Lanzarote: Guided Off-Road Volcano Buggy Tour

Lanzarote’s north is at its best when you leave the resort roads behind. This tour takes you from Costa Teguise through old quarries, cactus-dotted hills, and rough volcanic tracks to Peñas del Chache, the island’s highest point. It is part driving adventure, part scenic outing.

I like the mix of real off-road riding and wide-open views. I also like the small-group setup, with no more than 10 people, and guides such as Diego, Kevin, and Jeshua who keep things lively while helping less confident drivers. The main catch is the rough ride: expect dust, wind, bumps, and some sections that can feel exciting or intimidating.

Key points at a glance

• Reach Lanzarote’s highest point: Stop at Peñas del Chache for broad views across the island.
• Ride real rough tracks: Expect steep sections, switchbacks, dips, rocks, and a much bumpier descent.
• See the north beyond Costa Teguise: The route passes Guatiza’s old quarries, Mala Dam, Teseguite, and El Mojón.
• Prepare for dust and cold: Goggles and a windbreaker are supplied, but bring a bandana, warm layer, and clothes you can dirty.
• Choose your driving arrangement: You can drive your own buggy with a valid license or share with another participant.
• Good value for two people: The listed price is $153 per group of up to two, making the cost easier to justify when shared.

The real appeal: Lanzarote beyond the beach

Costa Teguise is an easy base for a beach holiday, but the resort tells only a small part of Lanzarote’s story. This outing gets you into the island’s spare, raw north, where volcanic soil, pale quarry walls, cacti, and winding tracks replace sun loungers and hotel pools.

You are not simply riding in circles near the coast. The route heads inland through old quarry areas around Guatiza, then continues toward Mala Dam and the high country. The setting changes as you climb, and the driving gives you a better sense of the island’s dry, rugged character than a standard road transfer.

The attraction is the balance. You get enough time behind the wheel to make the trip feel like an adventure, but you also stop for views and photographs. Guides lead the group at a controlled pace, so the outing is not meant to be a race. You still get plenty of jolts and adrenaline without being left to find the route yourself.

Starting in Costa Teguise with the right gear

You can meet the guide at the buggy and jet-ski shop next to the laundry, or choose an option with pickup from selected addresses. If you use the pickup, wait outside your accommodation reception five minutes before the scheduled time. Drivers will wait no longer than 10 minutes, so do not treat the pickup time as a loose suggestion.

At the starting point, you get set up in the buggy and receive a windbreaker and dust-protection goggles. The windbreaker matters more than you might expect. Lanzarote can feel warm at sea level, but the ride becomes cooler as you climb, and the open vehicle gives you little shelter from the wind.

The goggles help with dust and loose grit, but I would still bring a bandana, scarf, or neck gaiter. Dust can blow back from the buggy ahead, especially on the rougher tracks. One useful distinction: a windbreaker is not the same as waterproof clothing. If rain arrives, you may still get wet.

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes you do not mind covering in dust. Some people finish surprisingly clean, while others get properly dirty, particularly after wet weather. Pack a warm layer even on a sunny day.

Guatiza’s old quarries and the first off-road tracks

The ride begins with a scenic route through the old quarries of Guatiza. These worked areas give the trip an immediate sense of place. You see the marks left by quarrying alongside the island’s natural volcanic colors, rather than passing only polished tourist sights.

There is some road riding as the group moves between areas. That is worth knowing before you book. This is an off-road-focused trip, not an entirely off-road trip. The road sections help the group reach the trails, but if you expected two or three hours of uninterrupted rough riding, you may find the transition a little slow.

Once the buggies reach the tracks, the tone changes. The route includes uneven surfaces, climbs, dips, turns, and sections where you need to slow down and follow the guide’s line. The buggies are described as capable and comfortable, with seats and suspension that help absorb the punishment, but the vehicle cannot remove every bump.

Your guide controls the pace and keeps the group together. That is important in a small convoy, particularly when some drivers have more experience than others. Guides including Diego and Kevin have been singled out for clear instructions, humor, and patience, while Jeshua has been praised for keeping the ride safe without taking the fun out of it.

Mala Dam and cactus country

The route continues toward Mala Dam, with views over dry hills and open volcanic ground. Cacti add texture and color to an otherwise stark setting. This section is less about one major attraction and more about seeing how quickly northern Lanzarote changes once you leave the built-up coast.

I like this part because the buggy puts you close to the ground. From a bus, you would see the same broad shapes through a window. From an open buggy, you notice the track surface, the dust, the plants, and the rise and fall of the route as you move through it.

The scenery is not lush, and that is precisely the point. Lanzarote’s beauty comes from its restraint: dark earth, pale rock, low scrub, cacti, and a huge sky. If you need green countryside or smooth roads, this may not be your ideal outing. If you enjoy stark volcanic scenery and a little mechanical noise, it fits well.

Climbing to Peñas del Chache

The high point of the route is Peñas del Chache, the tallest peak on Lanzarote. The climb gives the ride a clear goal, and the stop at the top provides a welcome break from holding the steering wheel and bracing against the bumps.

The views are the reward. You can look across the island’s volcanic interior and see how the dry hills, quarry areas, and distant settlements fit together. Several people describe this stop as the visual highlight of the trip, and it is easy to understand why. After the close, dusty feel of the tracks, the open view feels much bigger.

The summit can also be cooler and windier than Costa Teguise. In cloud or rain, visibility may be reduced, so the experience depends partly on conditions. A sunset departure can add warm light and a softer feel to the scenery, but it will also change the available daylight and temperature. The tour timing and starting times vary, so check the available slot carefully.

