- Start your day trip by boarding your air-conditioned coach at your hotel or at a meeting point and then relax on the 1-hour journey inland to Mount Etna, the island’s brooding – and spectacular – nemesis. The Mt. Etna is the higest peak of Sicily and the most active volcano in Europe. The territory surrounding the vulcan constitutes the “Park of Etna”, one of the largest protected areas in Italy: You will be astonished about the great variety of vegetation and landscapes that we will meet along the way before arriving at the “ Silvesti Craters” (about 1.900 mt).
- Hop out of your coach at the base station Rifugio Sapienza. The area is covered with hiking trails that zigzag in all directions, and your host will happily point you in the right direction for the Monti Silvestri Craters – two small, yet impressive, craters near the base station.
- It is time to reach the summit of Mount Etna by cable car, jeep and mountain guide. Take the cable car up to an altitude of 2,500 metres and then cover the remaining distance in a 4×4 jeep, stopping at an altitude of 3,000 metres. Follow your mountain guide (*) carefully around Etna's summit craters, peering into hornitos (small openings that release lava) and learning about volcanic activity in Sicily. The climb begins at the crater of the 2001 eruption, surrounded by an almost lunar landscape. It was one of the strongest eruptions of the third millennium, with activity felt as far as the island of Stromboli! You will continue to the Belvedere della Valle del Bove, Etna's most beautiful viewpoint at about 2750 metres. You will be amazed by the beauty of this large volcanic depression dating back 64,000 years! Here you will stop to admire the landscape, take some photos or simply enjoy the breathtaking view from which you can see Taormina, Calabria and even Syracuse. From here you also have a privileged view of the summit craters, where you can observe the endless column of gas and water vapour. You will then visit a crater depression called Cisternazza and finally return to an altitude of 2500 metres to take the cable car back to the Sapienza refuge with your guide. At the end of the walk, return to the base station by jeep and cable car to meet the rest of the group. Board your bus and return to Taormina. The day excursion ends at the starting point.
(*) The mountain guides speak Italian and English
