10 guided excursions to discover Mt Etna
In collaboration with Mandala Tour,
Assoetna elaborated a programme of excursions on Mt Etna. With
these excursions, you will discover the Park in an original and
adventurous way: by foot, by mountain bike, by boat or by train…
In addition to trekking across the volcanic landscapes of Mt
Etna, ours excursions will present the various local products
of Assoetna members (wines, honey, hams...). Not also tourists
but also locals could book these excursions at the office of
Mandala Tour.
Mandala Tour
Via Simili, 16 - 95000 Catania
Tel: 0039.095.7463484 - Fax: 0039.0957470293
E-mail: info.italy@mandala-tour.com
WWW.mandala-tour.com
1. Trekking on the eastern side of Mt Etna
3. The Alcantara's gorges and Taormina
4. Birdwatching on the Gurrida lake
7. Trekking on the south-eastern side of Mt Etna
8. The Etna volcano in cross-country skiing
9. Excursion on the summit of Mt Etna
10. Golf on Mt Etna
1. TREKKING ON THE EASTERN SIDE OF MT ETNA (full day)
 |
A walk on Mt Etna to discover volcanic landscapes along the naturalistic path on the eastern side of the volcano. You'll see the lava of the 1991-1993 eruption. This path goes through a luxuriant beech wood and delimits the huge natural amphitheatre, called "Bove valley". This valley represents one of the most fascinating and wild environments of the Etna Park (perimeter: 18 km - surface: 37 km). |
Description
of the day
Morning: meeting at the Park of Zafferana Etnea at 9.00 am
Naturalistic path of Piano dell'Acqua-Monte Calanna (1,2 km)
Picnic
Afternoon: Visit of the apiarist's cooperative in Zafferana Etnea
Tasting of various honey samples
Points of
interest
Price per person (minimum 6 persons)
For groups of 6 to 12 persons: 25 euro
For groups > 12 persons: 16 euro
The price includes:
- guide
- picnic
- guided visit of the apiarists' cooperative in Zafferana Etnea
- tasting of various honey samples
Asking for transfer by bus
2. MT ETNA BY "CIRCUMETNEA" (full day)
 |
A peculiar way to discover the sides of Mt Etna, going around the Vulcan by "circumetnea". This old locomotive will take you to Randazzo, a little medieval village in the northern side of Etna. Later we will be visiting the Patria wine cooperative and tasting its Etna D.O.C wines. |
Descriptions of the day
Morning:
meeting at the Giarre train station, at 8.15 am
train ride Giarre-Randazzo
guided visit of Randazzo
Afternoon: visit of the Patria wines cooperative in Solicchiata
di Sicilia
tasting Etna D.O.C wines and other local products
return to Giarre by bus at 4.30 pm
Points of
interest
Discovering the different landscapes of Etna (streams of lava,
vegetation, etnean cities)
Guided tour of the historical center of Randazzo and the archeological
museum "Paolo Vagliasindi"
Price per person (minimum 6 persons): )
For groups of 6 to 9 persons: 45 euro
For groups > 9 persons: 40 euro
The price includes:
- the train ride Giarre-Randazzo
- guided visit of Randazzo (archeological museum and historical
center)
- guided visit of the Patria wine cooperative and various sample
of Etna D.O.C wines and other local products
- transfer by bus
3. THE ALCANTARA'S GORGES AND TAORMINA (full day)
 |
The Alcàntara river has marked amazing and always changing landscapes of which the gorges are the most impressive evidence. Running across a path through the citrus fruits in the Mediterranean Garden, you could discover the Alcàntara's gorges. Fill up on sensations through colors, smells of the citrus grove! Enjoy the fascinating atmosphere of the gorges and admire the architectural heritage of Taormina, one of the most beautiful places in Sicily… |
Description
of the day
Morning: guided visit of the Mediterranean Garden
Walk through the Alcàntara's gorges
Rustic lunch with local products
Afternoon: visit of Taormina
Return at 5.30 pm
Points
of interest
Rustic lunch inside the citrus grove of the Mediterranean Garden
Naturalistic trail along the steep walls of the Alcàtara's
gorges
Breath-taking view of Mt Etna and Ionian see from Taormina
Price
per person (minimum 6 persons):
For groups of 6 to 9 persons:
50 euro
For groups > 9 persons: 40 euro
The price includes:
- visit of the Mediterranean Garden with a naturalistic guide
- rustic lunch
- bus transfer
4. BIRDWATCHING ON THE GURRIDA LAKE (full day)
 |
This area, on the north-west side of Mt Etna, in the territory of Randazzo, represents a peculiar environment due to the particular morphology of the lava and to the presence of the Gurrida lake. Running across the naturalistic Gurrida path, you could observe , from a little cabin numerous birds on the lake. After a rustic lunch with products of the Gurrida farm, we will go to Bronte, a village on the western side of Mt Etna, to discover the legend of the famous "Castel of Nelson". |
Description
of the day
Morning: meeting in Randazzo at 9.30 am
Gurrida path around the lake with a naturalistic guide
Guided visit of the Gurrida's farm
Rustic lunch with farm produce
Afternoon: guided visit of the Nelson Castle in Bronte, on the
western side of Mt Etna
Returning to Randazzo at 5.00 pm
Points
of interest
Presence of migratory birds on the Gurrida lake
A unique sample vineyard which gets covered by water during winter
Price
per person (minimum 6 persons):
For groups of 6 to 9 persons: 45 euro
For groups > 9 persons: 40 euro
The price includes:
- naturalistic guide and rustic lunch
- guided visit of the Nelson Castle (Bronte)
- transfer by bus
5. MOUTAIN BIKE ON MT ETNA (full day)
 |
A different and more respectful way to visit the Park of Mount Etna, running on unusual paths to discover beautiful landscapes and peaceful atmospheres. We propose a route of a medium difficulty, in the northern side of Mt Etna, through wonderful woods of pines and genista. The main characteristics of this excursion are the places with rich vegetation which suddenly, along the path, turn in lifeless extensions of lava. |
Description
of the day
Meeting in Linguaglossa, in front of the Brunek mountain hut,
in the northern side of Mt Etna
Circular path: Brunek - Grotta delle Palombe (Cave of the Doves)
- Grotta dei Lamponi (Cave of the Raspberries) - Silletta step
- Brunek (17 km in 6 hours)
Period: April - November
Points
of interest:
A beautiful path, not usually attended by excursionists
Visit to lava Caves
Price
per person (minimum 6 persons): 44 euro
The price includes:
- naturalistic guide
- moutain bike rental
- bike transport to the departure place
- packet lunch
6. THE VOLCANO AND THE SEA (full day)
 |
The life of Mt Etna begins from the sea. With typical boats used for fishery, you will lie deep feelings in experiencing the world made of traditions, culture and wisdoms of the fishermen, along the coast to discover the territory of Mt Etna: from the characteristic tiny harbour of Ognina, to the submarine ancient lavas of Acicastello and Acitrezza until the woody landscape of the Timpa of Acireale. |
Description of the day
Meeting at the Port of Ognina (Catania) at 9.30 am
Journey along the Ionic coast towards Acicastello on board of
a typical fishing-boat (break to visit the Norman castle placed
in a rocky peak). Then, we reach Acitrezza and the marine Reserve
of Ciclopi islands and Timpa of Acireale which is a regional
coastal reserve.
