What is the Sierra Negra?

 The Sierra Negra is truly a unique volcano. First off, the shield volcano is the only climbable of the six volcanoes on the Galapagos Island Isabela. At the same time, it is the most active one of them all.  Furthermore, its caldera reaches an enormous diameter of 10 kilometres,  making it the second-largest crater in the world. Without the Sierra  Negra volcano, Isabela would not exist as it is. While hiking to the edge of the caldera you will experience a completely different world from the one you know. The stunning scenery is your opportunity, to take home breathtaking pictures and unforgettable memories, you won’t get anywhere else. 

Detailed Tour Description

We will be meeting around 7:30 am at our meeting point – the Agora Tours office in Puerto Villamil. To avoid the unbearable heat during the day and the frequent rain showers in the afternoon, we recommend starting the tour this early. Hence, the starting time should not be after 8:30  am. While everyone is arriving, it is a great chance to meet the other people you will be hiking with. In the meantime, coffee and cookies are on us. The actual trip begins with a 30–45 minute ride in pick-up trucks. This allows more flexibility, especially when coming for a day tour from Santa Cruz or Floreana. During the ride, the landscape will dramatically change from the luscious greens on the shore and highlands to a rocky landscape full of hardened lava.

The Sierra Negra caldera

From the national park control point on the wilderness begins. After some instructions from your guide, be ready for a 3.5 to 4-hour hike. The first part is very steep and with a lot of up- and downhill changes.  After conquering the hardest part, which will take 30-45 minutes, you will be rewarded with the first stunning viewpoint over the ca. 10  kilometres wide crater of the Sierra Negra Volcano. The viewpoint is located right at the edge of the crater. From here the cliff side is descending more than 100 meters. Hence, you get an amazing panoramic view over Isabela. There will be enough time to take breathtaking pictures. In addition, your guide will provide you with any background information you would like to know.

From here on,  about every 15 minutes the landscape will change even more drastically.  You will be feeling like on another planet. It takes about 1 ½ or 2  hours to get to the first and only shelter on the Sierra Negra volcano.  Here will be the lunch break. Please always remember to take all your things with you, we do not want to litter such an astonishing place.

Volcano Chico or last eruption

From this place on you will have two choices. Either we progress our tour to the  Volcano Chico, where you will find spatter cones, fumaroles, ash cones,  crystallizing minerals, collapsed tunnels, sulphur rocks etc. or you chose the path to the last eruption. The last lava eruption of the Sierra Negra was in 2018 and you still can see the remains of this activity. Actually, the Sierra Negra shield volcano has been quite active over the last century. During this time, eight eruptions took place (2005, 1979, 1963, 1957, 1954, 1953, 1948 and 1911).

In some areas of the path the vegetation vanishes, while in others vegetation flourishes, which is completely unique to the Galapagos Islands. Hiking right at the edge of the volcano is quite an adventure, hence it is completely worth every minute you spend on the Sierra Negra. After this tiring, but beautiful adventure, we will bring you home safely. We recommend using the rest of the day to relax. For instance, you could visit Concha de Perla to take a dip in the refreshing water and snorkel with some sea turtles.

Sun Protection & Glases 

Water min. 2 liters per person

Good walking shoes 

Light rain jacket 

Camera/GoPro 

Hiking poles (optional)