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The First Silence
Islands shaped by fire. A journey shaped by silence.
LA PALMA & EL HIERRO, CANARY ISLANDS
2027 DEPARTURES:
- – 24 April – 2 May 2027
- – 7 – 15 November 2027
A journey into volcanic distance, Atlantic light and the rare sensation of having nowhere else to be.
The First Silence begins by stepping away from the Canary Islands most travellers think they know. On La Palma and El Hierro, black volcanic earth meets pine and laurel forest, steep ridges fall toward the Atlantic, and small settlements sit within landscapes that make everyday noise feel suddenly very far away.
The First Silence, the first part of the journey unfolds on La Palma, an island of dramatic contrasts. Forest, ravines, cultivated land and recent volcanic terrain exist close together, inviting a slower way of looking. Rather than rushing between viewpoints, we move through the island with gentle walks and carefully chosen encounters that reveal how local life has been shaped by geography, isolation and the constant presence of the ocean.
Near El Paso, a guided forest-bathing experience creates one of the journey’s first deeper pauses. Movement gradually gives way to sensory awareness as touch, scent, taste and sound become part of the experience. Herbal tea, edible plants, quiet rest and simple rituals help the group reconnect with the forest without turning the activity into a formal retreat.
After sunset, the landscape opens upward. A guided astronomy experience with telescopes
introduces the constellations, the Moon and the Milky Way, while stories connect observation with La Palma’s extraordinary relationship to the night sky. Other local encounters bring the human side of the island closer through artisans, producers and people whose work remains rooted in place.
The First Silence journey then moves to El Hierro, where the rhythm becomes quieter still. Roads empty,
landscapes widen and remoteness becomes part of the experience. Morning Śamatha before breakfast and guided contemplation before dinner are held outdoors whenever possible – on terraces, in gardens, beside the ocean or surrounded by volcanic landscape.
The First Silence is not about escaping life. It is about lowering the volume long enough to notice what remains: breath, distance, conversation, wind, light and the surprising fullness of silence.
What’s Included
Every Be Local journey is designed so that, once you arrive at the designated meeting point, the essential elements of the experience are taken care of.
8 nights in carefully selected accommodation, chosen for character, sense of place and connection to the destination.
All transportation during the journey, from the official meeting point on Day 1 until the designated departure point on Day 9.
A dedicated Be Local Journey Host, accompanying the group throughout the experience.
Five hosted meals, including a welcome dinner, farewell dinner and three carefully selected meals along the way.
3–4 signature Local Encounters, depending on the journey, hosted by local people, artisans, producers, conservationists or community initiatives.
Guided nature walks and slow outdoor experiences, designed to be accessible rather than physically demanding.
Morning and evening contemplative practices, including meditation, quiet reflection and moments of stillness.
All scheduled activities and experiences described in the journey programme.
A contribution to a local environmental or community initiative connected to the destination.
Pre-departure support, including practical information and assistance with planning arrival and onward travel.
Not Included
Flights or other transportation to the official starting point of the journey.
Onward transportation after the journey officially ends.
Meals not specifically mentioned as included.
Personal expenses.
Travel insurance.
Optional activities undertaken during free time.
We intentionally leave space in every journey. Not every meal, afternoon or moment is programmed, because freedom, spontaneity and rest are part of the experience too.
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