palma

In La Palma, we’re staying in beautiful apartments that provide a beautiful common garden with a large swimming pool, where you can swim during the days and have a well-deserved relaxation. Breakfast is not included in the price, but can be bought on location, and there are several restaurants located in the immediate vicinity.

Resort with a swimming pool, palm trees, pathways, and lounge chairs, surrounded by colorful buildings and a mountain in the background.
Colorful houses with balconies and stairs in a seaside neighborhood, surrounded by trees and plants, with the ocean visible in the background.
Resort pool area with lounge chairs, umbrellas, palm trees, and colorful buildings in the background under a clear blue sky.
Colorful buildings lining a street with a pharmacy on the corner, pedestrian crosswalk, and a small traffic sign, under a partly cloudy sky
Lighthouse near the coast with rocky shoreline, a cloudy sky, and some yellow-green plants in the foreground.
A large astronomical observatory with a domed telescope around sunset, above a sea of clouds and mountain terrain.

What skies to expect?

Under good conditions, you are looking at a naturally dark star-studded sky with the beautiful Milky Way in an ideal position for photographers. The altitude is approximately 2500 m above sea level with the occasional cloudy inversion in the valley of the volcanic caldera is an excellent combination for night photography. Wait for those sunsets above the clouds! Phew. If there is a place reminding heaven, could be this one.

Four people in outdoor clothing and black T-shirts with constellation diagrams stand on a rocky hillside at night, gazing at the starry sky with the Milky Way galaxy prominently visible.

Equipment to bring

Photography

  • Tripod

  • Any DSLR/mirrorless camera

  • Wide-angle light lens f/2.8 and faster ( - we recommend focal lengths such as 14mm, 24mm to 35mm, best with f/1.4 if possible)

  • 2x spare battery, memory SD card

  • Intervalometer for time-lapses (if your camera hasn’t an internal one

  • Star tracker - just optional - not suitable for aurora photography (but in case you want to try, we’ll provide a few)

  • Dew heater and power bank

Clothing & gear

  • Clothing – summer and autumn – swimwear, sandals + sweatshirt, trousers, shoes, jacket, or cap. It is not as cold as at an altitude of 2,500 meters, but it can get cold as the wind blows. You can expect temperatures around 25°C (during the day) and 15°C (during the night) at sea level. However, as we mentioned we’re gonna photograph and chase the comet at high altitudes, so prepare warm clothes (temperatures can be below 10°C) to stay cozy.

  • Sleeping equipment - while chasing comet and zodiacal light, we may stay for one or two whole nights at the top of the island. We recommend You bring a sleeping pad and a good sleeping bag to be as comfortable as possible. Sleeping under the darkest sky is the most beautiful experience in the world. Don't hesitate to contact us with any questions about the equipment!

  • Headlamp – ideally with white and red colours. At night, we ONLY use the red light while taking photos. It is important (we will explain why) and at the same time, you’re respectful to the other members.

  • Powerbank for your phone or camera

Book Your Ticket

Upon booking, you’ll be asked to pay a non-refundable deposit. You’ll have to pay the remaining amount by 30/04/2025.

Past participants will have 100€ off their ticket price (valid until 31/02/2025)

Please read the cancellation terms below, before booking.

VAT 24% is included in ticket price.

If you need a B2B invoice contact us before booking.

Basic

€1020

  • 4-night accommodation in Elafonisi (shared double rooms with common bathrooms)
  • Cars (with insurance), fuel, and parking fees
  • Photography workshop by Tomas and Constantine
Most Popular

Master Class

€1120

  • Everything included in Basic
  • 7-hour editing webinar valued at 300€, priced at 100€
  • Send an email after paying the deposit and state that you want the Master Class.

What’s not included

  • Travel/Health/Accident insurance

  • Your plane tickets to/from CHQ.

  • Private rooms. If you don’t agree to stay in shared rooms you have to take care of your personal accommodation. Some operational fees will be withheld. Contact us before booking to let you know the final price.

  • Personal expenses, gifts, tickets to museums, etc., and anything that is not mentioned in the “What’s included” list.

Meet the tour leaders

  • A man wearing a dark puffer jacket standing outdoors with snow-capped mountains and a lake in the background.

