Aug 10, 2024
Let yourself be enchanted by Mamma Etna - A few words to describe a beautiful experience like this. Excellent accompaniment by Luca. Starting from Piano Provenzana we first headed to the observatory and then descended along the craters dating back to the volcanic activities of 1947 and 2002. The Guide was able to show us with extreme passion and professionalism all the characteristics of the different volcanic activities. Recommended experience as well as the guides of Etna East.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 21, 2024
Amazing - Excellent excursion in the company of Mario, the French guide was not planned but Mario did what was necessary to give us explanations in French. We had some eruptions live which was great
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Apr 3, 2024
Recommended with guide Dario - A varied excursion with the Jeep and on foot. Dario was our excellent guide with a high level of knowledge about the fauna and flora of Etna.
You don't go to the top of Etna. But the walk through the moonscape is spectacular. Ask for guide Dario!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 7, 2023
Breathtaking Etna experience - Amazing and breathtaking experience. Very organised and excellent communication beforehand. Our guide Gueseepo was excellent and funny. You have to try it to really appreciate it. 100% recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sep 2, 2023
Climbing Etna is a unique experience - It is a unique experience. We climbed to 3000 m. It is the closest you can get to the main craters and it is necessary to go up with a guide.
There are many companies that offer guided tours, but be careful because the price does not include the phone line (50 euros) and not the 4x4 vehicle that will take you to the highest part (28 euros).
We went to the base on the south face of Etna, there is a parking lot and the funicular as well as many companies that offer different tours.
We directly hired the phone, the 4x4 vehicle and a guide there, it cost us 78 euros per person, you can also choose to pay the phone (50 euros) and climb on foot to 2950m, although this option does not include the guide.
And there are even people who climb from the parking lot to the highest craters on foot, but you need to be well equipped, be in shape and spend several hours.
Hiring the guide was a success, because they are experts, they explain everything very well and make you enjoy the visit much more, even though few speak Spanish.
The landscape and views are impressive.
We were able to see the flow of the last eruption, the one that occurred from August 13 to 15 of this year (barely 15 days ago when we went)
You realize the power of nature and you feel very, very small.
I recommend, even if it is summer, to be prepared with warm clothing and good footwear, the wind is strong up there, and the temperatures drop a lot. Climbing Etna is a unique experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Aug 18, 2023
A definite must - Today was a bucket list for us (myself, partner and 9 year old daughter). We were so fortunate to have Luca as our guide and I can’t say enough about how brilliant a guide he is. He was so informative, friendly and funny and just made our hike so enjoyable. I am even more grateful for how much care he put into ensuring my daughter had a good hike, making sure she stayed with him during the more challenging sections, and checking in regularly (with us and the other guests on our hike).
The hike itself is incredible. Breathtaking (sometimes literally - volcanic gas is not the nicest to breathe). The landscape is something words can’t describe and I’m so pleased we chose this tour out of the many on offer. A definite must!
Review provided by Viator
Aug 3, 2023
A great nature experience - It was an incredible experience, breathtakingly beautiful.
We were at the top of the craters and it was very impressive how suddenly the play of colors spread out after the barren monsoon landscape and the mountain seemed alive.
Luca, our guide, was very, very nice. Thank you Luca!
I have to say, though, that we as a group agreed to change the tour because the conditions were good. After the cable car, we took jeep buses to go further up, which cost an extra 28, and it was worth it! It's already time and effort enough to get up. We met at 8.15/8.30 and didn't get back down until just before 4 p.m.
All in all, I would definitely book a tour and not go on your own, you shouldn't go up there without a guide and you'll be told to turn back because it can be dangerous.
I definitely recommend it!
(It was a bit strenuous for my 13-year-old son...)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jun 28, 2023
fantastic experience - A fantastic experience and a special experience to walk through part of the mountain and see the power of nature, all with the excellent guide Luca, who managed to transfer his passion and knowledge to all of us in the group. Top recommendation.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Oct 23, 2023
Brief Etna visit - We left from the tour office in a bus . They informed us it was going to be too windy to use the gondola but would take us up with a smaller bus to the top. It was very cold up there so make sure you have a winter jacket and pants with long socks bc the sand blasted at you . I rented a coat for $5 which was good. When we got to the top we had a very small explanation about the volcano bc it was so cold and windy. We stayed for 10 min bc it was so cold and had wine in a restaurant below.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nov 6, 2022
Great views, very bad guide... and dangerous conditions. - To be fair, if I had to rate ONLY the views from the summit, it would be 5 stars. The poor review is for the guide, Luca, and the other aspects below. There was a second guide, Ellie, but we had no interaction as he only spoke to the Italian speakers.
Issues: 1. Summit was “forbidden today due to conditions” - sign at base. Luca took us anyway. 2. Both guides Stayed in FRONT of group 90% of time, not one in back to ensure guests ok. 3. No prep as to terrain either up or down, severe wind on ridge, or literally sliding (“skiing powder”) down loose sand for 1000 feet. 3. No asking if fit hikers or any med issues 4. Scoffed at Q re: poles yet used them himself 5. Scoffed at Q about mask for sulphuric wind but at times used gator himself 6. Loaner Boots worn out and terrible - felt every pebble 7. Lame, minimal narrative.
I’ve hiked in Nepal, all over US, other parts of Italy, Greece, etc. My wife and I can hike with the best of them, and have never ever complained about terrain, guides, difficultly, etc. This was the only truly poor experience. Perhaps Etna Est has much better guides and can offer a better experience - would just check it's not Luca.
October 29, 2022
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Review provided by Tripadvisor