Etna and Alcantara tour
5,0
Etna & Alcantara: An Experience of Nature and Wonder for the whole Family
Discover the majesty of Etna and the Alcantara Gorges with a perfect tour for the whole family.
Explore side craters, lava flows and a suggestive lava tunnel in the Etna Park, a UNESCO heritage site. After a lunch in a refuge with Sicilian delights, reach the spectacular Alcantara Gorges, with imposing basalt columns and crystal clear waters. Conclude with a tasting of typical honeys and liqueurs for an authentic taste of Sicily.
An unforgettable experience between nature and unique flavours.
09:00 - 17:00
1800M
EASY
max. 10 people
Itinerary
MEETING POINT GIARRE
Our excursion begins at the motorway exit in Giarre. Already during the journey, our Italian-speaking guide will tell you interesting facts about the surroundings and about Etna, the largest active volcano on the Eurasian plate.
You will learn about the formation of Etna and how this volcano is reflected in the thoughts, customs and habits of the people who live there.
You will enjoy comfortable and safe transportation in a 6-seater Toyota, Nissan or Mitsubishi or a 7-seater Mercedes minivan.
Vehicles with regular NCC registration, Authorized driver with proof of professional qualification.
ETNA PARK DIRECTION
With our 4×4 vehicles we set off towards Etna. We leave the beautiful Riviera dei Limoni and approach the villages of Etna. From here we travel along the roads that climb the slopes of the volcano; at an altitude of over 1000 m, the 720 km² area of the “Parco dell’Etna” nature reserve extends. We encounter lava flows that, like black highways, cut the mountain slope.
ETNA PARK
Here, in the chestnut, oak, pine and beech woods, we find native plants unique in the world, such as the Etna broom (Genista aetnensis) and the Etna birch (Betula aetnensis).
Eruption cones, lava flows and valleys extend before our eyes, testifying to the incessant activity of the volcano, which has been changing shape incessantly for 500,000 years.
TREKKING - VISIT TO THE CRATERS
We set off on a fantastic “nature route” in the Etna Park, towards the craters. We reach the top of a side crater. A crater is an accumulation of pyroclastic ash expelled from the mouth of the magma, which forms a cone accumulating around the opening of the eruption.
Once on the edge of the side crater, where the boiling lava poured down the slope, we explain the characteristics of Etna’s eruptions. You can see the different shades that the lava can take on, like a rainbow of reflections, and touch the different consistencies of the pyroclastic material.
We encounter varieties of plants typical of Etna that resist extreme climatic conditions in summer and winter.
OFF-ROAD TRACK WITH 4X4
With our comfortable off-road vehicles we will take you to the hidden treasures of the Etna volcano.
We show you what you can’t see on conventional roads. We will delve into the dense vegetation that thrives on this mineral-rich soil and together we will observe how the forces of nature are in constant competition with each other.
On the one hand, the strength of the volcanic flows, which constantly produce new black and rough lava, and on the other the power of nature, which slowly and inexorably covers it with vegetation and smoothes its edges.
TASTING OF HONEY, CREAMS, LIQUEURS
After many adventures, it’s time to enjoy the fantastic view of Etna’s summit craters in complete tranquility.
We stop at the Piano Provenzana ski resort and, completely relaxed, we admire the north-east crater and the enormous slot craters of the 2002 eruption, which were formed on the Pernicana fault and are also called the north-east fissure.
If you want, you can taste the sweetest specialties of our Etna volcano for free: Honey, also called the gold of Etna; Bronte creams based on pistachios, almonds, hazelnuts; Sicilian cherry tomato creams, Sicilian olives, Etna mushrooms; and liqueurs like the fire of Etna.
LAVA TUNNEL
Now let’s see what’s underneath the hard surface. We descend into one of the approximately 190 lava tunnels scattered on Etna.
Equipped with helmets and lamps, we learn how these lava tunnels are formed and discover the geological features and strange shapes that have formed in these caves.
LUNCH
Now it’s time to rest during lunch in a typical mountain refuge. This appears to have been catapulted directly from the Alps to Sicily.
We have the opportunity to taste typical dishes of local cuisine, Sicilian mountain specialties, such as pasta with a spicy wild fennel sauce or Etna porcini mushrooms. Because in Sicily, in addition to excellent seafood specialties, we are also lucky enough to be able to enjoy delicious mountain specialties in the hinterland.
ALCANTARA GORGES
With our vehicles we now leave the protected area of the Etna Park and descend towards the Alcantara Gorges.
At the Castiglione di Sicilia bridge we encounter the Alcantara river for the first time, which originates in the Nebrodi Mountains and forms the border between the “young” Etna, i.e. the volcanic soil, and the rest of Sicily, which is much older.
From there, we continue along the river until we reach the Alcantara Gorges. We leave the jeep and walk down to the river bed: here we are at the lowest point of the Alcantara Gorges. In front of us tower lava basalt walls up to 25 m high, formed by bizarre twisted pentagonal or hexagonal columns.
