Etna - The Northern Side - Mandala Organic Tours srl |Sicily & Eolie |Trekking |Biking

INTERNATIONAL FIREDANCING FESTIVAL A Stromboli Stromboli, Aeolian island formely named the Mediterranean lighthouse is the ideal place for the first edition of the International Firedancing Festival. The island welcome indeed from august 23rd to September 6th this unique festival getting together international artists (European, Asiatic and Oceanian) on one of the most active volcano in the world (Stromboli is indeed in permanent activity for more than 2000 years). The dances and games around the fire take a perfect place in this magic area. The Ginostra village, less visited than its neighbour, the Stromboli village, is also the place of the firedancing festival manifestations. Spectacles are also organised for the kids specially on august 24th and 31st with clown spectacles. This festival is another occasion to visit the particular island taking advantage of an unique spectacle as mentioned by Amelia Bucalo Triglia, the organization responsible of this event. {gallery}festival08{/gallery} More info... Video Volcano Trail/ Etna Sky Marathon Inseriti i video dell' Etna Sky Marathon 2007 e del Volcano Trail 2008 More info... Etna: Eruption 08 June 2008 The last sismic events have given the sign of a new Etna's wakening (by now a periodic phenomenon in the last ten years), and the volcanic sand emission over the villages of the north-east Etna's flank. The eruption started on 10th may in the south-east crater, and on 13th may in the Valley of the Leon.

A spectacular lava flow toward the Valley of the Oxen allows a wonderful panorama from Catania hinterland. Lava flow has reached 1350 m s.l., and in the site of the active crater (at 2800 s.l.) some small earthquakes have been noticed. Until now there is no alarm for the people of the neighbourhood, thanks to the low risk of this phenomenon, because the direction of lava is the volcanic desert of the Valley of the Oxen. But nowadays people remember again the dramatic eruptive events of 2002-2003, when the arbitrary fury of nature destroyed and burnt all the tourist facilities. Luckily, this time the volcanic vent is the goal of tourists' curiosity, thanks to the amazing landscape visible from many points of Catania's province. A warning is not to do excursion alone, but with an expert guide to avoid any kind of danger. A suggestion for seeing this wonderful scenario is walking along a hidden path toward Zoccolaro mount, in Zafferana territory. More info... L'Etna in attività Dopo la corta eruzione del 10 Maggio (circa 6 ore), l’Etna ha dato dei segnali più forti e importanti martedì 13 Maggio 2008 provocando, nella stessa giornata, circa una sessantina di scosse sismiche e l’apertura di due fessure ad est del cratere Sud – Est.Il giorno seguente, le fessure hanno dato luogo alla formazione di due colate laviche (da 3.000 mt e 2.900 mt) dirette verso la Valle del Bove.Il 21 maggio la colata lavica si è fermata a quota 2.200 mt, mentre gli avvenimenti sismici continuano a susseguirsi ma con bassa intensità (da 1,1° a 2° della scala Richter ).

More info... The Valle delle Ferriere - Amalfi Coast Amalfi has been one of the maritime republics, enjoying a prestige and wellness that has made it one of the most visited place in southern Italy. One of the main characteristics of this beautiful town is the hand made paper production. This is an ancient tradition brought by the Arabs in the Mediterranean after having learnt it in China, where paper was invented in 105 A. C. In Amalfi the production of paper has raised to the maximum during the XVIII century and declined definitively during the XIX century, being displaced by the mechanization of the production. The “Valle delle Ferriere” is crossed by a stream called Canneto that supplied power to the paper mills. Once the Arabs brought the technique to the Mediterranean, the Amalfitans improved it and started making very high quality paper that soon was used only by noblemen. The Valley had 14 paper mills and nowadays only ruins remain. The canalization system is still visible and it dates back to the original made by the Arabs.This valley is a microcosm where during the XVIII century the Woodwardia radicans, a giant fern dating back to the tertiary age, has been discovered. This plant can reach 180 cm. Very interesting is the excursion on foot from Amalfi to the small villages of Scala and Ravello through the “Valle delle Ferriere”. The excursion can be finished descending to Amalfi on foot passing by the enchanting fishermen village called Atrani .For any information about our trekking program “Vesuvius and Amalfi Coast”, do not hesitate to contact us by mail to the following address info.italy@mandala-tour.com More info... Ragusa and its province Very well known for its Baroque monuments, Ragusa province offers a dynamic and sports side made up by several chances to cycle (road and mountain bike), to hike and to kayak.The Iblei mountains, dominating the whole area, are still unexplored and are perfect for everyone loving unpolluted and wild areas where even the paths get lost amid the luxuriant vegetation. There are many ancient mule tracks that are ideal for biking, through the green flat countryside where you are going to meet many dairy cows, whose precious milk is used to produce the Ragusano DOP, a delicious cheese exported all over Europe. Moreover, in one of the many dikes in the area (Santa Rosalina dike) you can kayak through a unique microcosm made up by the artificial dam. Of course Ragusa Ibla , Modica and Scicli are jewels of incomparable beauty that must be discovered and enjoyed in all their majesty. For any information about our bike program in Ragusa area, please contact us through our mail info.italy@mandala-tour.com More info...

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Mandala Tour

Etna - The Northern Side

Hicking on the Northern Side of the Mt Etna
The "Bottoniera" and the 2002/2003 Eruption

Etna Regional Park was founded in March 1987 and was the first Park in Sicily.
It is divided into 3 different zones: the "A" zone made of 19.000 hectares is the wildest with no impact by men where the volcano is the only king. Here we are going to discover one of the most interesting environment of Europe by walking next to the 2002/2003 craters.

This walk on the northern side of Mt Etna, allows to discover the " Bottoniera " craters, opened during the 2002/2003 eruption.

Depart: 09h00 from Piano Provenzana

The walk takes 6 hours, slope +200 mt -300 mt
The excursion begins at Piano Provenzana (1800 mt) on the cold lava flow dating 2002/2003, and ends at Brunek chalet (1700 mt).

The first part is the most demanding because of the 200 mt of slope that we gain as soon as we start. Before reaching 2000 mt we can discover the "Bottoniera" craters (many craters opened in a queue) and see the huge lava flow cutting the forest at our feet. We continue our walk and we find the smells and colours of the forest rich in pines, beech and chestnut, where we end our day. We walk on the track called "Pista Altmontana" (42 Km) that turns all around Mt Etna, linking the southern and northern side of the volcano.

Return : 15h00

Price per person: