Mountains of Sicily
The wild side of the land of the sun
Walking the wild trails of north oof Sicily, from Madonie mountain ridge to Nebrodi ending on magnificent Mount Etna. Beyond the immersion into the green wildlife of this area, this journey will allow you to discover some ancient and beautiful Sicilian medieval villages, nestled on perched reliefs. The visits to the ancient towns of Palermo and Cefalù will complete this magnificent trip. Culture, mountains, wildlife, volcanoes and hospitality are keywords of this itinerary.
Highlights:
- Natural reserves of north of Sicily and Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe
- Immersion in the real Sicilian culture
- Great from point-to-point traveling itinerary
Highlights:
- Natural reserves of north of Sicily and Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe
- Immersion in the real Sicilian culture
- Great from point-to-point traveling itinerary
Day 1: Palermo
Arrival at Palermo Airport and public transfer to the city centre. According to your arrival time, discover the city and its historic centre full of Norman, Arabic and Byzantine remains. Dinner and night at the hotel. Meals (-/-/D)
Day 2: Cefalù - MadoniePark (2 hours walking, +250 mt - 250 mt)
In the morning, transfer to the unique town of Cefalù and free time to visit its historic centre, built around a magnificent Norman cathedral. Hike to the top of the so called "Rocca", from where you will have a breath-taking view over the town and the northern coast. In the afternoon, private transfer to Castelbuono: check into your hotel, at the foot of the Madonie Mountains. Dinner and overnight stay. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 3: Pizzo Carbonara (6 hours walking, +890 mt - 890 mt)
Beautiful hiking day up to Pizzo Carbonara, 1979 metres above sea level, the highest point of this part of Sicily. We will walk through wide green meadows and dirt tracks, forests of broad-leaved trees and evergreen conifer. From the summit, we will enjoy a magnificent view of the entire area. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 4: Nebrodi Park (4 hours walking, +400 mt - 400 mt)
Transfer to the area of the Nebrodi Mountains Park, to the medieval village of Longi. Hike in the park of Nebrodi, where lakes and forests, green hills and many freshwater springs build a fairy tale-like painting. At the end of the day, overnight stay and dinner in Longi. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 5: Longi - Rocche del Crasto (5 hours walking, +450 mt - 500 mt)
Our discovery experience of the Nebrodi Park is far from coming to an end. Hike to reach the amazing natural site "Rocche del Crasto", 1315 metres above sea level. These limestone mountains have irregular profiles and steep and cracked forms. Dinner and at overnight stay in Longi. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 6: Alcantara – Etna (2 hours walking, +260 mt - 260 mt)
In the morning, private transfer to the wonderful Alcantara gorges Park. Take a walk in this volcanic canyon with chilly waters constantly flowing to reach the sea. We will then follow a nice trail at the foot of the volcano to discover the recent lava flows and the unique ecosystem of the nature reserve of Etna. Dinner and overnight at 1900m altitude. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 7: Etna – Catania (7 hours walking, +750 mt - 750 mt)
The day is devoted to the ascent to the summit of Mount Etna. We take a cable cabin up to 2600 metres above sea level and continue our ascent to the main crater of Etna, to reach 3350 metres. What a moon-like scenario! Black rocks, volcanic dust, ashes and the scoria ejected from the numerous eruptive craters and fractures all around. At the end of the excursion, transfer to Catania. Overnight stay here. Meals (B/L/-)
Day 8: Transfer to Catania airport.
