Key takeaways
- The tour runs throughout the year, including the Christmas period, so you can ride to Peñas del Chache whenever suits your schedule.
- Lanzarote's coast stays mild, but the highest peak is noticeably colder and windier. The included windbreaker helps, though winter ascents demand extra layers.
- When raining, the operator does not confirm whether tours proceed. Wet tracks become slippery; contact the operator about conditions before your booking date.
- Lanzarote's Saharan dust storms reduce visibility and coat exposed skin and goggles. During these episodes, visibility and enjoyment of the northern scenery can drop significantly.
- Morning rides offer clearer light across the volcanic landscape. Afternoon sessions risk dust haze buildup and lower sun angles for photography of the terrain.
Winter riding in an open buggy
The northern highlands of Lanzarote stay surprisingly mild in winter, but altitude changes that equation. Peñas del Chache rises 671 metres above sea level, and temperatures drop roughly 3.5°C for every 300 metres of elevation gain. At the summit in December through February, you can expect readings around 8 - 12°C on a clear day. An open buggy exposes you to wind chill and the speed of travel, making the included windbreaker essential rather than optional. Mornings are coldest; afternoon rides in winter benefit from whatever solar warmth the low sun provides. Dress in layers you can remove as you warm up during the drive.
Winter weather patterns bring occasional rain to the north coast, though Lanzarote remains one of Europe's driest islands. The buggy tour proceeds through rain unless conditions become genuinely hazardous, as the tracks are volcanic stone and drain rapidly. You'll experience dust clouds on dry sections and muddy ruts after rain, both part of the raw appeal of off-road riding. The tour operates year-round, including throughout winter, provided visibility and grip remain safe.
Riding at Christmas and New Year
Late December brings Lanzarote at its coolest and greenest. Christmas visitors often find the weather unpredictable: some days are bright and warm by midday, others cloudy with rain showers that come and go within hours. The buggy tour to Lanzarote's highest point during the Christmas period offers a completely different landscape than summer, with occasional wildflowers blooming after winter rains and views across the island that stretch to the African coast on clear afternoons. The shorter daylight hours mean morning starts deliver better light, as the sun climbs later and sets by 5 p.m.
For those spending New Year in Lanzarote, the tour represents an active escape from the resort crowds. The calima dust haze is uncommon in December and January, wind speeds moderate, and the volcanic terrain poses no heat stress. Book early if planning a tour around the festive season, as December and early January see higher visitor numbers across the island. Bring a light rain jacket in addition to the windbreaker, and wear closed shoes with good grip for wet volcanic rock.
Summer heat and July conditions off-road
July and August bring extreme heat to Lanzarote's lower elevations, with coastal temperatures regularly exceeding 28°C. At Peñas del Chache, the altitude provides meaningful relief, dropping temperatures 8 - 10°C below the coast. Even so, an afternoon buggy tour in mid-July means riding through midday heat, exposed to direct sun with no shade during stops. The black volcanic rock absorbs and radiates heat intensely, making the ground and surrounding air feel hotter than thermometer readings suggest. Early morning departures are strongly preferable in summer, when you'll avoid the worst of the heat and enjoy better visibility before thermal haze builds.
The tracks themselves remain navigable in summer, though dust clouds become thicker and the ride noisier as the buggy churns through powder-dry stone. Bring significantly more water than you would in winter, though the tour operator does not provide water as part of the package. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat are essential; the included goggles protect your eyes from dust but offer no sun protection. If you are sensitive to heat or have cardiovascular concerns, schedule your ride for early morning or consider visiting during shoulder seasons in May, September or October.
Autumn conditions and stable weather
September through November represent ideal riding conditions on the island. Temperatures have cooled from summer peaks but remain warm and stable, typically 20 - 24°C at sea level and 12 - 16°C on the mountain summit. Afternoon light remains golden and long enough to complete the 3-hour tour comfortably, and the wind that howls across the ridge in winter has not yet intensified. Rainfall is sparse but more likely than in summer, so an occasional cloud passing over brings relief rather than hazard. The buggy tour offers the best balance of comfort and scenery during autumn months.
September visitors should be aware that the tail end of summer calima dust haze occasionally lingers into early autumn, reducing visibility to a few kilometres on the worst days. By October, this is no longer a concern. Autumn is peak season for off-road buggy tours on Lanzarote, so book ahead if you are planning a trip during school half-terms or long weekends. The volcanic landscape remains completely stable for off-road riding, with no seasonal track closures or maintenance work.
670 m
At Peñas del Chache's 670 m elevation, temperatures drop sharply from the coastal warmth, creating distinct riding conditions throughout the year.
Calima dust haze and visibility
Calima is a Saharan dust phenomenon that affects Lanzarote most frequently between May and September, though episodes can occur as late as October. During a calima event, airborne particles reduce visibility to as little as 500 metres, turning the sky orange-brown and creating a hazy, dreamlike landscape. The dust is fine enough to penetrate sealed cabins, let alone an open buggy, coating your skin, clothes and equipment. Dust storms are unpredictable and can arrive suddenly or clear within hours. The tour operates during mild calima events, though visibility of distant views is compromised.
Severe calima warnings are rare, but if one is issued by local authorities, the buggy tour may be postponed or rerouted to lower elevations where visibility is better. Check the air quality forecast for Lanzarote in the week before your visit if travelling in summer. Once a dust haze passes, the air clears rapidly. The included goggles become far more valuable during calima conditions, protecting your eyes from grit. Rinse your face and exposed skin after the ride; shower promptly to prevent dust particles from irritating your skin.
Wind exposure at the summit ridge
Peñas del Chache's exposed ridge position and elevation make it genuinely windy most of the year. Winter northeasterly winds regularly exceed 30 km/h, creating noticeable buffeting even in a buggy. The vehicle's low profile and open design mean you feel every gust directly. The included windbreaker is cut specifically for buggy riders and protects your torso and arms, but legs and lower body remain exposed. Hold the safety bar securely, especially during turns on the ridge where crosswinds create lateral force. Wind is strongest in winter and spring; summer winds are lighter, though more turbulent due to thermal effects.
Spring (April and May) brings the windiest conditions of any season, with sustained winds frequently reaching 40 km/h on the summit. If wind sensitivity affects you, book an autumn or summer tour instead, when wind speeds are lower and more predictable. Morning rides generally experience lighter winds than afternoon rides, as the sun heating the land creates afternoon turbulence. The buggy is engineered for these conditions and is completely safe; the wind is part of the experience rather than a hazard. Secure any loose items, including the goggles strap, before the ride begins.
Morning light versus afternoon timing
Light quality fundamentally shapes the buggy tour experience, particularly for photography and visual impact. Morning departures, especially between 8 and 10 a.m., offer soft, angled sunlight that sculpts the volcanic landscape, highlighting craters, ridges and texture. Shadows are long and dramatic, and views across the island to the coast and neighbouring islands are sharpest before midday haze builds. Morning light is cooler and more comfortable for riding, especially in summer. The trade-off is that you must start early, which may not suit late sleepers or families with young children.
Afternoon tours (2 to 4 p.m. departures) deliver warmer light but often encounter thermal haze building over the coast, reducing visibility of distant features. The sun is directly overhead or behind you, flattening the landscape visually. In winter, afternoon light is precious, since sunset approaches by 5 p.m.; a 2 p.m. start may still catch the golden hour before you finish. In summer, afternoon heat stress and sun exposure are greater. For most visitors, a morning or early-midday departure balances light quality, comfort and logistics. Check the local sunset time when booking, as it shifts from 5 p.m. in December to 9 p.m. in June.
