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Mt. Etna and Alcantara river full day tour from Taormina

Badge of ExcellenceTaormina, Italy

From $112.01

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

9 hours
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

The volcanic landscapes around Mt. Etna draw travelers from far and wide, but reaching the highest peaks can be a challenge. This adventurous full-day tour from Taormina includes food-tastings in Zafferana Etnea and a visit to the Parco dell’Etna. Delve into a lava cave with a guide, marvel at Italy’s volcanic landscape from the Rifugio Sapienza, and delve deep into the Alcantara Gorges—home to lava formations shaped over millions of years.

Full-day tour of Mt. Etna and the Alcantara Gorges from Taormina
Enjoy panoramic views over Italy’s volcanic landscape from the Rifugio Sapienza
Explore lava caves and hiking routes in the Parco dell’Etna with a guide
Sample locally made honey, olive oil, and wine in Zafferana Etnea
Discover ancient lava formations and clear pools in the Alcantara Gorges
Tour includes round-trip travel from your Taormina hotel

What's Included

Shuttle bus (round trip)
Multilingual guide
The kit for visiting the Cave
Sampling
Trekking shoes (on request)
INFANT price - Baby seat and baby carrier included

Cableway + 4x4 minibus + alpinist guide to Maximum altitudes allowed (to pay on the spot) Optional
All that is not specified under “the cost includes"
Extra activities available on Etna, as quad or bike, alternative to trekking.

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

09:00 AM

Pickup details

Hotels, B&B, Port, bus and train stations in Taormina

What To Expect

Begin your tour with a pickup at your hotel, the port, the bus station, or the train station in Taormina. Then, travel out of the city to the Rifugio Sapienza—a vantage point boasting panoramic views over Italy’s volcanic landscape. Stop at vantage points along the way, and listen as your guide sheds light on the Silvestri Craters and the region’s past volcanic eruptions.

From the Rifugio Sapienza enjoy an optional trek (payable locally at own expense) into the Parco dell’Etna to an altitude of 6,561 feet (2,000 meters) above sea level. From here, continue onward via cable car and off-road vehicle (payable locally at own expense) to the Torre del Filosofo at 9,514 feet (2,900 meters). Marvel at sweeping views over the craters and ancient lava flows of Mt. Etna, then return to Rifugio Sapienza by minibus and cable car.

Next, strap on your helmet and explore a lava cave in the Parco dell’Etna with your guide. Along the way, admire ancient rock formations in the molten landscape and gain insight into the Parco dell’Etna’s complex geology.

Sample honey, olive oil, wine, and other traditional Italian products at an organic farm in Zafferana Etnea. Then, continue on to the Alcantara Gorges—home to a series of pools and bays hidden among high cliffs.

Follow your guide along the winding trails and admire the ruins of Francavilla Castle. As you explore, discover rich lava formations eroded over millions of years by the gorges’ running waters.

When your time in the Alcantara Gorges comes to an end, return to your starting point in Taormina to conclude your tour.

Etna Tribe

9 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Rifugio Sapienza

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Craters Silvestri of Mount Etna

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Mount Etna

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Parco dell'Etna

2 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Funivia dell'Etna

2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included

Grotta dei Tre Livelli

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Oro d'Etna

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Gola dell'Alcantara

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Gurne dell'Alcantara. Francavilla di Sicilia

1 hour • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
Not wheelchair accessible
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 8 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

64 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 64 reviews

Wonderful experience for life

imola_b, May 2024

We had the best guide ever, Lorenzo! He was right on time, and from the beginning of the trip till the very end he was enthusiastically explaining a lot and answering all our questions. You could tell that he’s really passionate about what he’s doing, and besides the gorgeous landscapes and exciting activities, his expertise and enthusiasm is what made our trip genuinely memorable and unforgettable. I’d truly recommend this excursion, my family and I had an incredible experience for life! Thank you!

Out of this world

Elizabeth_B, May 2024

Well, where to start. Our guide Lorenzo pulled out all the stops for everyone. His knowledge of the area and passion for Mount Etna is astounding. Be prepared for a long day but every second is pure joy. I cannot recommend this trip enough. You will fall in love with the place. I’ve made some friends for life in the group, we all felt like a family.

Enjoyed the whole tour....

Jim_f, Sep 2023

Enjoyed the whole tour. Opted for the quad biking through the Mt Etna area, not cheap @ €100 but thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want something more educational go for the hike which is free, Simone our guide was a gas !!! ..be prepared if u get him he's full on and very knowledgeable !!

Best tour guide

Amanda_L, Sep 2023

Tour is amazing! Andrea is the best tour guide ever we loved hanging out with him. We did the 4x4 and it was sooo much fun!

Amazing Birthday experience

Richard_L, Sep 2023

Thank you so much to our tour guide Giuseppe. He was very informative and fun to be around. It was my Birthday and he made it very special. Highly recommended!

Our farewell vist to mamma etna and taormina

Jeanette_G, Sep 2023

Amazing tour guide Andrea he was friendly informative knowledgeable trusting went out of his wsy to help us with problem we had grazie mille Andrea. Couldnt of wanted a better tour guide to share our day with. Mamma etnea was amazing. We lived here many years ago and been back many times But never been up to see her that close.Views were amazings. Climb was bit steep and very windy so definetely wear warmer clothing tothe top especially if its windy can take your breath away i have asthma so found it hard with walk and altitude had to stop and use my inhaler half way. But still wouldnt of missed the trek and it is a teek hahahThe use of a walking pole would of helped as trail is very narrow. But glad we got up close and personal to see mamma etna. Alacantra gorges was amazing another place we had always wanted to go. It was stunning. And our trip to the little house to get homemade honey was amazing All in all time went too quick but worth every second. Era una buona esperienza grazie a tutti. Grazie mille ancora per tutti Andrea stai bene. Ciao Mamma etnea e taormina ti pensando sempre. JANETTE AND VICKI

Great!

Raphaelina_A, Jul 2023

Great tour! Our tour guide was Flo, she was amazing and knowledgeable! Very comfortable vehicle, enough time at each location. Etna was stunning and walking through Alcantara river was fun (bring water shoes). All the reviews were right, it’s a great tour!

Guilio, our guide, was...

Donna_P, Jul 2023

Guilio, our guide, was fabulous! Knowledgeable and a great personality. Perfect combo. Five star guide! Of course, being on Etna, an active volcano, was a great experience.

Awesome day out around Sicily

Daniel_L, Jun 2023

What an excellent day out. There was so much information provided about the history and geography of the area and Sicily as a whole. Our guide, Pepe was passionate and always willing to help. What an experience would definitely recommend

Danilo is the best! Etna was amazing!!

Cristiana_T, Jun 2023

We had a wonderful day with Danilo, the best guide ever!!!! Nor even the rain put us down. We’ll be back for sure!!!

Great experience

Nicole_D, Jun 2023

Danilo was wonderful!! He explained about things along the way even before we got to Etna. He was a great hiking guide and made sure everyone in the group was safe and happy.

Chilled interesting fun

marcus_b, Jun 2023

Great guide. Amazing and well organised tour. You must try it. An hour to etna from toarmina so wasn't time consuming. The river was just as good. Wear slighter warmer clothes for etna but crocs and shorts for the river to paddle in. It was relaxed and chilled but exciting. Don't miss it

It's worth it even if you only have one day to spare.

KOLIO_I, May 2023

We came across this tour after searching online. The feedback was very good and the ability to contact an operator when needed determined our decision to book it. We were constantly informed and provided with information via SMS and email. About 15 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time, we received a SMS from our guide Simone that he was on his way. Simone's information was extremely thorough and interesting in impeccable English. Thank you Simone! The history of the caves and surroundings impressed us. The time at Etna was perfectly choosen and we were lucky to see the volcano clear enough. A plenty of options to explore the place for everybody. Tasting the wine and many more local delicateses were an aded value to our pleasure of the tour. To those who want to see the waterfall, please ask for boots in advance. You have to do a short walk in the river. Only one suggestion: For tourists unfamiliar with Taormina and staying in hotels not included in the long list, a map with pick-up points would be very useful. Thank you Viator! K. Iordanov.

Memorable Mt. Etna eruption

Caryl_K, May 2023

It was a good tour of the volcano until it erupted. Unforgettable for sure! Our tour was cut short and the guide took us to safety. He took us to a winery/ food tour instead of the river due to the heavy rain and eruption. It worked out for us.

Don't miss the tour of Etna and the caves!

Gerard_M, May 2023

Peppe was very knowledgeable about Etna and Sicilian culture. He provided much information throughout the tour and was an excellent driver! The trip up to Etna was filled geological, agricultural and cultural info. We opted for the lift and the 4x4 bus to the alpine guides. Our guide up there was also very knowledgeable and the views were otherwordly despite snow and fog. The lava cave was impressive and Peppe explained the geomorphology very well. Alcantara River is beautiful and would be worth further exploration - when it's warmer!

Perfect Day!

Amanda_S, Apr 2023

We had such a great day with our guide, Daria - she was super knowledgeable, kept her energy and enthusiasm level high all day, and made sure we all had a great time. We learned so much about Mt. Etna and the history of the area while visiting some of the coolest sites we’ve ever seen. Thank you, Daria!!

Do it! You won’t regret it!

Angela_L, Oct 2022

Our tour guide, Peppe, was extremely knowledgeable about every place we went to, giving us history and facts around what we were experiencing and was wonderfully friendly, in addition! As a solo traveler, I felt so comfortable with him as well as the rest of the travelers who went. We had such a great time together! Our whole group opted for the cable car option when we were at Mt. Etna and I am so glad we did! It was a stunning sight and I hiked around the crater and took some surreal photos! I also enjoyed our time at Alcantara—I signed up for the tour last minute so hadn’t planned anything in advance which had its pros (surprises throughout the day) and its cons (wished I had brought water shoes, a towel and maybe even shorts for that portion of the excursion). This experience was absolutely amazing and I would not hesitate to recommend it!

Excellent tour! Highly recommend!

Luke_C, Sep 2022

Very good tour, very friendly and knowledgable tour guide who we could ask anything and everything. Had a lot of fun and felt really comfortable on the tour for the day! Highly recommend!

Great experience!

Kelsey_B, Sep 2022

We had such an amazing trip with Simone! He was so knowledgeable and fun! You could feel that he really loves his job and enjoys showing people the beautiful sites in Sicily! Mt. Etna was stunning and even though the water was chilly, the Alcantara was so amazing to walk through. Thank you for a wonderful day Simone!

Our guide Simone Made sure we had an amazing time busting the Etna.

Denise_P, Aug 2022

Together with our enthusiastic guide Simone we went to the top of the Etna which felt like being on top of the world. Simone told us various interested stories and facts about the etna and made sure we all had a good time and an amazing day. Even in the car when we were singing songs together.