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Etna Excursions from Catania
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Catania, Italy
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From $64.26
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Etna Excursions from Catania
Free cancellation
Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation
- 24 hours prior100% refund
- Within 24 hoursNo refund
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Learn more about cancellations
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Safety measures
Keeping you safe during COVID-19
Vaccine? Quarantine? Masking?
Vaccine? Quarantine? Masking? We know, there’s a lot to keep track of. Be sure to check local guidelines so you’re aware of all travel requirements before you go. You can find more information about Italy here.
What you can expect during your visit
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
Safety precautions are provided by the tour operator and are not checked by Viator for accuracy
More questions?
(888) 651-9785
6 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English and 1 more
Good for avoiding crowds
Overview
Explore Mount Etna, the world's most active stratovolcano, on this small-group hiking tour from Catania. Travel in a 4x4 vehicle or minivan to reach a departure point for a moderate hike through Mount Etna's moon-like landscape in the Valley del Bove depression, including a lava tube exploration, and the Silvestri craters. Hotel pickup and drop-off in Catania included.
- Hike through Mount Etna's Valle del Bove depression
- Travel in a smaller vehicle to reach areas inaccessible to larger vehicles
- Small group ensures an intimate atmosphere
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Catania
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From $64.26
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What's Included
Local, professional guide
Environmental guide hiking certified
Pickup and drop-off at meeting point
Insurance
Use of helmet
Equipment if requested at time of booking
Food and drinks
Hotel pick-up
Departure & Return
This operator has two meet-up options available. You can either meet at the departure point below or select a location for pick-up.
on the entrance of the roman theatre
Piazza Stesicoro , Piazza Stesicoro, 95131 Catania CT, Italy
8:30 AM
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- The program of the excursion may be subject to changes. (Adverse weather conditions, as well as restrictions on access to the volcano by the competent authorities)
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Near public transportation
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 18 travelers
- OPERATED BY Etna Excursions from Catania
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
Learn more about cancellations.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Q:
What is the policy on face masks and attendee health during Etna Excursions from Catania?
A:The policies on face masks and attendee health are:
- Face masks required for travelers in public areas
- Face masks required for guides in public areas
Q:
What is the policy on sanitization during Etna Excursions from Catania?
A:The policies on sanitization are:
- Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
- Gear/equipment sanitized between use
- Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
Q:
What is the social distancing policy during Etna Excursions from Catania?
A:The policy on social distancing is:
- Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
Q:
What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Etna Excursions from Catania?
A:The policy on staff health & safety is:
- Guides required to regularly wash hands
Traveler Photos



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Traveler Tips
- "Don't be fooled by his Land Rover … it is old and rather battered for a reason." See review
- "Definitely need sturdy footwear and plenty of water for this!" See review
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Reviews
4.5
239 Reviews
5 stars
192
4 stars
24
3 stars
11
2 stars
5
1 star
7
Reviews by Viator travelers
Showing 1-10 of 239 reviews
My Etna adventure
Carmen_M
, May 2022
Unforgettable experience
D_H
, May 2022
It was an unforgettable experience! I was satisfied with the speed of the tour, not too slow, not too fast, the stops were small but frequent, it helped a lot. I am not a very athletic woman, but I calmly went all the way. The equipment was provided - trekking boots, a jacket and a stick. The views are incredible, the guide is experienced, spoke in English. On the way to the mountain, there was a stop for about half an hour to buy food and drink coffee, I think that this is justified, since almost no one took food with them before, and 3 euros for a large and tasty sandwich is cheap. There you can buy water and snacks, as well as go to the toilet. Highly recommend this tour!
The tour is ok but be wary of some things
Alexandros_V
, May 2022
The good stuff: 1. The tour knew a lot about volcanoes, provided us with everything we needed and were polite and ready to help. Communicating was also easy.
The bad stuff: after just 30' on the road we stopped for a whole hour to buy coffee and drinks from a specific shop and village (probably owned by a friend of theirs). So this was unnecessarily long. What's more, the tour was difficult for someone a bit older. The worst part is that we stopped literally every 5-10 for a rest. All of this added a lot of unnecessary time on our trip. We knew of course that seeing lava was out of the question but we didn't even get close to an active crater. Even see it from a large distance. I understand the restrictions and prohibitions. But the summit is at 3.350m and we only reached 2.200m. Other tours quote that they almost reach 2.700-2.800m. i have no way of knowing that for sure though. Overall a nice and friendly hiking tour but unfortunately in no way a volcano tour.
Response from Host , May 2022
Dear Guest, thanks for your review.
