Into the Crater: The Power Beneath Your Feet
Your day begins at 7:20 AM with a hotel pick-up. After a scenic 30-minute drive to the entrance of the Sierra Negra Volcano, you’ll have a chance to stretch your legs and use the restrooms. We then continue by taxi to the top edge of the massive crater.
From here, the real adventure begins. You’ll hike inside the caldera of one of the most active shield volcanoes in the Galapagos. The trail takes you across surreal volcanic terrain, leading you to the steaming sulphur mines—a vibrant, otherworldly landscape that’s still visibly alive. Along the way, your guide will explain how these sulphur deposits formed, the significance of past eruptions, and the dynamic geology of Sierra Negra.
After 1.5 to 2 hours of hiking, we pause to refill water bottles and enjoy a well-deserved snack while soaking in the alien beauty of the landscape.
As we make our way back, we stop at a spectacular viewpoint where you can take in the massive scale of the Sierra Negra crater—one of the largest volcanic calderas in the world.
Then it’s time to head into the lush highlands, where a completely different world awaits. Our first stop: the Juan Chávez Forest Nursery, a key site in the National Park’s conservation efforts. Here, we share stories of the endangered Scalesia forest, invasive species, and what’s being done to preserve native plants that only grow in the Galapagos.
Next, we descend into the Cueva de Sucre, a 50-meter-long lava tunnel formed by past eruptions of Sierra Negra. It’s a natural reminder of the volcano’s unstoppable energy and the ever-changing face of Isabela Island. You’ll learn how these tunnels form and what they reveal about the island’s volcanic history.
We wrap up our journey with a visit to the highland farming village of Tomás de Berlanga, a place many travelers never get to see. Here, you’ll get a taste of life as an Isabeleño, from traditional farming to community life in one of the island’s most fertile regions.
This isn’t just a walk through nature—it’s a walk through time. Hear about the challenges of highland living, hunting traditions, and rural education, all straight from locals who live it every day.
The tour ends with a homemade highland lunch at a family-run farm. Enjoy a typical Ecuadorian meal featuring soup, a main dish of rice and beans with chicken or a vegetarian option, fruit juice, water, and a dessert of seasonal fruit straight from the land.
We’ll also treat you to a local yoghurt tasting, made right on the farm.
You’ll be back at your hotel by 1:00–1:30 PM, with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation of the natural and human forces that shape Isabela Island.
This tour offers more than just hot air— it’s a unique opportunity to connect with the volcano, the land, and the people who call Isabela home.
Book your Sulphur Mines Adventure now and experience the Galapagos like never before.
For the Lava Tunnel
