Hiking on Isabela Island
Hiking the Volcano Sierra Negra
The Sierra Negra, probably the oldest of Isabela’s volcanoes rises to a height of 1,124 m, and impresses with its huge summit caldera, some 10 km in diameter.
Volcano Sierra Negra
In the center and east of the Galapagos archipelago volcanic structures are not that pronounced, or are simply no longer present, due to erosion. But, this hike on Isabela, starting in vicinity of the village of Santo Tomás, from where you pick up the trail, offers volcanic “lunar” landscape at its best. You climb the Sierra Negra shield volcano, on trails that are quite wide and not too steep, to admire the spectacular views!
As you start your hike, the southern and eastern slopes of the volcano that you navigate first are covered in vegetation but, as he trail continues higher the path leads through guava scrub and, ultimately, up to lava rock. During the trip, you’ll learn about the volcanic origin of the Galapagos Islands, volcanism on Isabela in particular, about recent eruptions (the last in 2018), and about the formation of different lava fields and their mineral composition.
The most memorable part of the tour, without doubt, is the view of the volcano’s caldera. If the weather is favorable, you may even see the morning fog hanging over the the steep slopes and flowing down from the rim into the crater. A fantastic sight!
Highlights
- Large shield volcano
- Volcano summit
- Volcano caldera
- Panoramic views
- Fumaroles
- Cloudscape
- Volcanic history
- Geological characteristics of the Galapagos Islands
Activity
Everyone wants a cloudless sky on this tour to enjoy the spectacular views of the crater, but in such conditions the sun can be very intense. You should bring appropriate sun protection, sufficient water, and sturdy footwear. Please also note that compared to other day tours, this is not a simple walk, but a well-paced hiking tour covering 16 km in total.
This tour includes return transport from your hotel, a bilingual naturalist guide registered with the Galápagos National Park, and a box lunch. It can be booked as a group tour for a maximum of 16 participants or as a private tour. Departure is generally around 8.00 AM with a return at approximately 3.00 PM but, if you take this hike with a private guide, timings are more flexible.