Etna Excursion from Catania

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

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.

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!

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.

+ Very nice and exciting trip with beautiful sight. + guides were fantastic + final run down Mt Etna was incredible - Hygiene concept was not really safe in COVID-19 times (lent shoes with pre worn socks) - air condition was on and off Overall would recommend it.

Very good tour, but know that you and your clothes will get quite dirty due to the ashes, so dress accordingly

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 !!

Had a really nice experience out on Etna with this tour over the weekend. Transport was efficient and the guide was knowledgeable. If you want to see Etna this is the way to do it. Highly recommended

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.

Great experience. Ernesto was very prepared for all eventualities, with jackets, bags and lots of pairs of boots!