Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorges Full Day Tour with Lunch Catania

Overview

This is a full-day shared tour that shows you the quieter northern side of Mount Etna and the Alcantara Gorges in a small vehicle group. You go off-road to a huge lava front, walk an easy trail along the Sartorius craters, explore a lava tunnel with a helmet and torch, stop for lunch at a local restaurant and finish in the cool Alcantara canyon. Transfers from an arranged meeting point in the Catania area, your local guide, lunch, water and gorge entry are included. It suits active travellers and families.

Highlights

• Off-road drive to the lava front of a recent major eruption on Etna's north side
• Easy 3 km trek among birch trees to the Sartorius craters with views to Calabria
• Lava flow cave with helmet and torch, once used to store snow
• Lunch at a local Etna restaurant: first course, water and coffee included
• Alcantara Gorges Botanical Park entry included, with time to walk or swim in the river
• Shared vehicle of up to 8 passengers, not a big coach
• Transfer from and to an arranged meeting point in the Catania area

Itinerary

1. Pickup at the arranged meeting pointMeet at the point closest to you in the Catania area at around 9:00; the exact spot is confirmed at booking.
2. Drive to Etna's north sideAbout 40 minutes by SUV or people carrier, with your guide introducing the volcano.
3. Off-road route to the 2002 lava frontSee the huge lava front and the ruined forest from the largest recent eruption.
4. Sartorius Craters trekAn easy 3 km walk among birch trees and small craters with views over the sea.
5. Grotta dei Ladroni lava caveExplore the lava tunnel with a helmet and torch and hear how snow was once stored there.
6. Lunch at a local restaurantAbout one hour for a first course, water and coffee.
7. Alcantara GorgesAbout one hour in the canyon to walk, relax or swim in the river, entry included.
8. Return to the meeting pointAbout 40 minutes back to where the day began.

What's included

• Transfer from and to the arranged meeting point
• Local experts accompanying you throughout the tour
• Lunch (first course and coffee)
• Entrance fee to the Alcantara Gorges Botanical Park
• Helmet and torch for cave exploration
• Bottled water

Not suitable for

• Wheelchair users and people with mobility impairments
• People over 75 years
• Cruise ship passengers, because of the timing of the day
• Anyone who cannot walk about three kilometres on a mountain path

Meeting point

Pickup is from one of nine arranged meeting points in the Catania area, at around 9:00 in the morning. The closest point to your accommodation is chosen when you book. Please keep an eye on your messages the day before in case the meeting time changes, and be at the point a few minutes early.

Important information

• Wear comfortable closed shoes for the hike; open shoes are not allowed on the mountain.
• Bring a windbreaker or jacket, swimwear, a towel, water shoes, sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses in summer.
• Lunch includes a first course, water and coffee; tell the restaurant about food allergies or intolerances when you order.
• The Alcantara Gorges entry, helmet and torch and bottled water are included; tips, extra food and drinks are not.
• Cable car and summit access are not included and not part of this tour.
• The programme may change with weather to ensure safety.
• The tour uses small vehicles, not big buses; do not board a large coach at your meeting point.