Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1: Catania
Arrival at Catania Airport and transfer to the hotel** in the city centre (very close to the Cathedral). Catania shows many baroque churches and buildings, all placed in the very heart of the city centre. Moreover there is a huge variety of pubs, restaurants, pizzerias and trattoria to be chosen for dinner. Overnight stay in Catania.

Day 2

Day 2: Stromboli (4 hours hiking, +350 - 460 mt.)
Private transfer by bus to Milazzo and hydrofoil to Stromboli island (1h 50 min). Check in at the hotel** and relax in Stromboli unique black beaches. At the sun set easy trekking on the western side of the island to discover the “Sciara del Fuoco” and to approach the explosions. Dinner in pizzeria and overnight stay in hotel.

Day 3

Day 3: Stromboli (6 hours hiking, + 924 : 924 mt.)
In the morning free time to visit the lovely village of “San Vincenzo” and also the interesting volcanological centre of the island. Chance to make a boat tour of the island to visit the enchanting small village of “Ginostra”.
In the afternoon leaving for the excursion to the active volcano* with certified volcanological guides. Overnight stay in hotel. Free dinner.

*) The volcano is 924 mt high and when it is not erupting people are allowed to climb up the top, escorted by a certified volcanic guide, according to the Italian law. At the moment the access to the top is allowed. The volcanological guides reserve the right of deciding not to climb the volcano according to safety measures that are constantly monitored, the weather and also the physical condition of the trekkers. The effective walking up 924 mt is about 6 hours.

Day 4

Day 4: Lipari
Hydrofoil to Lipari (1 h). Trekking to the ancient Thermal area of San Calogero, on the western part of the island. Free time to visit the Archeological museum that shows all the discoveries of the archipelago. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5

Day 5: Salina (4 hours hiking, +720 -960 mt.)
In the morning hydrofoil to Salina (30 min), the green island (20 min.). From the harbour of Rinella we take a public bus to Val di Chiesa (15 min) and from there excursion to “Mt Fossa delle Felci” (mt 960) the highest peak of Aeolians Island through birch and pine woods. In the afternoon, hydrofoil back to Lipari. In Lipari it's worth of being visited the Archeological Museum. Overnight stay at the same hotel in Lipari.

Day 6

Day 6: Vulcano (3 hours hiking, +390 : 390 mt.)
Hydrofoil to Vulcano (10 min) and excursion to Vulcano's crater to see the Fumarole. Time for going to the beach and to the Thermal Springs. In the late afternoon hydrofoil to Milazzo (50 min.). Private transfer to the southern side of Mt Etna and check-in at the hotel (1800 mt).

Day 7

Day 7: Etna (6 hours hiking, +450 : 1000 mt.)
Cable link until 2500 mt, and then we walk up to 2900 mt to look at the 2002/2003 lava flows. Astonishing panorama all over the Sicilian eastern cost and over the summit area of Mt Etna (3350 mt). Back at the hotel on foot passing by the “Valle del Bove”, a huge volcanic “caldera”. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Option: According to the meteo and volcanic conditions, chance to climb by 4x4 jeeps until 2900 mt and on foot to 3350 mt escorted by a volcano or alpine guide. Return on foot to the hotel (6 hours hiking, + 450 : 1550 mt)
Supplement to be paid on the spot: € 28,00 per person.

Day 8

Day 8: Catania
Transfer from the hotel to Catania airport.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

4x4 to climb at 2900 mt on Etna

Exclusions -

Lunches on day 1 and 8

Extras -

Extension of the stay:
- Catania, Hotel**. Price per person per night in double occupancy, Bed & Breakfast treatment: euro 40,00.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Accomodation:
1 night in hotel** Catania with breakfast
2 nights in hotel** in Stromboli with breakfast
2 nights in family run hotel** in Lipari with breakfast
2 nights in hotel** or *** on Mt Etna

Note:
1) the price is based on accommodation for 2/3 people per room.
2) No single room available on this tour

Luggage:
All transfers are made by Bus. Anyway, sometimes you have to carry your luggage for short distances (for example when you catch the hydrofoil). We advise you to use two kind of bags. A big one with wheels where you put all your staff. A rucksack for your daily trekking.

Equipment:
Good and solid trekking shoes
trekking trousers and shorts
bathing suit
Hat and gloves
Wind and water proof jacket
sun glasses and sun cream
multitask knife
alpenstock
Head torch with batteries (COMPULSORY: one head torch each person).

Important:
Due to the unpredictable nature of the volcans, the weather and the sea condition, the program can be modified. In any case we always try to adhere as much as possible to the described program.