    Constantine Themelis

    Born and raised in the beautiful country of Greece, Constantine developed a passion for photography at a young age. Inspired by the works of Carl Sagan and the magical world of science fiction, he embarked on a journey to capture the beauty of the night sky. After studying Computer Engineering and earning his Bachelor's and Master's degrees, Constantine joined Canon as a content creator in 2018. He has since honed his skills as an astrophotographer, using his technical knowledge and artistic vision to create stunning images of the Cosmos. In 2020, Constantine was selected as a Pathfinder ambassador for F-stop gear, an honour that recognizes his expertise and contributions to the field of landscape photography. Dedicated to sharing his knowledge and passion for the night sky, Constantine regularly leads workshops, webinars, and talks to educate others about the beauty and mysteries of astrophotography. Join him on his journey as he explores the universe and captures its wonders through the lens of his camera.

  • Portrait of a smiling young man with short brown hair, blue eyes, and a beard against a gradient gray background.

    Tomas Slovinky

    Tomas was born in 1994 in Kosice. In his childhood, he was fascinated by the night sky. He was still interested in space secrets and observing interesting events like eclipses or meteor showers. He was amazed when he first pointed the lens of the old camera toward the night sky and found out how many objects the camera had captured compared to the naked eye. This brought him into the world of astrophotography. His biggest passion is photographing the night sky with nature's beauty. You can notice his images also in the magazine of BBC Sky At Night, the worldwide gallery The World At Night, International Meteor Organization magazine, and in Finnish astronomical magazine Tähdet ja avaruus. So his photographs are all around the world. He publishes photographs in the scientific and technical magazine Quark, and he is co-owner and associate director in a school-education project with the inflatable planetarium. He is also involved in creating programs and lectures at schools.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

The participant must be at least 18 years old.

  • Deposit is non-refundable.

  • The participant must bring with him all the mandatory equipment listed on the tour page.

  • The participants should pay the rest of their ticket by the 1st of September 2024. If not, the hosts have the right to remove the participant and return the deposit.

  • The participant has the full responsibility to judge whether he/she can participate in the tour without compromising his/her health, as well as to ensure that he/she will not endanger his/her physical integrity or that of the other participants. For this reason, the hosts are not responsible for the cancellation of the trip or change of planning for this reason. Also in case, the participant is in danger of either injury, loss of body part, or life itself, the responsibility of the organizer is limited to the correct preparation and correct decision/choice/change of design, and the provision of instructions to ensure as much as possible physical integrity and mental and spiritual health of the participants.

  • The participant is responsible and accountable for the honest statement of his health status, acknowledges and accepts that the hosts are not responsible for injuries or health problems that existed before, as well as for any burden that may be suffered by his/her health condition, from his/her participation in the activity. In case the participant due to a false or insufficient declaration of health status or unavailability (due to his/her fault) of the equipment required so that he/she can not cope with the planning of the trip/activity, the hosts have the right to remove the participant from the activity, with the sole obligation to ensure a safe return and to call for rescue assistance, if and when needed. The cost of the rescue is paid solely by the participant. In case he/she puts the whole team or another member at risk due to false or inadequate health status or problems, he/she has the sole responsibility for any financial claim or any legal decision taken by the other members.

  • The organizers reserve the right to modify the program unilaterally.

  • The invoice/receipt will be issued after the end of the tour.

CANCELLATIONS

  • Cancellations must be required formally via email only. You should expect to get a validation email from us to consider your cancellation complete. Any refunds or charges will be applied after that.

  • UNTIL 1ST OF SEPTEMBER: deposit is non-refundable. You get 50% of the remaining amount (€740) which is €370

  • FROM 2ND OF SEPTEMBER AND ON: no refund if we can’t replace your spot. If your spot is replaced 50% of the remaining amount will be returned (370€).

  • The tour will take place only if the minimum number of people (4) is met. In that case, the full amount will be refunded.

  • In case of cancellation due to extenuating circumstances within the last 48 hours, the right to withhold reasonable expenses (fees that cannot be refunded) is reserved. In any case, an attempt will be made to postpone the trip to a later date.

  • In case of cancellation by the participant, the invoice will be sent after the tour for the amount that may have been withheld.

FAQ

  • I don’t want to stay in shared rooms. Can you arrange something to fit my needs?

    We are not a travel company, if sharing a room is too difficult for you, you can arrange a different accommodation. A part of your accommodation expenses will be held as administrative fees.

