This Arrecife shore trip visits Timanfaya National Park to see the lunar landscape created by one of the longest sustained volcanic events in recorded history. You also visit Yaiza, voted Spain's prettiest village on two separate occasions.
Lanzarote first formed through volcanic activity roughly 15 million years ago, but the landscape you see in Timanfaya today comes from a far more recent event: the eruptions of 1730 to 1736, one of the longest continuous volcanic events ever recorded. Over six years, more than 25 craters opened across the island, and lava buried 11 villages and covered close to a quarter of Lanzarote's surface. That eruption is what gives Timanfaya its lunar appearance, and the whole area is now protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, designated in 1993.
After meeting your guide you depart for the National Park, about 21 miles (34km) and roughly 41 minutes from the port. From the viewpoint of Montana Rajada you look out over a vast sea of hardened lava that reaches the coastline. Over time, local farmers learned to work this landscape, developing dry farming techniques for melons, onions, tomatoes, and the unusual sunken vineyards of La Geria.
The park is divided into two ecosystems, land and marine. On land, you see volcanic cones, seas of solidified lava, older patches where vegetation has returned, and dramatic cliffs. The marine ecosystem includes geysers, hot springs, and black sand beaches formed by the same volcanic activity. Numerous species have adapted to this environment and have been the subject of ongoing scientific study.
After Timanfaya, you drive to Yaiza, about 20 minutes away. The village's name is a common Spanish name for a pet dog, similar to Rover or Fido. Locals call it the Capital of the South, and its brilliant white-washed houses, set against fields of black volcanic ash, have a look more reminiscent of North Africa than mainland Spain. Yaiza earned its reputation partly through a stroke of luck: during the 1730 to 1736 eruptions, advancing lava split into two separate streams just before reaching the village, one flowing toward Uga and the other toward what is now Playa Blanca, leaving Yaiza itself untouched. Bougainvillea and hibiscus add bursts of color against the whitewashed walls, and the village has since been voted Spain's prettiest village on two separate occasions.
While in Yaiza, you enjoy a short guided walking tour followed by free time before returning to Arrecife.
Mobility: a folding wheelchair can be accommodated, though some sites may be inaccessible. Please give advance notice if this applies to your group.
If you cannot find what you are looking for, our Arrecife Lanzarote shore excursions can also be customized to fit your needs. If you have a larger group, we can offer you a private Arrecife Lanzarote shore trip using a mid-size bus or full size coach. Please contact us with any questions or to receive a customized quote.
Review Location- Arrecife Lanzarote 
