Climb to 3347 meters with comfort and thrill – Etna’s summit by bus
Etna Summit tour with 4×4 bus (round trip) – 3347m
Piano Provenzana - Etna Nord
Meeting: between 8 and 8.30 am or at 1 pm
Duration: 5/6 Hours
Etna Summit tour with 4x4 bus (round trip) - 3347m
Etna Summit tour with 4x4 bus (round trip) - 3347mDo you want to go to the real top of the Etna volcano at 3347m altitude? This is now possible again with the "Etna summit tour with 4x4 bus (round trip) excursion"! You go with this excursion with the 4×4 off-road bus to 2900 meters altitude. From here you will walk to the summit of Mount Etna. Once at the top you can enjoy a magnificent view of the top Etna volcano crater where the smoke is still coming out. After this visit you will walk back to 2900 meters and take the 4×4 unimog bus back to Piano Provenzana at 1800m altitude.
- Start location: Piano Provenzana
- Meetingtime: Between 8-8.30 am or 1.00 pm
- Duration excursion: about 5/6 hours
Etna Summit tour with 4x4 bus (round trip) itinerary
The Etna Summit tour excursion starts from Piano Provenzana – Etna Nord. Here you get on the 4×4 unimog bus that takes you from 1800 meters altitude to 2900 meters altitude to Piano delle Concazze. From here the trekking to the summit of Etna volcano begins. This is a trekking with 500 meters difference in altitude that takes about 2 hours. In total, the distance to cover to the summit is about 4.5 km.
Once at the summit of Mount Etna, we will enjoy breathtaking views. We will walk along the rim of the great Central Crater where we will look at the active mouths inside. Then we will look down into the vertiginous North-East Crater. We will also admire the famous South-East Crater, testimony to the last powerful eruptions. In addition to seeing these active summit craters, you will be able to admire a landscape of yellow and white sulphites, the gases they emit and the solidified black lava that surrounds them. It is an exciting and breathtaking experience that will leave you speechless!
After exploring the summit, the return path will be a scenic journey through fine volcanic ash and scoriae. You will enjoy stunning views of the Sicilian coastline all along the way. Once back at an altitude of around 2825 metres, we will take the 4×4 bus back to Piano Provenzana, the starting and finishing point of this extraordinary adventure in Sicily.
During the Etna Summit tour with 4×4 bus we will take pleasant breaks to discover the history, formation and unique features of the volcano. It is a perfect way to learn while enjoying the scenery!
Details:
The Etna Summit tour with 4×4 bus (round trip) excursion starts daily by reservation. An excursion to the summit crater is only possible via Etna Nord due to the activity of the volcano (this is already the case since July 2021!). We have different starting times. The starttime depends on the available guide that day. This is an indication of the starting times:
- Present: 08.00 hour, start around 08.30 hour
- Present: 08.15 hour, start around 08.45 hour
- Present: 08.30 hour, start around 09.00 hour
- Present 13.00 hour, start around 13.30 hour*
! Departure only on reservation! A minimum number of participants is required to start the excursion.
The total excursion takes about 5/6 hours. This means you will be back around 2:00 pm if you do the morning excursion, or around 6:00 – 7.00 pm if you do the afternoon excursion.
*The afternoon excursion is only available in high season (July and August normally).
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Start Point Piano Provenzana - Etna Nord -
Meeting 8.30 - 09.00 or 13.30 hour -
Difficulty For excursionists with walking experience -
Duration by bus 50 Minutes 1800m to 2900m a/r -
Meeting time 8-8.30 am or 1.00 pm -
Return time Around 2 pm -
Total duration: 5/6 Hours -
Total elevation gain 1500 Meters -
Trekking duration on foot: 3,5 Hours total -
Walking distance Around 6 km
Price and availability
This excursion is available by reservation only. Be sure to book in advance as places are limited! This is because each volcano guide can have a maximum of 10-12 people in his group. It is possible that you will be divided by language for the explanations, so there may be some more or less in your group. But there is always 1 volcano guide per 10/12 people!
Etna Summit tour with 4×4 bus price
- € 120,00 per person (adults)
You can pay the guide on the day of the excursion by presenting your reservation (the voucher we send you). We do not ask for any advance payment, because we work on a trust basis. You can pay for the excursion on the day itself, in cash, by debit card or credit card.
Payment and booking confirmation:
We do not ask for advance payment, we work on a trust base! You can pay on the day of the tour, directly to the guide. You can pay by cash, pin or credit card. Upon booking you will receive a confirmation with all the details and the booking voucher by email.
