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- Holiday type: guided trekking
- Duration:12 days/11 nights
- Difficoltà :
- Gruopee size: from 5 to 15
- Price: from €1120
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A superb opportunity to explore the dramatic volcanic landscapes of Sicily's Aeolian Islands and Mt Etna. A rich itinerary through the lunar landscape of the volcanoes, the transparent sea at the islands, the deserts of black ash and lava, the white unspoilt beaches. A moderate walking holiday to discover the real Sicilian landscapes and the rich heritage of the Sicilian culture, history and nature.
- Active volcano discovery: Stromboli, Vulcano and Etna.
- The Aeolians Island, UNESCO world heritage site
- Syracuse and its millenary history
Arrival at Catania. Meeting with the guide at 6 pm at the hotel in Catania, placed in the very heart of the city centre. Briefing on the program. Dinner and overnight stay in Catania.
Vulcano (3 hours hiking, +390 – 390 m). Transfer to Milazzo harbour (1h30). Ferry to the island of Vulcano (1h) famous for its thermal springs. Take an excursion to Vulcano’s crater to see the “fumaroles”. There is time for going to the beach and to the Thermal Springs before in the late afternoon taking hydrofoil to Lipari. Check-in at the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at Lipari.
Lipari (3 hours hiking, +250 m - 250 m). In the morning we make a easy walking to the southern side of the island. Enchanting view over Vulcano island’s crater. Afternoon, free time for visiting the centre of Lipari, with its interesting Archaeological Museum. Overnight stay in Lipari.
Stromboli (4 hours hiking, +400 m- 400 m.). Hydrofoil to Stromboli (1h). Check in at the hotel. At sunset we make some easy walking on the western side of the island to discover the “Sciara del Fuoco” and to approach the famous Stromboli eruptions. Dinner at pizzeria and overnight stay at Stromboli.
Stromboli (5 hours hiking, +924 m– 924 m.). In the morning, free time to visit the lovely village of San Vincenzo, or relax in Stromboli black beaches. In the afternoon, leaving for the excursion to the active volcano with a certified volcano guide. We return back at night-time. Overnight stay at Stromboli.
North Etna (2 hours hiking, + 260 m – 260 m). In late morning we take a hydrofoil from Stromboli to Milazzo (2h), then a private transfer from Milazzo harbour to the northern side of Mount Etna (2h), 1460 m. On Etna, before dinner we make a short walk to 2002 lava flow. Dinner and overnight stay at comfortable mountain hut.
West Etna (6 hours hiking, +470 m - 270 m.). Beginning of the trek along the “Pista Altomontana”, a circular path that goes around the volcano. We begin from the northern side to arrive into 2 days of hike to the southern side. Today 17 Km of trek to reach the mountain hut where we spend the night. Dinner made with local products and overnight stay in sleeping bags.
South Etna (6 hours hiking, + 460 m - 500 m.). Prosecution of the trek around Mt Etna. Today 20 Km with end on the southern side of Mt Etna. End of the trek at Rifugio Sapienza at 1900 m. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Etna Summit Craters (6 hours hiking, + 450 m - 1450 m.). Today we take the cable link and 4wd jeeps to reach the altitude of 2900 m. and then hike to the top of Mt Etna (3350 m.). Complete view of Mt Etna and amazing panorama on the 4 craters of the top and on the east cost of Sicily. Transfer by bus to Syracuse region. Dinner and overnight at camping.
Vendicari Natural reserve (4 hours hiking, + 0 m – 0 m). In the morning walking at Vendicari Natural reserve, with its white beaches, a paradise for bird watchers. Dinner and overnight at camping.
Cavagrande Reserve/Syracuse (3 hours hiking, + 450 m – 450 m). In the morning transfer on the Iblei’s high plane and walking to the marvellous canyon of Cavagrande, with its prehistoric cave necropolis and its deep “kettle” pools of emerald green waters. In the afternoon transfer to Syracuse, one of Italian’s most important archaeological centres, birthplace of Archimedes. Free time discovering “Ortigia”, Syracuse’s historical centre. Transfer back to Catania. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Departure. After breakfast end of services.
Important: Due to the unpredictable nature of the volcanoes, the weather and the sea condition, the program can be modified. In any case we always try to adhere as much as possible to the described program. The access to Etna and Stromboli craters is generally allowed, however this can change at any time. The volcano guides reserve the right to decide whether or not to climb to the craters according to safety measures, the weather and also the physical condition of the trekkers. Mandala Tour is not responsible in case of impossibility to reach the summit of the volcanoes. An alternative trekking at lower altitude is always organised.
Gallery
Skill level: demanding, from 3 to 6 hours walking each day, hilly-to-steep terrain. A prior hiking experience is recommended. The excursion on Stromboli is the most demanding. People with respiratory problems may have discomfort in sulphurous areas with fumes. On day 7 and 8 you have to bring your own sleeping bag and airbed. Also the food for the pick nick, the dinner, the breakfast have to be shared and carried by all the components of the group.
Departure: All year except August (from December to April with snow shoes)
Accommodation:
- 2 nights in hotel** in Catania
- 2 nights in apartments in Lipari
- 2 nights in hotel** in Stromboli
- 1 night in mountain hotel Etna north (dormitory 2 to 4 beds, wc and showers in common)
- 1 night bivouac in a mountain hut with sleeping bags
- 1 nights in hotel*** on Etna south
- 2 nights in camping in Syracuse region
Luggage: we advise you to use two kind of bags. A big one (15 kg max) with wheels where you put all your staff. A rucksack (70 litres) to carry of your airbed, sleeping bed and all the stuff for the bivouac.
Equipment: Sleeping bag (-15° in winter, - 5° fall and spring, 0° in summer), snow shoes (from December to April), good and solid trekking boots, frontal torch with batteries, wind stopper jacket, hat and gloves, sun glasses and sun hat, trekking trousers and shorts, bathing suit, sun cream, multitask knife, plastic box for food and cutlery for packet lunches, alpenstock and gators for volcanic ash path
| Price per person |
1120 € |
| Supplement departures on June and September |
35 € |
Supplement departures on July
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55 € |
| Supplement for single room (according to availability) |
160 € |
| Extra night in hotel** in Catania, double/single room |
40 € / 65 € |
| Extra night in B&B at Syracuse, double/single room |
40 € / 65 € |
| Extra night in hotel*** in Taormina, double/single room |
70 € / 95 € |
Included:
- All the transfers in buses and hydrofoils
- Hotel accommodation in double or triple room, with breakfast
- 9 dinners as described in the program
- Packed lunch on day 7 and 8 - English speaking guide
- Volcano guide to climb the top of Mt Etna
- One-Way ticket for the cable link and 4WD jeeps to 2900 m.
- Airbed for the night at the hut and camping
Not Included:
- Beverages and drinks
- Lunches (except packed lunches on day 7 and 8)
- Free dinners on day 3 and 5
- Entry fee Archaeological site and museum
- Transfers hotel-airport on day 1 and 12 (about 1 € with bus and 25 € with taxi)
- Snowshoes rental in wintertime (15 €)
Info sul territorio: INGV Catania - Wikipedia Etna - La Sicilia - Arpa sicilia - Parco dell'Etna
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