EXCURSIONS VOLCANO TOUR

An exciting and fantastic experience, trekking to the summit of three active volcanoes in Sicily guided by a Volcanology Guide. Explore the crater-rim of Europe's highest active volcano, Mount Etna (3326m), the Aeolian islands and the fascinating experience of Stromboli with its 916 meters and finally hike to the top of the Gran Cratere on Vulcano Island, in an unique scenery.

Day 1

Our adventure starts in Catania airport from where we head to our base for the next 2 nights, rifugio Manfrè located in the pine and birch forests on Etna's southern slopes. This guesthouse is popular for the trekkers during the summer months. It has a great restaurant that serves up typical local specialities such as home-made antipasti, all washed down with local wines.
Luca Cosma is a Sicilian volcanology guide and will be the Guide in this tour. Born on the Aeolian island of Stromboli, Luca has been leading walking groups in Sicily for over 20 years and is proud and passionate about his homeland. He'll share both his scientific knowledge and stories of growing up in the shadow of these volcanoes. He leads a warm-up walk this afternoon to see lava field and introducing his big love for the mountain. Today's three kilometre walk is expected to take around in one different track of Etna.

Trekking level: easy and introductory trekking to the tour 2 hours.

Accomodation: 1st night standard hotel in refuge.

Meals provided: Dinner included, drink not included.

Transport included.

Day 2

Our hike this morning will take us to the very top of Mount Etna the highest volcano in Europe, at 3326 meters, it has been in a state of eruptive activity since 2001, and espeally in the past 2 years.Travelling by minibus to the cable car station on Etna's southern flanks, we take the cable car from 1900 to 2500 meters then swap to a four-wheel drive truck to reach 2900 metres.
(***weather and volcanic activity allowing,) Here the trekking start heading to the top craters, and avoiding the exposure to the gas ‘d be possible walk along the rim of the Central Crater (the oldest at 2000 years old), the Bocca Nuova, which formed after the eruption in 1968 and the Southeast Crater, the youngest dating formed in 1971. We should be able to enjoy some superb views all the way to the north coast of Sicily and the volcanic Aeolian Islands lying offshore. Our descent follow a track made of sand, sometimes really funny to across. On the way will possible walk through the lavas dated July 2019 eruptiones us past the eruptive cones from the eruptions of 2001 and 2002 with an overview of the Valle del Bove Caldera, back to the cable car station.
Today's nine kilometre walk is expected to take around 4/5 hours with a total ascent of 500 metres and a descent of 900 metres.

Trekking level: easy and introductory trekking to the tour 2 hours.

Accomodation: 1st night standard hotel in refuge.

Meals provided: Dinner included, drink not included.

Transport included.

trekking level:
Accomodation: 2nd night standard hotel in refuge.
Meals provided: Dinner included, drink not included.
Transport included.

Day 3

We make an early start this morning to drive to the port of Milazzo on Sicily's northwest coast, gateway to the Aeolian Islands which are a UNESCO listed World Heritage site. We catch a fast hydrofoil to the awe-inspiring island of Stromboli, a classic cone-shaped island volcano which rises dramatically from the depths of the sea to 900 metres with a cloud of smoke almost permanently gracing its peak. Around its base are some small communities, whose white-washed houses splashed with scarlet
bougainvillea, provide a vivid contrast to the dark volcanic rock of the powerful crater behind. The walking on Stromboli is a one of a kind and a spectacular experience as the volcano here is constantly erupting. In the afternoon we climb on a zig-zagging path all the way to the crater rim, a hike of around four hours at a slow and steady pace with plenty of stops to admire the tremendous view. Our aim is to reach the
summit for sunset and then to relax and spend some time observing the volcanic activity after dark, the best chance to observe the light show caused by the lava erupting from the volcano. Our descent by the light of our head torches is expected to take around two-and-a-half hours. The top section of the climb and descent of the mountain is on volcanic ash so it's important to have good walking boots and you may
find walking poles helpful too. Today's eight kilometre walk is expected to take approximately six-and-a-half hours in total with a total ascent and descent of 980 metres.

Trekking level: easy and introductory trekking to the tour 2 hours.

Accomodation: 1st night standard hotel in refuge.

Meals provided: Dinner included, drink not included.

Transport included.

trekking level: .
Accomodation: 2nd night standard hotel in refuge.
Meals provided: Dinner included, drink not included.
Transport included.

Day 4

This morning we take an hydrofoil to the island of Vulcano, named after Zeus' son Vulcan, the God of fire and metalworking. Although now quiescent, Vulcano has erupted spectacularly
throughout the centuries - the last dramatic explosion being only 100 years ago. In 183 BC a huge
eruption gave birth to Vulcanello (the Little Volcano) visible from the harbour. Today, Vulcano puffs out a steady stream of gases and vapour. Even offshore the presence of the sulphur, which was once mined here, is obvious. Our hike on the island takes us up to the crater rim, 'Gran Cratere' (400 m) for great views of the islands scattered around us. After descending, you may wish to try a mud bath, excellent cure for arthritic complaints followed later of a dip in the azure sea - the water here is very warm, an indication of how close the boiling interior of the earth comes to its crust. We return to Milazzo for our final night in Acitrezza. Today seven kilometre walk is expected to take approximately 3/4 hours with a total ascent and descent of 500 meters.

Day 5

Depending by the time of the flight free time probably would be a good idea for visit Acitrezza, small fisher town which at the same time with its crags ( I Faraglioni ) represent in geology the begin of the formation of Etna about 550.000 years ago. Transfer to Catania airport and end of the tour.