Use the stop for photographs, but do not rush it. This is the part of the trip that turns a simple driving activity into a way to see more of Lanzarote. Your guide may also take group photographs and videos along the route. A digital photo package has been available for about €15 per buggy, though you should confirm the current price before relying on it.

The descent through Teseguite and El Mojón

The return route heads down through Teseguite toward the El Mojón quarry. Many riders find the descent rougher than the climb. The buggies handle the terrain, but downhill sections can feel less comfortable because the dips and turns arrive while you are already managing speed and direction.

This is where the tour’s adventure side becomes most obvious. You may encounter rocky tracks, narrow passages, uneven ground, and switchbacks. Some people find these sections thrilling. Others may feel nervous, particularly if they have never driven an off-road vehicle.

The guide makes a big difference here. You are expected to follow instructions, leave space, and keep the convoy together. A good driver should stay within their comfort level rather than trying to match the fastest person in front. If a section feels too much, slow down and ask for help. The guides are there to manage the route, not to pressure you into showing off.

The final quarry section brings the ride back toward Costa Teguise. By then, you will have experienced road riding, rough tracks, climbs, a mountain viewpoint, and a dusty descent. The route has enough variety to keep the two to three hours from feeling like one repeated lap.

How difficult is the driving?

You do not need advanced off-road skills, but you do need to be comfortable driving and listening to instructions. Drivers must be at least 20 years old and must have held a driving license for at least two years. Bring the original license. A copy is not accepted.

You can drive your own buggy if you qualify, or share with another participant if one person does not have a license. Sharing can reduce the cost and gives a nervous passenger a chance to ride without taking the wheel. It also lets two people alternate only if the operator allows it under the tour rules, so ask before changing drivers.

The buggies are built for rough ground, and the seats and suspension help. Still, this is not a gentle sightseeing trip. The ride can be physically tiring, especially on the back and arms, and people with back problems or those who are pregnant should not take part.

Passengers must be at least 1.35 meters tall. There is no stated weight restriction, but everyone needs to be able to sit securely and follow the safety instructions.

Price, timing, and what you actually get

The listed price is $153 per group of up to two people. That works out well for a couple sharing one booking, especially because the experience lasts roughly two to three hours and includes the buggy, guide, goggles, and windbreaker.

The value comes from combining the vehicle rental, route planning, supervision, and scenic access. You are not paying only for a short spin on a marked track. The trip reaches the island’s highest point and includes several different types of terrain.

It is less attractive if you mainly want a quiet sightseeing tour. Food and drinks are not included, and the activity does not promise a full two hours of continuous driving. One ride finished at about one hour and 45 minutes, with some road time included. The exact duration can vary, so keep this in mind when comparing it with longer excursions.

The group limit is 10 people. That is small enough for the guide to monitor the convoy and stop when needed, though a full group may still mean waiting briefly for others on difficult sections. Pickup is optional, which is useful if you are staying near Costa Teguise or arriving from a cruise port with a suitable pickup arrangement.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your island plans are still changing, but check the booking conditions attached to your selected date.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would choose this tour if you want to drive, not simply sit and look out a window. It suits couples, friends, and families with eligible older children who like machines, rough tracks, and open-air scenery.

It is also a strong choice for a short Lanzarote visit. If you have only a few hours free, the ride gives you a taste of the island away from the resort and includes a major viewpoint. The small group and multilingual guides make it easier for mixed-language groups, with Catalan, English, French, and Spanish available.

I would think twice if you dislike dust, cold wind, or jolting roads. This is not a polished, comfortable transfer, and the rough sections are the whole point. Pregnant people, anyone with back problems, and children below 1.35 meters should not join.

For comfort, bring a scarf or bandana, a warm jumper, closed comfortable shoes, and clothes that can take dust. Do not wear your best holiday outfit. Keep your passport or ID card and original driving license with you if you are driving.

Should you book the Peñas del Chache buggy tour?

Book it if you want a lively way to see northern Lanzarote and are happy to trade comfort for access and excitement. The best parts are the varied route, the climb to Peñas del Chache, the strong views, and guides who combine safety with a sense of fun.

The main warning is simple: this is genuinely bumpy. The descent can feel intense, the weather can turn cooler at the top, and a bandana is more useful than the supplied goggles alone. For two people sharing the $153 group price, it offers solid value and a memorable look at Lanzarote’s rough volcanic north.

FAQ

Where does the buggy tour start?

You can meet the guide at the buggy and jet-ski shop next to the laundry. Pickup from selected addresses is available if you choose that option.

How long does the tour last?

The activity lasts approximately two to three hours. Starting times depend on availability, and some departures may include around one hour and 45 minutes of actual touring.

What places does the route visit?

The route goes through the old quarries of Guatiza, continues toward Mala Dam, climbs to Peñas del Chache, and returns through Teseguite and the El Mojón quarry.

Do I need a driving license?

Yes, drivers must be at least 20 years old and must have held a driving license for at least two years. You must bring the original license because copies are not accepted.

Can I share a buggy?

Yes. You can drive your own buggy if you have a valid license, or share with another participant if the other person does not have one.

What equipment is provided?

The tour provides a buggy, guide, windbreaker, and dust-protection goggles. Food, drinks, and a bandana are not included.

What should I wear and bring?

Bring your passport or ID card, original driving license, comfortable shoes, warm clothing, and a windbreaker. A bandana or scarf is also useful because the route can be dusty.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women, people with back problems, or anyone under 1.35 meters tall. There is no stated weight restriction.