Etna and Alcantara Gorges Tour from Taormina
Do you wish to experience the perfect blend of volcanic fire power and the refreshing purity of Sicilian river waters? If you are looking for a total sensory experience, our Etna and Alcantara Gorges excursion from Taormina is the ideal solution to explore the island’s treasures, starting directly from the “Pearl of the Ionian Sea.”
The itinerary begins by leaving the Ionian coast behind to ascend the flanks of majestic Mount Etna. In fact, at 3,350 meters above sea level, the highest active volcano in Europe stands like a living giant, offering adventurous scenarios shaped by millennia of eruptive activity. Furthermore, you will walk across lunar landscapes born from spectacular lava flows, breathing in the energy of a mountain in constant evolution.
However, the adventure does not end at the peaks. The beating heart of this tour will take us towards the North side to discover the Alcantara Gorges. Right here, you can admire an incredible natural canyon, the result of a millenary encounter between icy river waters and the heat of incandescent lava stone.
Among the iconic columnar basalt walls and lush vegetation, you will have the chance to regenerate yourself immersed in an almost magical atmosphere. In conclusion, choosing a tour departing from Taormina allows you to combine the convenience of the transfer with the grandeur of wild nature, making your memory of Sicily a unique emotion.
- 8 hours
- Min. 2 guests
- € 80.00 adults; € 60.00 children 3-10 years old
Etna and Alcantara Gorges Tour From Taormina
Are you looking for an adventure that combines the primordial energy of volcanoes with the freshness of Sicilian rivers?
Our Etna and Alcantara Gorges excursion from Taormina is the ultimate itinerary, designed to thrill both expert hikers and those approaching trekking for the first time. Therefore, we will leave the elegance of Taormina to head towards the North side of Etna, where volcanic nature expresses itself with great force. Accompanied by our expert guides, you will experience the thrill of walking on ancient lava flows, silent witnesses of Sicily’s millenary geological history. While we follow the trails, we will closely observe the active craters and enjoy spectacular panoramic views over the typical Etnean crops.
Furthermore, for us, hospitality is a fundamental value. For this reason, the price of € 80.00 already includes a gourmet typical Sicilian lunch, ideal for discovering local gastronomic excellence. Subsequently, the adventure continues towards the Alcantara Gorges, where the entrance ticket is already included in the package. Especially during the summer season, immersing yourself in the regenerating waters among the columnar basalt architectures represents the culmination of a perfect day. On this 8-hour tour, your professional guide will reveal every secret of history and geology, always ensuring safety and fun. In fact, relying on us means choosing a Licensed Sicilian DMC & Tour Operator active since 2017. Finally, thanks to the convenience of the pick-up at your accommodation in Taormina, every detail will be taken care of to let you experience the best of authentic Sicily.
Etna and Alcantara Gorges Excursion Itinerary From Taormina
Etna: Lava Front of the 2002 eruption
The Etna and Alcantara Gorges tour from Catania begins by SUV or minivan (up to 8 passengers per vehicle). The first stop of our tour is an off-road route leading to the lava front of 10/27/2002, the largest eruption in recent times, which destroyed the Piano Provenzana ski facilities and part of the Ragabo Pine Forest.
Etna: Monti Sartorius craters
Passing through the Ragabo Forest, following the Mareneve road, we will reach the starting point of the trek to the Monti Sartorius craters near Rifugio Citelli, where our hike will continue on foot. This is a walk of easy difficulty, suitable for everyone, the route is about 3km long in total, starting from an altitude of 1665m and arriving at an altitude of about 1775m.
We will walk along a characteristic Etnean path, among birch trees and button crater sides (“bottoniera”), the Sartorius Craters, on the northeastern slope of Etna. We will reach several vantage points with unique and spectacular views.
- If you are interested in learning more about the name of these craters we refer you to this article on the famous volcanologist Wolfgang Sartorius.