  • I want to bring a friend/relative with me, but he/she isn’t a photographer. Should he pay?

    Everyone who is attending is a part of our group, so yes, the full ticket must be paid.

  • Can I participate in only a part of the trip?

    This is not possible due to logistics, booking accommodations and cars. Subsequently, the full ticket must be paid.

  • Is there a difference between a workshop and a tour?

    Yes, workshops are designed for people who also want to learn some fundamental and expand their knowledge in astrophotography. Tours are suitable for people who have already a good grasp on astro and just want to visit beautiful places to photograph. For that reason, workshops tend to be more expensive.

  • Are we alone in the universe?

    We sincerely hope not.

FAQs

I don’t want to stay in shared rooms. Can you arrange something to fit my needs?

As we stated, we are not a travel company, if sharing a room is too difficult for you, you can arrange a different accommodation. A part of your accommodation expenses will be held as administrative fees.

I want to bring a friend/relative with me, but he/she isn’t a photographer. Should he pay?

Your friend would eventually be a part of our group, so yes, the full ticket must be paid.

Can I participate in only a part of the trip?

This is not possible due to logistics, booking accommodations and cars. Subsequently, the full ticket must be paid.

Is there a difference between a workshop and a tour?

Yes, workshops are designed for people who also want to learn some fundamental and expand their knowledge in astrophotography. Tours are suitable for people who have already a good grasp on astro and just want to visit beautiful places to photograph. For that reason, workshops tend to be more expensive.

Are we alone in the universe?

We sincerely hope not.

A circular view of the night sky with the Milky Way galaxy, colorful auroras, and stars, framed by rocky terrain and sparse vegetation.
Night sky view of the Milky Way galaxy with colorful clouds, stars, and nebulae seen through a canyon with rocky walls and a road at the base where a few people are standing.
A night sky with the Milky Way galaxy arching over rugged rocky terrain and mountains, illuminated by faint green and yellowish light on the horizon.
Night sky filled with stars, planets, and nebulae above a dark, rocky mountain slope.
Night sky filled with stars, including the Milky Way galaxy and pink-colored nebula, above rocky landscape with scattered boulders and a distant glow.
Radio telescopes silhouetted against a sunset sky with stars and planets visible.
A man in a black cap and T-shirt taking a photograph with a camera on a mountain overlook during sunset.
A man stands on rocky terrain with a camera on a tripod, overlooking a sea of clouds at sunset with a pink and purple sky and a crescent moon.
Four people standing on a rocky hillside at night, looking at the starry sky and the Milky Way galaxy above, with a landscape of mountains and clouds in the background.
White Volkswagen van parked on dirt road at night with a starry sky and colorful nebulae overhead.
A person sitting on a rock ledge under a star-filled night sky with the Milky Way galaxy visible.
Group of eight people posing at night under a star-filled sky with the Milky Way visible, standing near a sign that reads "Reserva Starlight La Palma." They are on a mountain road with rocky terrain.
Group of people gathered on a hilltop at sunset, with some taking photos and cameras on tripods, all wearing matching t-shirts featuring star constellations.
A group of people operating telescopes on a rocky hillside at night, stargazing under the Milky Way galaxy with multiple large radio telescopes in the background.
A man with a beard in a jacket is standing outdoors at dusk with two cameras on tripods, looking at the sky with a gradient of colors from purple to pink and blue, and some visible stars.
A smiling man wearing sunglasses and a black t-shirt with white text, standing outdoors on a grassy hillside with large scientific radio telescope antennas in the background at sunset.
Person standing on rocky terrain under a star-filled night sky with the Milky Way and a bright moon.
A person sitting between rocks outdoors at night, looking up at a starry sky, with a telescope set up on a tripod nearby.
Person standing on mountain at sunset with sky filled with stars and planets, including a bright moon and Venus, overlooking clouds and a colorful horizon.
Nighttime view of a large observatory building with a dome, situated on a hilltop under a star-filled sky. The sky prominently features the Milky Way galaxy with bright stars and cosmic clouds, and the horizon is illuminated with a faint glow.
Nighttime view of the Milky Way galaxy above rugged mountains with sparse vegetation and a reddish-orange glow on the horizon.
Night sky filled with stars and the Milky Way galaxy, with a sign that reads 'Reserva Starlight La Palma' in the foreground.

What people say about us