Camel ride Lanzarote: what to expect at Timanfaya

When you think of camels in Lanzarote, you’ll almost certainly end up at the Echadero de los Camellos, just outside the gates of Timanfaya National Park. It’s the starting point for the famous camel rides up the side of the volcanoes, one of the island’s best known (and most controversial) experiences. It’s literally what many people search for when they type camel ride Lanzarote into Google.

At the same stop you will find almost everything you can imagine about Timanfaya: volcanic landscape, sea of lava, endless line of camels, coaches coming and going and families deciding whether to ride or not.

In my case, I am from Lanzarote and I have been to Timanfaya several times, what continues to impress me is to walk silently along the slope of the volcano, with the sea of lava in front of me and that sensation of being on another planet.

What is the Echadero de los Camellos (camel station) in Lanzarote?

The Echadero de los Camellos is the area next to Timanfaya where the camels (in reality they are dromedaries) that go on the tourist rides are concentrated. It is a kind of “camel station” with:

• Waiting and boarding area.
• Circular route along the slope of a volcano.
• Small museum dedicated to the camel on the island.
• Basic services: toilets, bar and shop.

It is part of the southern entrance to the Timanfaya National Park, in the municipality of Yaiza, and is managed in coordination with the Yaiza Town Hall. It is not a zoo or a theme park: it is a specific activity of a camel ride through volcanic landscape that lasts relatively short, but for many people it becomes one of the most iconic images of their trip.

Where is the camel ride in Timanfaya, Lanzarote?

El Echadero is located on the stretch of road LZ-67 that connects Yaiza with Tinajo, in the area known as Fire mountains. It is impossible to miss it: the row of camels and the parked coaches “shout” at you from afar.

• Municipality: Yaiza.
• Park: within the surroundings of the Timanfaya National Park.
• Road: LZ-67 (the same road that leads to the Fire Mountains and the Islet of Hilario).

Think of the Echadero as the “camel” gateway to Timanfaya: from there you take the specific camel route, as opposed to the classic bus route through the interior of the park.

How to get to the Echadero (rental car and excursions)

You have two ways to get there:

• Self-drive, by rental car:
  • You follow the LZ-67 from Yaiza or from Tinajo.
  • You will find signs to the Echadero.
  • There is a parking area next to the row of camels.
• With organised excursion:
  • Many tours in Lanzarote include a “camel ride in Timanfaya” as part of the tour.
  • They usually combine it with a visit to the Fire Mountains and other stops on the island.

If you come by car, the experience is more flexible; if you go on a tour, you’ll have more time on your schedule, but you forget about driving, parking and timetabling.

What the camel ride in Timanfaya is like

The camel ride in Timanfaya is basically a circular route that is done on double saddles that hang on both sides of the animal. Each camel usually carries two people, one on each side, and the animals are joined together in a row.

It is not a long route or an extreme adventure: it is a short, very visual experience, designed for you to see the volcanic landscape up close and get that typical photo “on the camel with the volcanoes in the background”.

Tour of the volcano slope: what you will see

During the ride, the line of camels goes up and down a black and reddish volcanic hillside. You are likely to see:

• Sea of solidifiedlava on both sides.
• Craters and volcanic lava flows with very marked shapes.
• A very minimalist landscape: stone, volcanic sand and little else.

If you are expecting palm trees and oases, this is not the place for you. Here the protagonist is the lunar landscape of Timanfaya: the contrast between the sky, the volcano and the silence broken only by the passing of the camels.

Duration of the walk and the complete visit

There tends to be some confusion with the tenses, so I’ll separate it out for you:

• Time on the camel: approx. 20-30 minutes.
• Total visiting time: between 45 minutes and 1 hour, counting:Polylang placeholder do not modify
  • Go up and adjust your seat.
  • Wait for the line to form.
  • The ride itself.
  • Get off, take some extra photos, and visit the small museum.

Whenever I’m asked how long it takes, I always answer the same question: the ride itself takes about 20-30 minutes, but between getting on, adjusting the seats, taking the photo and walking around the museum, it takes almost an hour in total.

Is it comfortable and safe to ride a camel?

In terms of safety, the activity is fairly standardised: the camels are lined up in a row, there are handlers controlling the group and the saddles are designed for two people in balance.

Still, there are things to bear in mind:

• The camel sways quite a lot when walking.
• You sit at a considerable height above the ground.
• The moment of standing up and sitting down is the most “abrupt”.

If you get dizzy from heights or sudden movements, I always warn you: the camel sways quite a lot. Personally, I feel safe, but I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone with vertigo or a weak back.

Camel ride in Lanzarote with kids: what you need to know

El Echadero is a magnet for families. For many children, it’s the first time they’ve seen a camel up close, and the idea of riding one seems like a huge adventure.

On a practical level:

• There are weight and distribution limitations (usually two persons per camel).
• Children should be well restrained and understand that it is not a playground game, but a living animal.
• If your child is very afraid of animals or heights, it is best to assess whether he or she will like it first.

Tips if you go with children (safety, sensations and tricks)

Some tips I usually tell people who come with children:

• Explain to them beforehand that the camel is going to stand up and sit down all at once.
• If they are very young, it may be enough for them to see the camels up close and decide whether or not to climb on them.
• Bring a cap, water and some patience, because the waiting time can be more tiring than the walk.

