Gran Canaria Highlights Private Tour VIP

A day like this turns Gran Canaria from postcard to lived-in place. This private VIP tour is built for getting off the main routes and seeing the island’s interior at a smart pace, with plenty of stops and time to look around. I love that it’s private (your group only) and you’re not stuck in a long, slow bus line. I also like the way the day mixes big viewpoint moments with real towns, then caps it with food and drink tastings.

One big plus: you get Simon Tours guide time that actually connects the dots. Several stops are quick, but the guiding is continuous, so you don’t just photograph places—you understand why they matter. The vibe is relaxed too: multiple reviews mention a guide who can tweak walking so it’s doable even if you’d rather keep it easy.

The main drawback is the same one you’ll hear with any mountain route: the roads can be windy, steep, and a bit bumpy. If you’re prone to motion sickness, plan for it and don’t assume every stop will feel “easy” once the bus starts climbing.

Key Highlights Worth Knowing Before You Go

• Private-group comfort in one long day: pickup, guided touring, and all-day transport without swapping people mid-route
• Viewpoints with a reason: dunes, former volcanic formations, and the island’s central viewpoint stops
• Local tastings built into the schedule: cheese, mojo sauce, and honey rum plus a tapas lunch
• Roque Nublo photo stop: an easy walking moment paired with one of Gran Canaria’s most famous rock landmarks
• A flexible feel: the tour can be adjusted to reduce how much walking you do
• Expect mountain temperatures: you may go from warm coastal air to cooler air at higher elevations

A Private VIP Day That Gets You Off the Crowds

Gran Canaria has plenty of beach energy, but the island’s interior tells a different story. This tour focuses on the quieter side—mountain towns, overlooks, and viewpoints that don’t feel like a cruise-ship checklist.

Because it’s a private tour for up to 7 people, you move as a group. That matters on roads that wind uphill and down through valleys. You’re also not fighting for photo angles with strangers every time the bus stops. Reviews repeatedly mention a smaller vehicle and a driver who takes care on the twisty roads, which helps a lot if you’re traveling with kids or people who don’t love motion.

Pickup starts at 8:30 am. You’ll get a simple onboard rhythm through the day: short stops for photos and views, plus a couple of longer town moments where you can breathe and wander a bit.

The Food Stops: Cheese, Mojo, Honey Rum, and Tapas Lunch

This is the part I’d call the “fuel + fun” layer of the day. The tastings aren’t random snacks—they’re placed so you learn something about local flavors while you’re still seeing the scenery that shaped the food culture.

Included tastings include cheese, mojo sauce, and honey rum. You get these along the route, so it doesn’t feel like you’re only eating at the end. Expect it to be more of a guided taste experience than a formal sit-down.

Lunch is also included: 2 pieces of typical Canarian tapas plus a beer or soft drink. It’s timed for 14:00, so you’re not stuck eating too early or too late when your energy is dropping.

There’s also a coffee break built in. One of the tour tips highlights coffee time around 10:45 am, which is a nice buffer before you hit more of the higher-elevation viewpoints.

And if you like local drinks, one stop includes a chance to try typical Canarian coffee called barraquito (plus regional wines like verijadiego or malvasia at the winery-themed town stop).

Morning Route: Dunes, Volcanic Views, and Fataga’s Old-Town Charm

The day starts with “wow” in the best way: quick pull-offs that set the tone early.

Stop 1: Mirador de las Dunas (20 minutes)

This is one of the big dune viewpoints—often described as a moon-walk moment because the dunes look so otherworldly. You’ll have enough time for a few angles without feeling rushed. The ticket here is free.

What makes it worth your time: early in the day your eyes haven’t adjusted to the mountains yet, so the scale hits harder. If you’re a photographer, this is a good first target.

Possible drawback: the viewpoint is short. If you prefer long walks over short looks, you’ll still enjoy it, but it’s not a hiking destination.

Stop 2: Mirador Degollada De La Yegua (10 minutes)

This viewpoint focuses on what used to shape the island: former volcanic activity. It’s short—10 minutes—but it’s the kind of stop that makes later scenery easier to “read.”

Ticket info: free.

Why I like this kind of stop: it gives you context fast. You look at the ground and understand what created it, instead of just admiring it.

Stop 3: Fataga (30 minutes)

Then you shift from geology to people. Fataga is a charming old town, and you get 30 minutes to enjoy the streets at a calmer pace.

Ticket info: free.

What you can do with this time: take photos, browse, or simply slow down. This is where the tour stops feeling like a nonstop camera run.

Watch-out: 30 minutes is enough for a walk and a few photos, but it’s not a full town exploration. If you want hours in Fataga, you’d need a separate day trip.

From San Bartolomé and Tunte to the High Viewpoints

After the early town-and-view rhythm, the route starts moving deeper into the island.

Stop 4: San Bartolome de Tirajana + short Tunte stop (30 minutes)

You begin with a viewpoint over Ansite, described as the last rock citadel of the Guanches. Then you head to Tunte, where the tour leans into local wine culture.

This short stop includes tasting options connected to regional grapes and flavors—verijadiego or malvasia—and the chance to try barraquito (typical Canarian coffee).

Ticket info: free.

Why this works: it’s not just “food as a break.” You’re tasting local identity right after you’ve been looking at the island’s ancient character.

Possible drawback: If you don’t drink wine or coffee, you may still enjoy the atmosphere, but the time is partly built around tasting choices.

