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Etna and Alcantara Gorges Excursion

4.8 (149)
Linguaglossa, IT
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Etna and Alcantara Gorges Excursion

4.8 (149)
Linguaglossa, IT
Share
Experience the thrill of adventure and the serenity of nature with the Etna and Alcantara Gorges Excursion! Join our experienced guides on a journey that combines off-road exploration, trekking, and relaxation. Hop on our SUV or minivan and embark on an off-road trip to the 2002 eruption lava front, followed by a trek through the Monti Sartorius craters. Along the way, we'll explore the fascinating Grotta dei Ladroni lava flow cave, equipped with helmets and torches. After an included lunch at a local chalet or restaurant, we'll visit the breathtaking Alcantara Gorges, where you can cool off in the Alcantara river amidst the stunning canyon. This all-inclusive excursion provides trekking equipment, private transportation, bottled water, and more. Don't miss out on this unforgettable adventure!

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Included
  • 6 hours - 8 hours
  • Suitable for 2-15 Participants
  • Private Tour, Small Group Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • Lunch
  • Trekking equipment: jacket, trekking poles, helmet, torch
  • Alcantara Gorges ticket (municipal entrance)

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More about this experience

Introduction

Embark on an unforgettable adventure and explore the wonders of Etna and the Alcantara Gorges. This tour offers the perfect mix of thrilling experiences and refreshing relaxation, providing an opportunity to discover the beauty of Sicily like never before. From off-road trips and trekking to exploring lava flow caves, this excursion guarantees an extraordinary journey into nature's marvels.

What to expect?

Get ready for a day filled with excitement and natural beauty. The tour begins with transportation by SUV or minivan, allowing you to enjoy the scenic route towards the 2002 eruption lava front. As you continue along the Via Mareneve, surrounded by the enchanting Ragabo pine forest, prepare for a trekking adventure to the Monti Sartorius craters. The walk is suitable for everyone, providing breathtaking panoramic views along the way. Be prepared to explore the Grotta dei Ladroni, a lava flow cave, equipped with helmets and torches.

Who is this for?

This tour is designed for adventurous souls and nature enthusiasts who seek to discover the hidden treasures of Sicily. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, this experience caters to a wide range of individuals looking for an extraordinary escapade. From solo travelers seeking thrill and exploration to couples and families craving both adventure and relaxation, this excursion is suitable for everyone.

Why book this?

Embarking on this tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to witness the majestic beauty of Mount Etna and the remarkable Alcantara Gorges in one unforgettable day. The expert guides ensure your safety and provide valuable insights into the geological wonders you'll encounter. As you venture through lava flows and explore hidden caves, you'll feel a sense of exhilaration that only comes from discovering the awe-inspiring forces of nature. The tour also includes a delicious lunch in a local chalet or restaurant, allowing you to savor the flavors of the region while surrounded by stunning landscapes. Don't miss out on this unique adventure that will leave you with lasting memories.

Good to know

It is important to note that the total duration of this tour ranges from 360 to 480 minutes, providing ample time to fully immerse yourself in the experiences offered. The meeting point is conveniently located in front of the "Autoscuola Sorrentino" driving school, with available free parking on the street. After a day of exploration, the tour concludes at the same location. The tour includes transportation, off-road trips, trekking, cave exploration, and a delectable lunch. Prepare to be amazed by the unique landscapes and natural wonders that await you on this remarkable journey.

Reviews

Travelers who have experienced this tour rave about the breathtaking beauty and unique experiences it offers. They commend the knowledgeable and friendly guides who go above and beyond to ensure a memorable adventure. Visitors are particularly thrilled with the opportunity to explore the lava flow cave, the Monti Sartorius craters, and the refreshing Alcantara Gorges. The combination of adrenaline-filled activities and tranquil moments spent in nature truly makes this tour an exceptional choice for those seeking a fusion of adventure and relaxation. Past participants highly recommend booking this tour to uncover the hidden gems of Sicily and create unforgettable memories.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

Mount Etna

Transportation and off-roading by SUV or Minivan; visit to the lava front of the 2002 eruption; trekking along the 'bottoniera' side craters of the Monti Sartorius; exploration of the Grotta dei Ladroni, a lava flow cave. Lunch in a local Etnean chalet or restaurant, included in the price: a first course, drink and coffee.

