Sierra Negra Volcano Walking Tour, Isabela: 5 hours

Five hours on an active volcanic crater with a guide who knows the geology

A guided walking tour of Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela Island, Ecuador, where you climb the crater rim and walk across lava fields shaped by the 2005 eruption. The tour includes hotel pickup, a local guide in English or Spanish, and covers two volcanic sites (the main caldera and Volcan Chico) in a single morning outing.

Step-by-step itinerary

Sierra Negra Volcano walking tour

• Pickup from hotel in Isabela
• Walk to Volcan Chico northwest of boiler
• Observe lava flow from 2005 eruption
• Learn about Sierra Negra volcano geology

The experience

The tour starts with hotel pickup in Isabela and heads straight to the high volcanic zone. You'll walk Volcan Chico first, a smaller cone on the northeast side of the Sierra Negra caldera that stays clear of the mist that rolls in from the southeast. From there you move to the main Sierra Negra crater itself, where lava from the October 2005 eruption still marks the landscape: in some places the flow rose more than two meters high inside the boiler. The guide explains what you're standing on: the oldest volcanic system on Isabela, shaped over millions of years by the same geological forces that are still active.

This is a walking tour, not a sightseeing drive. You're on your feet across uneven lava terrain for the full five hours, so moderate fitness matters. The payoff is access to the crater rim and the ability to see how the volcanic processes work: the tremors, the eruptions, the way the crater's edges break down and fill in over geological time. A local guide walks with you and speaks English or Spanish. Children from age 3 can join if an adult is with them. The tour runs only if you're staying on Isabela. If you're based in Santa Cruz or San Cristobal, this one doesn't work for your logistics.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in Isabela.
• local guide in English or Spanish.
• access to both Sierra Negra Volcano crater and Volcan Chico.
• hotel drop-off on select options.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:30

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Under 3: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

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

Operated by BM TOURS SA

Is this one for you?Five hours means you can fit this tour into a morning or early afternoon and still have the rest of your day free on Isabela. The tour only runs if you're staying on the island. If you're based in Santa Cruz or San Cristobal, you'll need to arrange a separate inter-island transfer to make it work.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years). Under 3: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What exactly is the Sierra Negra Volcano and when did it last erupt?

Sierra Negra is the oldest and one of the largest volcanic calderas on Isabela Island. It erupted most recently on October 22, 2005, and the lava flow covered much of the crater floor, in some places rising more than two meters high. The volcano is still geologically active, shaped by ongoing volcanic processes that have worked over millions of years.

Will I walk inside the crater or just around the rim?

You walk across the lava fields inside the crater itself and along the rim. The tour also includes Volcan Chico, a smaller cone on the northeast side of the Sierra Negra caldera that sits above the mist line, so visibility is usually better there.

How fit do I need to be for this tour?

You need at least a moderate level of physical fitness. The walk covers uneven lava terrain for the full five hours, and the high elevation adds to the physical demand. The tour is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health or spinal injuries.

Does the tour include transportation and a guide?

Yes, hotel pickup in Isabela is included, and a local guide leads the walk in English or Spanish. Hotel drop-off is available depending on which option you choose at checkout.