Etna and Stromboli volcanoes guided ascent 4-day, Sicily, Italy

Climb Etna and Stromboli, two famous volcanoes in Sicily, and visit beautiful villages, with this guided ascent tour along UIMLA-certified Mountain Leader Sergio.

5 Days

Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov

Intermediate

Highlights

* Experience a unique climb to the most actives volcanoes in Europe

* Climb the Stromboli volcano at night, getting amazing views of the explosions

* Taste the Sicilian gastronomy and visit the villages of Cefalú and Taormina

Description

Sicily, beautiful, seductive. Sicily attracts travelers from immemorial times. The land of the Cyclopes has been praised by poets, from Homer to Virgil, and appreciated by numerous ancient cultures.

The varied Sicilian landscape impresses upon arrival. When flying to Catania, the smoky mass of Etna greets the traveler. The sea, the volcanoes and the mountains are an unparalleled backdrop for outdoor activities.

The Etna volcano, a mass of 3,321 meters high over the sea, with more than 600,000 years of activity behind it, spitting fire, changing the landscape incessantly. Our goal will be to reach the area of the somital craters, located at 3,200 m altitude.

We will climb the “lighthouse of the Mediterranean”, the Stromboli volcano, an eternal lava lamp whose eruptions illuminate the night continuously. It is the most active volcano in Europe. In any case, the night tour to see the explosions of the Stromboli will be one of the most unforgettable experiences of the trip.

We will also visit the most beautiful villages of the island of Sicily, Cefalù and Taormina, to intermingle the culture and landscape richness of this Mediterranean island that has much to brag about.

During the winter season (March, April, May and November) it is possible to ascend the volcanoes with snowshoes. There might be some variations on the trip itinerary, depending on the snow depth.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to climb two active volcanoes in Sicily! If you want to join me on this trip, just send me a request, and get ready for an unforgettable experience in Italy.

Price includes

- Guiding fee

- Personal insurance

Price details

The price per person is 550 EUR per person/ The price INCLUDES: Guiding fee - Group equipment - Logistics management - Mountain Accident Insurance + Civil Liability. / The price DOES NOT INCLUDE: Accommodation - Guide expenses - Transportation (Plane, train, etc) - Food - Personal equipment - Any change that may occur during the trek due to any incident (weather, etc.) and that may involve a cost greater than that previously arranged between guide and clients. You can expect to spend around 600 Euros per person for accommodation, meals and other extras during the trip.

Itinerary

Day 1: Catania

Arrival in Catania. Explanation and tour presentation. Possibility of visiting the urban center in the evening.

*Accommodation: Antiche Volte. Breakfast included.

Day 2: Taormina - Stromboli

On our way to Milazzo, we stop in Taormina, a natural balcony from where we can see the impressive second most active volcano in Europe, Etna. From the Greek theater of Taormina you have one of the best picture-postcard views of the volcano. The boat trip from Milazzo to Stromboli lasts three hours, as we move to the most distant island of the Eolias. After settling in the hotel we will meet in the afternoon with local guides who will accompany us to the top of the volcano.Option 2: We can go straight in the morning to Milazzo to catch the ferry (3-hour trip), then walking around the island of Stromboli and night climb to the volcano accompanied by local guides.

Night climb to the Stromboli Volcano. Distance: 8 km. – Ascent/ Descent: 870 mts. The regular eruptions of this volcano are a unique sight to contemplate at night, a memory for a lifetime. We will climb more than 870 m at a slow and constant pace, led by authorized guides. This effort is accessible to anyone in regular physical shape. The descent is comfortable, since we descend by slopes of volcanic sand.

* Accommodation: Casa del Sole. Breakfast included.

Day 3: Cefalu

Today we will visit Cefalú, one of the most beautiful villages in Sicily. Ferry Stromboli to Milazzo. Cefalú is a beautiful town on the north coast of Sicily, full of history and charm, of medieval streets that come alive. The Duomo, without a doubt, is one of the cultural highlights that make this town one of the greatest tourist attractions in the region. We will climb to the Rocca mountain, to enjoy from there a unique perspective of the town and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

*Extra Activities: YOGA in a natural environment. We have the opportunity to make a break, and recover some strength for the Etna ascent on the next day.