As written in the booking confirmation message, we stop on the way to mt. Etna to buy sandwiches, drinks, for coffee, bathroom needs and a short briefing. No one obliges guests to buy food & drinks there.
Doing an activity in a group means that organisers have to consider different needs and points of view of the entire group and every single component of the group could adapt or not, depending on the circumstances but this normally is not a matter for complains. Unfortunately your wife and daughter were the slowest of the group, together with other couple of guests, so the stops were necessary to avoid splitting the group. During those stops, guides gave some explanations about the volcano. The most active crater was totally covered by clouds, moreover the area is restricted for safety reasons due the continuous activity of the last years. Nobody told you we were visiting the summit and it is not written on the Viator page. You visited the volcano and its several craters available in this kind of moderate hiking in a safety condition.
I'm glad to remind you that on the way down the group has been splitted in 2 smaller groups, one going to hike to 2500 mt and the other going back to the touristic station on a lightest route. We expressly asked to all the group to choose and you personally choosen to go back. And you didn't follow the guide and the group, but you hiked on your own. All of these behaviours were under your exlusive responsability. In addition, the guide took you to the tourist station because your daughter was sick and told you to wait for us to come and pick you up by car, instead you on your own initiative moved away and approached the parking lot by yourself.
We appreciate and make treasure of criticism, but we certainly cannot intervene when people act independently and make choices without even discussing them with us.
At last but not least, we can offer private tours for smaller groups. This could be an option to organise everything on guests needs and expectations.
Kind Regards
Better to go on your own
Adriana_G
, Apr 2022
I think going to Etna is completely worth it. But going with Viator is not, they basically charge you 60€ per person to drive you there. There little to no info from the guides, there were no insights. The guides showed us 2 photos from how an area was before and eruption and that's it, they just walk with you. I was expecting historical and metereology info, but this was lacking.
If you are 2 or more people it is better to rent a car and go on your own, it might be cheaper and there is no way you get lost.
Response from Host , May 2022
Dear Guest,
I'm sad you did not enjoy the trip. To be precise, the summit craters of Etna (3.300mt) are forbidden by an ordinance due to the strong volcanic activity of the last years. It is not specified when it will be reachable again. On the tour you've booked with us is expressly written what kind of activity and service we offer, and you may ask any kind of info before booking it. I'm glad to remind you that the price you've paid includes the naturalistic guide service, the transportation, the equipment and the insurance. Nothing of that you have experiencing it on your own. Of course you can't get lost, but for sure you don't know how to hike on a volcano out of the touristic tracks.
Doing an activity in a group means that organisers have to consider different needs and points of view of the entire group and every single component of the group could adapt or not, depending on the circumstances but this normally is not a matter for complains.
How often can you visit an alive volcano?
Augustin_L
, Mar 2022
Fantastic and active
Konrad_L
, Feb 2022
Great
Antoni_G
, Feb 2022
Our highlight of Catania!
Aisling_G
, Jan 2022
We had a great time on Ernesto's tour. Ernesto is a lovely man who collected us by our hotel. Mount Etna was brilliant to see and Ernesto provided all of the equipment we needed. The views are amazing. It was also fun to stop off in a little town on the way for espressos. I really enjoyed the whole trip and would recommend.
Expedition with training
Tommy_M
, Sep 2021
This was a great experience for me even though i was exhausted getting back at the hotel.
I was with a great group and Ernesto was a very laidback guy.
I only wish it was a little better communcation ahead of the tour, what to expect, the equitment, the lunch, but it all turned good and we reached 2400 m .
I can recommend it, but be prepared for some training here - and downhill was the hardest, but good feeling when back at the car.
Thanks, Tommy
1 traveler found this review helpful
Beautiful Hike, but Tour had Issues
Alexandra_G
, Aug 2021
Mt. Etna was absolutely gorgeous, and this was by far the most cost effective option we found for getting there from Catania and touring it with a guide. However, the company did not give us nearly enough information about the nature of the hike and the necessary equipment.
The terrain was much more challenging than expected. Parts of it are very steep and the sandy soil makes it hard on the knees. I am in relatively good shape, but still found it to be a challenge, and two hikers had to turn back at the beginning because it was too difficult.
We also did not get accurate information about what to wear. I hiked in sneakers and was mostly fine, but got a shoe full of rocks and dust and had to keep stopping to empty my shoes. Next time, I would definitely hike with hiking boots or at least with high socks. Even the base of the trail is much cooler than Catania, and the top is quite chilly (probably 50 degrees Farenheit). I was fine in long pants, at shirt, and a sweatshirt at the top, but many people were wearing shorts and looked extremely cold. Regardless, the path is lined with thorny cactuses, so long pants are a must to keep your legs covered.
