Etna to 2,950 m from Catania: Volcanological Guide and Winery Lunch

The north side, which is the one the coaches do not fill. The day starts with a naturalist guide in Catania and drives to Piano Provenzana. From there a 4x4 takes the group up to the summit area at 2,950 metres. Above a certain altitude on Etna a licensed volcanological guide is required for excursions, so at the top there are two guides with the group, the naturalist and the volcanologist. The 4x4 ascent is not in the tour price. It is 70 € per person, paid directly to the guide on the day. Between January and March, snow can mean the access needs a snowcat instead, at 30 € per person. The walking up there is moderate rather than technical. Later the route goes into one of Etna's volcanic caves, with helmets and headlamps handed out at the entrance. Lunch is at a winery on the slopes of the volcano: a light meal of traditional Sicilian dishes with a tasting of two Etna DOC wines. Etna DOC comes from vineyards planted on the volcano's own soil, higher up than most Italian vines.