Admission Included

Le Gole dell'Alcantara

After lunch (included in the price: a first course, drink and coffee), we will drive through Castiglione di Sicilia, one of the 'Borghi più belli d'Italia' (Italy's most beautiful villages), to the Alcantara Gorges, also known as the Larderia Gorges. They are located in the 'Alcantara River Park', where the Peloritani mountain range ends in the municipalities of Castiglione di Sicilia and Motta Camastra (one of the places where some scenes of the famous film The Godfather were filmed).

Admission Included

Reviews

(149)

4.8 (149)

Santa_B

Fantastic tour; perfect guide Emanuele. We reccomend-enough info; personal attitude; lunch at nice place.

enricosF6782YF

The best Sicily trip we have booked, many thanks to Salvatore! Salvatore was our tour guide. He is a true Sicilian, so he was able to tell us childhood stories about Mount Etna and the whole of Sicily. The time while driving around by car was used to explain passed and prepare the next stops. the lunch was easy but very delicious meal. we, in a group of 4 (me, my girlfriend and 2 further tourists from england) enjoyed the whole trip, lastly due to our brilliant guide!

Zac_F

An incredible experience. Our guide Salvatore went above and beyond to make us have the best experience exploring Etna. He was very knowledgeable and made the experience very fun. Also a great photographer. Thank you for an amazing experience.

Laura M

My husband and I went on this excursion trip today and it was a mixed experience. We were the only ones on the tour, and we met Salvador at the agreed meeting point. He was friendly and attentive throughout this drive. We arrived at Mount Etna and got hiking! It was quite a steep incline and your feet slipped sometimes, but it was worth it! The craters, views and grottos were awesome to see. Salvador was lovely, attentive, reassuring about having time to take it slowly, and great at explaining the different areas we reached. He was very knowledgeable about Mount Etna which made for a lovely experience. He also offered to take photos which was a lovely touch! We then drove down to a small restaurant and had some ragu and pistachio pasta. I thought we got a choice of first course, but didn't mind to find out we got 2 types of pasta as the dish served. This would be a problem however if you (for example) had a nut allergy, as there didn't appear to be another option food-wise included in the price. A bottle of water was included here, which was refreshing. *So far in the trip, Salvador had received mobile notifications, and a couple calls, but he hadn't let it affect his touring presentation. He did answer a couple calls but we didn't mind as we were off wandering, and when we approached him, he would shortly end the call and give his attention back to us.* I was really looking forward to the Alcantara gorges trip, which was advertised as half of the tour experience. Upon pulling up to the entrance, Salvador initially thought it was shut but, upon realising cars were parked in there, he realised it wasn't and we go in. Easy mistake to make (I thought), but quickly rectified. I unfortunately noticed from here on out that this reluctance to tour the Alcantara gorges continued... We looked from a viewpoint, and Salvador talked about it being closed but described the gorges briefly. I noticed there were people down by the water and I prompted him to get tickets to go down there. The ticket cost stated it was included in the tour price, so it felt like we were (intentionally or not) trying to be cut short of an experience. Anyway, we get down to the bottom by lift and it's gorgeous! The rocks surrounding us are REALLY smooth - fake looking even - whilst the cliffs are geometric in formation. It was fascinating to look at and I was expecting our tour guide to give us a good amount of detail about this landscape. Sadly, Salvador only explained a couple things before walking off and talking on his phone. My husband and I wandered around, hoping he'd step back into his role of tour guide, but he didn't from here on out. It felt like his attention was on his phone fully, and anything we were doing was wasting his time. He spoke only when I asked him a question, and otherwise looked like a bored parent waiting for his children to get tired... he was conveying all the signs of wanting to leave, which I could tell made my partner withdraw and want to go early too. When we got back up using the lift, I had to proactively wander toward a garden area which was there to explore as, yet again, our tour guide seemed like he wanted to leave. I tried to enjoy this last part of the tour but I really struggled to as I could feel him judging me to a certain degree by being curious and wanting to explore my surroundings. --- I don't know why the professionalism changed after lunch, but it really ruined what was otherwise a lovely tour experience. I felt like a problem for the second half of the tour, and like we had a taxi driver with us instead of a tour guide. We were very easy going tourists, friendly and polite, and so there's nothing I can think of that we did. Regardless, please don't stop putting in effort after lunch. The first half was lovely, I just wish the second half matched it.

