Excursion to the top of Etna |For good walkers (transport services not included)

4.8 (101 reviews) Sicily, Italy
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Duration5h 30m
Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish, Italian, French
Group sizeUp to 10 travelers

Overview

Discover the summit area of the volcano.You will climb on foot along the paths made up of volcanic bombs and slag to the edge of the craters of the Etna volcano.Here you will admire the phenomena, surrounded by the gases of the hot fumaroles and the colors of the crystals (sublimation process) that color the rocks.All combined with the explanations provided by our regularly qualified volcanological guides.

Schedule:
• Meeting at the parking lot in front of Esagonal Bar at 08:30
•Departure planned at 09:00AM
•Initial briefing
•Buying tickets for transport services together with your guide.
•Arrival at a height of 2500mt with the cable car.
•Start of the trekking route of 5km till the Summit Craters
•Trekking downhill for 5 km till the arrival point of the cable at a height of 2500mt
•Trip back to Rifugio Sapienza 1900mt
•Total time:5 hours
•Total kilometres:9,5 km
•Difficulty:for experienced hikers

Recommended equipment:
K-way - Hat and gloves (according to the season) - Long pants.

What's included

  • Licensed Volcano Guide
  • Entry/Admission to Mount Etna
  • Trekking poles, trekking shoes, helmets, warm jacket, extra socks, extra backpack
  • Insurance in case of accidents
  • Lunch bag
  • € 52 per person for the cablecar service (round trip) from 1900 meters to 2500 meters
  • Transport service from your accommodation
  • Hat and gloves (during autumn, winter and spring)
  • Parking (€5 for the entire day on weekdays and €8 on Sundays and public holidays.)

What to expect

  1. Mount Etna
    5h · Admission ticket included
    This itinerary explores the highest active area of Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, giving direct contact with its ever-changing summit zone. Starting above 1,900 m, you ride authorized 4×4 vehicles to about 2,750 m, then hike across desert-like lava, ash and volcanic bombs from repeated eruptions. The trek is 12–13 km with ≈600 m ascent and a 6 km descent, lasting 5–6 h. Trails climb to around 3,300 m, up to 3,380 m when conditions allow, reaching the rim of one or more of Etna’s four summit craters—North-East, Voragine, Bocca Nuova, South-East. Routes vary daily with gas, wind and ground heat. Guides constantly monitor volcanic and weather conditions to ensure safe views of fumaroles, mineral colors and active craters. Solid fitness and high-altitude hiking experience are essential. Return to the starting point is usually about 13:30–14:30, depending on conditions.

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point

The appointment is at 8:30 AM at parking in front of the Esagonal Bar. We will be waiting for you at the parking lot with a yellow van.

End point

The appointment is at 8:30 AM at parking in front of the Esagonal Bar. We will be waiting for you at the parking lot with a yellow van.

Additional information

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
  • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
  • This type of itinerary, in relation to the type, is suited to people in good physical health, not suffering from particular diseases (breathing ones, or hypertension)
  • The excursion could be subjected to variations at the discretion of the Guides, or it could be interrupted in case of changes of the environmental, climatic or volcanic conditions, so as to undermine the safety of the entire group.
  • The excursion will be carried out according to the limits laid down by the ordinance in force.
  • For the success of the excursion and for its correct carrying out, it’s good to know perfectly your health conditions and, if necessary, let the Guide know about them, in order to reduce the occurrence of any problems and to avoid any risks.
  • The route consists of the ascent and the walking along the crater edges, this may cause dizziness to susceptible individuals.
  • We recommend not to use contact lens, because of the exhaled volcanic gases and of ash. This last one could easily cause problems, if pushed.
  • The trekking requires a discrete preparation on a physical level. Being a path that develops at high altitude, it will be easy to accuse symptoms of fatigue. It is required attention, since it is a volcanic active area, subjected to constant gaseous exhalations and composed by a soil constituted by inconsistent and unstable rocks.
  • Without adequate shoes you are not covered by insurance.
  • Pregnant women who have passed the third month of pregnancy are not allowed to take part to any excursion activity.
  • Because of the continuous and unpredictable evolution of the volcanic activity, the excursions could undergo variations, or, in extreme cases, be cancelled, at the discretion of the guide for safety reasons.

Cancellation policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.8 (101)
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Operated by Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord · Booked through Viator
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