Description
The Etna tour from Catania with a guide begins in a minivan with air conditioning, which collects you at a meeting point in the city and drives up to Rifugio Sapienza on the south side. Short scenic stops on the way set the scene, and the guide explains how the eruptions shaped the villages around the volcano.
From about 1,920 metres, an easy trek climbs to roughly 2,000. The paths cross extinct craters and old solidified lava flows, where plants are slowly coming back, at a pace that does not ask for training. The maximum altitude of the day is 2,100 metres and the summit is not visited, so the route suits adults and children alike.
Next comes a lava slide cave. With helmet and flashlight you go down into a tunnel left by flowing lava and see the rock up close. The licensed guide also tells local traditions and legends, and points out where to take photos.
The last stop is a farm among vineyards with a view of the volcano, for a tasting of local Etna products. After that you are driven back to where you started, about five and a half hours after the start. If bad weather forces a change, the guide can alter the itinerary for safety.