JohnM19082

I was not actually able to go on the trip due to illness. A serious cold, or possibly Covid, hit me the night before. I waited till the morning to see if I would be able to go and it was impossible. I emailed Dream Island via Tripadvisor at 7 AM about the situation. I simply wanted them to know that they did not need to pick me up. They surprised me by letting me know that they would give me a full refund in spite of the late notice. I will certainly book with them when I have the opportunity in the future.

Brett_L

Had an amazing time on our trip! Giovanni was a great guide and got us safely from place to place. Would definitely recommend this trip to anyone. 10/10!

EwaB2433

Wonderful scenery and stunning Mount Etna landscape - tick. Very friendly staff- tick. Nice and tasty lunch - tick. Otherwise so disappointig. The trip is advertised as a small-group adventure in English. I booked from Australia months in advance. Yes - the vans take a maximum 8 people, but 2 vans and a private car were a part of our convoy. Our (very friendly) car driver spoke about 5 words of English combined with our 5 words of Italian, it made a very long 3 or so hours in the car trying to "converse". I repeat - we booked this 3 months in advance, so no excuse of late notice. Not a driver's fault but bad organising. Of the more than two dozen people combined, the majority were Italian speakers. So our guide, whose English was just ok, would say the obligatory two or three sentences in English, and then converse most of time exclusively in Italian, obviously the language he is more comfortable with. It didn't feel like a welcome or immersive experience to the English speakers, and definitely not as advertised. What else? Hiking poles included? Not really - the van people had them, but our car wasn't offered any, we used tree branches. Helmets supplied? Of our 3, two were out of batteries - the organisers didn't bother checking. Water? We weren't offered any. Definitely felt like an unwelcome tack-on to the Italian tour. . So very disappointing

NickA863

We had a great day visiting Etna, the 'snow cave' and Alcantara. Emanuele was our guide for the day, he was excellent, approachable, very knowledgeable, and made the day fun. We visited several locations on Etna and learned about its geology and its various craters (it has had lots over the years). The description on the website is an accurate account of what you will see. Lunch was a lovely pasta dish. Glad we chose this tour and happy to recommend it.

muzz_dogg

Right from our hotel pickup Salvatore was well organised and efficient. His tour is by no means luxurious or top end. Rather, he focuses on doing the essentials well. We travelled comfortably in his minivan. We were dropped off near the prime position. His English is passable, but you need to listen carefully to catch all the information, which is plentiful and interesting.

Brett F

We have done a lot of tours all over the world. We like a tour with a guide that tells us about things as we travel along and talks to us when we stop at interesting points and can answer some questions. Unfortunately this was not a tour, but a drive to several locations. The locations were amazing and the guide was was a nice guy. But his English was not good, and my Italian is worse. As a result, he said little and what he did say, I could understand only half of it. He spoke only a few times, but seemed to speak a lot to the couple in the front seat. After a while, it felt like we were tagging along a private tour and eavesdropping, rather than being part of the tour too. Also, the walking is not easy, so for people over 60 or with low level fitness, I would look at another tour.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-04-25 10:29
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