Timanfaya Camel Ride: What to Expect, Price and Is It Worth It?

Where is the Timanfaya camel ride?

The rides depart from the Echadero de los Camellos, on the LZ-67 road between Yaiza and the main Timanfaya visitor area — which makes it easy to combine with Montañas del Fuego on the same stop. Our what-to-expect guide covers the rest of a standard Timanfaya visit in detail if you want the full picture of what’s inside the park itself.

Camel or dromedary?

Technically, the animals are dromedaries, which have one hump. “Camel ride” is simply the standard term used in tourism marketing and by visitors, so that’s what you’ll see on every booking page, this one included.

What happens on the ride?

Passengers normally sit in seats positioned on either side of the animal, with two people typically sharing one camel. The group follows a short route across the volcanic terrain and returns to the starting point. Think short sightseeing loop, not long-distance trek.

How much does it cost?

Yaiza council, which runs the Echadero, charges €11 per person per ride (about $12), payable by card or cash; children pay from the age of four. Two of you sharing a camel pay €22. The older figure of €12 per camel for two people still appears in some guides but is out of date, and the coach tours that pass the Echadero quote €11 to €12 per person.

Do you need to book?

The camel service is generally arranged on site rather than through the same timed-reservation system used for Timanfaya park entry. If you’re on an organised excursion, the real question is whether the tour actually stops there and gives you enough time — not every coach does.

How long should you allow?

The ride itself takes around 20 minutes. Allow extra time for parking, waiting, getting seated and taking photos — around 30–45 minutes for the whole stop is sensible.

Is the camel ride included with a Timanfaya ticket?

No. Your Montañas del Fuego ticket and your camel ride are separate purchases. Likewise, some organised tours advertise a “camel stop” while still requiring the ride itself to be paid separately on site.

How to combine the camel ride with Timanfaya

Camel ride first:

1. Drive from Yaiza towards Timanfaya.
2. Stop at Echadero de los Camellos.
3. Take the camel ride.
4. Continue to Montañas del Fuego.
5. Join the Ruta de los Volcanes.

Timanfaya first: reverse the order if your timed Timanfaya ticket is earlier. Build the day around your timed Timanfaya reservation, because that’s the more time-sensitive booking — the camel stop has no equivalent time slot to protect.

Camel ride or Ruta de los Volcanes?

They’re completely different experiences. The Ruta de los Volcanes is the essential sightseeing route through Timanfaya’s protected volcanic landscape; the camel ride is a short, interactive extra outside the park boundary. If you only have time for one, prioritise Timanfaya itself.

Is the camel ride worth it?

Probably yes if:

• you’ve never ridden a camel before;
• you’re travelling with children;
• you enjoy unusual travel experiences;
• you’re already visiting Timanfaya;
• you want classic Lanzarote photos.

Probably skip it if:

• you’re uncomfortable with animal-based tourist activities;
• you’re interested mainly in geology;
• you have very limited time;
• you’re expecting a long camel trek.

Think short scenic ride, not camel safari.

Is it good for children?

It’s one of the more family-oriented additions to a Timanfaya trip. The ride is short enough not to dominate the day, and it adds something more interactive to a visit that otherwise involves a lot of sightseeing by vehicle.

What should you wear?

• comfortable clothes;
• secure footwear;
• sunglasses;
• sunscreen;
• a hat.

The area can be sunny and windy, same as the rest of the volcanic interior.

Why are there camels in Lanzarote?

Dromedaries were historically useful working animals in Lanzarote’s dry landscape, used for transport and agricultural work. Today their most visible role is tourism, but their presence is tied to older island traditions rather than being invented solely for visitors.

Should you book a Timanfaya tour with a camel ride?

If you don’t have a rental car, this is often the easiest approach. A typical south-Lanzarote excursion may combine resort pickup, Timanfaya, the geothermal demonstrations, the Ruta de los Volcanes, the camel centre, El Golfo and La Geria. The Full Day Bus Tour with Scenic Views is a good example — it names the Camel Echadero specifically among its stops. Whichever tour you book, check whether the ride is included, optional, or just a photo stop from the coach window.

Camel ride from Playa Blanca

Playa Blanca is well positioned for combining Timanfaya with the camel centre — see our Timanfaya tours from Playa Blanca guide for the full range of options from that resort.

Camel ride from Puerto del Carmen

Puerto del Carmen also has numerous excursions running towards Timanfaya that pass the camel centre en route.

Camel ride from Costa Teguise

Costa Teguise is farther away, so organised tours from there often combine Timanfaya and the camel centre with additional sights to justify the longer drive.

Best self-drive itinerary

A simple half-day or full-day route, if you have a rental car:

1. Echadero de los Camellos
2. Montañas del Fuego
3. La Geria
4. El Golfo

This creates a coherent volcanic-themed day, and pairs well with our direct-ticket guide if you’re planning to drive the whole route yourself.

Final take

A Timanfaya camel ride is best thought of as an optional extra to a volcano day rather than the main attraction. The ride is short, but its location against Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape makes it memorable. If you’re driving, fit it around your timed Timanfaya reservation. If you’re booking an organised excursion, check carefully whether the camel ride is included, optional, or simply a stop on the itinerary.

Frequently asked questions

Is the camel ride included in a Timanfaya tour?

No. It’s a separate attraction and a separate purchase — €11 per person per ride, paid on site by card or cash — even on organised tours that stop at the Echadero de los Camellos.

Do you need to book the Timanfaya camel ride in advance?

Not usually — it’s arranged on site, not through Timanfaya’s timed-entry system. On an organised tour, the thing to check in advance is whether your specific tour stops there at all.

How long does the Timanfaya camel ride take?

About 20 minutes for the ride itself. Allow 30–45 minutes total once you include parking, queuing and photos.

Is the Timanfaya camel ride worth it?

For families, first-timers and anyone who wants a classic Lanzarote photo, yes — it’s a short, memorable stop that doesn’t eat much of the day. If geology is your main interest or time is very tight, it’s easy to skip without missing the core Timanfaya experience.

Related reading:

• What to expect on a Timanfaya tour
• Best Timanfaya volcano tours in Lanzarote
• Best excursions in Lanzarote
• Best Timanfaya tours from Playa Blanca

More trip-planning guides

• Timanfaya bus tour guide
• Timanfaya tours from Puerto del Carmen
• Timanfaya ticket and tour prices