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Etna North Craters Tour

Unknown North Side: Tour through Lunar Landscapes and Green Forests

Etna North Craters Tour

Unknown North Side: Tour through Lunar Landscapes and Green Forests

Etna North Craters Tour

Walk along the rim of the huge 2002 craters

Etna North Craters Tour

Varied north side of Etna: in the black lava desert, nature is reclaiming its terrain

Etna North Craters Tour

A tour to discover the largest craters of the 2002 eruption, the most impressive and abrupt volcanic activity of the last 20 years. We discover:

 

  • Huge lateral craters
  • Eruptions from 2002, 1923 and 1911
  • Northeast Rift
  • Black Lava Desert & Lava Bombs
  • Robbers’ Den

Etna North Craters Tour

  • Meeting point at Etna
  • incl. breakfast
  • incl. equipment

* Children under 13 years pay 10€ less!
Children under 3 years free of charge!

Etna North Craters Tour incl.

  • Pick-up & return transport in the Catania / Taormina area
  • incl. breakfast
  • incl. equipment

* Children under 13 years pay 10€ less!
Children under 3 years free of charge!

Highlights

The tourist centre of Piano Provenzana, the roads and ski lifts were rebuilt after everything was destroyed in the 2002 eruption.

Lava flow from the 2002 eruption

Already at the beginning of our tour we see the incredible power of Etna. In 2002, a lava flow destroyed the tourist centre in Piano Provenzana in only 10 hours. From the hotel “Le Betulle” we only see the tip of the roof sticking out of the lava.

Fortunately, the lava flow stopped then after 10 days, only 5 km away from the town of Linguaglossa.

Many eruptions form along the northeast rift. We discover the eruptions of 1911, 1923 and 2002 on our Etna North Crater tour.

The North-East Rift

Etna is constantly moving and changing its shape due to magma pressure, faults and eruptions.

We visit the lava flows of the 1911 and 1923 eruptions that formed along the Northeast Rift, the largest fault on Etna.

On our Etna North Crater tour we walk on the rims of the huge craters created by the 2002 eruption.

The huge craters of 2002

25 craters were created during the 2002 eruption, a line of fire split the entire slope at that time (Cerniera di Fuoco del 2002).

We hike up to the largest of these craters and walk along the crater rim. From there we survey the vast scale of the craters and lava flows that have poured over the entire slope in different directions.

Black lava desert: ash, lava bombs, craters and lava rivers as far as the eye can see

The desert after the lava fountains

What remains after an eruption?

A huge, black desert of volcanic ash, sand and lava bombs. Sometimes the remains of trees still stick out of the lava.

But only a few metres away we see nature in bloom, which has already recovered on older lava flows.

Our guide will not only explain the volcanic activities, but also interesting facts about the fauna and flora.

A few centuries ago, this cave provided shelter for 4 robbers. On our Etna North Crater tour we now discover the secrets of this lava tunnel.

Inside the lava flow

At the end of the tour we get to know another fascinating formation created by Etna: when an eruption ends and the right conditions prevail, the inside of the lava flow empties and a cave is formed.

We discover – equipped with helmets and torches – the “Grotta della Neve” or “Grotta dei Ladroni” (Snow Cave or Robbers’ Cave).

Important information about the tour

MEETING POINT

  • At the Mareneve kiosk in Piano Provenzana (view on Google Maps). There are sufficient (paid) parking spaces available.

RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT

  • High trekking shoes (low shoes get a lot of sharp volcanic sand in them) and long trousers or high socks. When you put the socks over your shoes, they prevent sand from getting into your shoes, like gaiters.
  • Clothing appropriate to the weather and altitude, in layers: during the winter season snow clothing incl. Gloves and hat; in summer windbreaker, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • 1.5 l water per person
  • Packed lunch
  • Camera

SERVICES INCLUDED

  • Insurance during the entire tour
  • Authorised English-speaking guide (tour guide/AIGAE excursion guides with BLSD certificate)
  • Equipment: trekking poles, windbreakers, backpacks, helmets, lamps and hiking shoes (please let us know your shoe size when booking)
  • Breakfast
  • Tasting of typical products: Honey, cream, liqueurs

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED

  • Everything that is not listed under “Services included”

SERVICES ON REQUEST

  • Pick-up from hotel or other meeting point (price by arrangement)
  • Trekking shoe rental

IMPORTANT MESSAGES

  • Please inform us in advance of any special circumstances: health problems, allergies, heart disease, blood pressure problems, limited mobility, disability. We will find the best solution for you for an unforgettable day on Etna.
  • We do not recommend activities at this height for women from the third month of pregnancy onwards.
  • Changes may occur or the tour may be cancelled if the guide deems it necessary if weather or volcanic conditions threaten the safety of the group.
  • Of course, all our staff are fully vaccinated for your and our protection.
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