Rappel into Triplets Volcano Crater on Isabela Island

You descend 500 feet into a dormant volcano on rope, then walk its crater floor in the dark.

Rappel into the crater of one of Isabela Island's three Triplets volcanoes, descending 500 feet to the chamber floor where you walk among quartz crystals, petrified lichens and mineral formations left by an eruption 600,000 years ago. Private transportation and all rappelling equipment are included. A guide in English or Spanish leads the four-hour outing. Minimum age is 12, and moderate physical fitness is required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Triplets Volcano Crater

• Pick-up and transport to Triplets Volcano
• Rappel 500 feet into volcano crater
• Walk around crater chambers and observe geology
• Rise to surface and walk volcano edge
• Enjoy coastline and Galapagos ocean views
• Return to Puerto Villamil

The experience

If you have a free afternoon on Isabela Island and want to do something beyond the usual beach walk, this is the one. You get picked up in Puerto Villamil and driven to the volcanic highlands where the Triplets, three volcanoes clustered together, rise above the rest of the island. The rappel itself is the centerpiece: you're lowered 500 feet on rope into the crater of an ancient volcano, reaching the chamber floor where the air is cool and the darkness is complete until your guide's light hits the mineral walls.

Once at the bottom, you walk the crater chambers on solid ground, seeing intact quartz crystals embedded in the rock, petrified lichens, and the geological record of what happened here half a million years ago. The minerals catch the light in ways that make the underground world feel less like a cave and more like a place that has been sealed off from time. After you rappel back up to the rim, the guide walks you around the edge of all three volcanoes so you can peer into the abyssal tunnels inside each one: a safer vantage than the descent itself. From up there, you also get views across the Galapagos archipelago: Floreana, Santa Cruz, Tortuga Island and the smaller rocks scattered across the ocean.

The whole outing takes four hours from pickup to return. You'll need at least moderate fitness to handle the rappel and the climb back. The operator does not recommend this for anyone with spinal injuries, cardiovascular concerns or pregnancy. Bring water and wear shoes with grip.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Puerto Villamil.
• all rappelling equipment.
• guide in English or Spanish.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 10:00 and 14:00

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 to 65 years) · Under 12: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 16

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 14 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Volcán Trillizos

Is this one for you?This tour is built for travelers with moderate fitness who want to do something physically active and unfamiliar. The rappel and underground walk are not passive sightseeing, and the four-hour commitment means you need a free afternoon to do it properly.

Traveler reviews

4.90★★★★★★★★★★

10 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How deep is the rappel into the Triplets volcano crater?

The rappel descends 500 feet into the crater of one of the three volcanoes, lowering you to the chamber floor where you walk among mineral formations and petrified rock.

What will I see inside the volcano crater?

Inside the chamber you'll find intact quartz crystals, petrified lichens, and mineral rock formations created during the volcano's last eruption 600,000 years ago. The minerals reflect light in the darkness, illuminating the underground space.

Can I see other Galapagos islands from the Triplets volcano rim?

Yes, from the rim after you rappel back up, you can see Floreana, Santa Cruz, Tortuga Island, Roca, Unión and other smaller islands across the ocean from this high vantage point on Isabela.

What's included in the tour price?

Private transportation from Puerto Villamil to the volcano and back, all rappelling equipment, and a guide who speaks English or Spanish are included.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 12 years old. Children must have at least moderate physical fitness to complete the rappel and the return climb.