✓ No prepayment
✓ Free cancellation
✓ 100% fun
Including and excluding
- Up + down with the 4x4 off-road bus from 1800m to 2900m
- Trekking to the summit craters at 3347m
- Visit to the North-East Crater
- Panoramic view of the Sicilian coastline
- Authorised volcanological guide (Italian and English speaking - other language on request)
- Walking poles
- Safety helmet
- Insurance in case of accidents (insurance through the volcano guides)
- Jacket (on request - please indicate size)
- Hiking boots (on request - please indicate size)
- Advice on getting there and parking
- Food & drinks
- Parking lot Piano Provenzana (€3.00 per car)
- Tip for the guide (not required)
Clothing & what to bring tips
👟 Footwear
Good hiking boots are obligatory. The terrain is uneven and the lava can be sharp. In some areas, you’ll walk on loose volcanic sand, which can easily get into your shoes. High hikingshoes – or at least high socks – are helpful to protect your ankles. Keep in mind your shoes may get dusty from the volcanic ash!
→ If needed, hiking shoes can be borrowed free of charge from the guide.
🧥 Clothing
We suggest dressing in layers. At 3400 meters altitude, it can feel significantly cooler than at lower elevations. The wind is often strong on the volcano.
👉 Personally, I find wind on the ears annoying, so I often recommend bringing a sweater or jacket with a hood. Or think about a hat or scarf to cover up.
💡 Photo tip: Wear bright colors (yellow, red…) – they stand out beautifully in photos with the black lava and blue sky!
🧢 Other tips
Keep in mind that your phone battery may drain faster at higher altitudes → bring a power bank or charging cable for the ride back.
Bring sunglasses and a hat, as the sun can be strong and it’s easier to get sunburned in the mountains.
Don’t forget sunscreen! ☀️
- Good hiking shoes
- Scarf or bandana
- Water
- High socks
- Sunglasses
- Energy snacks
- (Wind) jacket
- Hat
- Sunscreen
- Layered clothes
You want to book?
Would you like to book the Etna Summit tour with 4×4 bus to 3347m? Fill in the request form and we will contact you within 1 hour. If you have a time preference, please indicate the desired time.
Please note that our e-mails (especially with hotmail and live addresses) sometimes end up in the spam folder. So please check your spam folder if you do not see a message from us, or write us a message via WhatsApp.
Meetingpoint Etna Summit tour with 4×4 bus
With the booking, you will receive a voucher from us with all the information. You will also receive a handy flyer showing the exact location of the meeting point (with a photo for recognition), a link to Google Maps and information on how to get there and where to park.
- Meetingpoint: Piano Provenzana – Etna Nord (1800m)
FAQ
In general, we always recommend dressing in layers. Wear good hiking boots. Also, always take a sweatshirt or jacket with you, even in the middle of summer. It is really cooler high up on the volcano. If you do not have a jacket, it is possible to borrow one through the volcano guides. In this case, please tell us your size when booking!
It is often the wind that makes the weather cold (even in summer!). So remember to wear a hat and/or scarf. Don't have a hat with you? Then think about a pullover with a hood or a jacket with a hood.
In summer, it is sometimes possible to make the excursion in shorts. However, you will never meet a volcanological guide in shorts. This is because long trousers offer protection from the heat of the sun, which is also reflected by the black lava. They also offer protection from the sometimes sharp lava rocks and sand. So we always recommend long trousers!
Good hiking boots are mandatory for this excursion. No hiking boots with you on holiday? No problem! You can borrow them free of charge from the volcano guides. Just make sure you have the right socks and let us know your shoe size when you book!
In general, we always recommend this excursion in the morning. There is often more cloud cover during the day, which means less visibility. In addition, in the afternoons of the summer months, there is a greater possibility of thunderstorms, for example. If there is a possibility of thunderstorms, the excursion will be cancelled. However, we will always check with you the possibility of moving your excursion booking to another day!
Note that the vibrations of the volcano are monitored daily by the institute of volcanology. The guides are in close contact with the institute. Should the state of activity increase, the maximum permitted number of visits may be changed. In this case, you will be offered an alternative excursion or may decide to cancel free of charge.
It may also be that the activity lasts only a few hours. Often the excursion is also possible the next day, without any problems. Your volcano guide will advise you on this.
Yes, you can rent a jacket or hiking boots directly from your guide. Mountain shoes and a jacket are included in the excursion price. However, you must indicate in advance if you need them. Please also indicate your size.
No, this excursion is not suitable for children. It is a challenging excursion over uneven terrain on an active volcano. In addition, the altitude at which you walk makes this excursion unsuitable for children. The minimum age for this excursion is 10 years. However, children between the ages of 10 and 12 can only participate if they are in good physical condition, already have hiking experience and their parents fully guarantee this.
