The Excursion Experience
With this full-day Etna and Alcantara Gorges excursion departing from Giardini, Dream Island will introduce two wonderful and unique landscapes of Sicily. Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Alcantara Gorges.
This journey from Catania or Mascali starts in a SUV or minivan. We begin with an off-road drive to the lava front of 27/10/2002, the largest eruption in the past two decades that destroyed the Piano Provenzana ski facilities and much of the Ragabo pine forest.
*Request reservation to reach 2050 meters altitude.
Exploring the Sartorius Mountains
We will walk along an easy path among birch trees and side craters along the Sartorius Mountains. Named after the German volcanologist Wolfgang Sartorius, this itinerary features seven button craters originated from the 1865 eruption.
You will visit the Cave of Thieves, a lava flow tunnel excavated by man, as shown by the date 1776 engraved at the entrance. During winter, this cave was used to store snow. We will stop at a mountain chalet for lunch (not included in the price).
The Alcantara Gorges & Castiglione
After lunch, we drive through Castiglione di Sicilia, one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy, famous for its Etna Doc wineries.
Our tour ends at the Alcantara Gorges (Gorges of Larderia), located in Motta Camastra. This stunning location was used for scenes in the famous film The Godfather.
The Alcantara River
The river rises from the Nebrodi Mountains (1400m) and flows through walls of basaltic lava 300,000 years old. These walls reach ten meters in height and form unique pentagonal and hexagonal shapes.
What awaits you
- Off-road adventure with a 4×4 vehicle
- Hike along old and new lava flows
- Visit the "buttonhole" crater system
- Explore a lava cave with helmets & flashlights
- Typical Sicilian lunch (full-day tour)
- Visit the famous Alcantara Gorges
- Expert guide always with you
