Itinerary & additional information
Day 1
• Arrive in Lanzarote with a short transfer to a 3*/4* hotel in Costa Teguise
• Bike fitting from the local expert
• A short introductory ride and walk up a local volcano from which most of the island can be seen
• Over dinner, a presentation on Lanzarote and outline of ride itinerary and excursions
Day 2
The Wild North 86km and 1200m elevation gain
A challenging start with a circular cycle tour of the North of the Island visiting
• The old capital Teguise and Guanapay, with its castle ruins on the rim of a volcano giving extensive views of the
island.
• Las Nieves – after a climb onto the northern plateau, a viewpoint over the sea from a 2000 ft cliff at the site of a
monastery
• Haria – valley of a thousand pines. A remarkably fertile and beautiful valley amongst old volcanic cones
• Cesar Manrique’s Mirador –a blend of architecture and landscape at a thrilling and innovative viewpoint
• A rest and optional swim at the hidden white beaches at the edge of the Mount Corona lava-field soon after we
pass the fishing village of Orzola
• A short tour of the famous caves of Jameos de Agua which comprise an underground lake featuring unique
blind crabs together with another architectural blend with nature by Cesar Manrique
• The Ride passes the Cactus Garden near Arrieta and then back to Costa Teguise for a second night at our
hotel by the sea.
Day 3 – The Cultural Centres and Seascapes 70km and 700m elevation gain
• Retrace our steps to Nazareth and then across the central plateau for a sweeping and dramatic descent to
Playa (beach) La Famara – a beautiful extensive sweep of sand and surfing waves below the cliffs we climbed
the previous day
•A short climb and descent to La Santa , the world famous sporting and holiday centre used for training by
Olympic athletes
•Another climb and back across the centre of the island through a profusion of extinct volcanic cones and a
surprising array of crop growing in this harsh arid landscape.
•Eventually we reach the Monument el Campesino in the geographic centre of the island –another Manrique
creation which celebrates the courage and success of the farmers on Lanzarote.
•We will stop at the Cesar Manrique Foundacion museum where there will be some time to learn about the
influence he had on the island’s recent development
•We now enter the grape growing region of La Geria and visit a vineyard for a spot of local wine tasting
•Our final few km are through the wine lands along a fantastic new road to Yaiza, a small white village on the
edge of one of the largest and most recent lava fields in Europe. Here we will stay 2 nights in a country hotel.
Day 4
A Multi-Activity Day in Lanzarote’s region of natural fireworks
• We have stayed right on the edge of Lanzarote’s Timanfaya National Park. Now we will cycle into the lava-field
which was produced by one of the greatest outpourings of lava in the world’s recent history and which destroyed
many villages but which just missed obliterating Yaiza.
• A short ride of 10 km – mostly level –through the lava field will bring us into the National Park and to the edge of
one of the more recent volcanoes where we shall experience a camel ride up the volcano and back. This is not
for the faint hearted but to my knowledge no camel has ever slipped of the mountain track!
• We will then continue a few more km to the national park centre from which there is a circular road route around
the national park amidst a rainbow of natural rock coloured landscapes. If by a miracle we could convince the
authorities that we could cycle around the circular route in the park we will do so. Otherwise this one-hour tour is
by coach.
• And now to the finale of the day’s activities – a volcano walk guided by an experienced volcanologist across
lava-fields and volcanic cones where the public are not normally admitted. Key areas of the national park are
preserved from human activity to maintain the pristine and natural conditions. The walk will be on specially
designed routes from which there is no deviation.
• We return by bike to Yaiza for a good meal and second night in our country retreat with perhaps a private
firework display of our own.
Day 5
The Volcanic Southern Route -70km, & 600m elevation gain
•The final day’s ride commences at Yaiza and finishes at Playa Blanca not so far away but we shall be cycling a
sort of figure of 8 to get there. This is a really challenging final day including a great variety of landscapes.
•The Ride commences with a fast cycle West among the main road toward the fascinating salt flats - Salinas de
Janibio which make an unusual and colourful sight from a stunning viewpoint high above the sea.
• Now proceeding along the coast where old lava fields meet the sea, there are huge lava coves where the sea
crashes in with great force.
•Further up the coast we come to El Golfo -an emerald green lake, separated by a small spit of sand from the sea
on the edge of the Timanfaya lava fields. It is set beneath a high heavily eroded cliff. The green colour is due to
the effects that the high mineral content and fungi has had on the trapped sea-water that forms the lake. There
will be time for a short and for some, precarious walk to see this sight.
•Our route returns for a last visit to the white village of Yaiza. This is said to be the most picturesque village in
Lanzarote with very colourful landscaped gardens and roadsides. The village was just saved from the 1730-6
eruption and the boundary of the lava can still be seen by the village houses to this day.
•We continue North back towards Timanfaya where we explored yesterday. The last eruption on Lanzarote was
in 1824. One hundred years earlier from 1730-6 more than 100 new craters came to the surface in Timanfaya
extending lava-fields over 200 sq.km forming the badlands ‘malpais’ of the Fire Mountains , today the National
Park of Timanfaya.
The Park has a spectacular lunar aspect with different tones of ochre and grey and most of all its frightening
silence.
We will then ride the road from Tinago to Masdache across more lava fields with close up views of volcanic
cones, which are just 270 years old.
•We will once again have the pleasure of passing through La Geria, the wine growing region of Lanzarote until
we reach the village of Uga.
•The final steep climb is to the mountain village of Femes from which we will have a final view of Lanzarote from
upon high.
•Then it’s the final downward ride to the beautifully secluded beaches of Papagayo where we can relax in the late
afternoon sun and have a refreshing bathe before cycling along the short rough road to Playa Blanca for our final
night in a wonderfully relaxing 5* hotel on the beach and use of the Spa and a celebration meal.
Day 6
• Return to UK after either a relaxing morning by the pool, a climb of another volcano or a last excursion on the
bikes
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
All levels of cycling ability but for those with a sense of adventure.
Up to 20
Reasonable - you should be ableto ride 35 miles on road in a morning in undulating
country
Mainly on road with several challenging hills.
Accommodation in good quality 3*/4* hotels. All meals, all transfers, maps and
route notes
International flight, insurance
Full support of cycle guides. luggage moved each day and day bags taken each
cycle day, lunches and snacks provided
Good quality hybrid bikes will be hired with all accessories except participants
should provide helmet, cycle shoes and cycle gloves.
Lightweight clothing only is required including lightweight waterproof jacket.
Flights to Lanzarote to be booked by each participant. Transfers will be arranged
between the airport and hotels.
No particular inoculations are required. You should obtain clearance from your
doctor if you suffer from any medical condition such as diabetes or asthma.
20kg in hold plus hand luggage. Hold bags are better to be soft holdall type
cases as opposed to rigid cases. These pack better in our support vans.
There will be some walks to points of interest such as viewpoints and volcanic
cones. There will also be visits to cultural and geological sites.