Etna and Alcantara Gorges Tour – Trekking, Lava Cave and River
Description
This tour combines in a single day a guided trekking on Mount Etna up to about 2000 meters above sea level, a visit to a lava cave with helmet and torch provided, and access to the Alcantara Gorges. During the excursion on Mount Etna you will follow an easy/moderate path of about 3 km between side craters and recent lava flows. The Certified Environmental Guide provides explanations on the volcano's geology, flora and eruptive activity. At the Alcantara Gorges there is free time to walk inside the basalt canyon and along the river. Entrance ticket included. The tour is operated in small groups (max 8 people) with transport by air-conditioned minivan and equipment included.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Guided trek on the north side of Etna through unique volcanic landscapes, including ancient lava flows, side craters and birch woods. The Guide will explain the volcano’s eruptive history, its current activity and the geological features that make it the highest active volcano in Europe. The route is simple and suitable for everyone, with panoramic stops for photographs and naturalistic explanations. from the top of the Sartorius craters the view extends to the Mediterranean sea.
Guided tour of a lava cave formed during an eruption of Etna. Wearing a helmet and flashlight, travelers will enter a volcanic tunnel to discover how lava flows form and how underground cavities are formed. The Guide will illustrate the geological processes that shaped the cave and recount episodes related to the volcano’s historical eruptions, making the experience engaging and safe.
Visit to the Alcantara Gorges with access via municipal stairs. Once they reach the riverbank, guests can take off their shoes and enter the canyon to walk among the spectacular basalt walls shaped by water. The Guide will explain the volcanic origin of the gorges and the formation of the characteristic basalt columns, leaving time to explore, take photographs or cool off in the river waters.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Guests residing in Taormina will be picked up at specific meeting points in the city center. Guests staying in Giardini Naxos, Castelmola and Letojanni will be picked up directly from the property indicated at the time of Reservation.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Maximum 8 people per van
- We can take care of food intolerances
- A minimum level of moderate fitness is required
- A minimum level of moderate fitness is required
Reviews(35)
Giampiero was great, he is knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful. Experience I recommend. Leonardo
Ciao Leonardo, Grazie per le parole di stima verso Giampiero. Grazie Tatyane
If you're visiting Messina on a cruise and want an unforgettable experience, I highly recommend the Mt. Etna & Alcantara Gorges 4x4 Adventure with Sicily Active Tours. This was one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Sicily. Our guide, Pietro, was exceptional. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about sharing the history, geology, and natural beauty of Mt. Etna. We were incredibly fortunate to visit while the volcano was actively erupting on the opposite side, giving us a rare opportunity to witness the power of one of Europe's most famous volcanoes from a safe vantage point. One thoughtful touch that made a big difference was that the company provided walking sticks for everyone. At 72 years old, I found them extremely helpful on the volcanic terrain, and even my traveling companions, who are in their 50s, appreciated having them. It's these small details that show how well Sicily Active Tours takes care of its guests. Pietro explained the fascinating volcanic landscape, the beautiful birch forests that thrive on Mt. Etna, and the remarkable history of the volcano. We also explored ancient lava caves while wearing hard hats—an exciting and memorable experience that gave us a whole new appreciation for the mountain's geological wonders. The tour also included a wonderful Sicilian lunch at a charming log cabin restaurant. The meal featured delicious local cuisine, excellent wine, and a delightful dessert, making it the perfect way to relax after our adventure. What impressed us most, however, was the company's honesty and integrity. We had expected to pay approximately $800 for our private tour for four people. At the end of the day, the company informed us that they had mistakenly quoted the wrong price and voluntarily reduced our total to $703. They could easily have charged the higher amount we were expecting, but instead they chose to do the right thing. That level of honesty is rare and speaks volumes about their professionalism and commitment to customer service. This tour delivered everything we hoped for and more—spectacular scenery, fascinating history, an outstanding guide, delicious food, and exceptional service. It was an incredible value and one of the best excursions of our entire vacation. If you're looking for an unforgettable Mt. Etna experience from Messina, don't hesitate to book with Sicily Active Tours. And if you're lucky enough to have Pietro as your guide, you're in for an amazing day.
Thank you so much for this incredibly detailed and heartfelt review — it truly made our day! We're thrilled that your Mt. Etna & Alcantara Gorges adventure turned out to be a highlight of your Sicily trip, and even more so that you got to witness the eruption from a safe viewpoint — what a rare and special moment to share with our guide. Pietro will be so happy to read your kind words about his passion and knowledge. He genuinely loves sharing the history and geology of Etna with our guests, and it's wonderful that small touches like the walking sticks made your day easier and more enjoyable. Honesty and taking care of our guests are at the heart of everything we do at Sicily Active, so thank you for noticing and for taking the time to mention it. It was truly our pleasure to host you and your travel companions. We hope to welcome you back to Sicily again soon! Warmly, The Sicily Active Team
Beautiful experience on Etna and at the Alcantara Gorges. Alberto, our guide, was very friendly and above all made us love Mount Etna.
Grazie per la recensione. Siamo soddisfatti che l'intera esperienza sull'Etna e alle gole dell'Alcantara vi sia piaciuta. Grazie anche per la stima verso Alberto.
I wanted to leave this review because I found the reviews of others so helpful. Also because our guide Alberto was absolutely incredible! For me he made the day so much more special because of his love and passion for Etna. The knowledge was insane. Everything was so interesting and I found the whole day mind blowing. It was emotional! You could feel how alive Mount Etna was it felt for me like it wasn’t “real” like I entered a different world for the day. We had a hot day so no jumpers needed. Take plenty of water. The trek was just perfect. A good trek but not too hard either. I was unsure whether to do the alcantara gorges but I’m so glad I did!! Well worth it. Very very impressive. Loved the day from start to finish. I was perfect !!
Hi Mollie, We really appreciate your kind words, which perfectly describe the Etna tour and the passion our guides put into every excursion. Thank you.
The guide was sooo knowledgeable!
So glad you have enjoyed the Etna and Alcantara Tour!
This was my second excursion with Sicily Active. Our guide was Alberto. He was very knowledgeable and passionate about Mount Etna and the whole thing experience was fantastic. Well worth the trip.
Hi Kat, Thank you for your positive feedback about the mount Etna experience and Alberto
Great trip, our guide Giampiero was very helpful and knowledgeable
Thank you for the positive feedback about the tour and the guide Giampiero
Fabulous experience! Alberto was an amazing guide and so knowledgeable and friendly. The hike was incredible and the gorges were stunning. This tour was the highlight of our trip. I highly recommend!!
Hi Nicole, Thank you so much for the great feedback about the trekking on Mount Etna and the visit to the Alcantara Gorges
David is a excellent guide! Vary informative, kind and dedicated!
Thank you so much for the kind words about davide and the Mt. Etna tour
A really nice and well organized tour to Mount Etna
Hi Vellu, thank you so much for the feedback about your mount Etna tour with us!
