Etna North Summit Craters 2.950mt

Etna North 2.950 mt

Daily Departures: from Etna North-Piano Provenzana
Duration: 2 hours staring on the Etna North-Piano Provenzana

Tour Description
Today we drive by wd4x4 vehicle along the panoramic road that goes up the north side of the volcano between ancient craters and recent lava flows up to the Volcanological Observatory at an altitude of 2800 meters.

The first stop will allow you to see the ruins of the hotel delle Betulle, the only visible structure among those destroyed by the lava flow of October 2002.

Then, departure for the direction of the Volcanological Observatory located in Pizzi Deneri –at an altitude of 2.950 meters– where accompanied by our guides and weather conditions permitting it is possible to admire the Aeolian Islands, the Ionian Coast from Syracuse to Messina, Taormina, the Gulf of Giardini Naxos and the Calabrian coasts.

It is also possible to admire the majestic Valle del Bove –Bove Valley–, which many times has been an important protection barrier for the villages located downstream from the summit craters.

Back on the vehicle, the next stop will be the Craters of the 2002. Eruption arrived at their destination at an altitude of about 1900 meters, the trekking on the lava flows and explosive products of the 2002 eruption begins, the circular route will allow you to walk along the edges of the craters and to admire the morphology called “bottoniera” typical of the lateral eruptions of the volcano.

After reaching the summit –about 2050 meters above sea level–, it will be possible to enjoy the spectacular view of the eruptive theater, but above all of the panorama from the coast of Sicily and that of Calabria –visibility may vary in relation to atmospheric conditions–.

This excursion is one of the most fascinating and evocative excursions on Etna.

A short descent will follow along a sandy slope to the off-road vehicles available for the return to Piano Provenzana.

Departures from different locations: available on request

Optional Available on Request:
-Lunch in a winery with wine tastings
-Picnic Lunch
-Lunch in a local farmhouse with tasting of local dishes

Dress Code
We remind you to wear closed and sturdy shoes –or hiking boots– with thick socks, and to bring a jacket because the temperature at higher altitude may be lower (about 10° to 15° degrees lower than in Catania or Taormina).

Recommend Equipments as below specified

Windbreaker or down jacket
Water – minimum 1.5 lt
Snak – Packed lunch
K-way (waterproof jacket)
Sunglasses
Scarf and hat

Warning
This itinerary, in relation to the type and altitude, is suitable for people in a state of good physical health, who do not suffer from particular pathologies (e.g. cardio vascular, respiratory or hypertension).

Itinerary changes or cancellations
The excursion may vary at the discretion of the Guides or be interrupted if the environmental, atmospheric or volcanic, such as to compromise the safety of the entire group.

TOUR CODE: ETNATOP