Port
Arrecife, Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain
Activity Level
Moderate
Excursion Type
Local Sightseeing,All
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Starting At
$99.95
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
Duration
Approximately 4½ hours
Meals Included
Meals not included
Lanzarote is like no other place in the world. 270 years ago, contorted lava flows were flung out of massive volcanic eruptions to cover three-fourths of the island's 324-square-mile surface. The affected area is now a National Park and is a must for every visitor to Lanzarote.
Pass typical and charming villages before reaching one of nature's fascinating works -- Montana de Fuego, or the mountain of fire, in Timanfaya National Park. Ride a camel up the slopes of a volcano cone to see the tortured, yet beautiful, lunar-like landscape that spreads out below. Continue to Islote de Hilario for a fascinating demonstration of how volcanic cinders just below the surface are hot enough to kindle wood and produce steam -- proof of the violent forces lying beneath the earth's crust. Even today, heat still rises through vents in the earth as a result of continuous volcanic eruptions that occurred between 1730 and 1736.
Since rain is scarce here, farmers have devised ingenious cultivation methods to grow vegetables in fields of black lava that are watered only by sea mist. Grape vines thrive in cinder pits called zocos, and porous lava granules allow dew to filter down to the roots. The result is a fresh, golden wine called Malvasía.
Enjoy a wine tasting at La Geria, Lanzarote's wine country, on your way back to the port.
Notes:
Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable sunscreen. Bring bottled water.