Full Day Tour Of Etna And Alcantara

This is an interesting, picturesque and fairly strenuous tour led by volcanologists. The views from Mt. Etna are worth the climb! Wear closed-toed shoes and bring water. If you're in reasonably good shape (can walk 1 mile), you can do it. You're going to LOVE it!!!

I am not young, and not fit so I booked a tour which was said to be easy and "suitable for strollers". Despite that I was taken on s trip which was very difficult with much climbing to high altitudes which I could not do. The guide did not seem to care at all, and kept running ahead with the group (4 other fit persons) leaving me struggling behind. At 2 times he even left me alone in the woods for long period of time to wait for the group. I paid a lot of money, and did not get to see almost nothing. HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE!!!!!!!

It was a wonderful full-day trip. Arrival at 8:30 AM in a comfortable bus, a short stop at a vineyard near Etna to change shoes (worth it!) and put on a warm jacket (not worth it in June!), a ride to one of Etna's many cones, a walk - pine forests smell beautifully of resin, an excellent guide, Miko, then a return visit to the Ladroni Grotto, a delicious lunch with wine at the vineyard (not included but highly recommended!), a ride to the incredible Alcantara Canyon, and a return trip to Catania around 5:30 PM. I'm grateful to Etna Sicily Tours for helping me organize this trip – even though I booked it on-line on TripAdvisor (Viator) very late, they managed to find a spot for me. It's very encouraging that they care so much about the satisfaction of customers they've never met. Grazzie mille!

It was a wonderful full-day trip. I'm grateful to Etna Sicily Tours for helping me organize the trip – even though I booked it on-line on TripAdvisor (Viator) very late, they managed to find a spot for me. It's very encouraging that they care so much about the satisfaction of customers they've never met. The trip itself was perfectly organized. Arrival at 8:30 AM in a comfortable bus, a short stop at a vineyard near Etna to change shoes (worth it!) and put on a warm jacket (not worth it in June!), a ride to one of Etna's many cones, a walk, an excellent guide, Miko, then a return visit to the Ladroni Grotto, a delicious lunch with wine at the vineyard (highly recommended!), a ride to the incredible Alcantara Canyon, and a return trip to Catania around 5:30 PM.

We had such a great time! We loved our tour and seeing Etna and the Gorge! It was fun and informative and were super grateful for the pictures we got after. Thanks so much

Dan was wonderful, entertaining, very knowledgeable and the lunch was the best food in Sicily!!! The entire experience was wonderful, we were treated like family!

I loved walking to the craters, it was like walking on a different planet. The caves were also fun, and we had lunch at a small restaurant in between.

Dani was very friendly and informative would change from Italian to English which I thought was very nice of him made myself feel a little bit more inclusive. Very pretty river at the end of tour. The only thing I wish is we could of gone up higher on Mt etna but it just means I need to come back 😁. All in all was a very fun tour would definitely recommend to friends.

We had to postpone our scheduled excursion to Etna due to illness. Etna Sicily Tours re-scheduled for the following day. We had the most amazing day, our guide Luca was very informative, we walked on Etna, saw the lava tunnels and bought some local honey. We then went for a tour of a local winery with lunch and wine tasting followed by a visit to the Alcantara Gorge. This tour was beyond our expectations, highly recommended, thank you Luca and Sebastiano for a perfect day.

Great trip. Roberto is very knowledgeable and patient. We were a group of 6 so a private tour. Cable car was very expensive so we walked up the lower part of Etna. Gorges were also introducing with wine tasting and lunch in between

The views were unbelievable. This was a once in a lifetime experience. The guide was professional and kind. Thankfully we were comfortable shoes for climbing and walking on uneven surfaces.

The trip was good but was mostly a driver with some geographic knowledge. The gorge was lovely but I feel for the price we did not see enough. Our guide was very happy to let us explore further on our own and give us a bit more time but for the same price other tours went up the cable car. The caves were not official but an open cave by the road and a little underwhelming.

Very informative and nice all around experience. We highly recommend this tour for all of our friends visiting Sicily.

The whole day was a great and Dan our guide was absolutely fantastic. Would definitely recommend to friends and family.

Daniel was a great guide. Amazing memories with the family. Don’t need a jacket unless weather turns.

Dan our tour guide was awesome, very knowledgeable and very personable. The tour itself was great, Etna was very cool to explore, and the gorge was beautiful with its cold waters to cool down from the heat.

It was great. Our guide was Roberto, he had a lot of knowledge about all of Sicily, about the history and biology of the island, he showed us a lot of great places and it was really funny and enjoyable. I would recommend this trip to everyone.

We had the best day being guided by Roberto. We were collected on time from our hotel and transported in a comfortable a/c people carrier to Mt Etna where he told us so much about the volcano and the wildlife. We saw caves,enjoyed lunch under the trees and waded in the Gorge. Roberto was entertaining and interesting to listen to,made sure we were all ok and clearly loved what he does. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend. It was worth every cent!

