Departures planned from Piano Provenzana every day at 8:00 – Available from (May to November)

Prices: 60€ per person (transport services excluded)

Check for available posts in our calendar

For more details write us on whatsapp: +39 3455741330 or send us an email to: info@guidevulcanologicheetna.it

Description

Departures planned from Piano Provenzana each every day at 8:00.

Ascent with special off-road vehicles along the panoramic street on the northern side of the volcano, till a height of 2825 mt. From this point it will start the ascent by walk on a path sorrounded by volcanic scoria and bombs. The total climb uphill is of 470 mt till we will arrive to the edge of the Central Crater of the Etna, at a height of 3300 mt. There we will stop to admire the greatness, the uniqueness and the processes of the volcanic environment, united to the spectacle of the view you can enjoy from the roof of Sicily (the visibility could change according to the weather or volcanic conditions). The downhill will be made on soft scoria and volcanic ashes, passing thorough Piano delle Concazze (at 2750 mt, the base of the Volcanological Observatory). Then we will continue inside of one of the sandy big channel, characteristics of the North-East side of the volcano and surrounded by endemic plants and seasonal torrents, before of reaching the downhill path and the beech forest up to Piano Provenzana, arrival point of our excursion.The excursion includes a total of 11 kilometers of walking (round trip) for 5/6 hours, absolutely suitable for those who are used to walking regularly in the mountains, not recommended for those with vertigo, physical health or fatigue problems.

Included in the price (€60 per person):

• Licensed Volcanological Guide
• Trekking poles
• Protective helmets
• Accident insurance
• Trekking shoes
• Jackets
• Extra socks
• Extra backpack
• Entrance to the Etna Park

Excluded :

• €50 per person for ascent with special 4×4 vehicles (one way) from an altitude of 1800 m. at an altitude of 2825 m.t. (To be paid on the spot at the starting point on the morning of the excursion)
• €20 per person with off-road vehicles from an altitude of 2800 m.t. at an altitude of 1800 m.t. for those who decide to use the vehicles downhill to Piano Provenzana -> (To be paid to the transport company) PREFERABLY TO COMMUNICATE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING TO OUR NUMBER: +39 345 5741330
• Lunch
• Bottled water
• Snacks
• K-way (rain jacket)
• Hotel pick up and drop off
• Windbreaker
• €3 ticket for car parking (you can also pay after the excursion)

Schedule

Meeting at Piano Provenzana 1800 mt at 7:30.

Departures planned from Piano Provenzana every day at : 8:00/8:15.

Ascent with special 4×4 vehicles.

Arrival at a height of 2825 mt.

Start of trekking till the Etna Summit Craters at 3300 mt.

Downhill on ground made by sand and volcanic scoria.

Arrival at Piano delle Concazze at 2750 mt.

Break

Continuation of the downhill inside sandy big channels and on volcanic ashes.

Arrival at Piano Provenzana, at 1800 mt.

Total time of the trekking trail: 6/7 hours

Total kilometers (round-trip): 11,2 km (it may vary)

Maximum altitude reached: 3300 mt.

Minimum altitude reached: 1800 mt.

Difference in height: 470 mt (it may vary)

Difference in downhill: 1500 mt (it may vary)

Difficulty: E (EXPERIENCED HIKERS)

Mandatory equipment: 

• Snack/Lunch bag
• Water – minimum 1,5 L per person 
• Layered outfit (short sleeved t-shirt, long sleeved or thermal t-shirt) – (it may vary according to the season)
• Trekking shoes Windbreaker or quilted jacket
• Hat and gloves (according to the temperature) – Especially in spring and autumn

Recommended equipment:

• Trekking sticks
• K-way (rainproof jacket)
• Backpack 25/30 L
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Lip balm
• Extra socks
• Long pants
• Rainproof jacket
• Extra t-shirt
• Handkerchief or bandana (to protect yourself from the dust or the volcanic gases)

Good to know

• In the event of adverse weather conditions, we will advise you in order to communicate the cancellation or postponement of your excursion, at the earliest possible date.
• There is no advance payment for the reservation, after communicating your reservation to our number: +39 345 5741330 you will pay directly the guide who will be with you the day of the excursion.
• In case of many requests, the participants will be divided into smaller groups with different guides, according to the languages in order to avoid the formation of large groups of people.

Warnings:

• Trekking is not recommended for those  who does not do physical activity regularly.
• Trekking is not recommended for those  who does not do mountain hiking regularly.
• The excursion requires a good preparation on a physical level. Because of it results to be a high height path, it would be easy to experience symptoms of fatigue.
• It is required also to be careful, since it is volcanic soil, often inconsistent and unstable.
• The excursion could be subjected to variations at the discretion of the Guides, or it could be interrupted in case of changes of the environmental, climatic or volcanic conditions, so as to undermine the safety of the entire group.
• The total time of the trekking trail will depends on the general pace.
• The excursion will be carried out according to the limits laid down by the ordinance in force.
• The route is also suited for children over 12 years old.
• The route consists of the ascent and the walking along the crater edges, this may cause dizziness to susceptible individuals.
• This type of itinerary, in relation to the type, is suited to people in good physical health, not suffering from particular disease (it is strongly discouraged to those who suffer from cardio-vascular problems, breathing problems or hypertension).
• We recommend not to use contact lens, because of  the exhaled volcanic gases and of ash. This last one could easily cause problems, if pushed.
• Pregnant women who have passed the third month of pregnancy are not allowed to take part to any excursion activity.
• For the success of the excursion and for its correct carrying out, it’s good to know perfectly your health conditions and, if necessary, let the Guides know about them, in order to reduce the occurrence of any problem and to avoid any risks.

Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord
Email: info@guidevulcanologicheetna.it
Facebook: Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord 

Address: 
Via Provenzana, 35, Ufficio Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord, 95015 Linguaglossa CT
Tel: +39 3455741330

© Volcanological Guides Etna Nord – Law 22 April 1941, n. 633
Protection of copyright and other rights related to its exercise.

Our group is composed of Guides belonging to the Regional College of Alpine and Volcanological Guides of Sicily, the Italian law provides that these professional figures are the only ones qualified to lead groups in active volcanoes’ areas and throughout the island territory (Framework Law of 2 January 1989, n° 6 and Regional Law of 6 April 1996).