ETNA 3000 METERS

 A high-altitude group tour, lasting about 5 hours, will make you discover the summit area of Etna, up to 3000 meters on the south side. Taking the cable car from an altitude of 2000 meters we will reach 2550 meters where our magnificent trek will begin. A complete experience recommended for couples or groups of friends or sporty people who walk or trek regularly, even for families with children used to walking (from 8 years old). The day includes several stages. In addition to the excursion that will allow us to see breathtaking landscapes, there will be a walk on the rim of one or more inactive side craters such as the 2001 crater or the 2002 craters, observing the emission of hot vapors. The Etna 3000 is a tour that lends itself very well to those who love half-day hiking and want to experience the magic of the volcano by walking on foot over recent lava flows and the endless lava desert.

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Points of interest  

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• Lateral craters and emission of hot vapours at an altitude of about 2700 m  

•  Trek of about 2.5 hours on recent lava flows and lava deserto

•  Panoramic view of the incredible Valle del Bove from above

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Duration: Approx. 5 hours

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Period: From Spring to Autumn 

                                             

Schedule: 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

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Where: Etna Sud with appointment at the Sapienza Refuge

PS. to move from Catania it is possible to take the bus from Piazza Giovanni XXIII at 08:15 arriving at the Sapienza refuge at 10:15 with return at 16:30 for the reverse route, for more info visit the website astsicilia.it

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Difficulties:  Medium (300-500 meters elevation gain and 6-8 km of distance)

 

Requirements: Suitable for sporty people who walk or trek habitually and in excellent health.

Also suitable for families with children who are used to walking.

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Group Tours

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Cost:  59€ per person (children up to 12 years 50€) + 50€ Ticket Cable Car

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Includes: hiking shoes, sticks, RC insurance, protective helmet, hygiene cap.

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Reservation: Send a message on whatsapp or call +39 378 0861560 (Fabrizio)

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Required equipment: sportswear suitable for the season and high altitude, long trousers, 20 litre backpack,

T-shirt, windbreaker, sunglasses, sunscreen, water, snack/packed lunch, hat.

 

Program*

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With the meeting at a point to be agreed with the volcanological guide (travel NOT included, possible Pick up at the accommodation with car/jeep is to be organized), begins the tour that will lead you to the discovery of Etna at high altitudes.

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The first step will be the purchase of tickets and the ascent by cable car that will take us from an altitude of 2000 meters up to 2550 meters. Once you get off the cabins, you can take advantage of the services at the bar located at the end of the cable car itself. At the exit begins our trek that will lead us to the visit of the Laghetto crater, one of the inactive side craters at an altitude of about 2650 meters to be walked on the edge observing the emission of hot vapors, a beautiful and exclusive experience that can hardly be repeated in other volcanoes in the world.

 

The second step overlooks Valle del Bove from a panoramic point. During the excursion, the local guide will introduce you to the geological characteristics and eruptive history of our volcano and you will be able to admire unique landscapes in the world with a splendid panoramic view of the entire Ionian and Tyrrhenian Seas, as well as the summit area of the volcano. After a stop, we will proceed again on the trek to reach the third stage.

 

The third step will be dedicated to the visit of a lava flow channel generated during the 2002 eruption that we will explore with protective helmets, material that will be provided by the guide. We will discover how these are formed by observing their geological peculiarities and it is here that we will have a packed lunch (not included in the price); With this visit you will return to the starting point with an alternative route, if possible, to the one you took back the cable car, thus ending the guided tour. If a visit to the lava channel is not possible, we will visit a lava flow cave at lower altitudes.

 

*The program may be subject to change at the discretion of the guide, depending on weather conditions or volcanic activity.