Dani, our Viator tour guide, was EXCEPTIONAL. Spending the entire day with a professional, intelligent, knowledgeable and passionate person was more than we could have expected. Dani could communicate in multiple languages and had a depth of knowledge of the area that is second to none. The connection between Dani, my companion and myself was immediate. Lunching together was also fantastic as we savored the local cuisine that was recommended and booked by Dani. By the time we completed our day, Dani was more than just our tour guide, he had become our friend.

It was such an amazing experience! Our guide, Claudio, was so good. He is clearly so passionate about his job and has in depth knowledge about Etna and the nature in Sicily. Highly recommended 👍🏼

We had a fabulous time touring Mount Etna and enjoying the Alcantara River! The personalize experience was wonderful.

Our guide Dan was the man! He made for a fun day full of laughs and insights about Etna and the surrounding geology. Other reviews said they felt rushed but we found the timing of everything very reasonable. We didn’t initially realize Alcantara would be a well developed tourist spot for families, but in the end we didn’t mind at all, in fact it was nice to be among other vacationing people and people watch in a beautiful natural setting. Would definitely recommend this tour.

We were disappointed with this tour. We did not get the excursion experiences listed in the online booking and that we paid for. We went to a local honey/wine tasting location and our guide Gabriele received a free item because we made a purchase. This was not on the itinerary. Our time at Etna was rushed and not very informative. We were promised English and Gabriele had very broken English. We did not get to experience the caves or tunnels with helmets as advertised. We did not go to a fine place for lunch, and again Gabriele ate for free while we paid at a local place. Alcantara was nice, but rushed as well. We were with another couple from Germany squished into a very small car that we believe was a rental that he had to return. Our guide was in a hurry to end the tour and get us back to our locations. Frankly I was very disappointed in this tour. Not what was advertised at all!

Climbing a crater at Mount Etna was a highlight we had perfect weather and blue clear sky . Our guide Erika was extremely informative and very friendly young man , he was fantastic. We also enjoyed Alcantara although we took The elevator option instead of the 200 stairs . Great trip.

Dan our guide was amazing, friendly, so much knowledge and nothing was too much trouble! Wonderful trip, enjoyed all of it, learnt so much. Thoroughly recommend and so grateful to Dan for making the trip so great. Make sure you take water shoes and have swimwear on to fully experience the gorge! Exhilarating .

The guide was doing the best as he could, but the trip was not well planned out. The weather was extremely important. If the weather is not good, the trip should be planned appropriately. e.g. not to go up to 3000 m. First nothing can be seen and it causes accident.

Danilo was one of the best guides I had so far. He adapted the tour to the capabilities of the single group members which meant for me of my friend unluckily no top of Etna but for that he showed us many other great places instead and it was totally worth it. He explained a lot and was happy to answer any kind of questions also regarding food in the area. Definitely recommend the tour.

Loved the Mount Etna and Georges tour from Messina port with Viator - however full disclosure the cable car/bus tour on Mount Etna is 78 Euros extra - not disclosed till we got there. Rest of tour was good, good seafood restaurant before the Georges - only 30 minutes at Georges before we had to get back to ship on time

The tour guides were incredibly accommodating to all guests’ needs. Alex and Andrea were full of amazing information. It was a fun day. The gorges are not to be missed!

Denny was an amazing guide, shared a lot of interesting stuff with us, showed us the best views. The trip was fantastic, best tour we had during our vacation here! Tip: bring slippers with you, as walking in the Alcantara river barefoot can be quite unpleasant 😁

The volcano was incredible, and it was cool to see both the top, and the river down below. Had a couple of issues but roberto took care of them for us

We wouldn’t normally book a guided tour but in researching Etna it was quite hard to work out the best options, getting there without a car and making the most of the visit. Communication was clear- Danilo picked us up exactly on time and lucky for us we were the only two that day. We didn’t book the cable car at the time but I would recommend you do as the queue was long to get a ticket once there. It also wasn’t clear that although lunch is not provided there were plenty of options to buy food once there. Danilo was an excellent guide, interesting and we did not feel rushed at all. I would highly recommend this trip.

What an exceptional experience. I would recommend this to anyone that wants to learn about Etna and see first hand the amazing power of nature and the beauty of Sicily. Dan was an exceptional guide and really knows about the history of Etna. His driving skills are only matched by the best in Italian formula one racing. When you didn't think that the day could get better we got to experience Alcantara and the beauty of the rock formations and the cold ice melt water.

Our full day Etna and Alcantara falls was fantastic! Mirko was an amazing guide and very knowledgeable of the volcano. He took us took to areas not on the typical tourist trail; caves, area of original road between two lava fields, pointed out particular vegetation, etc. The hike to the top of one of the craters was just “hard enough”. The second stop at Alcantara falls was perfect way to end the day. The Falls were beautiful, water was crystal clear and ice cold. Beware, it’s about 200 steps down into the gorge..and what goes down must come up😀

Highly recommended! Dan our guide was very knowledgable, patient with all of us especially as I came down during the trip with stomach upset and he was more than happy to look after me throughout and stop, and even paid once for me to use a bathroom. Warning to those that want to do this trip make sure to wear water shoes at Alcantara and bring a warm jumper for Mount Etna.

