Trekking Sicily’s Volcanoes

Upon arriving in Catania, you will be transferred to meet your guide in Milazzo. Get a taste of this town’s history by visiting the medieval fortress or strolling through the historical centre. Milazzo has a gorgeous coastline to admire, then rest up for the night in the hotel—your week of adventure is just beginning!

Take a hydrofoil ride to Vulcano where the group will stay for the next few nights as a home base for daily excursions. Here, cleanse your worries away in the mud baths before having your packed lunch. Enjoy a pleasant 3-hour trek to reach the summit of Cratere della fossa where the panoramic views of the other islands will be worth the climb. Get a good night’s sleep at the hotel in Vulcano.

The group heads to Salina for the day to explore its renowned lush vegetation and twin hills. Salina, commonly referred to as “the green island,” boasts wild production of capers and not-so-wild production of malvasia—a sweet wine. You’ll climb up with your guide to Monte Fossa delle Felci with packed lunches, trekking through luscious flora and ending with views of the Mediterranean Sea. The excursion brings you back to the hotel in Vulcano for dinner and rest.

Boarding by hydrofoil to Stromboli and free time to visit the small island. In the afternoon climb of the volcano (up to the authorized limit of 290 mt). Picnic during the excursion and overnight in hotel. Important: Access to the volcano being regulated, it may be prohibited by local authorities. You can also book an optional climb to 400mt with an authorized vulcanologist guide to observe the Strombolian activity of the volcano. Departure according to sunset (3 p.m./6 p.m. depending on the season).

Say ciao to Vulcano as the tour group travels to Etna for the next two nights. On the way, you’ll have about three hours to visit Taormina and its famous Teatro Antico di Taormina—an ancient Greco-Roman theatre still in operation. The group will have dinner and stay at the cozy Etna Nord Chalet Clan dei Ragazzi in the forest.

In 2002, there was an eruption near Piano Provenzana, which is where you’ll stop and see the resulting volcanic craters and lava creations. Today’s hike takes you to the top of Grotta dei Lamponi, passing through a tunnel created from hardened lava on the way. In the afternoon, the guided tour ascends the Pineta del Ragabo after stopping for lunch at the Rifugio Timpa Rossa. You’ll be ready to rest back at the chalet tonight!

Breakfast at the refuge. Departure for the hike to Piano Provenzana (1800 Mt). Continuation towards the Sartorius Mountains, ancient craters formed by the lava flows of 1865. On the return, passage to the cave dei Rotoli, a lava tunnel where you can admire particular rock formations: the rollers (rotoli in Italian; hence the name of the cave) and “denti di cane” lava stalactites. Picnic during the excursion. Return to the shelter. Transfer to Catania.
Day 7 Alternative: Excursion to the summit craters of Etna: travel by cable car and 4x4 to the main craters.

Enjoy breakfast with your group as you bid ciao to all the active volcanoes you visited on this guided tour in Sicily. Pack up and head to the airport with a camera full of epic pictures and mind full of memories!