The extreme challenge: the traverse of Mt Etna (3350 mt), climbing from the southern side and descending from the northern side

Mt Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. It offers a varied of different aspects, from the black flows of lava and vast plain of black sand to a luxuriant vegetation on the lower slopes. There Mt Etna abounds with oak and chestnut forests, alternated by ancient man-made terraces where premier quality vineyards, pears and apple orchards, hazelnut and pistachio groves  grow.
Mt Etna has a boundary of 250 Km and covers 1260 square meters making it the largest volcano in Europe. It rises to 3350 over sea level at the summit craters, but this height varies as a result of on-going constructive and destructive explosive activity that constantly reshapes the summit crater area.

Highlights:
- The top of Mt Etna: the highest active volcano in Europe
- 2 days of training and acclimatization before the traverse
- experienced volcanological guide for the traverse


Day 1 - ThursdayArrival at Catania airport, meeting with Mandala English speaking guide and private transfer to the hotel*** in Taormina. Briefing to discuss the program. Welcome dinner at the restaurant in Taormina. Overnight stay at the hotel with breakfast included (at the hotel: double or twin en-suite rooms).

Day 2 - FridayTransfer by private bus to the northern side of Mt Etna, to the beginning of the trek. We are going to discover the "Pista Altomontana", a circular path that goes around the southern, western and northern side of Mt Etna. We begin from the northern side to arrive into 2 days of hike to the southern side. Today 15 Km of trek to reach the mountain hut where we spend the night, Mt Scavo Hut or Mt Maletto Hut. Dinner made by the guide with local products and overnight stay in sleeping bags inside or outside the hut, as clients wish.

(the group leave their travel bag at the bus and they have with them only a 40/50 litters backpack for 2 days of trek. They have to bring their own sleeping bag and their own airbed. Also the food for the pic nic at lunch, the dinner, the breakfast and the pic nic of the following day have to be shared and carried by all the components of the group)

Day 3 - SaturdayProsecution of the trek around Mt Etna. Today 20 Km with end on the southern side of Mt Etna. End of the trek at our hotel where we are going to have the dinner. Overnight stay with breakfast included (at the hotel: double or twin en-suite rooms).

Day 4 - SundayExtreme Challenge: the top of Mt Etna (3350 mt), climbing from the southern side and descending from the northern side
From the hotel, short transfer (10 minutes) by minibus to Rifugio Sapienza (1800 mt). Meeting with the volcanological guide (English speaking) who escort the group all the day. Cable link from 1800 mt to 2500 mt and then hike to the top of Mt Etna (3350 mt). Descent on foot from the top to the northern side, to Piano Provenzana (1800 mt). Tough day with 7/8 hours walking. Complete view of Mt Etna and amazing panorama on the 4 craters of the top and on the east cost of Sicily. Overnight stay and dinner at comfortable mountain hut (the hut is equipped with rooms from 2 beds to 4 beds, toilets in common)

Day 5 - MondayTransfer in private minibus from the hut to Catania. Visit to the city centre of the town and after lunch, private transfer to Palermo airport.

Price per person: contact us for a quotation

Included:

• All the transfers in private minibus
• 1 night at hotel*** in Taormina
• 1 night at hotel*** on Mt Etna
• 1 night at comfortable chalet
• 1 night with sleeping bags and airbed on mountain hut (no WC)
• Welcome dinner in Taormina
• Pick Nick at lunch and hot meals at dinner, including the lunch on Thursday and Monday
• English speaking guide for all the 5 days
• volcanological and English speaking guide to climb the top of Mt Etna
• One Way ticket for the cable link on Mt Etna
• Transfer by private bus from/to Catania airport

Not Included:

• Alcoholic drinks, wine and water
• Flights
• Insurance

Trip notes:

• Group size: minimum 8 pax - max 20 pax
• Suggested period: from June to October
• Airport of arrival and departure: Catania International airport
• Day of arrival: Thursday
• Day of Departure: Monday

Practical information

Accommodation:

• 1 night in hotel*** in Taormina
• 1 night camp on Mt Etna
• 1 night in hotel*** on the southern side of Mt Etna
• 1 night in comfortable chalet on the northern side of Mt Etna (dormitory 2 to 4 people with toilette outside the rooms. 2 toilets with hot shower for all the chalet)

Note:

• The price is based on accommodation for 2/3 people per room.
• No single room available on this tour

Luggage:
The luggage are transported by bus. On day 2 the big sack will be left on the bus and will be collected on day 3 upon arrival at the hotel on the southern side of Mt Etna. During day 2 and 3 everyone will take his/her own sleeping mat,

Equipment:

• Good and solid trekking shoes
• trekking trousers and shorts
• bathing suit
• Hat and gloves
• Wind and water proof jacket
• sun glasses and sun cream
• multitask knife
• alpenstock
• Head torch with batteries (COMPULSORY: one head torch each person).
• 50 l daily rucksack
• sleeping bag
• sleeping mat provided by Mandala Tour

Important:
Due to the unpredictable nature of volcanoes and to the weather condition, the guide reserves the right to modify the program. In any case we always try to adhere as much as possible to the described program.

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