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Volcanic sand hike
The ideal route to admire the great spectacle of the Etna volcano, with an excursion full of adrenaline.
This excursion is a trek of about 10 km to visit the Valle del Bove, a large horseshoe-shaped depression on the active Sicilian volcano.
- Visit to the hot crater of the 2001 eruption.
- Descent of 1000 meters in altitude on volcanic sand.
- Crossing the Valle del Bove.
- Speleological experience inside a lava tunnel.
Excursion to Etna, on the sands of Valle del Bove
The first part is done by cable car, tickets will be ready without waiting at the cash desk. Our route crosses fascinating places, it is a unique opportunity to observe the recent eruptive activity and the lava flow of 2001. You will see a lava tunnel in Valle del Bove. The funniest part of this excursion is the descent on the volcanic sand in the Valle del Bove, with about 1000 meters of altitude difference in descent. Hiking on the volcanic sand of the Valle del Bove is an unusual experience.
Excursion to Etna in the great Valle del Bove
The excursion takes place on the southern slope of the Etna volcano. The road that leads to the cable car has several ancient and recent lava flows. You will see the destructive effects of lava on houses (volcano eruption in 1983). You will see the Mont Rossi crater formed by the great eruption of 1669, during this famous eruption the lava had reached the sea in Catania. The higher you climb, the less vegetation there is, the lunar landscapes begin.
Program of the Etna Valle del Bove excursion
The cable car opens at 9:00, we take the first cabins of the cable car, it takes about 15 minutes to climb from 2000 to 2500 meters of altitude. The ascent on foot begins around 9:30, from an altitude of 2500 meters. It takes about 30 minutes to get to the top of the 2001 crater at 2700 meters above sea level. The descent on volcanic sand follows, in the Valle del Bove, about 1000 meters in altitude downhill. This excursion includes a visit to a lava tunnel, equipped with helmets. The excursion becomes even more interesting on the lava flows of the 1991-1993 eruption. The exit from the Valle del Bove is a bit tiring, on volcanic sand. The return to the Sapienza refuge takes place by vehicle.
Trekking on Etna with guide
To begin the ascent to the largest and most active volcano in Europe, use the cable car located near the Silvestri crater and the Sapienza refuge. With the cable car we reach the Montagnola crater, at an altitude of 2500 meters. Here begins the ascent on foot up to an altitude of 2700 m. The goal is to climb to the top of the hot crater from the 2001 eruption, 2700 meters above sea level. From the hot crater of 2001, you can see the summit craters, the wide Valle del Bove and the magnificent panorama of the Mediterranean.
You will see hot craters from recent eruptions. The Etna volcano has hundreds of craters on its sides. You will be accompanied throughout the day by our volcanological guide, who will explain the eruptive history and functioning of the Etna volcano. The hiking trail continues towards the Valle del Bove. It is a large horseshoe-shaped depression into which most of the lava flows produced in the summit area of Etna converge. We will cross lava flows from the 1991-1993 eruption and visit a lava tunnel. The meal will be eaten in Valle del Bove.
Lava tunnel on the Etna volcano
During the excursion in the Valle del Bove a visit to a lava tunnel is foreseen, equipped with helmets. A lava tube is formed by a flow that has cooled, forming a solid crust. When the flow ceases to be fed, it partially empties and leaves a tunnel-like cavity.
This excursion on Etna is a sports excursion
To do this excursion you must be in perfect health, athletic and have no physical problems. In the group excursion, you have to adjust to the slowest person. It is therefore not guaranteed that the altitude and maximum km described will be reached. In the private excursion, with the guide just for you, you can adapt the pace of the walk and the times to your sporting abilities (respecting the choice of the guide in terms of safety, route, km and distance, maximum altitude that can be reached).
The Valle del Bove excursion is not suitable for children (under 12 years), due to the difficulty of the trek. This excursion is not suitable for pregnant women, heart patients, asthmatics and people with joint problems. To participate you must be in perfect physical condition and be used to hiking in difficult terrain at high altitudes. Our tours are carried out by our French-speaking volcanological guides, from the Regional College of Alpine and Volcanological Guides of Sicily, who are the only professionals authorized by Italian law to lead groups on the active volcano. Equipment provided free of charge: helmet, flashlight, sticks, rucksack and raincoat.
To participate in the excursions on Etna, high trekking boots are mandatory.
If you don't have them, you need to get or rent them. The price for the rental of trekking shoes is 5€ per pair with Etna3340. Tell me your measurements (women and men) no later than 24 hours before the excursion. Your guide will bring your shoes to you on the day of the hike.
Equipment required but not included.
Mid-calf gaiters or socks (to limit volcanic sand in shoes). Trekking pants, sweater/fleece, warm waterproof windproof jacket with hood, gloves, hat, cap to protect your head from the sun, sunscreen, sunglasses. Plan ahead for a picnic and water (1.5 liters per person).
