Grade

Moderate

Duration

11/12 Hours

Category

Day Tour

Tour Type

Group

Season

July - October

Regular Tour to Mount Etna and Taormina from Palermo, with weekly departures on Wednesday and Friday
This is a very long day tour –around 12 hours– which involves the team to drive for around 3 hours each way.
Transfer service (and return transfer) with multilanguage Tour Leades from Palermo to Mt. Etna up to 1900 meters with a short stop on the way climbing up the Volcano and free time to explore the area or ascent above 1900 meters on your own.

Then transfer to Taormina and free time to relax, stroll around or visit the Greek Theatre on your own.
Private tour to Mt. Etna on request at different rates. Click here for more details or inquire us.

Palermo > Etna Volcano: South side > Taormina > Palermo
Approximately Travel Time and Unit: Full Day  –  11/12 hours
Season: from July to October
Weekly departures: Wedneasday & Friday

Mount Etna Dress Code: use sturdy shoes, wind jacket and do not forget sun screen

Today meet our staff at one of the meeting points in Palermo or Mondello. Then depart for the Etna Natural Park to discover a beautiful Volcano rich in sounds, perfumes, and colors.

Along the scenic drive we will stop at the the 2002 lava flow reachable through a winding curvy road surrounded by chestnut and oak forests. The 2002 eruption lasted from October 27th to January 29th 2003 and it is considered one of the most explosive eruptions of the past one hundred years. Continuing our excursion we will reach Rifugio Sapienza (1900 meters above sea level), a ski resort, theater of the great eruption of 2002.
Once arrived at Rifugio Sapienza you will have approximately 2 or 3 hours of free time to enjoy an excellent espresso and take a short walk to visit the Silvester Craters and the ruins of the hotel Le Betulle destroyed by a molten lava flow.

Ascent to the top is optional, bookable purchasing cable car tickets directly on the spot (Cable Car Fee: not included) – weather and volcanic conditions permitting – to experience the lava fields and incredible landscape view from Europe’s highest and most active volcano.

After your independent ascent to the top or hiking around Rifugio Sapienza, meet again your Driver and transfer to Taormina. Taormina is a pretty and romantic town on the slopes of the Mount Tauro (204m). Time at leisure (approx. 2 hours) to relax, stroll around or visit the famous Greek Theatre (Admission Fee: not included) from where you can admire an amazing view to the Etna volcano and the Taormina Bay.

At the end of the tour meet again your Driver and get back to Palermo.

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SUMMIT CRATERS
Ascent to the TOP is optional. Ascent fees NOT included
How to Ascent to the TOP?

Ascent from Rifugio Sapienza (Funivia dell’Etna) up to 2.500 mt (Montagnola)
Our staff will drive you to Rifugio Sapienza next to the Funivia dell’Etna. From here you can catch on the first cable car ride (Cable Car fee: around eur 30,00 per person payable on the spot) who moves you up to 2.500 meters (Montagnola). Upon arrival at 2.500 meters you can walk around or hiking or just take a cappuccino at the bar overlooking the area.
Ascent to the Summit from 2.500 mt (Montagnola) up to 2.920 mt
From the Montagnola (located at around 2.500 meters) you can jump on board on the UNI-MOG (Jeep WD4X4) to reach 2.800 meters with Licensed Etna Guide (Ascent fees: eur 70,00 per person payable on the spot included of the cable car ride tickets). The jeep will stop at around 2.800 at the Torre del Filosofo. From here guided hiking around the crater to reach 2.920 meters.

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This tour is collective and operated with multilanguage Tour Leader: English, Spanish and Italian are guaranteed. French and German are on request (not guaranteed).

From March to November we provide a private tour to Mt. Etna from Palermo with similar routing. If collective date is not available or if you wish a vehicle and driver only for you and your group, inquire us for rates of the private tour. Click here for more details.

TOUR DETAILS & BOOKING INFORMATION 

APPOINTMENT WITH OUR STAFF: 
Meeting points available at Palermo or Mondello (Palermo beach).
Select the meeting point closest to your hotel in the booking procedure.

PLEASE NOTE:
This tour is provided with a minimum of 2 clients. In case this number will not be reached, the tour will be cancelled even after Confirmation and all the amount paid refunded.

DRESS CODE:
Please dress in layers, use sturdy shoes or hiking boots and in case you wish to ascent to the summit do not forget your winter jacket because there’s cold at 2.900 mt. Do not forget your sun screen, sun glasses and sun hat.

BLOG:
https://tourofsicily.com/etna-volcano-and-taormina-a-day-tour-out-of-palermo/

TOUR CODE: PMOETNACOL

Included
  • Collective excursion
  • Legal Invoice
  • Multilanguage tour leader
  • Vehicle with air conditioning
  • Visit as per itinerary (independent without booking of guide)
Not Included
  • Admission fees
  • Ascent fees
  • Beverages and meals
  • Gratuities and tips
  • Licensed Tourist Guide