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Mount Etna excursions on the famous volcano in the south of Italy 
If you think to organize an Etna excursion, then read this simple guide to help you find all information you need to live an unique experience. Climbing mount Etna is a must to do activity during a Sicily tour. It's an unforgettable experience, in order to help you organize a great experience we have collected all frequent questions asked by tourists Book now your next Etna excursion Mt Etna trips at the discovery of its territory Traveling in Sicily on the most active volcano of Europe
How can i visit the Etna? Tell me an example of all possible Etna excursions to do?Top There are different types of organized tours of Mount Etna to practice along the paths of the volcano park. The starting points of the excursions are: on the south side (Rifugio Sapienza- Nicolosi) and the north side (Piano Provenzana- Linguaglossa). Here the available ones... An example of typical mt. Etna tours in the south zone is Trekking + 4x4 + Cable car
Duration: Half day Start from the square of Rifugio Sapienza at 9:00 o'clock. This short Etna tour allows the vision of the summit zones of the volcano (2900m) and the eruptive theatres of the last eruptions (2001, 20002-03, 2006, 2007). These excursions are done with the accompanyment of a volcanology expert, environmental guide, and an alpine guide. In the morning from the rif. Sapienza (1900m) the visitor will climb the summit zones (2900m) using the cable car and the jeep 4x4. During the climb it's possible to visit the great explosive cone of the eruption of 2001, the feet of the main craters and the eruptive mouths of the 2002 eruption. Subsequently will be reached the zone of the “Belvedere” from which is possible to look a splendid vision of the enormous volcanic amphitheater of the Bove valley (the only place in the world similar to Mars). Going down to the rif. Sapienza the guide will allow the visit of a typical cave of lava sliding. Type: Volcanology excursion
Difficulty: Medium
Duration: 4,30 hours
Covered distance on foot 1 Km
Max Unevenness: 1000 m (With cable car and 4x4)
PRICE GUIDES: 200 euro (to divide) for groups from 1 to 4 persons, 40 euro for groups from 5 to 8 persons, 35 euro for groups from 8 to 12 persons. + cost of the cable car (44€ at person or 24€ one way at person and return by walking with the guide)
Boys under 12 years pay half price The price includes:
Hire a Sicilian tour guide
The aid of an geologist and environmental guide
Equipment for the cave excursion + accessories
Video and Cd
Complete assistance to search lodging Price does not include: Transfers, available upon request: Catania to Taormina A/R: (groups from 4 person) 30 Euro at person - (from 1 to 3 person) 115 Euro to divide Mount Etna excursion to Taormina/return (groups from 4 person) 35 Euro at person - (from 1 to 3 person) 130 Euro to divide Catania - Etna/return (groups from 4 person) 28 Euro at person - (from 1 to 3 person) 110 Euro to divide Lunch (Lunch box upon request - > cost 11 Euro) Here an example of Sicily tours on mount Etna in the North side with departure from Randazzo
Distance: Km 12
Duration: 4 hours
Difficult: Easy Meeting witht the guide in Randazzo at 9:00 o'clock. This mount Etna tour begins from the Pirao Houses in the territory of Randazzo - Etna Nord. Along the distance you'll visit the lava of 1981 eruption and the beautiful forest of Spanish Mount. After a short pause near the Spanish Mount , you will continue on a path characterized by vulcaniti. The path continues crossing a beautiful forest of etnean ginestra to arrive to the Cistirnazza, ancient tank used to collect the water. Price is 120€ all inclusive of guide (Transport not included) Holiday on Etna mountain, an expedition in the nature of the island Is it possible to do nocturnal mt Etna tours? Top
During the eruptions, it is possible to visit the volcano in the night to see the lava flows. How much coast to go around in Jeep? Top In base of the nature of this portal, we do not love the mechanical means that turn around the volcano. We only use means 4x4 in order to go up to 2.900 meters. To find tours in 4x4 on the Etna you can search another operator Does the guides speak English? Top Our guides speak the English, German and French language What do i need to dress during an hike on Etna? Top We suggest you to take:
* Bag
* Impermeable cape
* Trekking Shoes
* Jacket
* Wool hat
* Knife
* A bottle of water
* Lighter
* Video and photo digital camera Based on the availabilities, is it possible to join in a group to do a guided visit? Top It is possible to join in a group. The cost of the guide is more convenient because it's divided between the participants. How can i reserve an excursion and in what modality? Top To reserve a Sicily travel on Etna is requested the payment of a deposit of 30%, 30 days before the date of the excursion. After such date will be demanded the payment of the entire amount. In case of cancellation before 7 days from the agreed date the deposit will be taken by the guide, after these days will be taken the entire amount. Is it possible to do tours of the summit of mount Etna with children? Top For children old inferior of 12 years the best zone we suggest is the north side of the volcano Are there bus inside of the area of the volcano? TopNot, the only connections