EJ · Mount Etna Adventure by 4x4 and Winery

This excursion involves off-road driving through rugged paths and winding roads and walking on uneven, slippery, uphill surfaces. Tour is not recommended for guests with back or neck problems or other. Wear comfortable clothing, including a sweater or jacket as it can become windy and cool, and suitable shoes are necessary. Meeting at your hotel with your guides and after getting on board your four wheel drive vehicle, you will start your Etna adventure. You will be driven towards the Northern side of Mount Etna passing through the villages of Piedimonte Etneo and Linguaglossa. Then you will start an off-road track, crossing a pine wood named “Bosco Ragabo”, in order to reach a lava cave called “Grotta del Corruccio”. You will visit it with torches (ice & snow permitting).
Then a comfort stop at an Alpine refuge will be made. Here you will taste local cookies accompanied by a coffee or cappuccino or chocolate or soft drink.
Then you will continue reaching the spent craters on Mount Sartorius (at 1800 metres). Hiking the trail around Monti Sartorius is easy and beautiful. The group of 7 inactive crater cones known as Monti Sartorius were formed during an 1865 eruption and bear the name of the scientist who studied them, Sartorius Von Waltershausen. Due to the altitude (the walk runs at 1600m/5250 feet above the sea level) the vegetation only took hold again timidly. But in sheltered areas you come upon little birch copses. The trunk of birches contrast strikingly with the black lava. This nature trail takes you from viewpoint to viewpoint through this fascinating volcanic landscape.
Then board again your 4x4 and you will be driven to a local winery to enjoy a wine tasting and Sicilian lunch. After lunch you will be driven back to your hotel in Taormina.
Suggested bringing along following equipment: warm clothing, hat, gloves, sunglasses, warm socks, comfortable hiking shoes and foldable hyking sticks - protection helmets for the walk inside the grottoes will be supplied. During the drive the guide will be seating in one car and will explain and illustrate the tour to the other participants by VHF radio connected to the other cars.