Excursion to Timanfaya, La Geria and El Campesino House-Museum

35 minutes by car from the cruise liner, Timanfaya National Park whose incredible scenery (which transports us all to other planets such as Mars) is the product of the intense volcanic eruptions of 1730 and 1824, which buried this part of the island and created what is now known as Fire Mountain. Access to this area is controlled (you have to pay an admission fee) and you can only enter in a private vehicle or on foot to very limited areas.

Camel ride at Fire Mountain

The park managers provide a very interesting bus tour that takes you inside. It also includes demonstrations of the heat still emanating from inside this volcanic earth, which is able to make straw burn, cook food or cause spectacular geysers. Science fans can satiate their thirst for knowledge at the fabulous Mancha Blanca Visitor Centre. But, without a doubt, the park's most popular attraction is the camel ride — the camels are actually dromedaries such as those that are still used for traditional farming work by the farmers of Lanzarote. It is difficult to resist taking a ride (which is short and completely safe) on the back of these tough animals to visit some of the unique ash and lava landscapes of Timanfaya.

From Timanfaya to La Geria – land of wines and work

Just 10 minutes from the heart of Timanfaya, La Geria gives us a radically different perspective of volcanic territory. If, in the first case, a human touch is practically non-existent, La Geria represents the human struggle to dominate nature and extract from it the fruits required for subsistence. Crop-growing land, La Geria is a succession of holes dug into the volcanic earth, in the centre of which a vine is planted and protected from the wind by a half moon of rocks. Half a dozen wineries have their headquarters in the area, where you can taste and purchase the famous wines of Lanzarote, the quality of which was praised by Shakespeare himself. You can also have lunch at some of these establishments.

From La Geria to El Campesino House-Museum

Mozaga, in the centre of the island, is home to El Campesino House-Museum, the work of the fabulous artist from Lanzarote César Manrique. This house is actually a group of white-walled buildings inspired by traditional Lanzarote architecture. A large sculpture, measuring 15 metres in height and called Fecundidad (fertility), crowns the complex. Inside, the visitor discovers the secrets of local crafts, traditions and island farmers' way of life. With an entrance into the house's patio, a volcanic grotto has been turned into the perfect restaurant for trying traditional dishes from Lanzarote.

Parque Nacional de Timanfaya, en Lanzarote

Paisaje Protegido de La Geria, en Lanzarote

Sustainability

Never leave waste of any type lying around, including cigarette butts. Leftover food leads to a proliferation of rats and wild cats, which pose a serious threat to the fauna.
Use the waste- paper baskets and, insofar as possible, separate and place your recycling waste in the appropriate containers.
Do not throw any waste or other objects into the sea.
Respect the animals. Do not bother them or feed them. If you see an injured specimen, you can call the emergency number: 112. Do not pick flowers or plants.
Do not pick up or take away stones or any other item from the natural environment. And do not move them to pile them up into sadly famous 'towers'.
In natural spaces and at viewpoints, do not leave the trail or the spaces designated for people to be in.
Respect and look after the area's historic and cultural heritage, along with the public furniture and items for visitors, such as information panels or telescopes and binoculars.