are through bus from Catania and the circumetnea railroad. There aren't pubblic services that transit inside the protected area of the park. Does the park has its own guides or “Ranger” who take care of the excursions? Top Not, the park does not have official Ranger. There are professional guide authorized. During an eruption, is it possible to do an excursions? Top The excursions are possible until 2,900 meters. It is not possible to arrive close to the eruption for security reasons. How can i arrive to the Etna? Top You can arrive via Train ( circumetnea). You can take it in the Catania rail station or in Giarre or Acireale and stop in Randazzo or Linguaglossa (the cost is 1,77€) You can arrive via car. From Catania, take the road for Nicolosi-20 minutes (south) or the freeway A18 Catania-Messina, and take the Fiumefreddo exit and continue to Linguaglossa - 30 minutes The latest option are buses to mt. Etna with departure from the railway station of Catania and arrive to Linguaglossa or Nicolosi until the square of the Rifugio Sapienza (The bus service is Catania-Nicolosi-Etna of the AST-Azienda Siciliana Trasporti- that leaves at 8,15 AM from Catania to the Rifugio Sapienza and at 16,30 Pm from the Rifugio Sapienza returns to Catania.) Where can i find information on the eruptions? Top Where will we meet the guides? Top For the excursions on the summit craters in Etna-south Nicolosi the encounter happens in the square of the Rifuggio Sapienza. For tours of the Etna north the encounter with the guide happens in Randazzo or Linguaglossa. It is possible upon request to organize direct transfers to/from the hotels (Catania and Taormina) or to/from the ports of Catania or Messina. When begins the excursions? Top The excursions begins in the morning at 9:00 Am and in the afternoon at 14:00 Pm. Naturally are previewed some modifications to agree directly with the guide in base on your requirements. Do the excursions are all by walking? Top On the south side, the excursion previews a trekking and also the use of 4x4 means and the cable car. On the north side there are only walking in Etna Park paths. Can we organize excursions in quad? Top In base of our policy we do not organize such excursions. Exist societies of guides in Linguaglossa that organize them. Does the cable car in Rifugio Sapienza is working? Top After that it has been destroyed during the eruption of 2001, today it is totally working. The price is of 44€ A/R or 24€ for one way and return on foot with a guide. We have a car and we would want to visit the Etna, what to do? Top By car the latest point to arrive is the large square of the Rifugio Sapienza in Nicolosi (south) or Piano Provenzana in Linguaglossa (north). It is not possible to go up beyond with private means. The Rifugio Sapienza is distant 30 km from Catania, you must go up along Gravina di Catania, Mascalucia and take the SP92 and continue until the arrival. To arrive in Piano Provenzana (50 km from Catania) you must take the A18 freeway, exit in Fiumefreddo and continue for Piedimonte until Linguaglossa and follow the indications for Piano Provenzana. In which days is it possible to do an excursion? Top The excursions can be practiced every day What's the best day for a visit? Top In order to avoid the people pollution on the south side, we suggest you to visit the south during the week end. On the north side whichever day is good. Have i reserve an excursion in advance? Top In order to block the availability of the guides it is necessary to reserve in advance. (advised 30 days of advance) Is it possible to do a self guided tour on the Etna? Top Not, beyond the 1,900 meters it is prohibited to go up without an authorized professional guide. It is adviced in order to prevent risks. Is it possible to go up on the top of the volcano without the Cable car? Top It's possible to organize a Sicily tour to mount Etna and use a 4x4 service supplied by the alpine guides A journey on the volcano Etna starting form Taormina, Sicily Do the guides take care themselves of the transfers? Top
Paying an extra price it is possible to organize a transfer to/from the hotel. Is possible to organize a coach tours also from Taormina and the ports of Catania and Messina. Here a possible example of the rates applied: CATANIA to TAORMINA:(groups from 4 person) 30 Euro at person - (from 1 to 3 person) 115 Euro to divide
TAORMINA - ETNA/return (groups from 4 person) 35 Euro at person - (from 1 to 3 person) 130 Euro to divide
CATANIA - ETNA/return (groups from 4 person) 28 Euro at person - (from 1 to 3 person) 110 Euro to divide
