Iblean Crossing - From Ragusa Ibla to Ortigia, Siracusa

April 28 - May 06, 2018 – Detailed program available in PDF format to download at the bottom of the page.
This journey crosses part of the Iblean territory in South-Eastern Sicily. The trail winds through the heart of the Iblei, where you will discover the Baroque charm of its historic towns, the rich variety of its Mediterranean scrub, the quality of its spicy and colorful cuisine, an endless network of dry-stone walls, and a Sicily that feels geographically and culturally distinct from the rest of Europe. This is an itinerant trekking experience that follows long-forgotten rural paths.
Key locations: Ragusa Ibla, Chiaramonte Gulfi, Monterosso Almo, Palazzolo Acreide, Ferla, the Anapo Valley, Pantalica, Belvedere, passing by the Greek Theatre before reaching our final destination: Ortigia, the Greek heart of Siracusa.
For the last two days, our route follows the ancient Galermi aqueduct. Built by Gelon in 480 B.C. and carved directly into the living rock, this 40 km-long structure once channeled water from the Calcinara stream (Pantalica) to the upper part of the city, above the Greek Theatre of Siracusa. It is considered a masterpiece of hydraulic engineering, defined by its precision and construction finesse.

Fee: € 180,00 - Includes guide service, Global Assistance (Travel care) insurance, and excursion organization.
Other expenses: € 480,00. Expenses include: itinerant accommodation in B&Bs, hotels, and agriturismos (farm stays) in double or triple rooms, dinners at restaurants and breakfasts from the evening of the first day until the morning of the last, and daily heavy luggage transport via shuttle for the 7 days of walking. Those who do not require the luggage transport service will save € 40,00 on the “Other expenses” total.
Costs do not include: round-trip travel to the meeting and end points, daily packed lunches, and any unspecified extra expenses.
Deposit: € 160,00 at the time of booking.
Balance: € 500,00 - Do not send this; please bring it with you and pay on-site.
Meeting point: Saturday, April 28 at 5:00 PM, Ragusa Bus Station.
End of trip: Sunday, May 06 at 10:00 AM, Siracusa train or bus station.
For insurance purposes, please provide: full name, place of residence, date and place of birth.
Max number of participants: 14
Daily walking hours: 5 to 7 hours.
Nights: accommodation in B&Bs, hotels, and agriturismos.
Meals: packed lunches, agriturismos, and restaurants.
Highlights: history, culture, nature, and local gastronomy.
Trip type: stationary/itinerant.
Difficulty: challenging.
Required equipment: trekking clothing, hiking boots, long trousers, hat, trekking poles, headlamp, shower sandals, rain poncho, sweater, waterproof jacket, water bottle, and personal toiletries.
Tips: a 50-liter backpack that does not exceed 8 kg for women and 10 kg for men.
Duration: 9 days / 8 nights.
Booking deadline: April 16, 2018, subject to availability.
Notes: the itinerary 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]