The weather is the one thing we cannot control for you. In case of bad weather on the day of the excursion, the volcano guide will contact you. They often do this via Whatsapp. Together with the volcano guide and us, we will be able to find a new date for your excursion if it cannot be made due to bad weather. If no other date can be found, we will cancel the excursion free of charge!
Be careful though! Did you know that sometimes at the starting point, at 1900 metres, it can be cloudy, while at 2900 or summit the sky is blue? In this case you climb above the clouds. And honestly? That makes the experience even more unique!!!
The volcano guide determines each morning whether the excursion should be done. The volcano guides take in account for example the activity of the volcano, the weather conditions and account reports from the volcanology institute. This can mean that the excursion can be cancelled at the last minute. There is nothing we can do about this, as everyone's safety is the top priority! However, they always offer an alternative excursion so that you can still see and explore Etna (and the possible eruption!).
This excursion is only available by advance booking. Each guide can accompany a maximum of 10 to 12 people. This means that places are very limited. Make sure you book your excursion in time!
Why book through us?
100% honest and up-to-date information
No hidden extra costs
We only work with authorised guides
Best availability
Lots of free extra tips and explanations
We collaborate with several volcano guides. Thanks to our network, we can guarantee maximum availability! We only collaborate with officially authorised professional volcano guides.
Yes, we can always try to organize this for you. This service is always on request and there will be charged an additional cost. If you need a pick-up, please indicate this in your request with the pick-up location (name accommodation + address). Please be aware a transfer service is very pricy in Sicily!
Yes, it is. Our price is 'all-inclusive'. So there are no hidden or extra costs.
Yes, this is always possible. You can easily send us an email or a message on Whatsapp. Of course we appreciate it if you cancel as soon as possible. We do not require any deposit for your booking. This also means that you will not lose any money if you have to cancel unexpectedly. And we work on the basis of trust. We call this service.
Official volcano guides work with small groups for this excursion to the summit crater. Normally, the group consists of a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10/12 people per guide. In the 4x4 bus to 2900 meters, there will be more people. On arrival at 2820 metres, each person leaves with his/her volcano guide, so you walk up with 'small' groups.
First, of course, this is also down to yourself. You have to look at where you are staying and how much travel time you have. However, it is true that it is often clear in the morning and becomes more cloudy during the day. However, it is also true that at 3347 meters, you are often above the clouds and so it can still be clear! Incidentally, the afternoon excursion is only possible in the high season. Normally from 21 June to 21 September.
We work with several volcano guides. So we can always guarantee availability. To ensure that not everyone is at the top at the same time, the buses with guides leave in different time slots. When making your request, you can always indicate your preference! We only work with professional, official volcano guides!
per person
€ 120,00
Etna Summit tour with 4x4 bus (round trip) - 3347m
Including 4x4 bus from 1800m to 2900m a/r- Including authorised volcanological guide
BOOKING REQUEST
Send your request for this excursion without any obligation. We will try to answer you within 1 hour!
- No hidden costs
- No advance payment
- Free cancellation
Need help or you want advise?
Need help? Me and my team will gladly help you choose your excursion!
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Anniek
I live in Linguaglossa and I’m an official touristic guide. It is my goal to give you the best memory of your holiday! I speak Italian, English and Dutch. 
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Ellen
I live in Salerno and I love Sicily as a holiday destination. It is my goal to answer your request as soon as possible and to give you the best tips! I speak Italian, English and Dutch.
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Alessandro
I was born in Linguaglossa and I have over 40 years of experience on Mount Etna. Also, I’m an official volcano guide. I speak Italian, English, French and the Sicilian Dialect. 
WhatsApp: +39 347 327 3842
E-mail: team@pianoprovenzana.itEvery day available from 09.00 hour to 21.00 hour, also on Sundays!
Volcanological guides and language
The Etna summit tour with 4×4 bus (round trip) is accompanied by professionally trained and authorised volcanological guides. The volcanological guide always speaks Italian and English. Sometimes it is possible to request a volcanological guide who speaks French or German.
During the excursion, the volcanological guide will be your point of reference. The guide will also tell you about the volcano Etna and its eruptions during the excursion.
When possible
The volcano guide determines each morning whether or not it is responsible to conduct the excursion. For example, they look at the vibrations of the volcano and the weather. So this can mean that your excursion may be canceled last minute. There is nothing we can do about this, because the safety of everyone is the first priority! However, they always offer an alternative excursion so that you can still see and explore Etna (and the possible eruption!).
Important disclaimer!
