Etna Summit Area – Top Easy Tour from Taormina
One day dedicated to the beauty of Etna's Summit Area, good food and the stunning Alcantara Gorges.
Etna Summit Area – Top Easy Tour from Taormina
Departure
For our Etna Summit Area – Top Easy tour, we will pick you up outside/nearby your accommodation in Taormina or in its close vicinity. Depending on the accommodation’s location, we will organize a convenient meeting point.
First stop: Guided light trekking at the Etna Summit (2900 mt.)
The first stop of the tour is Rifugio Sapienza, you will start the ascent by cableway first (until 2550mt) and then by off-road vehicle up to 2900mt. Once there, you will start a light trekking (about 40/45 minutes), around the Etna summit area called Torre del Filosofo; our naturalistic guide and a volcanological guide will walk you through deserts of black ashes and extinct craters. The view of the craters from a very close distance will amaze you!
Lunch break
Once back at the basis of the cableway, you will stop by a restaurant near Rifugio Sapienza. There, you will taste an authentic typical Sicilian lunch made from fresh typical products and local wine (vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free options available upon request).
Second stop: Volcanic cave
After lunch, equipped with helmets and torchlights that we will provide for free, you will be able to get in the volcanic underground and visit one of the striking volcanic caves of our volcano. During this part, the guide will explain origins, characteristics and uses of the of this fascinating volcanic phenomenon.
Third stop: Visit of the Alcantara Gorges
Subsequently, as the final step of the day, you will stop at the River Park of the Alcantara Gorges. These were created when thick lava flows reached the icy Alcantara river and formed these geometrically perfect rocks. You will be amazed at the sight of this river streaming through the high walls that form the gorge, and will be able to walk along the watercourse.
Return
Finally, at the end of the trip, the guide will drop you off at the starting point.
Important Information
Recommended equipment
We remind you to wear sneakers (trainers or trekking shoes) with socks as well as a winter jacket since the temperature at that altitude is generally 10-15 ° C lower than Taormina. In case of snow, we also recommend bringing with you a second pair of socks. We can provide snowshoes and walking sticks. If you think you are not well equipped, please let us know when booking: we will provide the proper footwear and outerwear.
We also suggest bringing a bottle of water for the trekking as well as a towel and swimwear for the stop Alcantara Gorges (summer only).
Itinerary variation
The itinerary might be subjected to variations due to factors such as weather conditions and/or if deemed necessary.
In case of bad weather, the itinerary may endure some variations; specifically, it may be converted into a 2000-meters trekking tour.
Itinerary changes: In case of bad weather conditions, the guide may change the itinerary for safety reasons.
Included in the price
- Naturalistic English-speaking guide (geologists, volcanologists, forestry-experts or agronomists)
- Vulcanological Guide from 2000 to 2950 mt;
- Pick-up in a jeep or minibus from Taormina;
- Cableway and 4×4 vehicle ticket (round trip);
- Lunch;
- Insurance;
- Equipment, if requested during the booking phase.
Not included in the price
- Any extra cost not included in the list above
Suitable for
Anyone in good shape used to walking. The participation is not recommended to those who are not in a good state of health, suffer from any cardio-respiratory pathology or have reduced mobility.Summit Area: from Rifugio Sapienza to the Barbagallo Craters
Located at 1910 meters of altitude, Rifugio Sapienza‘s construction began in 1936. Back then, it was meant to give shelter to hikers heading to the central craters; now it has been converted into a small hotel and restaurant. Moreover, it is today the departure point of the Funivia dell’Etna (the Cableway) and the of the ski-lift. Many have been the times in which it was lapped by the lava streams, yet it remains untouched to this day.
Standing at about 2900 meters, Torre del Filosofo has been a place of fascination and myth. Although the original building was destroyed several times by the lava flows and has been permanently buried by volcanic material in 2002, legend has it that the philosopher Empedocle built this shelter to observe and study the wonders of volcanic activity. He was so much enchanted by the volcano and its astonishing activity, that according to the myth he died by falling in one of the craters.
The outcome of the “perfect eruption”, Barbagallo Craters sprung in the 2002/2003 eruption. They owe their name to the Barbagallo’s, a generation of passionate and expert guides that since the 19th century have been leaders for those interested in knowing and sharing the beauties of the volcano. The eruption started on October 27th, 2002 and lasted until January 29th, 2003 and was considered one of the most explosive eruptions of the last 100 hundred years.