Small Group Tour to Etna and Snorkeling from Catania

Small Group Tour
Depart 8:30AM/Return 3:30PM

Today pick-up at Catania hotel and departure to Etna Volcano (South side) with ascent up to the Sapienza Refuge (1.986 mt), where we will explore the last eruptions and the old Silvestri Craters. The guide will give you all the information you need about the history and the territory of the Volcano.

From Rifugio Sapienza you can choose one of the following options:

• Do some trekking in one of the nature paths of “Parco dell’Etna”, up to 2000 m.
• Buy the Etna high altitude option: from Rifugio Sapienza you will take the cable car and reach, in 15 minutes, 2504 meters. From here you will continue with special 4×4 minibuses and reach, in 20 minutes, 2900 meters (Torre del Filosofo). You will find your self in front of a scenery streching right down to the sea. Here it will be possible to admire the great central crater, the South-East crater and the historical lava flows that characterize the landscape of Etna. With the alpinist guides you will visit the places where the life of the volcano flourishes, in full safety. You will return to Rifugio Sapienza by minibus and cable car.
  (Ascent to the top is optional and subject to weather and volcanic conditions permitting. Ascent fees are not included).

The excursion will continue with the visit of a lava cave with helmets and torches (kit included) and then to Zafferana, where we will visit a farmhouse for a delicious tasting of typical biological products such as honey, wine, oil, etc.

We will continue by visiting the beautiful lavic seabeds of Aci Castello (Marine Protected Area of “Isola dei Ciclopi”) where, thanks to the snorkeling equipment, we will admire the first eruptions of the ancient volcanic complex of Etna, where nowadays the typical flora and fauna dwell. Lava ropes, columnar basalts and pillow lavas will be the unique scenery for an unforgettable excursion. Later we will return to the hotel.

OPTIONAL ASCENT TO THE TOP:
– up to 2.500 meters: from Rifugio Sapienza you can catch the cable car ride and reach the Montagnola, where you can enjoy the landscape or relax at the bar.
– up to 2.920 meters: from the Montagnola (at 2.500 meters) you can jump on board on the UNI-MOG (mini-coach WD4X4) to reach 2.800 meters. Hiking to reach 2.920 meters.

This option is not included and do need to pay an ascent fee (to be paid directly on the spot).

TOUR DETAILS & BOOKING INFORMATION

IMPORTANT:
This tour is guaranteed with minimum 2 people and will be operated with maximum 8 people per each vehicle. Number of vehicles per each day is subject to availability.

PICK-UP DETAILS:
Please be ready from 8:15am at your Hotel Lobby. Pick-up may be around 8:30am.

LANGUAGE:
This is a multilanguage tour (Italian/English/French/Spanish/German).

ASCENT FEES:
The price of this excursion does not include the Ascent Fees. Optional independent ascent to the top (weather and volcanic conditions permitting) with cable car and jeep.

SNORKELING:
This excursion includes a snorkeling experience. Entrance to the beach and kit for the snorkeling are included.

OPERATED BY:
This tour will be operated by a local supplier (all details after Confirmation).
The supplier reserves the right to cancel trips under exceptional circumstances or for insufficient number of participants even after Confirmation. In such cases passengers will be promptly informed and offered an alternative tour and if the tour is a lower or higher cash value passengers will be take care to pay difference or will receive a refund. If passengers will refuse the alternative tour, the full amount paid will be refunded.

TOUR CODE: TRIBESNORK