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Etna Alcantara tour is the experience to discover two totally different types of lava landscapes. The first part of the day will take you in the northern side of Mt. Etna at 6500 ft above sea level. Here you will learn about the stages that led to the origin of Mt. Etna and the different types of volcanic activities all hiking up to the edge of some of the extinct craters formed by the eruption of 2002.
In the second part of the Etna Alcantara tour, you will visit the Alcantara Valley where the Alcantara river has shaped the famous lava canyon formed by prehistoric lava flows of Mount Etna. Here you can decide whether to visit the most known area which is the Alcantara Gorges, or to hike along the river banks up to the Gurne of Alcantara
Hey there! We are Chiara, Katia, Mariarita and Sara. Meet us in Sicily and discover the impressive lava landscape created by our huge volcano: ancient craters and river lava canyon!
Mt Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe with it 10.900 ft. The newest mountain of Sicily, it started its eruptions 500.000 years ago and since then has never stopped!
Alcantara River Park: the Alcantara river Park, established in 2001, is a protected area the cold Alcantara river originates in the Nebrodi Mountains and flows into the middle of a spectacular lava canyon. In the Alcantara area became a River Park
Hiking tour: we will hike up to some of the extinct craters of Mount Etna, walking around the edge and admiring the wonderful lava landscape.
Alcantara river experience: according to your fitness level you can choose whether to reach the Alcantara Gorges with a staircase down the river or if you want to hike along the river banks to reach the so-called Gurne of Alcantara, natural round ponds that the river shaped in the lava rocks.
Volcanism: Mt Etna is one of the most studied volcanoes in the world. With this hike experience you learn how a volcano works, the different kinds of eruptions, and you will by yourself how an eruption can affect the landscape.
Geology: we will be able to see different lava type, both on Mt Etna and in along the extraordinary Alcantara river with its basaltic lava wall.
The Etna Alcantara tour begins from your accommodation where we are going to depart to first reach the northern slopes of Mt Etna. Here we will start our hiking experience up to ancient craters, admiring the lava landscape, the new vegetation and ruins from the last big eruption of 2002.
After the hike with our van we will drive through the town of Castiglione di Sicilia crossing the countryside with many vineyards, to reach the Alcantara Valley. Here we will stop to have a wonderful lunch based on typical products.
After lunch, we will go to see the amazing landscape of the Alcantara river. We are going to see the impressive lava canyon with its basalt walls. Here you can put your feet in the refreshing water of the river and take a nice picture. If you like to hike more you can reach the Gurne of Alcantara.
English, French
Don’t forget to wear proper hiking or comfortable shoes. Swimsuit and towel in the summertime. A windbreaker could be helpful on Mt Etna, especially in the autumn season.
Our Sicily experiences will be only assured for the accommodation located in North Eastern Sicily.
