Barbagallo Crater

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.

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

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

Experience the magic of Mount Etna at sunset during the cooler months! With a relaxed start time, departing from Catania around, there's no need for an early wake-up call. Explore volcanic caves and enjoy a thrilling trek before the grand finale – the stunning sunset over the lava fields. As the sun dips behind the mountains, you’ll be immersed in the golden light of the season. Discover the beauty of Mount Etna in a quiet and unforgettable setting, where every step reveals stunning views and a deep connection with nature.

Enjoy the beauty of Mount Etna, Europe's highest volcano. Reach the tourist resort, approximately 1800/2000 meters up, in a private air-conditioned vehicle. All the experiences are optional you join the guide if you want. If you want to relax for about an hour having a coffee or visiting on your own the tourist reesort is possible. At the resort you will find souvenirs shops , bars rentals for trekking shoes or snowshoes and restaurants. Appreciate the botanical and geological peculiarities of the mountain. Take an extraordinary optional walk (easy to moderate 1 hour and a half approximatly) through the most fascinating lava flows and extinct lateral craters. Explore a lava tunnel or lava tube, another interesting geological aspect. In winter season you can join the guide for an extraordinary easy snowshoes experience visiting famous lavaflows ( Easy to moderate an hour and a half approximatly) Snowshoes rental is not included in the price you pay extra on spot 15 euros per person. Then, Tranfer to a local winery where you try local red and white wines from Mt Etna paired with typical Sicilian ingredients and recepies.

Climb up to an altitude of 3,000 meters and enjoy incredible panoramic views near the top craters of Mount Etna. Join a certified guide on a unique adventure from Rifugio Sapienza and safely explore an active volcano, by staying away from the danger zone. Begin at the Bar Esagonal at an altitude of 1,900 meters. Take a scenic cable car ride up to an altitude of 2,500 meters before starting your trek on Mount Etna. With special authorization for scientific purposes, pass the current altitude limit of 2750 meters and push to a height of 3000 meters with your guide (only without major altitude sickness in the group). Touch fumaroles with hot gas emissions and pass by the banks of still-steaming lava flow from the most recent eruptions. You will visit a small basalt canyon (if not buried by snow) and then arrive at the base of the most active crater at the moment, the Southeast Crater. Next, head to the large craters of 2002, then descend a path (full of snow in winter) to the cable car station to return to the starting point.

Get ready for an unforgettable adventure starting from Catania! Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, is waiting to reveal its secrets. Led by an expert local guide who knows every inch of the area, you’ll dive into the fascinating world of Etna—uncovering its ancient history, exploring unique flora and fauna, and witnessing stunning geological phenomena. After a convenient hotel pick-up, your journey kicks off as you head towards Rifugio Sapienza on the southern slope of Etna. Along the way, you’ll stop at captivating points of interest while your guide shares intriguing stories about the latest eruptions and the ancient Silvestri Craters. Reaching Rifugio Sapienza at 1920 meters, you’ll continue your adventure with a scenic hike along one of Etna Park’s picturesque trails at 2000 meters. Here, you’ll be surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and the raw beauty of a truly unique environment. Next, explore a fascinating volcanic cave, fully equipped with helmets and flashlights for an adventure that feels like a journey to the center of the earth. To top it all off, you’ll visit a local organic farm for a delicious tasting of Etna’s signature products—honey, wines, oils, and more. It’s the perfect way to wrap up an extraordinary day. Join us for an epic journey on Mount Etna—you won’t want to miss it

Embark on an unforgettable Sunset expedition to the summit area of Mount Etna, by using specialized off-road vehicles authorized for high-altitude ascents on the Northern side. Commencing from 1,800 meters above sea level at Piano Provenzana, you'll journey to the Volcanological Observatory positioned at 3,000 meters. As the ascent commences, the first stop offers a glimpse of buildings engulfed by lava, followed by a visit to the distinct "buttonhole" craters formed during the eruption of October 27, 2002. Trekking begins amidst the flows and explosive remnants of this remarkable eruption at around 1,900 meters altitude. A mechanized transfer leads to the "Umberto and Margherita" craters at about 2,380 meters, where a brief trek along the crater rims is possible. Continuing, we proceed to the volcanological observatory at Pizzi Deneri. Upon leaving the off-road vehicle, accompanied by guides, a short 15-minute trek leads to the summit of Pizzi Deneri at 3,000 meters altitude. After approximately 2.5 hours, return to the starting point via the off-road vehicle, concluding this captivating journey.

Daily Excursions from Catania Private tour available in English, Spanish, and Italian. 9:00 AM Departure from Catania, with hotel pickup available prior to departure. If your hotel is located in a restricted traffic zone, we will meet at the nearest “meeting point.” Our first destination is Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe! Along the way, we will stop to photograph the house buried by lava, walk along the "Silvestri Craters" - a natural reserve in Italy - and enjoy magnificent views extending to the coast of Catania. We will pause for restroom facilities and a possible hot beverage. Next, we'll continue our walk to the "Grotta dei Tre Livelli" for panoramic photos. You'll also enjoy a complimentary tasting of local honey, wine, and olive oil. After bidding farewell to the volcano, we'll head to Taormina, a favorite destination of European nobles and artists in the 19th century, made famous by Goethe's writings. Taormina, known as the "terrace on the sea," boasts the ancient Greek Theater, home to the annual "Taormina Film Fest." The breathtaking panorama from every angle is simply stunning. The Villa Comunale, designed by the English noblewoman Lady Florence Trevelyan, features pavilions inspired by oriental architecture, fragrant Mediterranean and exotic plants, and an unforgettable view of Mount Etna and the Gulf of Giardini-Naxos. Corso Umberto, with its charming boutiques, has become a "temple of luxury." Historic bars, traditional restaurants, and souvenir shops all contribute to joyful senses and experiences. The tour lasts approximately 8 hours

Starting from Syracuse with a private driver, your experience begins with the pick-up at your accommodation, then we will head towards the queen of Eastern Sicily, what the Sicilians call "A MUNTAGNA", the highest active volcano in Europe. With a stop at the Sapienza refuge (altitude 1800m) you will have the opportunity to do some shopping among the characteristic huts in the area, simple paths will envelop you in breathtaking views, with the possibility of trekking on the Etna nature trails. Optional is the purchase of cable car tickets (not included in the price) where you can purchase directly at the moment, weather and volcanic conditions allowing you to experience the incredible landscape view of the highest active volcano in Europe. In the afternoon the second stop of the private tour from Syracuse with private driver will be Taormina, the famous tourist resort in Sicily with its medieval-looking villages, Mediterranean colors and landscapes where you can admire the places of the famous "THE WHITE LOTUS" series. Taormina known as "THE PEARL OF THE IONIAN" was baptized by the Greeks with the name of "TAUROMENIUM" today transformed into Taormina which means "town located on the Taurus", the mountain on which it was built. The most famous monument is the GREEK-ROMAN THEATER, currently used for cultural performances, concerts and cinematographic events of international importance which make Taormina a sought-after holiday destination for VIPs and celebrities. One of the best panoramic points is undoubtedly Piazza IX Aprile with an incredible terrace overlooking the bay of Giardini Naxos and the Etna Volcano, considered the perfect place to take beautiful souvenir photos. End of the Etna Taormina tour with return to Syracuse.