Alcantara River: Our most recommended tours and activities

Sicily: Mt. Etna, Wine and Alcantara Tour

1. Sicily: Mt. Etna, Wine and Alcantara Tour

Tick off two of Sicily’s must-see attractions in one day on this tour with hotel transfers from Catania. Explore volcanic caves and rock pools on a trek through Alcantara Gorges. Walk around the craters of Mt Etna with an Alpine guide. Make a stop at a local winery for a traditional lunch with wine. Start your Sicilian adventure by meeting your guide in Catania, either at your accommodation or another agreed-upon location. Take a brief, scenic drive by an air-conditioned van to either the Sartorius craters or the 2002 crater on the Northeast side of Etna. Let your guide introduce you to the fascinating world of volcanic phenomena. Walk through ancient woods, extinct craters, and old lava flows. Witness deserts of lava and ashes, peculiar formations, and traces of previous eruptions. Reach a maximum altitude of 2000 meters. Then, strap on your helmets and lamps to explore a volcanic cave like the Grotto del Ladroni or Grotta Cassone. Stop at a nice winery up along the mountain road for an authentic Sicilian lunch including appetizer, first course, water, and wine, which will be served outdoors or indoors depending on the weather. Visit the Alcantara canyons, formed thousands of years ago from the lava flow that invaded the bed of the Alcantara river. Enjoy the spectacular scenery along the Alcantara River. End your day back in Catania where you were picked up.

From Taormina: Full-Day Etna, Wine & Alcantara Canyons Tour

2. From Taormina: Full-Day Etna, Wine & Alcantara Canyons Tour

Travel in a small group with a guide from Taormina to Etna on this full-day tour. See craters, walk along the volcanic underground, enjoy a typical lunch, and visit the Alcantara Canyons. Enjoy a 2-hour hike around the perimeters of extinct craters and along lava-covered paths at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level. Visit the volcanic underground, discovering one of the wonders of Etna. Stop for lunch and visit a local winery. Enjoy local products and a tasting of Etna wines. Last on the itinerary is a visit to the Alcantara Canyons, formed thousands of years ago when lava flowed into the Alcantara River, from a panoramic viewpoint.

Alcantara River and Gorges: Bodyrafting Experience

3. Alcantara River and Gorges: Bodyrafting Experience

Take part in the incredible adventure of body rafting along River Alcantara with diving wear and all the necessary equipment. Enjoy a physical activity in an idyllic setting whilst in the care of a local guide. Start your adventure at the Gole dell'Alcantara. Whilst here your guide will equip you with diving gear, helmet, and jacket - all the gear required for bodyrafting. Start walking into the clear waters of the river, located in the valley of Alcantara. Follow your expert guide along the track and explore rock faces that have volcanic origins. See the natural canyon of the Alcantara Gorges from the inside. Walk inside water passages, swim, and jump into the water. Enjoy a refreshing swim and start bodyrafting until you reach the valley once again. Make the most of an itinerary that stretches 2.5 km and acquaints you with hidden passages both in the water and on land.

Catania: Mount Etna Volcano and Alcantara Park Tour

4. Catania: Mount Etna Volcano and Alcantara Park Tour

With an expert guide by your side, discover the Mount Etna volcano, sitting at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level. Explore ancient craters, lava flow caves, and admire the breathtaking landscape of the Ionian coast. Explore Alcantara Park in your free time. Dissected by the Alcantara river, Alcantara Park is a location brimming with unique vegetation, lava rock formations, and columnar basalts formed by the icy waters of the Alcantara. During the warm season, cool yourself off by taking a refreshing dip in these pristine waters or just stroll alongside the river.

