43904SOU
Visit with Alpine guide to the crater area of the volcano
Voucher includes vans and guide
· This excursion can only be done if the weather is fair and clear and therefore the morning is the best time
· Warn the group about the high altitude (over 2.500m ) making it freezing cold even in mid-summer. Check the state of health of the group! The terrain is quite rough: good shoes are a must.
08.30
Drive from Taormina via the Autostrada towards Catania. Exit at Giarre and follow the sign to Zafferana Etnea. From here the road winds up the mountain to Cantoniere d’Etna at an altitude of 1,881 m. Forests grow up to 2,100 m, above that the only plant is the ‘Spino Santo’ amid the barren lunar landscape of volcanic matter.
10.00
The coach stops at the parking lot called Rifugio Sapienza. There is a restaurant, toilets and numerous souvenir shops. Collect your tickets at the ticket booth (see voucher). You board the 4-wheel drive van holding appx. 20 pax. The driver/guide takes you up to appx. 2.700 m. From here you can walk over lava and rough stones to see the hot sulphurous air coming out of the potholes and admire a fabulous view over Sicily. After recent eruptions it is impossible to reach the actual summit. Board the van to the car park where you should give some free time to buy souvenirs.
12.30
Drive back to Taormina. You can take a different route down called the ‘strada dell’Etna’ direction Catania via Nicolosi, a ski resort, and Mascalucia, a wine centre on the lower slopes. Numerous lunch places on the way back.