The Etna Summit tour with 4×4 bus excursion is always conducted within the regulations in vigor, under the responsibility of the volcano guide. Pianoprovenzana.com does not take any responsibility. In case of changes in volcano activity or weather during the excursion, refunds are never possible. Moreover, the volcano guide always decides the course of the excursion. Because safety comes first.
N.b. it is also possible to do this excursion where you walk back instead of taking the 4×4 bus back (only for experienced hikers). Read more about this excursion here: Trekking Etna summit crater 3347m. | Full day
Requirements Etna Summit tour
This tour is forbidden for:
- Pregnant women
- Children from 0 to 10 years
- People with back problems
- People with heart problems
- People with respiratory problems
- People with severe knee/walking problems
For this Etna summit craters excursion is required:
- Good physical condition
- Good level of fitness
- Layered clothing
- Good walking shoes (available on request – free of charge)
- Jacket (available on request – free of charge)
Gallery
Reviews from our customers
The reviews you find here are 100% authentic and voluntarily written by people who have actually experienced an excursion with us. Only our guests can leave feedback, thus ensuring transparency and quality. Our guests' opinions help us to constantly improve and offer more memorable experiences. Discover our excursions through the eyes of those who have already chosen Piano Provenzana and get inspired for your next adventure!
Only reviews from customers who have made the excursion.
"Excelente"
Genio Basilio, nos dio mucha información durante todo el recorrido, nos asistió con el equipamiento y en todo momento procuraba que todos estemos bien. Tuvimos una experiencia inolvidable
28 May 2026 - Analía, Argentina"Absolutely excellent"
I wish to admire the professionalism and friendliness of the Piano Provemzana Team. We took a hike with you last May 2026 and we're grateful for you care and service on the day. The hike was quite demanding as you fairly warned everyone (thank you Luka👍). Our guide Andrea took great care of all group members being exceptionally responsible and easy going /approachable at the same time. One of the team members suffered from the mountain sickness and you took care of them organising the transport down (I know that when you up the mountain no one can carry you down). You also took great responsibility contacting the 4x4 bus team to make sure that member is safe and sound reassuring at the same time and for that I thank you Sir 😎 Reach lazy people taking heli tours over our head could be only jealous of the great atmosphere, fun and sense of achievement that your tour created 👍 We will be back again hopefully soon. Thank you again Team Piano Provenzana, well done 👍
27 May 2026 - Greg, Ireland"Summit Etna"
It was an unforgettable experience with great views and a very good guide
27 May 2026 - Jack, Netherlands"First time hiking a mountain, solo traveler."
A perfect day, excellent knowledgeable guide, who gave history and facts as well as pointing out so many details, such an amazing experience of magical beauty. Alessandro had patience and understanding while I acclimatised to atmosphere and terain. Would highly recommend this proffessional guide.
20 July 2025 - Kym, United Kingdom"Great experience"
Very nice Etna summit tour, great views all the way, very nice, warm and profesional guide Luca. Anniek's communication and organisation was also perfect. Definitely recommend!
14 July 2025 - Maja, Slovenia"“Etna adventure and discovery! ”"
Last week my friends and I went on a trip to the northern crater of Etna. Instead of just taking the bus or the cable car up and back, we really wanted to go to the top of Etna (3340m). Although it was harder than I expected, it was definitely worth it. Definitely an unforgettable experience! The views, the feelings and the breathtaking experience (sometimes literally because of the smells coming from the craters) were amazing! Anniek Bakker made sure everything was well organized in advance and the guides are really great. A big thank you to our guide Alessandro, who made the trip not only safe, but also educational and fun. If the opportunity arises, take it! You won't regret it!
26 May 2025 - Michel Vleminx, Belgium, Belgium"“Etna 2025”"
First of all Thank you! It was pleasure to be there with this group and our guide. The trek is well organized, good guided and you have a real feeling of a reaching the summit. The view of the crater as well as the land beneath is unforgettable.
24 May 2025 - Sam & Petr, Czech Republic"A dream came true"
We made a trip to the Etna summit craters at the start of June. It was quite a special experience, and we are very grateful to the team that made it all possible. Many thanks to Anniek Bakker who coordinated the trip and whose help was invaluable! A special mention also to our guide, Luca Cosma, whose kindness, care and reliability touched our hearts. Thank you for the breathtaking adventure above the clouds! We’ll be quite happy to come again some day!
11 July 2024 - Tanya Ivanova, Bulgaria"wonderful experience you should not miss! even better with snow!"
easy communication via what's app, flexible agency, experienced guides, perfect in english
13 May 2024 - claudia, Austria"3.270m in snow"
The View!
20 April 2024 - Papalympics,, Germany© Pianoprovenzana.com - all rights reserved
