Etna Jeep OffRoad Tour: Lava Flows,Etna Wines,Lunch at 6,561 ft
Description
Exciting tour by Jeep and walking on the crests of the craters in search of hornito and lava flow caves until reaching the wonderful view of the prehistoric valley of the bove to discover the origins of the volcano Etna. The emotion that our excursion provokes is unique. You'll feel like you're walking on the moon and going all the way to the center of the Earth. Walking along the summit perimeter of the craters you can admire the incredible volcanic cone from where the lava came out. The pleasant excursion will take you to discover magical places where ETNA DOC WINES are produced where the nature of the volcanic soil mixes with the Sicilian sun. The best wineries are waiting for you to visit the vineyards grown on volcanic sand and taste the volcano wines unique in the world. Finally, a pleasant and relaxing lunch based on typical Sicilian products will be the right reward for a unique and unrepeatable experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
On the slopes of Etna, the path reveals the volcano. The 2001 eruptive vent emerges, a lunar landscape of basalt rocks. The warm soil underfoot and the smell of sulfur indicate active fumaroles. In front of us, the mouth is a lateral explosion crater, walls with layers of lava. Glowing rocks convey the dynamics of the magma that shaped this place. Although many years have passed, the eruptive vent is still active, with fumarolic activity and fractures in the ground. The landscape shows volcanological signs, such as the presence of volcanic bombs and new fractures. We stop, aware of the geological process. The eruptive vent, with its volcanological spectacle, offers a unique opportunity to understand the internal dynamics of the volcano. The panorama, dotted with lava formations, is a visual lesson in Etna's geological history. With this show in our hearts, we continue the journey, taking the memory of these places with us.
Cave of the Carcarazzi Craters It is a vertically developing cavity located within the eruptive apparatus of the 1766 eruption of the Calcarazzi mountains, and like all cavities of this type, the walls are extremely unstable as they are made up of welded slag. In the eruptive fracture some magma remains which is consolidating, but a superficial part of the fracture can remain empty and accessible through the explosive or effusive vents, giving rise to a type of volcanic cave. Although the eruptive systems of Etna are very numerous, cavities of this type open only in a few of them, in fact most of the secondary craters remain occluded by the pyroclastic material at the end of their activity.
The excursion reveals the volcano in its grandeur. Once we reach the view over the Valle del Bove, the ancient caldera welcomes us like a geological amphitheatre. Layered walls of lava, pyroclasts and ash narrate the volcano's tumultuous history over the centuries. The formation of the caldera is the result of complex geological processes. During an eruption, rapid emptying of the magma chamber can cause collapse of the top, known as caldera collapse. This event creates the vast amphitheater-shaped depression, like the one we admire today in the Valle del Bove. Lava flows and pyroclastic deposits have further shaped the caldera over time. The view over the Valle del Bove becomes a window on the volcanological history of Etna, a story written in the rock stratifications. The magnitude of this geological formation offers a unique opportunity to explore the internal dynamics of one of the world's most active volcanoes.
Visit to the vineyards and cellars where Etna doc wine is produced, with tasting of white, rosé and red wines of Etna
Lunch with typical Sicilian products in a mountain hut
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The pick-up takes place on the street under the place of accommodation communicated by the customer
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Customers who have not reached the legal drinking age in Italy, i.e. 18, will not be served alcoholic beverages.
Reviews(91)
Alessandro was amazing, very knowledgeable on everything about Mt Etna. We saw things and learned more than I expected. I would definitely recommend. Alessandro was very personable
This was an excellent tour, the tour guide and his wife were excellent. On the way up Mt Etna began smoking. The tour guide was extremely informative. We stopped at a winery where we saw a little movie of how the wine was made many years ago in the 1865. They also had cherries, lemons and other fruits on the farm. We saw a round Rainbow called an Angels rainbow which is very rare. We ate at the only restaurant on Mt Etna. My salad was excellent, but people complained about the food, which was all carbohydrates.
Great way to see Etna off-road and enjoy local wines. Our guide Alessandro went above and beyond to take loads of photos for us. Even used a drone for magical photos
Our family booked this trip when we arrived in Sicily. It was a great choice and we had the best guide, Alessandro! He was amazing and made the day exceptional !!
Alessandro was very knowledgeable and enjoyed the whole trip. Had a great time recommend for families. Going inside the vents of the volcano was fun
Fun tour with local information, wine tasting and a short walk up an old crater. Pick up and drop off from hotel was very convenient. Our driver Alex and guide Alessandro were great. When a storm rolled in Alessandro guided is off the crater and got us off Etna quickly and safely. Highly recommend
Wonderful experience……. Alessandro did a phenomenal job showing lava flows and explaining what we were seeing. Best excursion of our cruise! Highly recommend this excursion….. well worth time and money!
Very professional tour guide with passion and love for Etna. A lot of contents to enjoy! Strongly recommend to check it
I recently went on an Etna tour with Alessandro as our guide, and it was an experience filled with fascinating insights. Alessandro, being locally born and raised, brought a unique depth of knowledge to the tour. He shared captivating stories about the history of eruptions, the local flora and fauna, and the natural landscape, which made the journey feel both educational and immersive. One of the highlights of the day was the wine tasting. The selection of local wines was excellent, and it added a memorable culinary touch to the excursion. Alessandro provided great context about the winemaking traditions in the region, which made each sip even more enjoyable. However, the tour did leave me wanting more in terms of hiking and scenic stops. There were few opportunities to pause at truly breathtaking vistas to take in the landscape and capture photographs. A bit more time for hiking and savoring the views would have made the experience perfect. Overall, it was a wonderful tour with an outstanding guide, a delightful wine tasting, and rich local knowledge, though it could be improved with more chances to explore the mountain’s scenic beauty up close.
Alessandro was so knowledgeable about Mt Etna we couldn't ask for a better tour guide. If you want history and very detailed information about Mt Etna I would highly recommend
