Gole dell'Alcantara - Etna Trekking and Iblei Canyoning

August 10th to 16th, 2021
Seven days to experience the Etna volcano in every way, following trails that will allow us to appreciate the very best of the mountain. Our itinerant approach is the perfect choice, giving us the chance to make the most of the best times of day, like sunrise, and to immerse ourselves in the diverse environments we will cross. Our adventure begins on the first day at the spectacular Gole dell'Alcantara, where we will observe the basalt columns up close and cool off in the river's refreshing waters. On the second day, we will ascend to the Summit Craters, starting from Piano Provenzana (north side), before heading North-West, passing the Grotta del Gelo on our way to Rifugio la Nave. The following day, we will hike from Rifugio la Nave along the Pista Altamontana, on the south side, until we reach Rifugio Sapienza. On our final day of trekking on Etna, we will climb from Rifugio Sapienza to the Piano del Lago crater (2670m), then descend via the Canaloni della Montagnola, cross a section of the Valle del Bove, and arrive at Piano del Vescovo.
Once the hike is complete, we will head off for the final 2 days in the Iblei area, arriving at our accommodation in an Agriturismo near Palazzolo Acreide (SR). The program for these days includes two water-trekking excursions (walking and hiking up the river, with some short swimming sections). Ferragosto evening promises a relaxing atmosphere as we enjoy dinner and a traditional Sicilian show. This proposal is unique, as it offers us the chance to appreciate everything the Iblei area has to offer—a region renowned for its undeniable charm and natural beauty, its magnificent interplay of water and rock, and the history told through the remains of Siculan and Byzantine settlements and necropolises, all topped off with unique flavors, stories, and Sicilian music.

Trip Fee: € 580.00. The price includes: guide service, excursion organization, Startrekk Association membership card including travel insurance, 2 nights' accommodation in a staffed mountain hut, 1 night in an unstaffed mountain hut, 1 night in a hotel, and 2 nights in an Agriturismo, a Sicilian evening with folk songs. 5 dinners and breakfasts in restaurants, 1 dinner and packed breakfast in the mountain hut, and daily lunches (excluding the first day). If, for safety reasons, it is not possible to climb to the Summit Craters on the first day, an alternative excursion at an altitude between 1500 and 2000 meters will be organized.
Costs do not include: round-trip travel expenses to reach the meeting point and end of the trip, packed lunch for the first day, transfer from Etna to Pantalica, and any unspecified extra expenses. Single room supplement is € 20.00 per night, subject to availability.
You can book your trip directly through the website www.startrekk.it
Deposit: € 180.00 at the time of booking, to be paid via IBAN: IT61Z0306967684510724312088, payable to Startrekk.
Balance: € 400.00 by July 30th, using the same payment methods.
Meeting point: Tuesday, August 10th at 10:00 AM at Rifugio Clan dei Ragazzi (Etna). Click the link below for the Google Maps location.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bR7HuWxYPZp2TNEu6
End of trip: Monday, August 16th at 5:30 PM, Palazzolo Acreide.
Daily walking hours: 4 to 8 hours.
Nights: accommodation in staffed and unstaffed mountain huts, hotels, and Agriturismo.
Meals: packed lunches and restaurants. We recommend bringing dried fruit and dark chocolate.
Highlights: geological features, lunar landscapes, lava flows, summit craters, Valle del Bove, naturalistic aspects, history, archaeology, and local gastronomy.
Trekking style: itinerant/stationary.
Tips: 50-liter backpack, not exceeding 8 kg for women and 10 kg for men.
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights.
Booking deadline: July 30th, 2021, subject to availability.
Difficulty: challenging, good fitness level required.
Required equipment: trekking clothing, trekking shoes, long trousers, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, trekking poles, headlamp, shower sandals, rain jacket (k-way), sweater, waterproof jacket, water bottle, winter sleeping bag, sleeping mat, swimsuit, water shoes for river walking (a wetsuit is recommended for those sensitive to cold water), and personal toiletries.
Health Notes: Each participant must bring their own masks and hand sanitizer and must comply with all instructions and further useful information regarding Covid-19 that we will send via email one week before departure.
Notes: the excursion may be subject to changes due to unpredictable natural events; in such cases, an alternative route will be taken if possible.
Guide and excursion organization: Salvatore Marletta, contact 3334987946
Email: [email protected] – www.ciaotrekking.com
Collaboration with Startrekk: Pierluigi Picconi, contact 3475077183
Email: [email protected] – www.startrekk.it
Fun on Etna - Click the link
https://www.facebook.com/marlettatrekking/videos/795160743998894/