- This excursion includes a demanding trek: 5/6 hours of trekking, over a distance of about 10 km.
- 400 meters of altitude difference uphill and 1000 meters of altitude difference downhill.
Pick-up/drop-off at your hotel (Catania-Taormina area) with a luxury vehicle (Mercedes GL or V-Class) and dedicated driver.
La situation géodynamique de l'Etna évolue en fonction de l'activité imprévisible du volcan et les restrictions concernant les zones autorisées pour les excursions évoluent aussi souvent.
Je vous tiendrai au courant à temps pour vous informer des conditions météorologiques et de l'activité volcanique.
Je vous enverrai une mise à jour par mail la veille de votre excursion, concernant les conditions météorologiques et géodynamiques de l’Etna. Veuillez lire attentivement ce mail et toutes mes communications.
Dans l'excursion en groupe, il faut s'adapter au rythme de la personne la plus lente, donc l'atteinte de l'altitude et des kilomètres maximaux n'est pas garantie. En revanche, avec l'excursion privée, vous pouvez ajuster le rythme selon vos capacités sportives.
Oui, le guide se réserve le droit de modifier entièrement l'itinéraire, l'altitude maximale et d'autres aspects en fonction des conditions météorologiques, géodynamiques et du niveau des participants.
Nous fournissons un casque, une lampe torche, des bâtons, un sac à dos et un k-way gratuitement.
Il est essentiel d'être en parfaite santé sans problèmes de santé majeurs. Les personnes asthmatiques ou enceintes ne peuvent pas participer. Veuillez nous informer à l'avance de toute condition médicale ou allergie.
Oui, les frais d'annulation varient selon le type d'excursion et le délai d'annulation. Les détails sont spécifiés dans nos conditions de vente.
Oui, il est recommandé de réserver votre excursion à l'avance. Ceci assure la disponibilité de votre place et permet une organisation optimale, surtout pendant la haute saison touristique.
De plus, la réservation préalable nous permet de vous fournir toutes les informations nécessaires et de préparer l'équipement adéquat pour votre aventure sur le volcan.
Si l'Etna entre en éruption, la sécurité de nos participants reste notre priorité absolue. Le jour précédant votre excursion, je vous fournirai une mise à jour complète sur les conditions météorologiques et géodynamiques de l'Etna.
En cas d'activité éruptive, je m'efforcerai de proposer un itinéraire et des horaires adaptés pour essayer d'observer l'éruption à une distance de sécurité.
Cette adaptation sera effectuée en tenant compte de toutes les mesures de sécurité nécessaires.
En cas d'impossibilité d'assurer une observation sûre ou si les conditions l'exigent, l'excursion pourrait être annulée.
Vous serez informés en temps utile pour prendre les mesures appropriées.
Réservez Votre Expérience : Appelle +393334591618
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Terms and Conditions. Etna Excursions
1. Purpose
These terms and conditions apply to the excursions organised by Etna3340 on Mount Etna, in Sicily.
Any booking implies full and unconditional acceptance of these terms by the client and by each registered participant.
2. Booking and payment
The booking becomes effective only after written confirmation from Etna3340 and receipt of full payment, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
The client undertakes to provide accurate and complete information regarding all participants (identity, health, physical level, equipment).
3. Prices and included services
Prices, included and excluded services, as well as the detailed description of each excursion, are stated on the website etna3340.com or in the quote sent by e-mail.
Only the services explicitly described as “included” in the programme or in the quote form part of the service.
Any additional element constitutes an optional or extra service.
4. Medical fitness and client responsibility
The client warrants that all participants are in good general health and are physically and psychologically fit to take part in a mountain hike on an active volcano, at altitude and on unstable terrain.
Etna excursions are not suitable for people who suffer, even mildly or in the past, from heart or respiratory diseases, high blood pressure, asthma, diabetes, severe allergies, neurological disorders, significant bone, ligament or joint problems, a tendency to cramps, psychological or psychiatric disorders, nor for pregnant women.
Any medical condition, medication, physical limitation or psychological disorder must be disclosed to Etna3340 before booking. In case of doubt, the client must seek medical advice before confirming participation.
5. Mandatory equipment
For safety reasons, appropriate technical equipment is mandatory.
High-cut hiking boots are required.
Low shoes and sneakers are not permitted.
The volcanic terrain features deep ash, sharp rocks, steep slopes and unstable areas.
If the equipment does not comply, the guide may refuse access to the excursion, without refund.
The client undertakes to comply with the list of mandatory equipment indicated in the excursion description (suitable footwear, high socks, technical clothing, protection against cold, humidity and wind, water and food, etc.).
6. Safety, active volcano and itinerary changes
Dates, times and itineraries may be changed depending on availability, weather conditions, volcanic activity and organisational needs.