When friends or family come with children, we often end up at the Echadero: the last time we went with a 7 year old boy and for him it was the best part of the trip, he was laughing and saying he wanted to repeat the trip.

Facilities at the Echadero: toilets, bar and shade

Apart from the walk itself, the Echadero has some basic services that you will appreciate, especially on hot days or if you have been walking around Timanfaya for a while.

Bathrooms and toilets

Yes, there are toilets at the Echadero de los Camellos. This is not a minor detail: between the heat, the water you drink and the time you spend there, knowing that there are toilets nearby is important, especially if you are travelling with children or the elderly.

Bar, shop and small rest area

You will also find:

• A small bar/tea shop where you can have a drink.
• Some shop with souvenirs and basic items.
• Areas with some shade and benches to sit on.

Timetable for the camel ride in Timanfaya

• Indicative timetable: it usually operates in the mornings and early afternoons.
• The best people to confirm updated timetables are
  • The staff at the Echadero.
  • The tourist office or official park websites.

Best time to go (queues, heat and buses)

• First thing in the morning
  • Shorter queues.
  • Less heat.
  • A more peaceful atmosphere, making it easier to take photos without so many people.

• Mid-morning / noon
  • The tour buses arrive.
  • The queues grow longer, and the feeling of overcrowding intensifies.

Camel ride prices in Lanzarote: what’s included

Price: €22 per camel. The rates can be consulted directly on site, as they are not included in the general price of the park, and children under 3 years of age travel free, and can sit on a parent’s lap. In general, it includes:

• Walk of about 20-30 minutes.
• Typical” photo that is sometimes part of the package (or paid for separately, depending on the operator).

It is always a good idea to carry some cash, as not all outlets on excursions and in photos work equally well with cards.

Opinions about the Echadero de los Camellos (reviews, reviews and avis)

If you Google Echadero de los Camellos or directly search for reviews of Echadero de los Camellos, you will see something curious: opinions are very divided. Some people are delighted with the experience and others are deeply dissatisfied with the animal welfare issues.

Before recommending it to anyone, I always say the same thing: opinions are very polarised. There are those who see it as a must experience in Lanzarote and those who experience it as mistreatment. Going there in person helps to get your own idea, but it’s good to know beforehand.

If you just want to get a visual idea, you will also find many photos of the Echadero de los Camellos in reviews and on social media: you can see the kind of scenery and what the camel rides look like.

Top rated: scenery, different experience and delighted children

Positive feedback tends to be repeated:

• Spectacular scenery, very different from what you see elsewhere.
• The feeling of “doing something different” on a camel.
• Children and families who remember it as the most fun part of the trip.
• Friendly staff in many cases, used to dealing with tourists.

Most criticised: queues, heat and controversy over the treatment of animals.

On the negative side, there are a number of issues:

• Long queues at peak times.
• Intense heat in summer or midday.
• Feeling that the camels are working long hours.
• Very harsh comments from people who perceive mistreatment or exploitation.

My view as a local: do I recommend the camel ride in Lanzarote?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer here. As someone from Lanzarote, what helps me most to explain it is this: it is not an activity for everyone. If you’re excited about riding a camel in the middle of Timanfaya, you’ll probably love it; if you’re really concerned about the animals, you might prefer to just come along, see the place and continue discovering the island.

Camel welfare in Timanfaya: what I’ve seen as a local

As a local, I’ve heard all sorts of things about the treatment of the camels: I’ve seen very caring handlers, but if you’re very sensitive to animal welfare it can be quite upsetting, because it’s still an activity designed for tourists.

There are points that each person values differently:

• Camels work daily in high season.
• They have rest days according to the organisation.
• They are tied up and lined up most of the time.

I am not trying to whitewash or demonise the activity: I am simply telling you what is out there for you to decide.

Responsible tourism: what to do if you are concerned about the treatment of animals

If you care about animal welfare (and you should), you have several options:

• Inform yourself before you go and decide.
• Come to the Echadero, see how the animals are and how they are treated and, from there, decide whether to ride or not.
• Opt for other experiences in Lanzarote that do not involve animals, if you do not feel comfortable.

Visiting the camel station without riding (museum and volcanic landscape)

One thing that many people don’t know is that you can stop at the Echadero without riding:

• See the camels up close.
• Enter the small camel museum and learn about the history of the camel on the island.
• Enjoy the volcanic landscape from the area.

When I myself have been there with people who didn’t want to ride, we have only visited the area and the small camel museum: even so, the volcanic landscape and the close-up view of the animals have made the stop worthwhile.

Quick checklist for the excursion

Before you go, I would tell you to keep in mind:

• Water and sun protection (sunglasses, cap, sun cream).
• Comfortable shoes (you are going to be in volcanic terrain, not on a promenade).
• Some cash just in case.
• Be patient with the queues, especially if you don’t go first thing in the morning.
• And, above all, be clear about your position on whether or not to ride a camel.

Who is a camel ride on Lanzarote for and who isn’t?

All in all very honest:

It can be for you if…

• You are looking forward to the experience of riding a camel.
• You are travelling with your family and want something very visual and easy to remember.
• You have no back problems , strong vertigo or mobility problems.

It may not be for you if…

• You are very sensitive to the issue of animal welfare.
• You get dizzy from heights or sudden movements.
• You don’t like the idea of being in a very touristy place, with queues and lots of people.

Frequently asked questions to ask yourself if you want to do the activity