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Nat Geo Day Tour: Volcanic Beauty of Lanzarote, Photography Tour

Become a visual storyteller under the guidance of your National Geographic-trained photography guide. You'll pick up invaluable insights on capturing the perfect shot, be it in terms of composition, lighting, or narrative. After introducing the competitive element of the day, your guide will take you to Timanfaya National Park, and the first vantage point – on top of a volcano. Timanfaya's lunar landscapes were formed hundreds of years ago, when a series of volcanic eruptions covered a quarter of the island in lava. Think rugged lava fields, brooding volcanic cones, and swathes of charcoal-grey ash. Travelling on to the fishing village of El Golfo, you will find a jumble of traditional buildings and bright boats which contrast with the black sand beach and the unusual green lake. It's a perfect location for capturing contrasting color. Then, it's time to discover the ancient salt flats of Salinas de Janubio, another landscape saturated with drama and stark appeal. This area is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and an important bird sanctuary - a paradise for your shutterbug instincts. With a specialist photographer at your side, you'll gain new skills and fresh inspiration, plus a collection of captivating images. As the day concludes on the terrace at Salinas de Janubio, unwind over a glass of wine or beer and a light snack, while your photography guide reviews the day's photos. The best image of the day gets crowned the winning shot, an exciting ending to an enriching photographic journey.

Nat Geo Day Tour: La Geria, Vineyards that Sprouted from Fire

When Timanfaya's six long years of eruptions ceased in 1736, the farmers of La Geria believed their fertile lands were lost forever under a thick layer of ash. But the local families needed to make the land productive again, and through sheer hard work and determination, they succeeded in creating the vineyards of La Geria. You'll start off with a scenic walk, following trails through private vineyards belonging to the family-owned bodega of Nacho Romero, opened exclusively for National Geographic travellers. As you soak up the unique character of these landscapes where vineyards are surrounded by volcanoes, the owner will explain how the layer of volcanic ash, known locally as ‘picón,' has shaped their cultivation methods, which are unique in the world. If you are lucky enough to find them ripe, you might even get to pick grapes straight from the vine as you hear Nacho or his wife Luisa, both winemakers, talk about the characteristics of volcanic wine. Back at the bodega after the walk, you'll be able to sample one of the artisanal wines that Nacho and Luisa make in their home winery. Next, you'll head to Bodega La Geria – another important component of the ecological wine making movement. The winemaker himself will show you around the bodega. Find out the secrets of the hollows, called ‘zocos' which shelter the vines from the wind, and discover the different varieties of grapes that thrive in Lanzarote's volcanic terroir. To finish, savour a tasting of one of the estate's renowned wines with local cheese and crackers.

Timanfaya Volcanic Tour

This half-day tour is Lanzarote in a nutshell. You'll call in at El Golfo lagoon, journey through Timanfaya National Park and visit the Salinas de Janubio. We'll even throw in a wine tasting session to round off the morning.First up, you'll visit the waters of El Golfo - it's emerald waters have starred in many a Hollywood film over the years. But that's just an appetiser for the main event – the visit to Timanfaya National Park. Famed for its moonlike landscape is dotted with lava fields and black rocks, you'll see the ‘Fire Mountain', to name but a few.We'll continue the morning with a stop in La Geria for a sip of some local wine before we reach Salinas de Janubio, the largest salt flats in the Canaries. Snap a few selfies with the miles of cotton-white salt mounds as your guide fills you in on the history of this all-important island resource. You'll even get a chance to try some, too.

Tour of Teguise and LagOmar with a local guide

Two very different Lanzarote experiences share equal billing in this half-day excursion. You'll get to spend time mixing with locals in Teguise's Sunday market – the biggest outdoor bazaar in the Canaries – and lapping up the Hollywood stardust of the mythical LagOmar.

Lanzarote tour with Timanfaya National Park and El Golfo

This grand tour of Lanzarote leaves no stone unturned. ‘You'll unearth the secrets of this volcanic island through the eyes of someone who has made it their home,' says Daria, one of our expert guides. Discover the island's spectacular green north and the volcanic south, visiting Timanfaya National Park, Jameos del Agua caves and a winery.

Lanzarote Volcano Tour with BBQ

Lanzarote's volcanic scenery comes into its own at Timanfaya National Park. This corner of the island is all peaks and craters straight from a sci-fi movie set. And it's all even more dramatic at sunset. So on this evening trip, you're in for a treat.

