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This Etna off road tour is a semi-private experience to explore the northern slopes of Mt Etna with a volcanological guide by 4WD bus. The highest active volcano in Europe offers you incomparable views of the Tyrrhenian and Ionian Seas, as well as the possibility of looking -from a very close and safe location- the central active craters of the volcano. Enjoy the experience of walking on ancient lava flows and discover the always-changing landscape of a living volcano.
Starting from the tourist station of Piano Provenzana, located at about 1800 mt above sea level, we are going to drive – with our Etna off road bus authorized by the Etna Park Authority – in the middle of ancient lava flows, also admiring ancient extinct craters, to arrive at the Volcanological Observatory that was built in 1977 at about 2850 mt above sea level.
From here you are going to start a 15-minute hike that will take you at the end of the promontory of Pizzi Deneri, where you will have the most beautiful and stunning views, embracing a wide view on the Sicilian coast. You are also going to admire from a very short distance and totally safely the central volcanic cone where the main craters are.
On the way back, we are going to stop at 1.900 mt to explore the area of the craters formed during the eruption of 2002, the so-called “perfect eruption”. From here we are going to continue downhill on foot back to Piano Provenzana.
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Departure times are set according to the arrival and departure time of cruise ships based on the calendars that we know in advance. Return on time is 100% guaranted, and we wait for our guests to arrive if the ship is late disembarking.
At the check-out, you can see and decide what you want to pay according to the group size you choose.
At the check-out you will be asked to fill a form with basic info: name, mobile phone number, e-mail, name of the ship ecc. If a discount code is available, this is the moment to use it.
*Please, be sure to share with us a correct phone number because we will use it to share important reminiders and notes for your trip in advance.
You have the option to pay with a deposit of 40% if the total due amount is more than 500€. We will later charge your card for the balance within 15 days to the tour departure.
Mt Etna landscape and views: the highest active volcano in Europe will amaze you with its powerful natural activity and its natural landscape. From the top of Pizzi Deneri you are going to see the most beautiful view on the Sicilian coast, from the archipelago of the Aeolian Islands located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, to the entire Eastern coast facing Calabria with the Strait of Messina, the famous town of Taormina, the Bay of Giardini Naxos and down to Syracuse.
Etna off road tour: by authorized Etna off road vehicles we are going to drive uphill to reach the Volcanological Observatory, where you will see just in front of you the central volcanic cone with the main craters.
Hiking: On the way back, we are going to leave the Etna off road bus to continue with a very nice and easy hike around the “buttonhole” craters of 2002 eruption. We are going to walk around the edge of the craters, to appreciate geological formations and admire also the endemic plants of Mt. Etna. On the way uphill, it is also possible to make a stop to take a picture of the Umberto & Margherita Craters, formed during the eruption of 1879.
Volcanism: Mt Etna is one of the most studied volcanoes in the world and for this reason it is also inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage List. With this Etna off road tour, led by a volcanological professional guide, you learn how a volcano works, the different kinds of eruptions, and you will experience by yourself how an eruption can affect the landscape.
Pick up from the cruise port.
From Piano Provenzana we will start to drive uphill by off road bus, enjoying the lunar landscape of the volcano, passing through the lava flow that in 2002 destroyed the tourist station and the facilities of Piano Provenzana, and also visiting the so-called Umberto & Margherita Craters to take pictures.
We will leave for a while the off-road bus to walk and reach the end of the promontory of Pizzi Deneri. Here you are going to enjoy the view of the central volcano system and, if the air is clear enough, also the view on both the Northern and Eastern coasts of Sicily island.
Again, on our Etna off road bus, on the way back we are going to stop at the 2002 craters, to enjoy the thrilling experience of walking around the edge surrounded by the lava landscape. We will finally go on foot along a fun sandy descend to reach again the off-road vehicles. According to your preference, we can continue to walk downhill to finish at the starting point in Piano Provenzana.
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It is mandatory to wear proper hiking shoes or any comfortable shoes for walking on the lava. A windbreaker could also be helpful on Mt Etna, especially in the autumn season.
Messina cruise port or city center.
