3 ESSENTIALS TO TAKE

■ A WARM JACKET The summit of Teide has 50% of the oxygen at sea-level and at a height of nearly 4000m is likely to be very cold, not to mention windy. Don’t let the beach-goers fool you: this mountain can be cold, especially if you’re spending the night.

■ A CAMERA TRIPOD Some of the clearest skies imaginable can be found above Teide at night. You’ll want to capture it, and for that you’ll need a tripod and a decent camera.

■ BINOCULARS While birdlife isn’t particularly abundant, you get incredible views of the surrounding islands from the summit of Teide, plus the opportunity to look into the bowels of an active volcano.