Canarian Culture Experience with Winery Visit and Lunch

Canarian culture is unique and diverse, with a long heritage of music, dance, and cuisine rooted in both Spanish and African influences. On this half-day tour, you'll take in Lanzarote's dramatic landscapes as you visit cultural sites and a winery. Alvaro, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘At the winery you'll be treated to a performance of timple music. The timple is a small stringed instrument traditional to the Canaries, like a mini guitar. It's the classic sound of the islands.'To begin the tour, we'll visit the stirring Monumento al Campesino, created by one of Lanzarote's most celebrated artists, César Manrique. This 15-metre-tall sculpture pays homage to the island's hardworking farmers.Here, join a 'mojo' workshop to learn how to make this iconic Canary Islands condiment using fresh, local ingredients like garlic, olive oil, cumin, and paprika. Next, you'll head to Bodega Suarez, a countryside winery. As you sip and savour local wines, a local musician will play the timple. Alvaro adds, ‘Tasting local wine while listening to timple music is a real flavour of traditional Canarian life.'We'll then stop to admire the serene chapel known as Ermita de los Dolores in Mancha Blanca. This tranquil spot offers a glimpse into the island's religious traditions. After the chapel visit, it's time for a tasty lunch of authentic local dishes at Los Dolores Restaurant. Freshly prepared with local produce, this is a meal which showcases the island's culinary heritage.

Cesar Manrique’s Lanzarote tour with Cactus Garden and LagOmar

With its vine-laden lava fields, exuberant architecture and otherworldly landscapes, Lanzarote looks and feels like something from a sci-fi movie set. This exclusive half-day tour takes in the Cesar Manrique Foundation and his Cactus Garden, followed by a visit to LagOmar. Rosa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Manrique convinced his fellow islanders to invest in tourism without overdevelopment, making sure any human impact is in harmony with our volcanic landscapes.'Manrique was admired by many in his lifetime, and his influence on Lanzarote's culture lives on. He was a versatile artist producing paintings, sculptures and architectural works, bringing sustainability to the forefront of his creations, long before it became a buzzword. You'll first tour his Jardín de Cactus, where 1,100 species of sculptural succulents are grown. You can see instantly how Manrique's skill and vision enhanced the barren landscape. Similarly, the Fundacion Cesar Manrique demonstrates that harmony between the built environment and nature can succeed. A visit to the artist's home-studio, built into a lava field, is ample proof. Your final stop of the tour will be at LagOmar, a stunning spot that seamlessly combines nature and art. This unique place is set in a volcanic quarry and includes features like a cave-bar, restaurant, and a museum. Local legend has it that Hollywood icon Omar Sharif briefly owned it, only to lose it in a game of cards.

Guided wine-tasting tour of three Lanzarote vineyards

Lanzarote's mineral-rich volcanic soils are the key to its excellent wines. This morning tour takes you to three wineries to sample some of their award-winning organic wines. Plus, you'll also visit the Monumento del Campesino to see the famous farmer's monument. Teresa, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Our island's wines are the fruit of our ingenuity in harnessing the destruction wrought by Mother Nature into an art – a common thread that weaves together islander and landscape.'After pick-up, you'll head straight for the Monumento del Campesino, designed by legendary Lanzarote architect Cesar Manrique. Built in his trademark style that fused whitewashed structures with volcanic bubbles and exotic plants, it's a joy to explore. Then, it's off to the family-owned Bodega La Geria. Here, vines are shielded from the winds by horseshoe-shaped stone walls, while the humidity retained by the ash helps them grow in this harsh climate. Enjoy a guided tour of the winery and taste some of its prized Malvasia wines.Next, just a few volcanoes up the road, is Bodegas El Grifo – the oldest winery in the Canaries. Housed in a colonial-style hacienda surrounded by cacti, it's been producing wines since 1775. Owned by the Garcia Duran family, its wines are regular prize winners. Rounding off the tour is Bodega Suarez, a charming winery that offers visitors an authentic taste of the island's unique wine culture. Here, you'll indulge in the perfect pairing of cheese with two wines.

Lanzarote Carnival Parade in Puerto del Carmen

With enough feathers and sequins to rival Rio, Lanzarote Carnival is loud, proud, bold and brash. Prepare to be swept away in an entertainment extravaganza that sees the streets come alive with music, dancing and more. Happening just once a year, this is a great opportunity to experience it first-hand. Cristina, one of our local guides, says, ‘You'll be blown away by the batucada bands that provide the sound for carnival. They use a selection of drums, tambourines, bells and whistles to create a rhythm which is fast and repetitive.'Kitting you out with a few props to get you in the carnival spirit, we'll transport you to Puerto del Carmen – the heart of the action. Joining throngs of locals and visitors, Lanzarote's top carnival is a street party like you've never seen. With colourful costumes, sky-high headdresses and extravagant parades, it's a case of the brighter, the better. ‘The drumbeat gets everyone in the mood for a party,' Cristina says. ‘As you get close to the drums, you can feel the vibration, and you can't help but start to move to the rhythm.'In the run up to the fiesta, each carnival has a queen and a drag queen elected, so expect to see plenty of skimpy outfits and gaudy makeup, shaking along to salsa beats. It all culminates in a spectacular procession on Saturday, 8 March, when streams of bands and cabaret dancers zigzag through the streets in a feast of flamboyant fun. Glitz, glamour and lots of excitement – if you're on the island, don't miss out.