Stop 5: Pico de las Nieves + Roque Nublo photo session (30 minutes)

Here’s the landmark moment: you get an easy walk and a photo session with Roque Nublo. Ticket info: free.

What makes this stop special: Roque Nublo is a big-name rock, but the photo value depends on timing, angle, and the route. This tour schedules it as a clear “see it here” moment, not a random passing viewpoint.

Note on effort: the tour calls it an easy walk, and reviews back up that walking can be adjusted. Still, the mountains can be cooler and breezy.

Stop 6: Cruz de Tejeda (15 minutes)

This is a quick but meaningful viewpoint. You’re at the geographical middle point of the island, with views toward Caldera de Tejeda and Roque Bentayga.

Ticket info: free.

Why 15 minutes is enough: it’s built for a fast “get the full picture” look. You get sweeping views without losing the day to a long hike.

Teror’s Colonial-Era Vibe and Why the Interior Feels Different

The last stretch keeps the focus on towns where daily life still shows.

Stop 7: Teror (30 minutes)

Teror is described as the most known Canarian town with former colonial style architecture and the Basilica of Our Lady in Pine. You get 30 minutes here.

Ticket info: free.

What you’ll likely notice: the town feels more “lived in” than the tourist strips. Reviews also mention time for small shopping moments and even the kind of quiet breaks you might want for a church stop.

Possible drawback: 30 minutes passes quickly if you enjoy browsing. If you like slow travel, treat this as a taste, not a full town visit.

Timing, Comfort, and What to Pack for Heat and Cooler Heights

This is a long day—about 9 hours. The route is designed so you’re not stuck on the bus for hours without stops. One review even praised that the vehicle sitting time wasn’t excessive between photo breaks.

Still, mountain travel is mountain travel. Expect roads that can be steep and windy. More than one review noted motion sickness as a possible issue. If you’re sensitive, bring what works for you (and consider sitting in the most stable part of the vehicle if you can choose).

What the tour tip suggests packing

The tour provides smart packing advice:

• Bring two sets: light clothes for around 25°C heat
• Also bring a light layer for cooler, rainy, and colder conditions

One review specifically mentioned it was around 9°C at the highest altitude, so even if the morning starts warm, you can feel the chill once the route climbs.

When you’ll eat and reset

You’ll hit:

• 10:45 am coffee time (as a built-in break)
• 14:00 lunch (tapas + beverage)

These anchors help you pace your day and avoid the “we’ll eat whenever we stop” problem that can happen on flexible tours.

Price and Value: Private vs. Mass Market

At $665.15 per group (up to 7 people) for an ~9-hour guided VIP day, the real question is value-per-person and time-per-scenery moment.

Here’s how I’d judge it:

• Private transport + professional guide for the whole day means you’re paying for fewer compromises.
• The included food and drink (cheese/mojo/honey rum and tapas lunch) are not just “small extras.” They reduce the number of on-your-own decisions you have to make mid-route.
• The itinerary hits multiple key areas across the island interior, so you’re not spending a chunk of the day figuring out logistics.

If you’re traveling as a small family or a group of friends, this can be a strong deal compared with paying for several separate tours or trying to self-drive while also managing mountain routes.

If you’re traveling solo or as a couple and can’t share the cost, it may feel pricier. In that case, compare it against the value of a smaller guided group tour if cost matters more than privacy.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Should Think Twice)

This tour is built for people who want more than a resort bubble.

You’ll likely enjoy it if you:

• Want a guided overview of Gran Canaria’s interior in one day
• Prefer towns and viewpoints over only beach time
• Like tasting local food and drink tied to place
• Appreciate a guide who tells stories and keeps the energy lively

You might think twice if:

• Motion sickness is a big issue for you (the mountain roads can be windy and bumpy)
• You want long hiking time (this day is mostly short stops and easy walks, not extended trails)
• You’re traveling with very young children who struggle with long sitting time and road motion (one review suggested it may not be ideal for very young kids)

Should You Book Gran Canaria Highlights Private Tour VIP?

If your goal is to see the interior without turning your vacation into a navigation project, I’d say this is an easy “yes.” The day’s structure makes sense: scenic viewpoints that don’t waste time, town stops that feel human, and tastings that keep things grounded in Canarian culture.

I’d book this if you’re excited by Roque Nublo viewpoints, old-town moments like Fataga and Teror, and you want your guide to explain what you’re looking at—not just point.

Before you commit, be honest about two things: your comfort on winding mountain roads, and whether you’re okay with lots of short stops instead of long, slow exploration.

FAQ

What is the duration of this Gran Canaria private tour?

The tour runs about 9 hours.

What’s the price and group size?

It costs $665.15 per group for up to 7 people.

Is pickup included?

Yes. Hotel pick-up is included.

What language is the tour offered in?

It’s offered in English.

Are the main viewpoint stops included in the price?

For the listed stops, admission tickets are free at each of the named viewpoints and town stops.

What food and drink are included?

You’ll get cheese, mojo sauce, and honey rum, plus a tapas lunch with 2 pieces of typical Canarian tapas and beer or a soft drink. Bottle water is also included.

Is there a coffee break and a set lunch time?

Yes. The provided tips mention coffee time around 10:45 am and lunch time at 14:00.

Is this tour private for just your group?

Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, and only your group participates.

Does weather affect whether the tour runs?

Yes. The experience requires good weather. If canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Can service animals join?

The tour allows service animals.

If you tell me where you’re staying (Las Palmas, Maspalomas, Puerto Rico, etc.) and whether anyone in your group gets motion sickness, I can help you decide if the mountain route feels like a good match for your day.