Camel Riding Tour at El Tanque, Tenerife

The best part of this outing is its setting at El Tanque, a quiet agricultural town far removed from Tenerife’s resort strips. You ride along farmland trails, see native plants, and pass a small collection of farm animals. The camels are calm, and the staff, including Marcelo and Daniella, are often warm and helpful with children.

I like the short, family-friendly format and the chance to pair the ride with local wine and tapas. I also like that you see more than just a camel: goats, Pelibuey sheep, donkeys, and ponies are part of the visit. The main drawback is time. Some rides appear closer to 15 minutes, and the route may feel plain if you expect a desert-style safari or sweeping mountain scenery.

Key points to know before you go

• The ride lasts about 20 minutes: Some outings run 20 to 25 minutes, while others have felt shorter.
• El Tanque gives you a rural Tenerife setting: Expect farmland trails, native plants, and views toward the north coast rather than a polished resort attraction.
• The animals are a big part of the appeal: You may see Canarian goats, Pelibuey sheep, donkeys, and ponies.
• Costumes and photos add a playful touch: Traditional-style robes and turbans may be offered, and photos are available for purchase.
• Wine and tapas can be added with selected pickups: Tastings may include honeyed cheese, sauces, and potatoes.
• The ride has practical limits: Children need an adult, the maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms, and people with back problems should avoid it.

A camel ride in agricultural El Tanque

This is a small-scale animal outing, not a long expedition. You arrive at the Camello Center on Carretera General TF-82, near kilometre 10.2 in El Tanque, then take your place for a short circuit through farmland and open areas around the center.

El Tanque sits in the northwest of Tenerife, where farming remains important. Potatoes, cereals, and grapes are grown here, so the surroundings feel more rural than the hotel districts around Costa Adeje, Los Cristianos, or Puerto de la Cruz.

That setting gives the activity its character. You are not crossing dunes or riding through a wide desert. Instead, you follow trails beside agricultural land and native vegetation. The experience is best understood as a light family stop in the countryside, with a camel ride at its center.

The route is described as passing through protected natural spaces and offering views toward Tenerife’s fertile north coast. It may also give you sightlines toward La Rambla de Castro, with palms, banana plantations, and historic buildings such as Hacienda de los Castro and the old water lift at La Gordejuela.

Do not book this expecting a major sightseeing tour. The ride itself is short, and the scenery can feel modest. You will get more from it if you enjoy the novelty of riding a camel, like small animal parks, or are looking for something amusing to do with children.

What happens when the camel gets up

For many people, the funniest moment comes before the ride even begins. You sit on the camel while it is still on the ground, then it rises in stages. That movement can catch you off guard and produces plenty of laughs, especially for children.

The seating is a side seat attached to the camel. This is practical for a short ride, but it is not especially soft. If you have a sensitive back, pay attention to the warning about back problems. One person found the rigid seat uncomfortable because the metal pressed into the back.

The camels are led along the route rather than left for you to control. That makes the outing suitable for people who have never ridden before. Staff help with the animals and the boarding process, and several comments specifically praised their friendliness and care.

Marcelo has been especially kind with children, and Daniella has been described as welcoming. The names matter because this is a hands-on activity, not a self-guided walk. The staff’s manner can shape the whole visit, particularly when a child feels nervous about climbing onto such a tall animal.

The ride length needs a realistic explanation. The advertised duration is approximately 20 minutes, while the highlights describe a 30-minute camel ride. Actual experiences have ranged from about 15 minutes to 20 or 25 minutes. That inconsistency is worth keeping in mind when you judge the price.

Meeting goats, sheep, donkeys, and ponies

The camel is the headline act, but the small farm is an important part of the visit. You may see Canarian goats, Pelibuey sheep, donkeys, and ponies. This gives children something to do before or after the ride and makes the stop feel less one-note.

Some outings also allow you to feed the animals. That detail is not guaranteed as part of the basic ticket, so you should treat it as a possible extra rather than a promised feature. Still, it can be a nice addition for younger children who are more interested in touching and feeding animals than sitting on a camel.

The animals are generally described as calm and well cared for. That is important here. A camel ride is only enjoyable when the animals appear relaxed and the handlers treat them properly. The positive comments about the animals being healthy, docile, and in good condition are among the strongest reasons to consider this activity.

There is some less positive feedback about equipment, including a complaint about a rusty muzzle and another about inattentive handling. Those reports are not consistent with the many comments praising the care, but they are worth acknowledging. Animal welfare and staff attention can vary from one visit to another, so observe how the animals are handled when you arrive.

Cost, value, and the limits of a short ride

The listed online price is $18.07 per person, including the approximately 20-minute camel ride and entrance. For a family, that can add up quickly, so the ride length matters.

At that price, I would call it fair if you want a simple, unusual activity and plan to spend time seeing the animals. I would call it less convincing if you are traveling a long distance only for the camel ride. Several people felt the circuit was too short or not scenic enough for the cost.