Points of interest
Discovering the most beautiful sites of the Ionic shoreline
Lunch based on fresh fish on board of the boat and possibility
of sea bathing
Explanation of fishery techniques and participation to the fishermen's
activities
Price per person (minimum 3 persons): 39 euro
The price includes:
- boat tour
- lunch on board
7. TREKKING ON THE SOUTH-EASTERN SIDE OF MT ETNA (half day)
 |
This easy excursion winds along the south-eastern side of Mt Etna. Leaving from Piano del Vescovo, an important moutain area, used by the shepherds for the pasture during the transhumance, you 'll arrive to "Acqua Rocca degli Zappini", a small source. Afterwards, you could visit the Cassone's cave, formed during the eruption of 1792 which threatened Zafferana Etnea. Inside this cavity, it's possible to admire the morphology of the lava flow. |
Description day
Meeting in front of "Rifugio Sapienza" in Nicolosi
at 9.00 am
Path of Acqua Rocca degli Zappini and visit of the Cassone's
cave
Returning to Rifugio Sapienza at 12.00 am
Points of interest
View of the Acqua Rocca degli Zappini source
Visit of Cassone's cave
Price per person (minimum 6 persons)
For groups of 6 to 12 persons: 20 euro
For groups > 12 persons: 13 euros
The price includes:
- volcanologic guide
- visit of the Cassone's cave
8. THE ETNA VOLCANO IN CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING (full day)
 |
Running across Mt Etna in cross-country skiing represents a pleasant and original way to discover the Etna moutain! Along the Poiana ski run, you could discover Mt Etna with a different approach. This excursion will give you a full load of emotions and sensations going through wonderful landscapes… |
Description of the day
Meeting in Linguaglossa, "Piano Provenzana" at 9.00
am
Cross-country skiing along the Poiana ski run
Lunch with local products at the Trattoria del Parco in Linguaglossa
Points of interest
Cross-country skiing through a wood of beechs and birchs
Typical menu of Linguaglossa region
Price per person (minimum 6 persons):
For groups of 6 to 12 persons: 35 euro
For groups > 12 persons: 32 euro
The price includes:
- guide
- equipment for the corss-country
- lunch at the Trattoria del Parco
9. EXCURSION ON THE SUMMIT OF MT ETNA (half day)
 |
The excursion on Mt Etna, one of the biggest tourist attractions in Italy, must not be missed by any tourist. Special unimog Mercedes-Bens vehicles will take you to 2800 m above sea level. The uncomparable scenery offered from a suspended balcony overlooking the sea, gives the tourist an extraordinary experience. In front of you, the central crater and the south east crater will majestically appear. All around historical lava flows form the landscape. The Etna guides are available to assist you and to take you on those places where the vitality of the Volcano surfaces. |
Description
of the day
Meeting in Nicolosi - Rifugio Sapienza - at 9.30 am
Ride from 1900 m to 2800 m with unimog vehicles of the Funivia
dell'Etna
Observation of the landscape (central crater) with a guide of
the Funivia dell'Etna
Points of
interest
Beautiful view of the central crater and south-east crater
Price per
person: 38 euro
The price includes:
- the ride from 1900 m to 2800 m
- the guide
10. GOLF ON MT ETNA (half day)
 |
Beginners or experts, we propose a day at the Pìcciolo Golf Club. This 18 holes-golf course is situated in a natural amphitheatre on the northern side of Mt Etna, between Randazzo and Castiglione di Sicilia. While beginners will follow the master's advice, the others could practice the Green Fee. |
Description
of the day
Meeting at the Pìcciolo Golf Club at 10.00 (on the 120
national road to Randazzo)
For the beginners: golf lesson with the Master
For the experts: Green Fee of 9 holes
Lunch at the restaurant Il Pìcciolo: menu "tasting
of tipical products"
Points
of interest
Practicing golf while enjoying a panoramic view on Mt Etna
Various tipical food samples
Price per person (minimum 3 persons): 45 euro
The price includes:
- the lesson with a master for the beginners
- the Green Fee for the experts
- lunch in the restaurant Il Pìcciolo