Etna: Grotta dei Ladroni - Grotta delle Nevi (lava cave)
After our trek to the Sartorius we will go to explore an Etna volcanic cave, the Grotta dei Ladroni (also called Grotta delle Nevi). Equipped with helmets and flashlights, we will go inside this lava flow tunnel to discover its formation and history.
This is a tunnel of lava origin, located at Piano delle Donne at 1540 m a.s.l. Part of the cave has been excavated by man, as evidenced by the date engraved on a rock at the top of the entrance: 1776. In addition to making steps and widening what was a lava flow tunnel, a number of holes were drilled in the vault to allow for the introduction and accumulation of snow. In centuries past, Etna’s inhabitants used this cave to store snow in the winter months, later reselling it in the warmer months.
Lunch break at a restaurant
We will then stop at an Etnean restaurant to rest and have lunch: first course, drink and coffee are included in the price of the excursion.
Alcantara Gorges
After lunch the tour will continue to the Alcantara Valley, passing through Castiglione di Sicilia: it is one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”, with features similar to a medieval village, famous today for its wineries that produce an excellent Etna DOC.
Our Etna and Alcantara Gorges excursion will come to an end with a visit to the Alcantara Gorges, also known as the Larderia Gorges. They are located in the “Alcantara River Park”, at the point where the Peloritani mountain range ends in the municipalities of Castiglione di Sicilia and Motta Camastra (one of the places where some scenes of the famous film The Godfather were filmed). We will descend inside the Alcantara Gorges via the municipal entrance, the entrance fee is included in the price.
Etna and Alcantara Gorges Excursion Details from Taormina
- Adults price (10 years and older): €80.00 per person
- Children price (3-10 years old): €60.00 per person
- Children (under 3 years old): free
- Lunch is included in the price
- Departure time: 09:00
- Return time: 17:00
Etna:
- From April to May:
Weather and temperatures vary; we recommend layered winter clothing and sneakers. - June to September: Warm temperatures, we recommend summer clothing with t-shirt, trousers or shorts, and sneakers. However, we suggest bringing a light jacket or a k-way in case of passing rain. Optionally, to protect yourself from the sun, you can bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- October: Variable weather and temperatures, we recommend winter clothing in layers and sneakers.
- November to March: We recommend winter clothing with a jacket, long trousers, winter hat, and waterproof or hiking shoes (available on request).
Alcantara Gorges:
- Summer time: We recommend bringing a towel, swimming suit and beach slippers. To walk inside the Alcantara river, we recommend that you bring water shoes, depending on personal preference it is also possible to walk barefoot inside the river. It’s up to you whether or not you’d like to bathe or walk in the Alcantara river; if you wish, you are free to dive and cool off in the chilly river water of the Alcantara.
- Difficulty: easy
- Length: approx. 3km
- Maximum altitude: 1780m a.s.l.
- Altitude difference: approx. 100m
Year-round
- Pick up available
- Free upon request (within 30 km of Linguaglossa)
Upon request
Cosa prevede l'escursione Etna e Gole dell'Alcantara Da Taormina
- Tour by SUV or minivan
- Off-road to the 2002 lava front, through the Ragabo pine forest
- Trekking on the Sartorius Craters on the north-eastern slope of Etna, UNESCO heritage craters
- Exploration of "Grotta dei Ladroni", a lava flow cave
- Lunch included in the price (first course, drink and coffee)
- Visit to the Alcantara Gorges
Included
- Transportation
- Guide
- Insurance
- Lunch
- Alcantara Gorges ticket (municipal entrance)
- Helmet and flashlight
- Hiking poles (upon request)
- Water bottle
Excluded
- Trekking shoes (€ 5.00/pair)
- Anything not described in included
€ 80.00 per person
€ 60.00 children 3-10 years old
Free for children under 3 years old
- Free cancellation
- No prepayment
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed
- 4.9/5 stars based on over 2,000 reviews on GetYourGuide, TripAdvisor, and Google
Prenota la tua escursione sull’Etna e alle Gole dell’Alcantara Da Taormina
We will contact you within 1 hour!
More information?
We will gladly help you choose your tour.
We are available daily from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.
We speak: