Experience a full-day tour to ascend Mount Etna, have a nice ride on the Circumetnea train and see the impressive natural sculpture of Alcantara Gorges.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Reserve now & pay later: Reserve now & pay later to book your spot without any charges today. Learn more
Duration 10 hours: Check availability to see starting times.
Skip the ticket line
Live tour guide: English, German, Italian

Highlights

Visit of the fascinating formations of the Alcantara Gorges
Learn all about the history of Mount Etna from your guide
Enjoy a cableway and jeep ride to the main crater's area
Experience the Circumetnea train

Full description

Enjoy a full-day tour of the highest volcano in Europe, Mount Etna. Tour guests meet at the bus terminal in Taormina, Via Pirandello. The tour is led by a knowledgeable tour leader. You can enjoy exclusive information of the history of Mount Etna and the surrounding areas. An air-conditioned coach will transport you to the Alcantara Gorges (entry extra). This is an impressive natural sculpture. Thousands of years ago the riverbed was blocked by lava flow from Mount Etna, and as the lava cooled more quickly than the water it crystallized. Tall columns of lava have since stood here and as the river eroded through the lava it has created a series of impressive gorges. Don’t forget your camera. The trip continues on board the Circumetnea, a traditional train that winds around the foot of the volcano reaching up to Adrano in the south. Then. by coach, reach Rifugio Sapienza, at an altitude of 1.900 meters on the southern side.

Then, ascend via cable car and jeep to the authorized crater zones, assisted by licensed guides of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club). Stop to admire the eventual activity of the summit craters in the area of security. At the end of the tour, you will be driven back to Taormina where the tour ends.

Includes

Ascent to the main crater area
Transportation by coach and Circumetnea Train
Tour Leader and Alpine Guides service

Entry fee for Alcantara Gorges
Drinks and meals
Wind jackets and boot rental

Not suitable for

People with heart problems

Covid-19 precautions

Safety measures in place

All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned

Traveler requirements

You are required to bring and wear a mask
You must present either proof of full vaccination, proof of a Covid-19 infection in the past 3 months, or a negative test taken no more than 24 hours before the activity starts
All participants are required to bring and wear FFP2 masks. Blue surgical masks will not be accepted

Meeting point

Terminal Interbus Taormina, Piazza Luigi Pirandello, 98039 Taormina ME, Italy.

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Important information

What to bring

Comfortable shoes

Not allowed

Pets

Know before you go

Please wear warm clothing and suitable shoes

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.5 /5

based on 31 reviews

Review summary

Guide
4.7/5
Transportation
4.4/5
Value for money
4.2/5
Safety
4.8/5

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Very nice tour of the process and organization. From the Alcantara gorge one would have expected more but I think you would have to experience it again from the water side. The trip with the Ferrovia Circumetnea (FCE) was fine but the train was too full for two groups (sometimes standing room). Conclusion not bad what you can see in the short time but most of it is probably about Etna.

September 29, 2019

Our guide (Isabelle or Isabella?) was knowledgeable but was not very approachable. At time she was not very clear and would seem frustrated if asked for more clarification. I also felt constantly rushed during the trip due to a combination of the tight schedule and the tone of our guide. The sites visited in particular the Alacantara gorges and Mt. Etna was perfect. I would have preferred spending less time at Randazzo and instead have more time to visit Mt. Etna. For those who went up to the 3000m of Mt. Etna, we did not have any time to visit the souvenir stores and amenities at 2000m whereas I felt that the trip to Randazzo was too long. Overall, the trip was great.

October 9, 2018

The tour was very nice. The transport went on for too long. The train ride can be omitted.

September 10, 2021

From Taormina: Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorges

From Taormina: Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorges

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