After breakfast, free time and then private transfer to Catania airport. Meals (B/-/-)
Arrival at Palermo Airport and public transfer to the city centre. According to your arrival time, discover the city and its historic centre full of Norman, Arabic and Byzantine remains. Dinner and night at the hotel. Meals (-/-/D)
Day 2: Cefalù - MadoniePark (2 hours walking, +250 mt - 250 mt)
In the morning, transfer to the unique town of Cefalù and free time to visit its historic centre, built around a magnificent Norman cathedral. Hike to the top of the so called "Rocca", from where you will have a breath-taking view over the town and the northern coast. In the afternoon, private transfer to Castelbuono: check into your hotel, at the foot of the Madonie Mountains. Dinner and overnight stay. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 3: Pizzo Carbonara (6 hours walking, +890 mt - 890 mt)
Beautiful hiking day up to Pizzo Carbonara, 1979 metres above sea level, the highest point of this part of Sicily. We will walk through wide green meadows and dirt tracks, forests of broad-leaved trees and evergreen conifer. From the summit, we will enjoy a magnificent view of the entire area. Back to the hotel, dinner and overnight. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 4: Nebrodi Park (4 hours walking, +400 mt - 400 mt)
Transfer to the area of the Nebrodi Mountains Park, to the medieval village of Longi. Hike in the park of Nebrodi, where lakes and forests, green hills and many freshwater springs build a fairy tale-like painting. At the end of the day, overnight stay and dinner in Longi. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 5: Longi - Rocche del Crasto (5 hours walking, +450 mt - 500 mt)
Our discovery experience of the Nebrodi Park is far from coming to an end. Hike to reach the amazing natural site "Rocche del Crasto", 1315 metres above sea level. These limestone mountains have irregular profiles and steep and cracked forms. Dinner and at overnight stay in Longi. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 6: Alcantara – Etna (2 hours walking, +260 mt - 260 mt)
In the morning, private transfer to the wonderful Alcantara gorges Park. Take a walk in this volcanic canyon with chilly waters constantly flowing to reach the sea. We will then follow a nice trail at the foot of the volcano to discover the recent lava flows and the unique ecosystem of the nature reserve of Etna. Dinner and overnight at 1900m altitude. Meals (B/L/D)
Day 7: Etna – Catania (7 hours walking, +750 mt - 750 mt)
The day is devoted to the ascent to the summit of Mount Etna. We take a cable cabin up to 2600 metres above sea level and continue our ascent to the main crater of Etna, to reach 3350 metres. What a moon-like scenario! Black rocks, volcanic dust, ashes and the scoria ejected from the numerous eruptive craters and fractures all around. At the end of the excursion, transfer to Catania. Overnight stay here. Meals (B/L/-)
Day 8: Transfer to Catania airport.
After breakfast, free time and then private transfer to Catania airport. Meals (B/-/-)
Note: B (Breakfast); L (Lunch); D (Dinner)
Grade : This trip is rated Moderate [3]. An hilly-to-steep terrain whit large dirt road and mule track. Trip members should be capable of hiking up to 6 hours on concurrent days. A prior hiking experience is advisable.
Accommodation:
- 1 night in hotel***at Palermo
- 2 nights in a mountain hut or hotel at Madonie Park
- 2 nights in a hotel at Nebrodi Park
- 1 night at a hotel*** or mountain hut on Etna
- 1 night in hotel***at Catania
Equipment : trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 liters), trekking poles advised.
Getting there: the destination airport are Palermo and Catania. Meeting with the guide at palermo airport and transfer to Palermo city. The last day, group transfer to Palermo airport
Grade : This trip is rated Moderate [3]. An hilly-to-steep terrain whit large dirt road and mule track. Trip members should be capable of hiking up to 6 hours on concurrent days. A prior hiking experience is advisable.
Accommodation:
- 1 night in hotel***at Palermo
- 2 nights in a mountain hut or hotel at Madonie Park
- 2 nights in a hotel at Nebrodi Park
- 1 night at a hotel*** or mountain hut on Etna
- 1 night in hotel***at Catania
Equipment : trekking shoes, trekking socks, trekking t-shirt, warm shell, wind and water proof jacket, hat and gloves, bathing suit, sun glasses and sun cream, daily backpack (min. 30 liters), trekking poles advised.
Getting there: the destination airport are Palermo and Catania. Meeting with the guide at palermo airport and transfer to Palermo city. The last day, group transfer to Palermo airport
Included:
- All transfers by public bus, private minibuses
- 7 nights' accommodation in hotel*** and B&B on half board basis
- All dinners (except day 7) and packed lunches
- English speaking guide throughout
Not included:
- Lunch on day 1 and day 8
- Dinner on day 7
- Cable and certified volcano guide to climb to Etna's summit craters
- Any other services not mentioned in the itinerary
Trips Note
Destination: Sicily
Travel Style: Guided walking holiday
Interest: Volcanoes, Alpine Landscape
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: Mar Apr May Jun Jul Sep Oct
Group size: from 4 to 15 people
Airport: Palermo and Catania