There is also a price wrinkle. Some people have paid 10 or 15 euros per adult at the center, and one account described a 16-euro option that included something to eat. Prices can change, and the online product may not match every onsite package. You should confirm the current rate and inclusions before deciding to book online or buy in person.

The activity works best as part of a wider day in northwest Tenerife. If you are already exploring El Tanque and nearby countryside, a 20-minute ride is easy to fit in. If you must make a special cross-island trip for it, the value becomes harder to defend.

The center has toilets, a shop, and a restaurant. That helps turn a very short ride into a longer stop. The restaurant has been praised for generous portions and low prices, though lunch is not included in the basic ticket. You can also choose to add a wine and tapas tasting through selected pickup arrangements.

Costumes, photos, and the playful extras

The optional costumes give the ride a bit of theater. You may be offered robes and turbans in a style meant to suggest Arab clothing, which can make family photographs more entertaining. Several people enjoyed dressing up, especially when children were involved.

The costume option is not something I would treat as guaranteed. One person expected blue outfits and did not receive them, while others were given robes and turbans. Ask what is available on the day before you build the experience around it.

Photos are another optional extra. A photographer may take a picture while you are on the camel, and you can decide afterward if you want to buy it. Some people enjoyed the souvenir, while others disliked feeling pressured or felt the photo service was handled poorly.

My advice is simple: enjoy the ride first and treat the photo as a choice, not part of the core value. If you do not want a picture, say so clearly. The basic ticket is for the camel ride and entrance, not for a souvenir photograph.

Wine, tapas, and optional pickup areas

The tour information also describes optional pickup service from La Quinta, Turquesa, and Teneguía. These arrangements include tastings, with wine and tapas such as honeyed cheese, sauces, and potatoes.

That is a useful addition for adults who want a taste of Tenerife rather than only an animal ride. It also changes the value calculation. A short camel circuit on its own is a limited activity, but a ride followed by local food and wine can make a more satisfying stop.

Pickup is not included in the basic ticket. The meeting point is the Camello Center in El Tanque, and the activity ends there. Since network coverage can be poor in the area, save the address and directions before leaving your hotel. One person missed the meeting point after struggling with Google Maps and a weak phone connection.

The listed meeting address is Carretera General, TF-82, kilometre 10.2, 38435 El Tanque, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Check the route carefully before setting out, especially if you are driving from another part of the island.

Timing, group size, and who will enjoy it

The maximum group size is 20 people. That is small enough to keep the activity from feeling like a huge amusement-park ride, though the exact pace depends on how many people are waiting and how the staff organize the camels.

The listed opening information shows Monday hours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The booking details also cover dates through September 12, 2026. Check the operating schedule for your exact date because the information supplied does not spell out a full week of opening hours.

You receive confirmation when you book, and the experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the outing, you can choose another date or receive a full refund. For your own cancellation, you need to cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Changes made inside that period are not accepted.

Children must be accompanied by an adult. The maximum rider weight is 120 kilograms, and the activity is not recommended for people with back problems. Most people can take part, and public transportation is nearby, but the information does not give detailed vehicle or route-access details.

I would recommend this most to:

• Families with young children who enjoy animals
• First-time camel riders who want a short introduction
• Visitors already touring northwest Tenerife
• Adults interested in adding wine and local snacks
• Anyone who enjoys simple, slightly silly holiday experiences

I would be cautious if you want a long ride, dramatic scenery, luxury service, or a polished sightseeing excursion. The route can feel ordinary, the seating may be hard, and the short duration means you should not expect a full afternoon activity.

Is the El Tanque camel ride worth booking?

Book it if you are after a cheerful family stop, not a major Tenerife attraction. The strongest points are the friendly staff, calm animals, rural setting, and the chance to see goats, sheep, donkeys, and ponies in addition to riding a camel.

I would book online if having a confirmed place matters, particularly if you are organizing a tight holiday schedule. If you are nearby and flexible, you may want to check the current onsite price and available extras first, since some past visitors found cheaper packages at the center.

For the best value, allow time for the farm animals, consider the restaurant, and look into the wine-and-tapas option if it fits your plans. Go in expecting roughly 20 minutes on the camel, with the possibility that the actual ride feels shorter. With that expectation, the outing can be a fun, affordable change from Tenerife’s beaches and resort streets.

FAQ

How long does the camel ride last?

The ride is advertised as approximately 20 minutes. Some descriptions refer to 30 minutes, while actual experiences have ranged from about 15 to 25 minutes.

Where does the activity start and finish?

It starts and ends at Camello Center, Carretera General, TF-82, kilometre 10.2, 38435 El Tanque, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.

What animals can I see besides camels?

You may see Canarian goats, Pelibuey sheep, donkeys, and ponies at the small farm.

Are costumes included?

An optional costume is mentioned, and some visitors have been given robes and turbans. Availability may vary, so ask at the center if costumes are important to you.

Can children take part?

Yes. Children can participate, but they must be accompanied by an adult.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. If poor weather causes the provider to cancel, you will be offered another date or a full refund.