From Catania: 01/04 to 31/10 - Every Tuesday / Friday
From Taormina: 01/04 to 31/10 - Every Thursday / Sunday
Description
Discover the Alcantara River Park and the most stunning spots of Mount Etna in just one day!
After pickup at your accommodation (or nearby), you will head towards Rifugio Sapienza, making a few stops at points of interest along the way. Your guide will share stories of the volcano’s recent activity and accompany you in exploring the history and secrets of the Etna region.
Once you arrive at Rifugio Sapienza (1,920 m / 6,300 ft), you will have the option to:
- Explore Etna Park with your guide, staying at the same altitude (2,000 m). This simple yet captivating trek will take you among ancient extinct craters, surrounded by breathtaking volcanic landscapes. Experience the magic and power of Europe’s most active volcano up close, fully immersed in nature and the history of the area.
- Opt for the High Altitude Etna experience: take the cable car to 2,504 meters, then continue by 4x4 off-road vehicles to the highest accessible points. Enjoy a short walk with the Funivia dell’Etna staff before returning to the starting station.
The excursion continues with a visit to an Etna lava cave, equipped with helmets and torches, for an exciting journey through volcanic formations.
Next, you will stop at a family-run farm to taste traditional products of the volcano, including honey, oils, olives, and local wines.
The tour then continues to the Alcantara River, walking along small trails and cultivated fields until you reach the Gurne, natural pools carved by water, along with lakes and waterfalls surrounded by lush vegetation. Along the way, you can also admire the ruins of Francavilla Castle, blending nature, history, and tradition.
The day concludes with a visit to the Alcantara Gorges, canyons sculpted over millennia by the river through Etna’s basalt. Here you can marvel at the columnar basalts, extraordinary lava formations of varying thicknesses and orientations, shaped by slow cooling and the erosive power of the river.
Return to your accommodation.
Recommended equipment
Windbreaker / Tennis shoes / Water / Hat and sunglasses/ Beach towel / Spare shoes and socks
Family
Tours suitable for the whole family, including children under 12 and seniors.
Nature
Nature tours, suitable for those who want to be in close contact with the environment.
Trekking
Tours that include trekking routes, of easy, medium, or difficult difficulty.
With departure from Catania
| Date |
Price |
| From 01/04 to 31/10 |
87.00 € : 12+
72.00 € : 3-12 years n.i.
20.00 € : 0-3 years n.i. |
With departure from Taormina
| Date |
Price |
| From 01/04 to 31/10 |
89.00 € : 12+
75.00 € : 3-12 years n.i.
20.00 € : 0-3 years n.i. |
The price includes
Free transport as an additional service for the excursion / Multilingual guide / Trekking shoes available on request / Cave kit / Tastings / Municipal entrance to the Gorges via the stairs
The price does not include
Optional activities available on Etna, such as: 2-hour quad tour, cycling to the top, High Altitude Etna; Access to the Gorges via elevator; Anything not included under “the price includes.
High altitude option
2,500 m (cable car): € 52.00 per person
Maximum altitudes allowed (cable car + 4x4 minibus with local alpine guide) : € 80.00 per person
Maximum altitude reachable by snowcat (in case of snow): € 95.00 per person
Tour program (about 9 hours)
-
1
Pick-up
At the chosen accommodation or meeting place
-
2
To the Volcano
After crossing the border of the city you will start the ascent towards Etna, crossing some of the characteristic Etnean villages
-
3
Trekking / high altitude
Trekking through a path of Parco dell'Etna or Etna high altitude option
-
4
Lava flow cave
Visit of a lava flow cave
-
5
Sampling
Sampling of typical products in a local farm
-
6
Alcantara river
Excursion to Alcantara river
-
7
Return
The tour will end at the pick-up location