Motta Camastra: Quad Bike Tour to the Alcantara Gorges

5. Motta Camastra: Quad Bike Tour to the Alcantara Gorges

You'll be able to choose the tour that suits you best, for beginners or experts, without giving up the discovery of this beautiful area at the foot of Mount Etna. You will be accompanied by our open-top guide, who will allow you to explore in complete safety. You will start from the Alcantara Gorges and then head to Francavilla di Sicilia, a historic village of 3,000 inhabitants located in the heart of the Valley. During this route you will travel along both dirt paths and asphalt, always remaining enveloped by a picturesque and characteristic landscape. From time to time there will be a pause that will allow you to admire the landscape and the Alcantara River. If you choose the 2 1/2-hour route, always accompanied by our guide, you will be able to arrive as far as Castiglione di Sicilia.

From Taormina: Mount Etna and Alcantara River Tour

6. From Taormina: Mount Etna and Alcantara River Tour

Depart from Taormina and head to the Rifugio Sapienza on Mount Etna. Learn the history of the volcano and visit the sites of its last eruptions. Choose to trek along the nature paths of the Parco dell’Etna or take the cable car to an altitude of 2,504 meters and continue by 4WD minibus to the Torre del Filosofo. Get stunning views of the scenery stretching down to the sea and admire the craters and old lava flows that characterize the landscape. Explore a lava cave with all the proper equipment. Continue down the mountain and stop at the organic farm for a delicious sampling of local products, including honey, wine, and oil. Discover the different corners of the Alcantara River. Walk down small paths, past cultivated fields, and see the natural pools and waterfalls and continue to get up close to different basalt and unexpected lava formations.

Sicily: Mount Etna 4x4 Jeep Tour with Lava Caves & Forests

7. Sicily: Mount Etna 4x4 Jeep Tour with Lava Caves & Forests

2002 Lava frontThe first visit is the 2002 lava flow, reachable by jeep through a winding dirt road surrounded by chestnut and oak forests. The 2002 eruption lasted from October 27th to January 29th, 2003 and it is considered one of the most explosive eruptions of the past one hundred years Corruccio Cave’sContinuing our excursion you'll reach the Ragabo pine forest where hidden among pines and brooms, you'll discover the cave of Corruccio (1350 meters above sea level) a cave formed by flowing lava. Piano ProvenzanaLater, drive along the Mareneve road to reach Piano Provenzana (1800 meters above sea level), a ski resort, and theater of the great eruption of 2002. Enjoy an espresso, then take a short walk to visit the ruins of the hotel Le Betulle destroyed by a molten lava flow. Monti SartoriusYour tour continues with a short walk to some of the side craters, the Sartorius Mountains (1700 meters above sea level), formed in the year 1865 and characterized by seven small, aligned eruptive cones (or "buttonholes").  This area holds great geological and botanical treasures, and your tour winds along clearings rich in endemic species, large volcanic “bombs” and woodlands dominated by birch trees (Betula Aetnensis).  Halfway down from the top of one of the craters, marvel at breathtaking views of the Ionian coast, from Riposto to Taormina, the Calabrian coast, the North-East Crater (3350 meters above sea level), the lava formations from 2002, and the eruptive mouths near the tourist resort of Piano Provenzana. Traveling through one of the wine roads of Sicily and crossing large expanses of vineyards (Etna D.O.C.), arrive at a local restaurant. This is the ideal place to enjoy relaxing moments surrounded by nature while sampling local cuisine and excellent wines. (Lunch not included) Alcantara RiverIn the afternoon discover a unique canyon comprised of basaltic lava (the “Alcantara” Gorges) and shaped by the waters of the Alcantara river. The Alcantara's vertical cliffs reach 30 meters in height and its structures have been forged by high-intensity geological and geothermal events. In prehistoric times, a river flowed here over clay sediments until a massive volcanic eruption channeled magma into the river bed forming the current canyons. After this stop, end your memorable day and return to town.

