Nine hours, ten stops, and real Gran Canaria views. This private VIP route with Simon Tours is built for people who want to get away from the coast and see the island’s interior in one day, with private group comfort and hotel pickup starting at 8:30. You’ll ride up, look out, and then hop to the next town before the crowds really form.

I love how the timing works: short, mostly free stops (often 10–30 minutes) so you’re not stuck waiting around. I also like the food and drink moments—local cheese with mojo sauce, honey rum tastings, a coffee break around 10:45, and tapas lunch at 14:00 (2 pieces plus beer or a soft drink).

One consideration: the mountain roads can be windy and the altitude can feel cold at the top. Bring light layers plus a warm layer for the chill, and if you get motion sickness easily, plan ahead for winding climbs.

Key highlights you’ll care about

• Private VIP group up to 7: small-group feel on narrow mountain roads
• Free admission at key viewpoints: most stops are quick and easy to walk and photograph
• 10 inland stops in one day: a strong “see more, stress less” layout
• Tastings included: cheese, mojo sauce, honey rum, plus regional wine or canarian coffee options
• Clear rhythm: built-in coffee time (10:45) and lunch at 14:00
• Expect twisty roads: the driver’s careful, but you still feel the hills

A Private Gran Canaria Day That Actually Goes Inland

Gran Canaria is often sold as beaches and sun. This tour takes you inland, where the island changes fast—dry dunes, volcanic viewpoints, old towns, and high ridges that make the whole island feel wider. It’s a solid choice if you’re only in Gran Canaria for a short time and you want a real feel for how people live away from the resort strips.

The best part is that it’s not a “run from stop to stop” schedule. The stops are short enough that you keep your energy for walking and photos, but frequent enough that the day feels full. That matters because the island’s interior is where the drama is, and you’ll want time to take it in.

Morning Pickup and the Day’s Timing (8:30, Coffee 10:45, Lunch 14:00)

The day starts at 8:30 with pickup, and you’ll get a simple start—welcome on board. Having hotel pickup is a big value point here, because you don’t have to coordinate buses or taxis across multiple inland areas.

The schedule has obvious “anchor points” that keep you from guessing. You’ll have coffee time around 10:45, then lunch is planned for 14:00 with tapas (2 pieces) and a beverage (beer or soft drink). Even if you eat lightly at first, that structure helps you time snacks and pace yourself through viewpoints.

Practical packing tip: the tour notes suggest bringing two sets of clothing—light clothes for heat (around 25°C) and a lighter warm layer for cold or rain. In other words, you’re dressing for a day that goes from warmer valleys to cooler elevations.

Stop-by-Stop: From Dunes to Roque Nublo Views

This route is built around viewpoint variety. One stop gives you dunes. Another gives you volcanic leftovers. Then you pop into mountain towns. The result is a day with texture, not repetition.

Mirador de las Dunas: the moon-walk view

You start with Mirador de las Dunas. It’s a dramatic viewpoint over the biggest dunes on Gran Canaria, and the time on site is about 20 minutes with free admission. This is the kind of stop where you’ll keep taking photos because the light can shift quickly, and the dunes look different from slightly different angles.

A small heads-up: it’s a viewpoint, not a long hike. So wear shoes that are comfortable for uneven ground and wind.

Mirador Degollada de La Yegua: volcanic perspective

Next is Mirador Degollada de La Yegua for about 10 minutes. The big draw here is the viewpoint on former volcanic activity—so you’re seeing the island’s geology in real time. It’s brief, but it adds context fast: Gran Canaria wasn’t made by calm processes.

Fataga: charming old-town pause

Then you get Fataga, with around 30 minutes in a charming old town setting. This is where the interior feels lived-in rather than purely scenic. It’s also one of the better stops for strolling slowly, grabbing a photo, and checking out the architecture style that makes Gran Canaria feel distinct from mainland Spain.

San Bartolome de Tirajana and Tunte: wine, coffee, and the last Guanche rock citadel

At San Bartolome de Tirajana you’ll get views of Ansite, described as the last rock citadel of the Guanches. Expect a viewpoint-focused break and then a short stop in Tunte, the capital of a well-known Canarian wine region.

Tunte is where you’ll choose between regional wine tasting (verijadiego or malvasia) or a typical Canarian coffee option called barraquito. This stop is smart because it turns scenery into a small cultural reset. It’s also a chance to cool down a bit before you head higher.

Pico de las Nieves: Roque Nublo photo time

Pico de las Nieves is another classic high-point stop, with about 30 minutes and free admission. The payoff is an easy walk and a photo session with Roque Nublo. If you want one “big icon” moment in your day, this is a strong candidate.

Cruz de Tejeda: middle point, big views

At Cruz de Tejeda, you’ll stand at a geographical middle point of the island (about 15 minutes). The view here includes Caldera de Tejeda and Roque Bentayga. This is a shorter stop, but it’s a nice transition: you’ve seen the dunes, then the towns, and now you’re back in the wide-open elevation views.

Teror: The Town Stop That Adds Culture

Teror is the island’s most known Canarian town on this route, with about 30 minutes planned. The highlight is the Basilica of Our Lady in Pine, which gives you a clear sense of local religious and architectural heritage.

