Nicolosi

Tours

Ascend to the summit of the craters of Mount Etna, one of the most coveted excursions a hiker can make. Hike with a volcanic guide and marvel at the beauty and wonder of Europe's highest active volcano. Explore a lava tunnel and the Valle del Bove. Meet your guide at the local partner's office below the Etna South cable car station. You'll take the cable car up to 2,504 meters and begin your hike. Start trekking towards the northwest, passing through areas affected by the major 2002/2003 eruption, surrounded by the lunar-like landscape that characterizes the region. During the hike, you'll take long breaks to take photos and rest. Continue your experience through a lava flow channel and proceed to the summit area, reaching the highest point permitted based on volcanic activity monitoring. Here, you can safely take a few pictures admire the active craters, and if the weather is favorable, enjoy views of the entire eastern coastline, from Calabria to Taormina and all the way to Syracuse. Walk across the craters from the 2002/2003 eruption and descend on volcanic sand to the Belvedere of the Valle del Bove, considered the best panoramic point on Mount Etna. This spectacular volcanic depression dates back approximately 9,000 years! Then you will march back to 2,500 mt and take the cable car back to the Rifugio Sapienza. The tour may be subject to changes due to volcanic risks or weather conditions. Experience the incredible feeling of being on top of the world in this rocky, beautiful landscape with the giant sky above you. You can book the tour also at 11:00, it will be only in Italian or English.

A valid alternative to the summit craters is the 3,000m Etna excursion. You go up by cable car up to 2,500 meters, then by 4x4 up to 2800 meters. From here begins the path on foot up to 3000 meters. It will be possible to observe the summit craters, then we will stop on a lateral crater (barbagallo at about 3000 meters). You will admire the recent lava flows (1-December-2023) until you reach the inside of a lava channel. We will visit an effusive vent (2002 eruption) and from here we will descend by foot to reach the Cable Car sation along the sandbanks to the mound from where we will observe the Bove Valley, admiring, on fine days, a view that sweeps from the Ionian Riviera to the interior of Sicily. Duration: 3 hours walking / 5 hours total tour. Departures at 9,30 and 10,30, the meeting point is inside our lodge 45 minutes before the departure (we can wait for those arriving by bus AST from Catania, just let us know!!). Meeting Point Shelter Alpine Guides Etna Sud, next to the hotel Rifugio Giovanni Sapienza

Hike to the top of Europe's tallest active volcano with a volcanologist guide. Discover the views from the summit craters, explore a lava tunnel and the Valle del Bove. Meet your guide at the local partner's office opposite the station of the southern Etna cableway. From the top of the cable car you will cross lunar landscapes aboard a 4x4 up to an altitude of 2850-meters in the Torre del Filosofo area. Begin your trek until we reach the edge of the Bocca Nuova (3300-meters) a crater which opened in 1968, one of the most impressive in the area. Stroll to the top and enjoy 360° panoramas and, if the weather permits, see as far as the Aeolian Islands and almost all of northern Sicily. Descend from the summit craters and pass through the craters of the 2002 eruption, then walk down a fun descent of volcanic sand and admire the volcanic amphitheater of the Valle del Bove, a spectacular caldera 8 km long and 4 km wide. Return by cable car to the starting point. The tour may be subject to changes due to volcanic risk or weather conditions Cablecar price is not included (52€ per person)

Discover the fascinating landscapes of Etna’s northern slope on a guided tour. Enjoy the impressive views of Etna’s foothills, see up close and touch ancient lava flows, admire craters still in activity, and appreciate a typical Sicilian landscape with its crops and rural villages. Stop for a lunch break at a local etnean restaurant and take a more relaxing turn with a visit to the refreshing Alcantara Gorges lava canyon. Start your tour with pickup from an arranged meeting point in locations such as Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Catania, and Linguaglossa. Travel by SUV or minivan (up to 8 passengers/vehicle) to the first stop of your tour, an off-road route to the massive 2002 eruption lava front, the largest eruption of recent times which destroyed the Piano Provenzana ski facilities and part of the Ragabo Pine Forest. Pass through the Ragabo Forest, following the Mareneve road, and reach the starting point of the trek to the Monti Sartorius craters near Rifugio Citelli. Enjoy a hike of easy difficulty, suitable for everyone, on a route about 3 km long, starting from an altitude of 1665 m and arriving at an altitude of about 1775 m. Hike along a characteristic Etnean path, among white birch trees and "button" side crater (“bottoniera”), the Sartorius Craters, on the northeastern slope of Etna. Reach several vantage points with unique and spectacular views of Calabria and the Aeolian Islands. Explore an Etna volcanic cave after your trek to the Sartorius, the Grotta dei Ladroni (also called Grotta delle Nevi). Equip yourself with the helmet and flashlight we will provide and venture inside this lava flow tunnel to discover its formation and history. This lava flow tunnel was partially excavated by man, as evidenced by the date engraved on a stone on top of the entrance: 1776. Learn how Etna’s inhabitants used this cave in centuries past to store snow in the winter months, later reselling it in the warmer months. Stop at an Etnean restaurant to rest and enjoy a delicious meal: a first course dish, water and coffee are included in the price. Continue to the Alcantara Valley, passing through Castiglione di Sicilia, one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, with features similar to a medieval village, famous for its wineries producing excellent Etna wines. Visit the Alcantara Gorges, also known as the Larderia Gorges, located in the “Alcantara River Park”. Admire the Gorges, which are a fascinating natural lava canyon excavated by the Alcantara River through lava flows of ancient times. Descend inside the Alcantara Gorges via the municipal entrance, the entrance fee is included. Freely relax by the beach or take a walk/swim in the refreshing Alcantara River. After visiting the Alcantara Gorges the tour will end going back to the initial meeting point. The program of the excursion may be subject to changes at the discretion of the guide, depending on the weather conditions of the day and to always ensure the safety of the participants.