The Temple of Diana in Cefalù. Distance: 2.5 km. Ascent/Descent 200 m. At the top of the Rocca is the Temple of Diana, a megalithic construction dating from the ninth century BC, the only pre-classical monument in all of Sicily. It was associated with the cult of Diana, goddess of the moon and water.

* Accommodation: B & B Scirocco.

Day 4: Etna ascent

Morning transfer to the Sapienza Refuge, located at 1920 meters, from where you can access the Etna. Ascent to Etna, the second most active volcano in Europe and one of the highest. Transfer to Catania in the afternoon and end of the trip.

Etna Ascent. Distance: 10 km. Ascent/Descent 400 m. Ascent with the Funivia until the beginning of the route. It is possible, depending on the physical and mental conditions of the group, to descend also by the funivia.

* Accommodation: Antiche Volte. Breakfast included.

Details

More info

A minimum experience in the mountains is required. Must be able to walk 3 hours during the hikes.

Recommended equipment: SEMI-RIGID BOOTS PANTS LONG MESH SHORTS 2 THERMAL LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRTS 2 SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRTS 1 POLAR LINER / LIGHT PEN GORE-TEX TYPE WATERPROOF JACKET HAT / FINE GLOVES / BUFF 2 PAIRS OF SOCKS + UNDERWEAR

SUNGLASSES SUNSCREEN BACKPACK 32 /40L. WATERPROOF COVER BACKPACK TELESCOPIC BASKETS (advisable of 2 sections) SAVANNAH SACK BOTTLE OF WATER (1,5L). FRONT + RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES FLIP FLOPS SWIMSUIT

TOILET TOWEL PLASTIC / BIODEGRADABLE BAGS TOILET BAG (Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, gel & shampoo...) PERIODIC PAPER (in case of rain) LIGHT PACKAGE - WET TUMBLERS PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION (ID, European Health Card) BASIC AID FIRST KIT

Meeting point

Catania, Sicily

Equipment you will need to bring

Sunglasses

Backpack

Water bottle

SEMI-RIGID BOOTS PANTS LONG MESH SHORTS 2 THERMAL LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRTS 2 SHORT SLEEVE T-SHIRTS 1 POLAR LINER / LIGHT PEN GORE-TEX TYPE WATERPROOF JACKET HAT / FINE GLOVES / BUFF 2 PAIRS OF SOCKS + UNDERWEAT SUNGLASSES SUNSCREEN BACKPACK 40 / 50L. WATERPROOF COVER BACKPACK TELESCOPIC BASKETS (advisable of 2 sections) SUMMER SLEEPING BAG 2 BOTTLES OF WATER (1L). FRONT + RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES FLIP FLOPS TOILET TOWEL PLASTIC / BIODEGRADABLE BAGS TOILET BAG (Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, gel & shampoo ...) PERIODIC PAPER (in case of rain) LIGHT PACKAGE - WET TUMBLERS PERSONAL DOCUMENTATION (ID, European Health Card) BASIC AID FIRST KIT

About the guide

Sergio

5.0

(5)

Mountain Guide

Sergio is passionate about wild places and the natural world. He is Spanish by birth, but today lives in France in the beautiful Tarentaise Valley in a mountain landscape he adores.

He began his guiding career at the very young age of 15 years old in Spain where he was involved in a social project for young people challenged by poverty. The goal was to encourage them to experience nature and the outdoors, as a result his passion for the mountains was born.

Today, he is an International Mountain Leader with more than 14 years of experience in leading groups of hikers. Sergio works in mountain ranges across Europe from the Alps, to the Pyrenees, Portugal, Tuscany and Morocco. As a Yoga Teacher, he leads Yoga and mountain retreats where he combines the world of mountains with the sacred wisdom of Yoga and meditation. You can be sure to learn lots from Sergio about the mountain environment. As well as his native Spanish tongue, Sergio also speaks French, English, Catalan and Italian.

Languages

Italian | French | English | Catalan

Certificates

AEGM | UIMLA

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What people are saying about Explore-Share

Man

Climbing with guide Guillaume was absolutely a highlight of my 2-week Europe vacation. Originally, we were planning on climbing in the Calanques, but the park was closed due to wind and fire danger. Guillaume chose another amazing location (Pic de Bretagne) based on my climbing abilities and preferences and kindly offered train station pick-up and hotel drop off, which I appreciated very much. The multi-pitch route we did was not only fun but also the right amount of challenge, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The communication from the team (Gauthier) was prompt and clear—highly recommend!

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