Day 01
27th Sep 2019- Arrival at Sicily, Catania(D)
Upon your arrival at Catania Airport, you will be welcomed by a Rahhalah representative and will be transferred to your hotel. There, you will have the opportunity to relax and explore the ancient port city at your own pace, before meeting with the rest of the group for a welcome dinner.
Note: 2 group arrival transfers will be arranged. Timings will be advised in due course. Additional transfers are at extra cost.
Day 02
28th Sep 2019- Vulcano (3 hours hiking, +390m - 390 m, 8 km)(B)
After breakfast, you will head to Milazzo (approx. a 1.45-hr drive), where you will take the hydrofoil to sail across the sparkling waters towards Vulcano, one of the seven Aeolian Islands, famous for its long stretches of black beaches and bubbling thermal springs. Upon your arrival, you will hike to Vulcano’s crater to see the steaming “fumaroles” (gaseous eruptions). In the afternoon, you will enjoy some free time for swimming or mud bathing. Then, you will retake the hydrofoil to Lipari, where you will check-in in the hotel.
Day 03
29th Sep 2019- Lipari (4,5 hours hiking, +360m – 500m, 11.5 km, 390 m the highest point)(B)
After breakfast, you will get a public bus to Quattropani village, from where you will follow the hiking trail that takes you along the westcoast of Lipari (the wildest and lesser-known shore), passing, along the way, by the Ancient Roman baths of St. Calogero. The trail will end at the historical center of Lipari where you can enjoy its delicious local specialities and, in the afternoon, explore at your own pace the old part of the town, including the castle (the archaeological museum).
Overnight in Lipari.
Day 04
30th Sep 2019- Stromboli (4 hours hiking, +400 - 400 m, 9 km, 400 m the highest point) (B)
After breakfast, you will take the hydrofoil to Stromboli (1h), where you will check in at the hotel.
You will enjoy a free morning at Stromboli and in the afternoon, you will embark on an easy hike on the western side of the island, to discover the “Sciara del Fuoco” and see the famous Stromboli eruptions.
Day 05
1st Oct 2019- Stromboli summit (5 hours hiking, + 924 – 924 m, 12 km, 920 m the highest point) (B, D)
After breakfast, you will enjoy the morning at your own pace to explore the lovely village of San Vincenzo or relax at Stromboli’s black beaches. In the afternoon, you will hikewith a certified volcano guide to the summit of Stromboli, where you will be able to witness the pyrotechnical activity ofthe volcano, its lava fountains and red-hot spurts of molten rock looking even more dramatic against the nightfall. At the top, you will also enjoy a packed dinner surrounded by this unforgettable landscape. You will then return to Stromboli for the night.
Day 06
2nd Oct 2019- The medieval Taormina at the shadow of Mt. Etna (B, L, D)
Once again, you will take the hydrofoil from Stromboli back to Milazzo (2h30 sailing), and from there you will head to Taormina (approx. a 2-hr drive).There, you will enjoy some free time to visit the town's Ancient Greek Theatre – originally built during the 3rd century BC and still used for performances during Taormina's annual summer arts festival – or take advantage of the town's great shopping opportunities and perhaps sample some refreshing mulberry gelato. Afterwards, you will be transferred to the southern side of Etna, checking in at a mountain hotel at 1900 m of altitude, from where you can enjoy spectacular views over the sea and the east coast of Sicily. The hotel is located close to the most recent lava flow, enjoying thus a landscape of lunar ambience. Dinner with local specialties.
Day 07
3rd Oct 2019- Etna Challenge (6 hours hiking, + 450 – 450 m) (B, D)
After breakfast, you will embark on a spectacular hike on the southern area of the Mount Etna volcano.
Depending on the weather and volcanic conditions, you may be able to drive in 4x4 jeeps up until an altitude of 2900 meters and, then, continue on foot until the top (3350 meters). You will be escorted by a volcano or alpine guide. Along the way, you will pass by several lava flows, you will be rewarded with dramatic panoramic views of the four craters that make up the top of this famous volcano, and you will enjoy extensive views of the entire coast of Sicily. In the afternoon, you will be transferred with a private minibus back to Catania where you will check-in in the hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner.