Ride the cable car up Mount Etna and enjoy a tour at the bottom of the summit craters. Explore the area in a 4x4 bus designed to manage the terrain. Step out of the bus to learn about the volcano on a short walking tour with your guide. Validate your ticket at the Dedicated checkout which is located at the entrance of the "Funivia dell'Etna" station. Your adventure begins at an altitude of approximately 6,300 feet (1.900 m) at the “Funivia dell’Etna” departure station. Reach the upper station at approximately 8,200 feet above sea level (2.500 m). In case of strong wind, your ascent will be carried out by the 4x4 buses. Once reaching the upper station, board a special 4x4 bus to reach the maximum summit height area allowed (approximately 9,500 feet/2.900 m). Continue your experience with an alpine-volcano guide to check out the surrounding area. Along with the staff, who will ensure your safety, appreciate the enchanted scenery at the bottom of the Central Crater that, with conditions of full visibility, allows you to get lost in the view of a large part of eastern Sicily. In case of snow, your ascent will be carried out with special tracked vehicles (snowcat). After spending about 30 minutes exploring the area, return to the cable car station and make your way back down the volcano with your roundtrip ticket.

Get ready for an exhilarating 1.5-hour exploration on the volcano's slopes! Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll journey 20 kilometers through stunning landscapes, traversing lava channels and exploring volcanic caves. Immerse yourself in a lunar-like environment. This is an unforgettable adventure for those who crave adrenaline and appreciate nature! Our tour will begin in Nicolosi (CT) at an altitude of 2000 meters, the starting point and the maximum limit of our excursion. From here, we will delve into the fascinating volcanic landscape of Etna, covering approximately 20 km, alternating between paved and dirt roads, discovering unique geological formations such as eruptive fractures, lava tubes, and lava fields. We will also visit a characteristic lava stone building and get lost in a suggestive broom forest. The excursion will have a total duration of 1 hour and a half.

The itinerary that we propose will allow you, in a scenario that has no equal, to visit the most evocative places that have seen the South-East Crater, the youngest but the most active of the four summit craters of Etna, protagonist in the recent months. Rally at 9:30 a.m. at the meeting point situated next "La Baita 3L ski lab" at 1.900 meters a.s.l., where it will be our guide. Processing of formalities. Departure at 10:15 a.m. The excursion includes the ascent by cable car as far as 2.500 meters a.s.l. and by 4X4 minibus up to 2750 meters a.s.l., where, accompanied with our guide, you will reach about 3.000 meters a.s.l. From this altitude you can admire a view of the impressive summit craters of Etna in all their grandeur (Central Crater divided in Bocca Nuova and Voragine - South-East Crater - North-East Crater) and the craters of the most recent eruptions of the volcano, and also cross a lava flow tunnel of about 200 meters. After the visit at the summit area and in particular at the places of the recent eruption of the South-East Crater, you will continue the descent on foot, over which you will cross the places of the other recent eruptions and also Valle del Bove in which you'll admire a panoramic view of the Ionian coast (eolian islands and Calabria). Return to the starting point by cable car. This excursion takes about 4 hours round-trip

Take a beautiful sunset tour of the famed Etna volcano. Explore a lava cave (if applicable) , walk around craters and watch the sunset on the spectacular landscape Begin with a stop at a local producer for a sampling of local delicacies such as honey and oil. Continue your tour of a lava cave (if applicable) created during the 1792 eruption and enter the stunning site to learn about lava flows and the forces that create them. Then, stroll along the mountain trails to Mount Etna's Sapienza Refuge, and enjoy a pleasant walk around the lava flows created from the latest eruptions and the ancient Silvestri craters dating back to the 1892 eruption. From this supreme peak, watch the sunset over the breathtaking landscape before returning to the departure place in the evening.

Take part in this excursion with panoramic bus to discover the highest active volcano in Europe. Enjoy a breathtaking view and explore the small town of Nicolosi, where a small stop will be carried out, and then reach 2000 meters above sea level, at the Sapienza refuge. Our service includes audio guide on board in 6 different languages and three stops: - 10 minutes stop in Nicolosi village - Piazza Vittorio Emanuele - 10 minutes stop in Etna Sud (1900mt) to admire the 1983's eruption - 3:00 hours stop in Rifugio Sapienza up 2000mt, during which it will be possible to visit the ancient Silvestri craters and the Calcarazzi mountains, Take a walk up to 2500 and admire the recent lava flows. Departure every day from via Vittorio Emanuele 188, near Piazza Duomo, 11:30 am Return scheduled for 05:30 p.m. (indicative arrival times as they are subject to urban traffic) Enjoy your trip with Tourist Service!

Book your Funivia dell'Etna cable car ticket and secure your seat for this unique cable car experience. Validate your QRcode at the Dedicated Line which is located at the entrance of the "Funivia dell'Etna" station at an altitude of 1923 meters (approximately 6,300 ft). Travel in style onboard a new generation cable car and reach the upper station at 2500 meters (approximately 8,200 ft). At that high altitude, you will find yourself in front of a unique panorama ready to admire the summit craters of the volcano from below and the Ionian coastline. Experience the rugged beauty of Mount Etna and the surrounding area, before relaxing on the return cable car journey back down. Just so you know, the ticket office is currently undergoing renovations, so a dedicated entrance may not be guaranteed.