Ferragosto Itinerante on Etna

August 11th to 16th, 2018 - Detailed program available for download in PDF format at the bottom of the page.
Six days to experience Etna from every angle. We will follow trails that allow us to appreciate the very best of the volcano. Our itinerant approach gives us the chance to take advantage of the best times of day in the mountains, such as sunrise, and to immerse ourselves in the diverse environments we will traverse.
Our route is a circular trek starting and ending in Zafferana Etnea. The stages will be: from Zafferana Etnea to Rifugio Citelli (1150m elevation gain) on the first day. Then, we will continue from Rifugio Citelli with an ascent to the Summit Craters and return to the refuge on the second day. For our third stage, we will leave Rifugio Citelli and arrive at Rifugio la Nave, where we will spend the night. The following day, from Rifugio la Nave, we will hike the Pista Altamontana, on the West-South side, reaching Rifugio Sapienza. The next day, we climb from Rifugio Sapienza up to Monte Scriva (2670m), then descend via the Canalone della Montagnola, crossing a section of the Valle del Bove until we reach Piano del Vescovo. Our trek concludes from Piano del Vescovo, following a stretch of the Sentiero Natura, the Scalazza mule track, and Piano dell’Acqua, finally arriving back at our destination, Zafferana Etnea. After a well-deserved gelato, the trip ends at 2:30 PM, and we head home.

Fee: € 160.00 – Includes guide service, Global Assistance (Travel care) insurance, and excursion organization.
Other expenses: € 280.00. Expenses include: 2 nights in a staffed mountain hut, 1 night in an unstaffed mountain hut, 2 nights in a hotel. 4 dinners and breakfasts in restaurants, 1 dinner and packed breakfast in the hut, and lunches for all days, except for the first day.
Costs do not include: round-trip travel to the meeting and end point, packed lunch for the first day, and unspecified extra expenses.
Deposit: € 100.00 at the time of booking.
Balance: € 340.00 - Do not send; please bring it with you and pay on-site.
Meeting point: Saturday, August 11th at 9:00 AM in the parking lot in front of the entrance to the public gardens of Zafferana Etnea.
End of trip: Thursday, August 16th at 2:00 PM in Zafferana Etnea, the same place as the departure.
Max number of participants: 14
Daily walking hours: 4 to 8 hours.
Nights: sleeping in staffed and unstaffed mountain huts, and hotels.
Meals: packed lunches and restaurants. We recommend bringing dried fruit and dark chocolate.
Highlights: geological features, lunar landscapes, lava flows, craters, and Valle del Bove.
Trip type: itinerant.
Difficulty: challenging; good physical fitness is required.
Required equipment: trekking clothing, hiking boots, long trousers, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, trekking poles, headlamp/flashlight, shower sandals, rain jacket (k-way), sweater, waterproof jacket, water bottle, winter sleeping bag, sleeping mat, and personal toiletries.
Tips: 50-liter backpack, not exceeding 8 kg for women and 10 kg for men.
Duration: 6 days / 5 nights.
Booking deadline: July 10th, 2018, provided that spots are still available.
Notes: the excursion may be subject to changes due to unpredictable natural events; in such cases, the guide will make the final decision.
Guide: Salvatore Marletta: contact – 3334987946
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]