Here we can feel the frozen waters of Alcantara. We roll up our trousers and venture about 50 meters into the gorge, where the water reaches knee height and is normally around 10° C. The bravest can even go for a swim!
RETURN – UNTIL THE NEXT ADVENTURE!
After exploring Etna inside and out, we have reached the end of our adventure together. We travel through the Alcantara Gorges towards Giarre, tired but happy. Until the next adventure!
Meeting Point
- Giarre motorway exit (seen on Google Maps). There is a monitored car park where you can park your car (daily parking ticket 4 euros).
Recommended equipment
- Closed trekking or running shoes if possible, layered clothing suitable for the weather and altitude: during the winter season snow clothing is recommended (gloves and hat are very important!); in summer we recommend a windbreaker, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- Bathing shoes for the visit to the Alcantara Gorges (with rubber shoes it is easier to walk on the stones of the river bed)
- For the brave: swimsuit or shorts if you want to swim in the (frozen) Alcantara river.
- 1l of water and possibly a small snack for the journey
Services included
- Pick-up/collection at the Giarre motorway exit Transport by 4×4
- Authorised Italian-speaking guide (tour guide, AIGAE hiking guide, with BLSD certificate)
- Insurance throughout the tour
- Equipment: trekking poles, windbreakers, rucksacks, helmets, lamps.
- Tasting of typical products: honey, cream, liqueurs
- Entrance to the Alcantara Gorges
Services not included
- Everything that is not listed under ‘Included Services’.
Services on request
- Pick-up from hotel or other meeting point (price to be agreed upon).
- Child seats for transfer
Important information
Please inform us in advance of any special circumstances: health problems, allergies, heart disease, blood pressure problems, limited mobility, disability. We will find the best solution for you for an unforgettable day on Etna. Changes may occur or the tour may be canceled if the guide deems it necessary if weather or volcanic conditions threaten the safety of the group. Of course, all of our staff are fully vaccinated for your protection and ours.
Reviews
Reimar Suess
Wir haben eine wunderschöne Wanderung erlebt. Sebastiano ist ein toller Guide, der für den Ätna “brennt” und zusätzlich zu dieser Begeisterung fundiertes Wissen über die Natur und den Vulkan mitbringt. Toller Service, dass EtnaWay auch noch Ausrüstung (in unserem Fall die vergessenen Wanderschuhe) bereitstellt. Alles in allem absolut empfehlenswert!!
Susanna Borek
Wir hatten eine fantastische Tour mit Christiano! Er hat super viel gewusst und keine Möglichkeit ausgelassen uns mehr über Aetna, seine Entwicklung und auch die Geschichte drumherum zu erzählen! Wir waren mit 2 Kindern (4 und 8 Jahre) unterwegs, war super!! Wanderschuhe sind besser als Sportschuhe 😉 Sehr empfehlenswert.
Francisca
Hiking in Etna was an incredible experience. Gianpaolo is very easy going and a great guide who knows a lot about Etna. Not only did he taught us a lot about vulcanos, but also how Etna has shaped the Sicilian culture.
Our group got a bit of a cloudy day, but has Gianpaolo kept telling us, Etna is never boring! And as the clouds moved, we did get to see great views.
It was a great hike (we also got to visit a lava tunnel), and I learned a lot more than I was expecting!
mikhail glazunov
We took the top craters hiking tour. It was a high quality hiking experience. Organized very well, in an enjoyable and safe way. Christian, the guide, was super friendly, speaking English, German and Italian. Truly unforgettable experience.
Etna & Alcantara Tour
100€
Per person
Meeting point on Etna
120€
Per person
With round trip transport
- Tasting of typical products
- Equipment
* Children under 13 pay €10 less!
Children under 3 years old do not pay
Frequently asked questions
Meeting Point
- At the Mareneve kiosk in Piano Provenzana (see Google Maps). There are sufficient (paid) parking spaces available.
Recommended equipment
- High hiking shoes (low shoes get filled with sharp volcanic sand) and long trousers or high socks. When socks are put on over shoes, they prevent sand from entering the shoes, like gaiters.
- Clothing suitable for the weather and altitude, in layers: during the winter season snow clothing included. Gloves and hat; in summer, windbreaker, cap, sunglasses and sun cream
- 1.5 l water per person
- Packed lunch
- Camera
Services included
- Insurance throughout the tour
- Authorised Italian-speaking guide (certified hiking guide with BLSD certificate)
- Equipment: trekking poles, windbreakers, rucksacks, helmets, lamps and trekking shoes (please let us know your shoe size when booking)
- Breakfast
- Tasting of typical products: honey, cream, liqueurs
Services not included
- Everything that is not listed under ‘Included Services’.
Services on request
- Pick-up from hotel or other meeting point (price to be agreed)
- Hiking shoe hire