From Taormina: Etna Summit Area, Lunch & Alcantara Tour

8. From Taormina: Etna Summit Area, Lunch & Alcantara Tour

Reach the summit area of Etna, ascending 2750 meters by either cableway or off-road vehicle on this tour from Taormina. Hike the base of the active craters with a naturalistic guide, experience the lunar landscapes, and savor a typical Sicilian lunch with local wine and drinks. Begin your tour with a pickup from your accommodation (or close vicinity in Taormina and the surrounding area). You'll travel in a small group of no more than 8 people for a more intimate and personalized experience. Drive to Mount Etna where you'll start the ascent to the summit area (2750-2800 meters of altitude). Depending on the availability and the circumstances, in order to guarantee an optimal service, the ascent can be carried out either by cableway or off-road vehicles only. Once at the summit area, enjoy light trekking with a volcanological guide and a naturalistic guide. Walk through a desert of black ashes and extinct craters, while admiring the lunar landscape and the spectacular view of the active craters from a close distance. Back at 2000 meters, you'll be given the proper equipment, such as helmets and torches, to visit one of the striking lava caves of the volcano. Then, enjoy a typical Sicilian light lunch with local wine and drinks during the midday break. Finally, you'll admire the Alcantara Gorges created when thick lava flows invaded the bed of the icy river Alcantara, giving rise to geometrically perfect rocks.

Horseback Riding in Giardini Naxos

9. Horseback Riding in Giardini Naxos

Leaving the stables behind you, you'll set out for the beautiful beach of Recanati, where the real fun will begin. Imagine riding on a breathtaking stretch of beach, with fine sand and pebbles that create the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Your ride will take you to the majestic mouth of the Alcantara River, and from there you will ride up the riverbed until you return to the stables. Take your lust for adventure and join us for this dream horseback ride in beautiful Giardini Naxos.

From Catania: Mount Etna and Alcantara River Tour

10. From Catania: Mount Etna and Alcantara River Tour

Benefit from pick-up at your accommodation in Catania and journey by bus to Rifugio Sapienza on the slopes of Mount Etna. Visit the sites of recent volcanic eruptions and the old Silvestri craters. Choose from different options at Rifugio Sapienza and trek the nature paths of the park or ride the cable car to 2,504 meters above sea level. Continue by 4WD minibus to Torre del Filosofo for an additional fee. Get up close to the central and southeast craters and marvel at how the landscape has been shaped by lava flows. Visit locations where the volcano flourishes before you return to Rifugio Sapienza to look inside a lava cave using helmets and torches. Sample the local produce at an organic farm in Zafferana, and get stunning views of the Alcantara River. Walk the small paths past cultivated fields to see the natural pools of Gurne dell'Alcantara and the ruins of Francavilla Castle. Admire the basalt columns and lava formations of the gorge.

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Things to do in
Alcantara River

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What people are saying about Alcantara River

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 694 reviews

Our guide was Marco and he was great! Very knowledgeable and full of stories about Etna and Sicily. We enjoyed all the stops of the trip. The hike up to the 1865 craters was great, if a bit heavy for a couple of us but totally worth it. The trip down into the Alcantara gorge was AMAZING. The only disappointing thing about the whole trip was the lunch at Rifugio Ragabo. There were four of us and nobody was impressed. The salad probably came out of a pre mixed bag and the egg must have been boiled a couple of days before... The bruschetta was dry and hard and my friends pasta tasted like something out of a shop. Not great. All in all I will recommend the trip wholeheartedly, but maybe bring your own food and drinks and have a picnic instead of paying at one of the tourist trap restaurants...

The pre trip communication was 1st class. Our guide was on time and spoke perfect English. The trip had 4 groups of 2 from around the world and was a perfect size. The itinerary was excellent with a great mix of activities, and our guide was not only very attentive too guests but was equally very knowledgeable ensuring all questions were answered before we moved on. In all we rate this, the tour company and especially the guide as first rate, excellent value and HIGHLY recomended

Great communication. Timely pick up. Full day of activities. No hanging around. Marco was very friendly and knowledgeable. Great explanations of the volcano in perfect English. Good fun. Lunch location was lovely and loads of food - red wine only offered though. Swimming in the gorge was a great experience if you’re up for the cold water and lots of steps. Overall very pleased and good value for money.

The guide Roberto was amazing, with incredible knowledge and good sense of humor. He picked us up from the hotel parking lot and left us at the same spot. During hiking guide told us many things about etna.

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