Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorges full-day tour with lava cave and pick-up

Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorges full-day tour with lava cave and pick-up

A full-day experience that combines the wild beauty of North Etna with the refreshing charm of the famous Alcantara Gorges. In just one day, you'll explore a lava cave wearing a helmet and headlamp, hike among the 7 extinct craters of Monti Sartorius, enjoy a typical Sicilian lunch at a mountain refuge, and descend to the bottom of the Alcantara canyon by the included elevator! All accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide.

✔ Include pick-up da Catania, Taormina o Giardini Naxos
✔ Include pranzo nel rifugio di montagna sull'Etna
✔ Include i biglietti d'ingresso alle Gole dell'Alcantara: giardino botanico + ascensore!

This excursion is available daily from March to December.

Description Etna, Lava Cave & Alcantara Gorges Excursion

🚐 Pick-up included
Pick-up service is included from Catania, Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Linguaglossa, and nearby areas (to be agreed upon). You will travel in a comfortable minibus with a maximum of 8 people, ensuring a relaxed and personal experience. All minibuses are air-conditioned, and you’ll receive a complimentary bottle of water from the organizers.

🌋 Mount Etna – Where the 2002 lava flow stopped
Our first stop on Mount Etna is at the point where the lava flow from the 2002 eruption came to a halt. This area, located at around 1000 meters above sea level, offers a great opportunity to take photos and get your first close-up look at the lava landscape.

🕳️ Etna – Lava cave
Next, we visit one of Etna’s fascinating lava caves. Wearing a helmet and headlamp, you’ll explore a volcanic tunnel formed during a past eruption – a unique chance to discover the hidden world beneath the surface of the volcano.

After the cave visit, we’ll make a short stop at Rifugio Ragabo for a restroom break before continuing toward the Monti Sartorius.

🥾 Etna – Hike to the Monti Sartorius
We’ll take a scenic walk through the seven extinct craters of the Monti Sartorius, surrounded by larch forests and lava fields. The views are spectacular – with a bit of luck, you may even see smoke rising from the summit crater.
The hike covers about 3.5 km and lasts 1 hour and 20 to 1 hour and 40 minutes, following easy and accessible trails. This area is located at an altitude of around 1685 meters.

🍝 Traditional lunch at Rifugio Ragabo (included)
After a morning full of impressions, it's time to relax with a delicious lunch! At Rifugio Ragabo, nestled in Etna’s pine forest, you'll enjoy a Sicilian pasta dish of your choice, with water and coffee or cappuccino included. Lunch is part of the excursion.

🌊 Alcantara Gorges – Descent by elevator!
In the afternoon, we’ll visit the Alcantara Gorges, a deep canyon carved into volcanic rock by the river of the same name. You’ll descend comfortably by elevator (ticket included!) to the base, where you can admire the stunning rock formations up close – and if you’re brave enough, dip your hands into the ice-cold river water!

🌿 Botanical Garden & Panoramic Viewpoints
To finish the day, we’ll visit the botanical garden that surrounds the Alcantara Gorges. Here you’ll find unique panoramic viewpoints over the river and learn more about the native plant life of the volcanic area. Entrance to the botanical park is included.

🔁 Return to your accommodation
After a day full of unforgettable experiences, it’s time to head back. Our comfortable minibus will take you back to the same location where you were picked up.

Excursion Details

Total duration: approx. 8 hours
Maximum altitude: 1685 meters
Difficulty level: Suitable for all

Departure time & Pick-up

This excursion is available daily and departs around 09:00 AM from Linguaglossa.
If you request a pick-up, the approximate times are:

• Catania: pick-up at 08:20
• Taormina (Porta Catania side): pick-up at 08:30
• Taormina (Porta Messina side): pick-up at 08:20
• Giardini Naxos (train station): around 08:40, to be confirmed
• Letojanni: pick-up at 08:00

*Other pick-up locations between these areas are available upon request. In some cases, a small extra fee may apply for personalized pick-up service.

Etna & Alcantara Gorges Excursion – Price

The price of the excursion is:

• Adults (age 11+): €80.00 per person
• Children aged 3 to 10 benefit from a special discount: €60.00
• Children aged 0 to 2 can join for free

No advance payment is required.
We work entirely based on trust – you can simply pay on the day of the excursion!
Of course, you will still receive a booking confirmation with voucher by email, so both you and the organizers have all the necessary details, along with some useful and free tips for your day.

This also means that you can cancel or reschedule your booking free of charge at any time.

✅ Included in the price:

✓ Pick-up from your accommodation in Catania, Taormina, or Giardini Naxos
✓ Visit to the 2002 lava flow front
✓ Entrance and guided visit to a lava cave
✓ Hike to the Monti Sartorius craters
✓ Entrance to the Alcantara Gorges with comfortable elevator descent
✓ Entrance to the Alcantara Botanical Park
✓ Panoramic viewpoint over the river from the “natural balcony”
✓ Lunch at Rifugio Ragabo (Sicilian pasta dish, water, and coffee included)
✓ Complimentary bottle of water
✓ Hiking shoes (on request)
✓ Trekking poles (on request)
✓ Helmet
✓ Headlamp
✓ Certified nature guide
✓ Drop-off at your accommodation at the end of the day
✓ Insurance coverage

❌ Not included:

X Additional food or drinks at the restaurant, other than what is listed above
X Souvenirs or personal purchases
X Tips for the driver or guide (optional)

Payment & Booking Confirmation

We don’t require any advance payment – we work based on trust!
You can pay on the day of the tour, directly to the driver.
Payment can be made in cash, by debit card, or credit card.
Upon booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details, the exact meeting point, and your booking voucher.

Requirements

This excursion is generally suitable for everyone.
Children aged 3 and above can join and complete the walk.

This tour is not suitable for:

• People with heart and/or respiratory problems
• People with severe physical limitations
• Pregnant women: in this case, it is necessary to consult with the driver before the tour. A medical certificate may be required, or additional conditions may apply to ensure safety.

Clothing Tips

👟 Footwear
We recommend wearing hiking boots or good sports shoes. 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 shoes – or at least high socks – are helpful to protect your ankles.

Many participants wear comfortable sneakers, which is perfectly fine. Just keep in mind they may get dusty from the volcanic ash!
→ If needed, hiking shoes can be borrowed free of charge from the organization.

🧥 Clothing
We suggest dressing in layers. At 1685 meters altitude, it can feel significantly cooler than at lower elevations, especially around the Alcantara Gorges. 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.

💡 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! ☀️

Booking request