Alcantara Gorges (Gole dell'Alcantara) Tours and Activities

The volcanic landscapes around Mt. Etna draw travelers from far and wide, but reaching the highest peaks can be a challenge. This adventurous full-day tour from Taormina includes food-tastings in Zafferana Etnea and a visit to the Parco dell’Etna. Delve into a lava cave with a guide, marvel at Italy’s volcanic landscape from the Rifugio Sapienza, and delve deep into the Alcantara Gorges—home to lava formations shaped over millions of years.

The volcanic landscapes around Mt. Etna draw travelers from far and wide, but reaching the highest peaks can be a challenge. This adventurous full-day tour from Catania includes food-tastings in Zafferana Etnea and a visit to the Parco dell’Etna. Delve into a lava cave with a guide, marvel at Italy’s volcanic landscape from the Rifugio Sapienza, and explore the Alcantara Gorges—home to lava formations shaped over millions of years.

In the first part of this tour, you will visit some of the flank craters, which are dormant , at 2000 m. The landscape is amazing, surrounded by craters, lava flows, volcanic ash and lots of different plants, most of them are native to the area. An environment protected by a vast natural park, the Etna Natural Park, which since 2013 is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the second part , you will visit Alcantara river where is possible to relax a bit admiring the beauty of nature: a small sandy shore, clean and freezing water and huge basalt columns caused by past eruptions. All our tour guides and drivers are certificated according to the Italian law. Due to COVID-19 pandemic we follow all guidelines from WHO and Italian Government to guarantee your safety. • Pickup and Transfer service, departing from Catania at 8:30 • Guided tour from 1900m to 2000m a.s.l. • Visit Alcantara river • Arrival time in Catania around 17:30

See southern Italy in style with this eye-pleasing trip around Mount Etna via a vintage mid-20th-century train on the Circumetnea Railway. The train journey includes visits to the canyons of Alcantara Gorges (admission at own expense), an amazing natural setting made up of black lava rock walls up to 160 feet (50 meters). And then explore the base of Mount Etna, Sicily's legendary volcano that is 11,000 feet (3,300 meters) tall. Optional upgrade to ascent by cable car up to 2,500 meters and continuing on board jeeps up to the authorized crater zones at approximately 3,000 meters with the assistance of licensed guides of the CAI (Italian Alpine Club); stop to admire the eventual activity of the upper craters in a safety zones according to weather conditions.  From November 1 to March 31, this tour does not include the train ride nor the optional upgrade.

Experience the peaks and valleys of Sicily in one day trip from Taormina, exploring both the foothills of Mount Etna and the Alcantara Gorges along with the Medieval town of Randazzo! Visit the volcanic canyons of the picturesque Alcantara Gorges followed by a stop in Randazzo to see the Basilica of Santa Maria. Hike into the foothills of Mount Etna, Europe's tallest active volcano, or upgrade for a chance to go up to the volcano's upper areas for a walking tour of the craters.

Mount Etna is widely considered among Sicily’s top natural attractions, but its remote location and rugged terrain make exploring a challenge. On this tour, tackle the terrain by powerful 4x4 Jeep—with round-trip transport from Catania and Taormina hotels included. With your guide at the wheel, traverse old lava fields and dense forest, and stop along the way to admire the views and explore Mount Etna up-close on foot.

Access parts of the Etna and Alcantara Gorges that traditional tours can't reach on this off-road tour via 4WD vehicle. Departing from Taormina, you'll see the otherworldly landscapes around the volcano, including the caves and lava flows and a stop at Mount Fontana. Stop at a local country restaurant to refresh yourself with a traditional Italian lunch, including wine, before returning to Taormina.

This entire day tour will allow you to get to the base of the summit craters of the Etna: thanks to the ascent by cableway and off-road vehicles you will arrive at 2900 meters of altitude, where you will have a unique walk around the base of the active summit craters, accompanied by our naturalistic expert and a volcanological guide. Afterward, you will explore the incredible volcanic underground by visiting one of the striking volcanic cave of the Etna, and then, after a lunch based on local typical products, you will visit the amusing Alcantara Gorges.