This is also where the day feels balanced. You’ve had viewpoints and tastings; now you shift to a town stop that’s quieter and more about place than spectacle. If you like photographing doorways, plazas, and church surroundings without rushing, this stop fits.

The Included Tastings: Cheese, Mojo, Honey Rum, and Local Coffee/Wine

Food is part of the structure here, not an afterthought. You’ll sample local cheese, mojo sauce, and honey rum along the route. For a lot of people, this becomes the highlight because you get to taste flavors tied to the island’s daily life.

What mojo sauce adds

Mojo isn’t just a condiment; it’s a flavor bridge between visitors and local food habits. Pairing it with cheese makes it easy to enjoy without overthinking it—just a straightforward tasting that still feels “I’m here” instead of “I’m passing through.”

Honey rum tasting as a simple souvenir moment

Honey rum is another easy win. It’s small, seasonal-feeling, and it gives you a taste you won’t get at a typical resort bar. If you’re a “try one thing that defines the place” traveler, this is the right kind of included stop.

Wine and barraquito in Tunte

In Tunte, you’ll taste typical Canarian wines like verijadiego or malvasia, or you can drink barraquito (Canarian coffee). That choice matters. It lets you match the flavor to your preferences—wine if you want something social, coffee if you want a pick-me-up.

How the Roads Feel: Wind, Hills, and Driver Care

Let’s talk about the part that can affect your comfort: the mountain roads. Several stops sit at altitude, and the driving involves winding hills. It’s not a reason to avoid the tour, but it’s a reason to be honest with yourself about motion sickness.

If you’ve had issues on curvy roads before, bring what you need. The tour is designed so you’re not stuck in the vehicle for an eternity between stops, and the drive is handled carefully, but you can still feel the bends. The upside is worth it: this is how you reach the viewpoints that make the day feel different from the beach areas.

Also, pack for temperature swings. The tour notes call out heat around 25°C but also warn about cold/rain. Even a mild chill at the top can make it feel like a different season.

Price and Value: What $665.15 Means for Your Group

The price is $665.15 per group, up to 7 people, and it runs about 9 hours. Private tours often feel expensive until you do the simple math.

• If you fill all 7 spots, it’s roughly $95 each.
• If you’re a couple (2 people), you’re looking more like $330 each.

So the real value depends on your group size. If you’re traveling with friends or family and can share the vehicle, this can be a strong deal for a day that includes pickup, a professional guide, multiple stops, tastings, and lunch.

For people booking solo or as a pair, it’s still a good option if you care about avoiding transit stress and want a day that feels curated around the island’s interior. Just compare it to the cost of individual taxis plus a self-guided plan—then weigh your time.

Who This Tour Is Best For (and Who Might Want to Rethink It)

This fits best if you want:

• a private day with hotel pickup and a guide doing the navigation and interpretation
• a balance of viewpoints, old towns, and tastings
• a route that focuses on the island beyond the resort strip

It may be less ideal if:

• you have trouble with windy, hilly roads and motion sickness
• you’re traveling with very young kids who can’t handle lots of quick exits and re-entries

On the good side, the tour is structured so you can participate and enjoy most of the stops without long hikes. Service animals are allowed, and the tour uses a mobile ticket.

Also, the tour can be flexible. Some guests specifically requested avoiding lots of walking, and the day adjusted to that preference. If you want a “see a lot, move less” version of island time, this kind of private format gives you more room to ask.

The Practical Extras: Guide Style, Photo Help, and Lunch Setup

A big part of value in a tour like this is how the guide handles the in-between moments. Here, the guide (often Simon) brings humor, shares history, and keeps things moving with clear narration on the drive. You’re not just hearing facts—you’re getting context tied to each place you’re seeing.

There’s also practical help for photos. If you want a clean shot at a viewpoint, the guide can point out angles and help you time photos between road re-entries.

Lunch is set up in the middle of the day so you don’t lose your rhythm. You’ll have tapas lunch with two pieces plus beer or soft drink at 14:00. And if you want something other than the standard meat-based option, there’s evidence vegetarian tapas can be provided—so it’s worth mentioning your preference when you book.

Book It or Pass: A Simple Decision Guide

I’d book this tour if your goal is to see inland Gran Canaria in one day without juggling routes. The mix of free viewpoints, short town stops, and included tastings gives you a complete day that feels anchored, not random.

I’d rethink it if you’re extremely sensitive to motion sickness or you don’t want to deal with high-altitude weather swings. The road twists are part of reaching the best views, and the temperature difference between the valley and the ridge can surprise you.

If you’re someone who likes structure—coffee time at 10:45, lunch at 14:00, and quick stops planned around the day—this is a well-built option.

FAQ

FAQ

What’s the duration of the Gran Canaria Highlights private tour?

The tour runs about 9 hours.

Do you get hotel pickup?

Yes, hotel pickup is offered.

What time does the tour start?

Pickup and start time are listed for 8:30 am.

What’s included for food and drink?

You’ll get bottle water, cheese with mojo sauce, honey rum tastings, and a tapas lunch (2 pieces) with a beer or soft drink.

Is there a coffee or tasting break during the day?

Yes. There is a coffee time around 10:45 am, and there are also regional tasting options during the route.

Are there admission fees for the listed stops?

The itinerary notes free admission for the viewpoint stops listed on the schedule.