Finally, our guide, Ernesto, was extremely knowledgeable, but I wish he had given more information. He had to give all of his information in both English and Italian, so we didn’t get much in the way of background info. The ride there was over an hour, so he certainly could have given us some history about Mt Etna on the bus ride over so that we were more educated about what we were seeing.
All in all, I’m glad I took the trip, because the hike was so lovely. However, this company needs to do MUCH more to make sure people are adequately prepared for the trip.
2 travelers found this review helpful
Excellent
Francesca_F
, Aug 2021
The tour was well organized, the ticked included the transfer starting from Catania till the hut at the feet of the Etna. The ticket also included an helmet or shoes for people that weren’t equipped! It took around 8 hours if we considered the transfer, the hike and the transfer back to Catania!
Ps: Our guide decided for the most enjoyable way back to the bus: starting from 2300 altitude my. we started running down the solidified lava corridors. Unique experience!
1 traveler found this review helpful
Bad tour, great views
Shing_Y
, Aug 2021
As a former tour manager I can safely say with a level of objective expertise that this was a bad tour. The tour guide did not set proper expectations at all through the tour, the tour did not match the description that was advertised (used a van without working AC, group was close to 40ish people not a small group, the tour lasted much longer than advertised, etc), the guide was ill prepared for the weather and conditions and did not tell anyone on the tour how to prepare with enough water or the correct equipment.
The redeeming part of the tour was the breathtaking views, but I would recommend that friends and family find a different tour and guide to get those views.
If you choose to go, be prepared that this is a 7 mile (11.2 km) hike with over 1,000 feet (305 m) in elevation gain. Make sure to bring at least 2 liters of water per person, sturdy shoes you don’t mind ruining, and be in decent shape.
Great trip with smaller hiccups
Alexander_O
, Jul 2021
Very good tour with Ernesto
Line_H
, Jul 2021
An ablsolute MUST !!!!!
Marco_H
, Jul 2021
We booked the tour two days before the actual trip. It was just what we expected and even a little more. Our guide Ernesto and the other guys Marco and Alessandro did a great job in leading the group (15 people) through the black sand of Etna. Sometimes we stopped and they explained some things about the vulcanic actions on the mountain.
On our way back we slides downhill. It was so much fun !
I need to say that our group was very young, so the tempo was not that slow.
Highly recommended !!
Etna tours
Luke_S
, Jun 2021
Great day trip!
Daniel_M
, Oct 2020
Great adventure with Etna putting on a show. They provided all equipment including appropriate shoes and windbreakers. The tour guides were friendly and comedic. The pace of the tour is quite slow, which suited us. On the way to Etna we stopped to pick up sandwiches for lunch on the volcano which are 3euro each.
15 minute thrill seeking descent
Deborah_S
, Aug 2020
Great tour with stunning views!
Ryan_R
, Mar 2020
Ernesto was very punctual picking me up. Pick up was 0900 and he was already at the hotel at 0830. He was very accommodating on the drive to the volcano. He asked multiple times if we needed to stop for espresso or the bathroom. He gave us a tour to see the destruction by the volcano from an eruption 20 years ago. Next we toured the lava caves. Ernesto keeps extra hiking boots, jackets, hats, helmets, and torches foe the excursion. He took us underground into the lava tubes and talked to their history. Next we drove to the starting point of the hike. He kept it at a reasonable pace. The hike is an easy- moderate hike. 30 minutes into the hike we were already above the clouds. The views were magnificent. Next we hiked another 45 minutes to the base of the volcano with even more stunning views of a blanket of clouds and Catania, Syracuse, Taormina, and the Ionian Sea. We were close enough to the volcano that you can clearly see the smoke coming out of it. Ernesto brought a pair of binoculars to get an even closer View. After that we scrambled down the side of the mountain back to the car. Finally, we got to stop at the visitor’s center where there is a cafe and souvenir shop. Fantastic experience and would recommend again!
great guide to a mythical place
Carlos_P
, Feb 2020
The tour guide was extremely dedicated. From calling my hotel to make sure I knew where the pickup point was, to retracing our steps and finding the mobile phone that one of the tour participants had lost, and generally engaging with questions about Sicilian culture and history. He also provided shoes and coats in case we weren’t dressed properly.
The trip up the mountain was sandwitched between a stop at Nicolosi for food and a beer on the way back to Catania.
The volcanic craters themselves were fascinating, especially sliding down the black soil, with its islands of golden thorns and snow.
Highly recommended!
1 traveler found this review helpful
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