stunning lunar landscape (Timanfaya National Park)

Member Name: taylor72

Product:	Timanfaya National Park
Date:	30/09/08 (86 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: the views will take your breath away

Disadvantages: safety rules around the demonstration are a bit lax

Timanfaya - Fire Mountains - these were created during eruptions occuring between 1730 and 1736 where the landscape was changed forever.

This is one of the must do excursians in my opinion when travelling to Lanzarote.

I am really lucky as my in-laws have a villa in Puerto Del Carmen so have been to this beautiful island many times. If asked what the best trip is for first timers I would say Timanfaya national park is up there with the best.

On route to the park you will pass the Camel Park where for a small fee you can take a 20minute ride on them. Personally speaking I didnt like the look of it - the Camels all looked exhausted and heavily laden and as an animal lover it seemed cruel but each to their own.

If you have a hire car its not far away from any part of the island which is very small, alternatively you can go for a day trip with a coach company - you will be given umpteen leaflets when you walk anywhere in Lanzarote which show all day tours available but I can add this information if requested.

The drive through the park to the entrance gives absolutely breathtaking views. At first it seems like the most barren place on the earth - almost like you have arrived on the moon with just black lava stretching out for miles and miles, but then you see the fire mountains - there are so many shades of red and different textures it really is so beautiful. Upon paying your entrance fee of 8 euros you are directed to a very steep car park. When i say steep I really mean steep - sensible footware is essential for this trip as its almost vertical at the entrance so hold on to those buggys!

Included in your entrance fee is a coach trip - this is not for the faint hearted as the coach winds its way through the volcanic landscape and if you have a window seat you do feel at times like the coach is going to disappear into one of the volcanic craters! The journey takes around 40minutes and is about a 5mile round trip. It stops at various places along the way so pictures can be taken of the volcanic cones, lava spills, dunes and much more, there is commentary throughout the journey in Spanish, German and English.

Demonstrations

Once off the coach you go to the side of the restaurant where you watch a man put some cold water in the earth, i nearly had a heart attack when this same water came up as steam through a different hole quite near me! - you then see how hot it is just under the surface as someone sticks some straw in a hole which catches fire after a few seconds.

The safety aspect here is not up to much so please keep back as my brother in law ended up with a burn after getting a little too close to this particular demonstration.

The food in the large restaurant is cooked using the heat of the volcano and there is a grill beside the restaurant to show you how it works. The floor here is very hot and you can see trainer imprints on the metal floor where the plastic has slightly melted!

We did stop for a meal here and i have to say it was delicious - the best chicken I think i have tasted, and the service is impeccable.

One word of caution tho - in the majority of Lanzarote Restaurants the waiters bring you warm bread at the start of the meal. This is not a freebie and will be charged to your bill at the end - a simple shake of the head and the bread is taken back.

There is a gift shop to look through at the end with the usual tat but I usually pick up a keyring and postcard when visiting new places and these are plentiful.

The Park opens at 10.00 and closes at 6.00 - when you have finished turn left at the exit and you can go to the museum which well worth it from a historical point of view - I will do a seperate review shortly.

It is very commercial and fairly cheesy in parts but for the views alone it is stunning and well worth the money.

Lanzarote can get quite cloudy, so if you can do it on the spur of the moment I would strongly advise going on one of the clear days to make the most of the views.

Summary: Makes you realise its lanzarote not Lanzagrotty!