The full day tour of Mt. Etna and Alcantara Gorge was one of the highlights of our short stay in Catania. Both Roberto and Dani were very charismatic and helpful throughout the day. Both very down-to-earth people. We booked the tour very last minute, but Roberto was very quick to help organize everything; arranging the time and place of pick up, and equipment (spare hiking shoes). The tour was well thought out and balanced. We got to hike around Mt. Sartorious, one of the sites of Mt. Etna. Light exercise. Both Roberto and Dani were very well-versed and knowledgeable about the area. Alcantara Gorge was quite the scene as well. Breathtaking walls of lava like black prism draperies. The water was refreshing after an afternoon of exploring Mt. Etna under the sun. Overall, the tour was a lot of fun and relaxing too. We didn’t feel as if we were in a rush to see too many sites, but we still got to see a variety of landscapes and learn a lot about the incredible area. Thank you very much Roberto and Dani!

Roberto was an excellent guide. Very informative, friendly. The car was very comfortable we would highly recommend Roberto and this tour

We had a fantastic time with our guide Alex. He was information and friendly. It was great to learn more about Etna, the environment, and the history. We enjoyed our hike and Alcantara is not to be missed! We wouldn’t have known to visit Alcantara had it not been including in our tour, but it ended up being one of the highlights of our trip. Bring lots of water and water shoes are a must for Alcantara, unless you want a rocky workout.

Our guide, Roberto, was excellent. My rating is a reflection of the company, Viator. Due to road closures, we were unable to do the second half of our tour, the Alcantara gorge. When I requested a partial refund, it was quickly denied. We’ll be sure to avoid any future bookings with Viator.

Roberto, who was our guide was amazing and very friendly 🤗 would recommend this day trip to everyone!!!

Danilo what an amazing day. I read the previous reviews left by others and can say we couldn’t of asked for a better tour guide. Danilo spoke English and Italian, such a friendly guy. I also want to thank Roberto who answered all my questions prior to the tour, confirming pick up time and location, he responded promptly taking the stress off our shoulders as tourists. The night before our tour he advised who our guide would be and time of pick up. The Mt. Etna hike was a bit exhausting but Danilo took it slowly and before you now it , we made it to the top. Those doing this tour, wear runners with treads for traction, not flip flops, you can leave your bags in the van , its all safe. Weather July 1 was windy , hot but comfortable, T-shirt and shorts are fine, sweaters not needed. Alcantara excursion, bring your water-shoes and swim suit and towel to dry off, suggest bringing a tote bag as you get to river you will need to remove your shorts and top , wear your swim suit under your clothes. Its a must for you to go into this water, its the natural water that streams down from Mt. Etna. After the Etna tour we stopped off for a light snack Arancini OMG , they were good. Once again thank you Danilo for a fantastic day.

The tour guide Dan was fantastic. Great enthusiasm, stories and information. Looked out for my mum and everyone encouraging us all to take it slow for the Etna climb. Unfortunately due to afternoon weather forecast we didn’t get to Alcantara but were offered a winery lunch option for a very reasonable add on price. Fantastic local tips on where to eat Sicilian delicacies. Dan really made the trip that extra bit special.

Great day seeing two wonderful Sicily sites with a guide who showed us the real Sicily including lunch at a local village. Our guide, Daniel, made our trip truly memorable.

Just an amazing experience. Roberto was full of insights and explanations about the science of the craters. He took us on a demanding but rewarding hike of Mount Etna - the opportunity to see and photograph this was just amazing. Although we were disappointed about not seeing the caves in the afternoon ( due to conditions this time of year) the unusual water falls were picturesque. Overall we could not have asked for a better tour or tour guide.

This was the first excursion on our trip and it was fantastic! Roberto was a great tour guide. He is very engaging and involved. He told us so much about the area. Be prepared for this excursion because it is definitely a hike! You'll need some good boots because you're going to be walking in snow for a majority of the trip! It is well worth it for the view. We would do it again!

Fantastic tour of Etna with a great guide Luca. He was great from beginning to end with lots of local knowledge.

The tour guide Dario is wonderful,professional that knows about Etna and also about the history of the cities in the region.During the tour creates comfortable environment.Tour to Etna and Alcantara and tour guide Dario highly recommended.

Fantastically informative and friendly guide (Massimo)who was passionate about his home country of Sicily and explained so much. The whole day was a joy. Take your sea shoes to make the most of Alcantara

Robert is an amazing tour guide that knows a lot about the etna and the vegetation, but he can also tell you a lot about the cities that you ride through and their history. He is also a fun guy, lots of jokes and generally creates a great comfortable atmosphere. The Etna and Alcantara were both beautiful, I can recommend this to everyone.