Etna is an active volcano.
Volcanic activity, weather, wind and trail conditions may change quickly and without notice.
Safety takes precedence over any other objective (altitude, distance, craters to reach, duration).
The guide reserves the right to modify, shorten, postpone or cancel the excursion, to change side, itinerary, altitude or schedule at any time if weather, geodynamic conditions or the participants’ real level require it.
These decisions are discretionary and non-negotiable.
No compensation is due if the planned route cannot be completed for safety reasons or due to external conditions beyond the control of Etna3340.
7. Cancellation by the client. Etna Excursions
Any request for cancellation must be sent by e-mail from the address used for the booking.
The date on which the e-mail is received shall be binding.
If the cancellation occurs more than 30 days before the excursion date, the amounts paid will be refunded, minus a flat fee of €100 per booking, corresponding to administrative, management and seat-blocking costs.
If the cancellation occurs 30 days or less before the excursion date, or in the event of a no-show at the meeting point, no refund is due, regardless of the reason (unless mandatory legal provisions provide otherwise).
Any request to change the date is treated as a cancellation followed by a new booking, unless otherwise agreed in writing by Etna3340.
8. Cancellation or changes by Etna3340
Etna3340 may cancel or postpone an excursion in case of adverse weather conditions, volcanic activity deemed incompatible with safety, restrictions by the authorities, technical problems or any other safety-related reason or force majeure.
In case of cancellation by Etna3340 without a rescheduling solution accepted by the client, the amounts paid for the excursion will be refunded within a maximum of 30 days by bank transfer.
This refund constitutes the only possible compensation.
9. Informed consent and acceptance of risks. Etna Excursions
By booking an Etna excursion with Etna3340, the client and each participant declare that they have read and understood the full description of the activity, including duration, difficulty, terms of sale, included and excluded services, required equipment and safety warnings.
Participants confirm that they are physically and technically able to take part in the excursion, that they are in good health, without allergies of any kind, without heart, respiratory or blood pressure problems, and without significant bone, joint, muscle, diabetic, cramp-related or neurological issues.
They confirm that the information provided to Etna3340 regarding their health, equipment and physical condition is accurate and complete.
They acknowledge that they have been informed of the risks associated with activities on an active volcano, including the possibility of injury, material damage and, in extreme cases, death.
They declare that they have received sufficient explanations from Etna3340 or its guides, have been able to ask all desired questions and have obtained clear and understandable answers.
They undertake to follow the safety instructions, to respect the group and not to take individual initiatives without first informing Etna3340 or its guides.
They accept that Etna3340 and its guides may modify or cancel the programme for safety reasons, weather conditions, volcanic activity or in light of the health, capacities or equipment of the participants.
They acknowledge that Etna3340 and its guides cannot be held liable for accidents, except in cases of duly proven gross negligence.
By taking part, they voluntarily accept all risks inherent in a mountain activity on an active volcano.
A separate consent and risk acceptance form may be presented and signed on site before departure, in addition to these terms.
10. Punctuality
The meeting time and place are confirmed by e-mail.
The guide will wait a maximum of 15 minutes after the agreed time, after which the excursion will start.
In case of late arrival or absence of the client, no refund is due.
11. Animals
Animals (dogs and others) are not allowed on Etna excursions, unless expressly agreed in writing.
12. Personal data and payments
Etna3340 respects the confidentiality of personal data.
The information provided by the client (identity, contact details, data necessary to organise the activity) is used solely for booking management, invoicing, customer relations and compliance with legal obligations.
This data is neither sold nor transferred to unauthorised third parties.
Online payments are made via secure systems using SSL or equivalent encryption protocols.
13. Applicable law
These terms and conditions are governed by Italian law.
Any dispute will, in the absence of an amicable settlement, be submitted to the competent courts of the place where the agency has its registered office.
Legal notice and contact details
Etna3340.Voyage di Isabella Francesca Anastasi
Travel Agency & Tour Operator
VAT IT05705930872
Tax Code NSTSLL66R44E017U
SCIA No. 202201051028-2391190 of 05/01/2022 – SUAP Municipality of Ferrara
Civil liability insurance: Lloyd’s DY087999-LB
Guarantee fund “Vacanze Garantite” 2021121121AT
REA FE 225682 – ATECO 79.11.00 Travel agency – ATECO 79.12.00 Tour operator
Registered office: Via Del Commercio 48 (interno 13), 44121 Ferrara (Italy), by appointment only
Agency affiliated to the “Gruppo Info Vacanze” network
Technical director: Dr. Daniela Vecchiato
Rendez-vous à Cantoniera (zone du téléphérique Etna Sud) à 1900 mètres d’altitude (parking public gratuit). Minimum 2 personnes.
Catania/Taormina area
