Had the most amazing day. Please note you do not go up the the main crater of Etna, you go to the two lower craters and can look up (a very long way up.) to the main crater… however after some initial disappointment we walked up the lower craters and honestly as young healthy people we found it very tough, so in reality the main crater would have been really uncomfortable. We got the full volcano experience; the altitude, the hot sun and cold wind, the mars like surroundings but it was manageable. What I will say is there are restaurants and cafes at the base camp where you are taken, get food there as the excursion is very long and requires energy for the volcano and the river gorges!!! Our lovely guide took us to a supermarket where we bought pizza slices etc because one of our group was extremely hungry so mentioned it!!
The gorges are an absolute must see! Definitely bring a change of clothes so you can walk down the River which does get up to armpit height at some points! And the River shoes REALLY HELPED!!! We bought some in Taormina but this tour offers them on request, it really makes a huge difference.
All in all a great trip, we had the volcano experience without it being too intense, and the gorges were incredible.
- Wear sunscreen and bring sunscreen
-bring food or make the most of your time at the volcano to get something to eat
- bring a jacket, the volcano was hot sun but chilly winds
- bring or rent River shoes
-bring a change of clothes for the River gorges
