Tours & tickets

Alcantara River

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.

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.

We start this activity getting you ready with a wetsuits, helmet, life jacket and footwears. Once the group is ready for action we will get on board of a minivan and with a five minutes drive we will reach a country lane where we will walk for 8 minutes to get to the river banks. This river adventure starts with our first jump that can vary from 5 to 6 meters, who does not feel like jumping can use a natural slide to get into the water. We will swim to get to the second, third and forth jump before having fun on a slide that leads to a fourth pond. To reach the fifth pond we will do some river trekking and Body rafting. The end of the tour will be at oour head quarter where you have left your car and your personal belongings. Our tour is truly unique cause it takes place away from the mass tourism and in a stretch of the river Alcantara truly wild and with a stunning landscape, made of crystal water lakes and water falls. River Jumping is a new entry in the Alcantara river, do not miss this opportunity to discover the Alcantara River and to leave the best adventour that Sicily can offer.

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.

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.

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. The strong points of our excursions are: *Pick up at your accommodation (in the areas reachable by our vans) *Trekking accessible to all for 2000 m *Visit to a lava cave *Tasting of typical products

Enjoy your tour to Mount Etna up to the top of the Volcano. Transfer by bus from your pick up point to Piano Provenzana. Ascent to the top with off - road vehicoles, accompanied by an alpin guide. Soft trekking at the top to see Bove Valley and main craters, with volcanological guide. Transfer by bus from Piano Provenzana to Alcantara Gorges. Explore the famous park of Alcantara, a lava canyon with a freezing river. Tasting of tipycal sicilian product. To the Botanical Park it is possible buy food and drink. Entry to the Gorges not included in the price.

Enjoy a full-day tour of the highest volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. Tour guests meet at the bus terminal in Taormina, Via Pirandello. The tour is led by a knowledgeable tour leader. You can enjoy exclusive information of the history of Mount Etna and the surrounding areas. An air-conditioned coach will transport you to the Alcantara Gorges (entry extra). This is an impressive natural sculpture. Thousands of years ago the riverbed was blocked by lava flow from Mount Etna, and as the lava cooled more quickly than the water it crystallized. Tall columns of lava have since stood here and as the river eroded through the lava it has created a series of impressive gorges. Don’t forget your camera. The trip continues on board the Circumetnea, a traditional train that winds around the foot of the volcano reaching up to Adrano in the south. Then. by coach, reach Rifugio Sapienza, at an altitude of 1.900 meters on the southern side. Then, ascend via cable car and jeep to the authorized crater zones, assisted by licensed guides of the Italian Alpine Club (Italian and English speaking). Stop to admire the eventual activity of the summit craters in the area of security. At the end of the tour, you will be driven back to Taormina where the tour ends. Boots and jacket rentable on site.

Fascinating and suggestive aquatic excursion that develops within splendid lakes created by the continuous flowing of the waters of the Alcantara river. Diving, slides and much more await you, all in absolute safety and accompanied by specialized staff. Numerous photos will be taken during the excursion and will be provided free of charge to all participants. Difficulty: medium Required equipment: swimsuit, towel. Equipment provided: Neoprene wetsuit, harness, helmet, safety vest, shoes. Duration: 3/4 hours

We will go up the Alcantara river against the current through its gorges and then go back, letting ourselves be carried by the current, sliding between the rapids and lava basalts. You will admire enchanting places full of legends. The activity is accessible to everyone and a particular level of preparation is not required, however it is not recommended for those suffering from physical/psychological problems and pregnant women. Minimum height required 1.30 cm. The excursion is offered without a "pick-up" service, the service can be booked on request.