(Note: The prices are indicatives, they can be reduced in base on the requirements) How much is distant the Etna from the port of Messina? Top It is possible to visit mount Etna during a cruise that stops in the port of Messina. The Etna is distant approximately 100km for a total of 1 - 1/2 hour. The guides can organize the transfers to/from the port of Messina. It is possible to do an half day excursion. I'm on cruise and I stop at the port of Catania, can i do an excursion on the Etna even if i must re-enter at 18:00 Am? Top Yes, it's possible to do an half day tour on volcano Etna until the Rifugio Sapienza. What's the best place to stay for an excursion? Top The best place to stay to do an excursion is: Nicolosi for the excursions to the summit craters on the south side; Randazzo and Linguaglossa for the naturalistic excursions on the north side Do you organize transfers from Palermo? Top Generally our guide organize transfer to/from Catania, Taormina and Messina. If you need an excursion you can arrive in Catania by train and stop at the Catania railways station and take the bus to arrive directly to Rifugio Sapienza or stop in the Giarre station and take the Etna train (Circumetnea) and stop in Randazzo or Linguaglossa When is the best time to visit Etna? Top The Etna has the particular characteristic to be appreciable all the year. You can practice different touristic activities. In winter months (November to February) you can practice winter sport, but the best period to enjoy the Etna mountain is from March to October. What's the weather like on Etna? Top The Sicilian weather is generally stable. You don’t need particular dress or other similar. You have to consider that during the winter months the temperature is more hot respect the other European country. Rain is concentrated during November-December only for few days. One thing to consider is the Etna temperature: During a visit in the summer months it is easy to climb the Etna and find very low temperatures cause the fast changement of the atmosphere conditions. So, before a climb, be sure to look for the weather conditions and have the right equipment. During an excursions is a good idea to wear comfortable shoes. Find out more on Sicily weather Another things to do, tourism in the historical center of CataniaIf you look for other guided tour of the Catania historical center, then click here to find out more Find your Etna trip today, it's easy! Open your mail account and send an enquire to the travel operator that organize the tours Useful resouces:
Sicily travel guide / Etna excursions / Holiday at Mount Etna / FAQ of Sicily / Sicily tourist Info / Travel tips on Mt Etna / How to reach the Sicily island / Top Updates Where can i go up during an eruption?
You can not go up beyond the 2,900 meters. It is possible to do nocturnal excursions the lava fountains. Is it possible to do nocturnal excursions on the Etna?
Yes, It is possible. We advise you to do them during the eruptions. In the other periods, you can't see nothing during the night because there aren't lights. How can i go up to the summit craters?
You can arrive there from the Rifugio Sapienza - Nicolosi and from Piano provenzana - Linguaglossa Is it safe to go up to the summit craters?
Yes, it's safe. But follow these rules to avoid risks. - Do not walk alone to the top of the volcano
- Verify the weather conditions
- Take the right equipment
- Use a good volcano guide
We don't want to book a guide. Is it possible to do an Etna tour without a guide?
Yes. You can take the Cable car in Rifugio Sapienza, but you can't arrive over the 2.900 in the summit crater without a guide. Is it possible to visit the Etna in whichever period of the Year?
We suggest you to don't do excursion during the winter period (December - March) cause the presence of snow in the path. In these months you can practice winter sport and snowshoes excursions. How can i organize a tour of the Etna from Taormina?
If you have you means you can arrive in the Rifugio Sapienza square and then meet the guide. You can also take a bus to arrive in Rifugio Sapienza or organize a transfer provided directly by the guide (Until 8 persons). Which are the names of the towns close to the Etna?
See this list... How can i arrive to the Etna from Palermo?
By car you can take the A19 freeway and exit in Gravina (follow the Mascalucia and Nicolosi direction for the south side of the Volcano) or continue to A18 for Messina and exit in Fiumefreddo and then follow the Linguaglossa directions to arrive in the north side of the Etna By Bus you can take a Ast bus service that connects Palermo with Catania and then from Catania railway station take the Bus to Rifugio Sapienza Nicolosi or Linguaglossa You can read more info here Which are the sea spots close to the Etna
The beach location near the Etna mountain are: Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Riposto, Acireale, Catania, Acicastello and Acitrezza Can i arrive to the summit crater without the cable car?
Yes. You can ask for the jeep 4x4 service in the Rifugio Sapienza. Can i do an Mountain Bike excursion on the Etna? Yes. The best paths and itinerary for your MTb are in the north side of the Etna. You can find the available ones by visit the section about the excursion in this website. Are there direct connections with Trapani?
Not. We advise you to take the buses that connect Trapani with Palermo and Palermo to arrive in Catania. Is it possible to preview the eruptions of the Etna?
Not. There are monitoring systems that allow us to keep under-control the volcano, but it is not possible to preview the eruptions. Top The Etna Natural Park Are previewed entrance or exit hours in the park of the Etna?
Not. The park is always opened to visitors Is previewed the payment of a ticket to enter in the park?
Not. The only cost to visit the park is that one of the guides for excursions beyond the 2,900 meters of altitude. There are days in which the park remains closed? Not. The park can be visited every day. We advise you to not choose the south side during the weekends because it's too crowd by visitors. Top
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