Geminid shooting stars above the clouds
Astro photo workshop at 2200 m. Altitude
UNESCO World Heritage Site Teide National Park, Tenerife, Canary Island
The Geminids are the strongest meteor shower of the year with a maximum around December 14. Its radiant (the point from which the shooting stars appear to come) lies just north of the bright star Castor (α Geminorum) in the constellation Gemini (Latin géminī), which gave the Geminids their name. The Geminids are particularly impressive because they produce many bright, typically yellow-white shining meteors. As the radiant is opposite the sun in the sky in mid-December, it can be found above the horizon throughout the night. The maximum position is reached shortly after midnight. This is why, unlike some other meteors, the Geminids can also be observed in the evening hours. The activity of the Geminids has increased continuously over the last few decades and now surpasses that of the Perseids in August. Around 150 meteors per hour are expected on the night of December 14. A special kind of cosmic firework display.
Your accompanying photographer:
This astronomical photo expedition is accompanied by award-winning astrophotographer Eugen Kamenew. The freelance expedition photographer was awarded the "Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2014" award by the Royal Greenwich Observatory in London and the BBC Sky at Night magazine. The space agency NASA published his pictures on its official website APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day). In 2020, he was awarded 1st prize in
Astrophotography at the renowned International Photography Award (IPA2020) out of 13,000 participants. Eugen Kamenew studied "Cinematography + Photography" at Hawaii Pacific University and received a degree in Sociology with a specialization in Media Studies from the Philipps University of Marburg. As an author, he regularly writes articles for magazines such as "FUJILOVE", "ASTRONOMIE - das Magazin" and "Sky + Telescope". He shares his knowledge in various photography workshops.
Weather
The promising weather statistics, which have been compiled from various satellite data over the years, increase the likelihood of a clear starry sky and the possibility of taking photos. Based on this scientific data, the Las Canadas del Teide plateau clearly stands out with its good weather conditions. Nowhere else in Europe have better weather statistics. With around 3500 hours of sunshine a year and an average cloud cover of just 23%, Teide National Park is our biggest favorite.
Location
The only freely bookable accommodation on the Las Cañadas plateau is the Hotel Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide. The hotel is located at 2152 meters above sea level and in the heart of the Teide National Park. This altitude is ideal for visual and photographic astronomy. There is hardly any artificial light pollution. The advantage of the location also lies in the transparent, clear air masses of the Canary Islands. The treeless plateau of the Cañadas offers some impressive rock formations for astrophotography. It is not for nothing that the epic movie "Star Wars" was filmed here.
Roque de Garcia is a bizarre rock formation. The most famous of the towers made of sculpted volcanic rock is Roque Cinchado, which is only 400 m from the hotel.
Venue Hotel Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide
This cozy hotel in the Teide National Park is a 4-minute walk from the Roque Cinchado rock formation and 11 km from the Teide volcano. The stylish rooms with wooden floors feature a flat-screen TV, a minibar and views of the mountains. The upscale rooms offer a four-poster bed, a seating area and/or a terrace. Amenities include an elegant restaurant with a stone fireplace and mountain views, as well as a bright bar and a cozy lounge. There is also a fitness room, indoor pool, sauna and terrace. Conference rooms are also available.
Venue with the conference room:
Hotel Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide
Las Cañadas s/n
38300 La Orotava
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Phone: (+34) 922 386 415
Email: eventos@parador.es or also canadas@parador.es
Website: https://paradores.es/en/parador-de-las-canadas-del-teide
Catering:
Hotel "Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide" also has a restaurant.
Shopping facilities:
The mountain village of Vilaflor is just a 30-minute drive away and offers shopping and
accommodation.
Schedule:
Day 1 (11.12.2026)
17:00 - 18:30 Welcome and program presentation in the conference room of the hotel
"Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide".
18:30 - 20:30 Restaurant of the hotel "Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide".
Dinner is not included in the workshop price.
20:30 - 02:30 Under a clear night sky Geminids shooting star shower.
20:30 - 22:00 Under an overcast night sky, time-lapse photography at night.
Day 2 (12.12.2026)
17:00 - 18:30 Introduction to shooting star photography: Learn all the tips + tricks for successful shooting star photography in the conference room.
18:30 - 20:30 Restaurant of the hotel "Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide".
Dinner is not included in the workshop price.
20:30 - 02:30 Shooting star photography under a clear night sky - time lapse + star trails.
20:30 - 23:00 Under an overcast night sky, post-production on your own laptop in the
conference room. Creation of a 4K time lapse video and star trails from the astrophotos.
Day 3 (13.12.2026)
17:00 - 18:30 Maximum of the Geminid meteor stream without the disturbing influence of the
moonlight. Perfect conditions for the Geminid shooting star shower.
18:30 - 20:30 Restaurant of the hotel "Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide".
Dinner is not included in the workshop price.
20:30 - 02:30 Under a clear night sky shooting star photography - time lapse + star trails.
20:30 - 23:00 Under an overcast night sky, post-production on your own laptop in the
conference room. Creating a 4K time lapse video (time lapse) and
star trails from the astrophotos.
Day 4 (14.12.2026)
17:00 - 18:30 Image analysis of the meteor photos taken, 4K time lapse videos (time lapse)
and star trails in the group.
18:30 - 20:30 Restaurant of the hotel "Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide".
Dinner is not included in the workshop price.
20:30 - 02:30 Under a clear night sky shooting star photography - time lapse + star trails.
20:30 - 23:00 Under an overcast night sky, post-production on your own laptop in the
conference room. Create a 4K time-lapse video (time lapse) and
star trails from the astrophotos.
Day 5 (15.12.2026)
17:00 - 18:30 Presentation of the final project by each individual in the group.
18:30 - 20:30 Restaurant of the hotel "Parador de Las Cañadas del Teide".
Dinner is not included in the workshop price.
20:30 - 02:30 Under a clear night sky shooting star photography time lapse + star trails.
20:30 - 23:00 Under an overcast night sky post-production on your own laptop.
