From Catania: Mt. Etna, Wine and Alcantara Tour with Lunch

Name: From Catania: Mt. Etna, Wine and Alcantara Tour with Lunch
Brand: GetYourGuide
Price: 110.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.85 (531 reviews)

4.9 (531 verified reviews)

The rust-coloured flank of a spent cinder cone high on Etna's northern side

A crater rim on the upper mountain, its scree stained red by oxidised ash

A walker looking out across the Sartorius craters from the 2,000-metre trail

Two visitors in helmets and headlamps at the mouth of a lava cave

Visitors wading the shallow Alcantara river between its dark basalt walls

About This Experience

The best-reviewed departure from Catania, and a volcano day first: a crater walk to 2,000 metres with a naturalist guide, a lava cave by helmet and headlamp, a winery lunch with wine, and the Alcantara gorges on the way home, all in about eight hours with pick-up near your accommodation.

The morning is the mountain. An air-conditioned van takes you to the Sartorius craters or the 2002 crater on Etna's north-east side, and the guide, a geologist, agronomist or biologist, walks you through old lava flows, extinct craters and deserts of ash for around two and a half hours. Then the cave: Grotta del Ladroni or Grotta Cassone, with the helmet and torch provided.

Lunch is at a winery up the mountain road: a starter, a first course, water and local wine, served outside or in depending on the weather. It is an authentic Sicilian meal rather than a structured tasting, and it is the wine element of the day.

The afternoon is the Alcantara river, where a lava flow once filled the riverbed and left basalt columns and cold clear pools; entrance is included, and you can wade if you bring swimwear and water shoes. Trekking shoes and jackets are free if requested at booking. Book this if you came to see Etna and would like wine with lunch, not the other way round.

Highlights

Guided crater walk on Etna's north-east side to about 2,000 metres with a naturalist guide
Lava cave exploration by helmet and headlamp at Grotta del Ladroni or Grotta Cassone
Sicilian lunch with local wine at a winery on the mountain road
The Alcantara gorges: basalt columns and cold river pools, entrance included
Pick-up and drop-off close to your Catania accommodation, trekking gear available free on request

What's Included

✓ Naturalist guide (geologist, agronomist or biologist)
✓ Pick-up and drop-off close to your Catania accommodation
✓ Round-trip transport by air-conditioned van
✓ Lunch at a winery: starter, first course, water and wine
✓ Helmet, torch, trekking shoes and jacket
✓ Entrance to the Alcantara gorges
✓ Insurance

Not Included

Tips
Extra food and drinks

What to Bring

Passport or ID card
Swimwear, flip-flops and water shoes if you want to wade the Alcantara pools
A warm layer: 2,000 metres is far colder than Catania, even in summer

Good to Know & Caveats

Trekking shoes and jackets are provided free, but only if you ask for them when you book.
Vegetarian, vegan and coeliac options are available if requested at booking.
Not recommended for anyone with heart problems; the walk is at altitude over uneven volcanic ground.
Children must be accompanied by an adult; infant seats can be arranged at booking.
This is a volcano day with wine at lunch, not a winery day. If cellars and tastings are the point, book a dedicated wine tour.

Not Suitable For

Wheelchair users
People with mobility impairments
People with heart problems

Meeting Point

Pick-up close to your accommodation in Catania, or at another point agreed in the city.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.9/5 by 531 verified GetYourGuide travelers.

The experience was amazing! Matteo was an incredible guide, extremely knowledgeable and very well-prepared. Any minor setbacks that occurred were resolved very quickly, without any of us being inconvenienced. He truly helped us with everything we needed and taught us a lot of new and interesting things. I would highly recommend this trip to everyone, as you get to see many new places and meet people who share the same passion!
— MANOS, Septemb

This was one of the best tours we have all ever been on. We had 5 adults and 2 kids (5&7) and it was great for everyone. Our Guide was amazing. The Alcantara was incredible. Lunch at the winery was very good. Etna (and the caves) as always, was so cool Highly recommend!
— Karlie, Septemb

The support, the experience, and the tour guide made the experience unique for the family. Those who love nature will enjoy this tour.
— Michael, Septemb

Frequently Asked Questions

How much of the day is about wine?

One long lunch. You eat a Sicilian starter and first course at a winery on the mountain road with local wine and water. There is no cellar tour or structured flight; the wine is part of the meal, and the day is built around the craters, the cave and the gorge.

How high does the crater walk go?

To a maximum of about 2,000 metres, on the north-east side of the volcano at the Sartorius craters or the 2002 crater. The walk lasts roughly two and a half hours over lava flows and ash, and the guide sets the pace.

Do I need my own boots and jacket?

No. Trekking shoes and a jacket are lent free of charge, but you must request them at the time of booking so the right sizes are in the van. Helmet and torch for the cave are always provided.

Can we swim in the Alcantara gorges?

You can wade the river pools, which are cold even in August. Bring swimwear, flip-flops or water shoes and a towel if you want to; the entrance ticket is included in the tour.

Is it suitable for children?

Yes, accompanied by an adult, and infant seats can be arranged when you book. It is a long, active day with a two-and-a-half-hour walk, so it suits children who are happy walking rather than toddlers.