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Sicilian Volcano Tour: Explore Bove Valley
Embark on an exciting Etna Jeep Tour in Catania to explore ancient basalt lava flows, volcanic caves, and the unique tastes of Sicily. Discover the lunar landscape of Bove Valley and indulge in a tasting of honey, wines, and traditional Sicilian products.
Embark on an exciting Etna Jeep Tour in Catania to explore ancient basalt lava flows, volcanic caves, and the unique tastes of Sicily. Discover the lunar landscape of Bove Valley and indulge in a tasting of honey, wines, and traditional Sicilian products.
Duration:
5 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Parco dell’Etna - The journey begins with exploring ancient basalt lava flows, volcanic caves, and age-old forests, followed by experiencing the flavors and aromas of Sicily. Visitors will explore an area of historic explosive activity, Hornitos, a semi-volcano, and a state shelter. The lunar-like landscape of “Bove Valley” and the black ash…
- Parco dell’Etna - The journey begins with exploring ancient basalt lava flows, volcanic caves, and age-old forests, followed by experiencing the flavors and aromas of Sicily. Visitors will explore an area of historic explosive activity, Hornitos, a semi-volcano, and a state shelter. The lunar-like landscape of “Bove Valley” and the black ash desert will make the excursion a memorable day. The day concludes with a tasting of honey, wines, and traditional Sicilian products.
- Rifugio Sapienza - Situated at 1,910 meters above sea level on the southern side of Etna, within the municipality of Nicolosi (CT).
- Valle Del Bove - The Valle del Bove is a vast basin located on the eastern side of Etna’s volcanic structure, within the protected area of the Etna Park, in the municipality of Zafferana Etnea (CT).
- Oro d’Etna - Azienda Agricola Costa - Il Parco - “In Zafferana, the air is refreshing, filled with the scent of freshly baked bread and broom. From the heights of Etna, at three thousand meters, Sicily appears as a three-pointed star in the inverted sky of its ancient sea.”
- Grotta Cassone - Optional
- Rifugio Casa del Vescovo - Optional
- Grotta del Gatto - Optional
What's Included
- Multilingual tour guide
- Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
- Car seat for infants (0-2 years)
- Helmet
- Tastings of local products
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Trekking shoes available upon request
- Flashlight
- Multilingual tour guide
- Pickup and drop-off from designated meeting points
- Car seat for infants (0-2 years)
- Helmet
- Tastings of local products
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Trekking shoes available upon request
- Flashlight
What's Not Included
- Anything not specified under “inclusions
- Anything not specified under “inclusions
Additional Information
The journey will begin with an exploration of ancient basalt lava flows, volcanic caverns, and age-old forests, then proceed to indulge in the flavors and fragrances of Sicily. You’ll tour a region marked by historic explosive volcanism, visit feature like Hornitos and a half-formed volcano, and a public shelter. The moon-like terrains of the “Bove…
The journey will begin with an exploration of ancient basalt lava flows, volcanic caverns, and age-old forests, then proceed to indulge in the flavors and fragrances of Sicily. You’ll tour a region marked by historic explosive volcanism, visit feature like Hornitos and a half-formed volcano, and a public shelter. The moon-like terrains of the “Bove Valley” along with its black ash desert would add to the charm of your day trip. The expedition concludes with sampling honey, local wines and traditional Sicilian commodities.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.6
(233 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Virginia_m
Oct 4, 2025
A very special experience - worth the time and the cost. - Our guide Dario was just outstanding. Excellent command of English, very knowledgeable and very concerned and caring for the abilities and limitations of each of the six members of our group, ranging in age from 30s to 70s. Commentary involved various perspectives on the lava flows, interactions between the local population and the active volcano which was insightful. Visitor center stop allowed ample time for photography of the spectacular setting, a brief hike up the mountain, and a drink/bathroom/shopping stop for those inclined to more passive time. Maybe the highlight was exploration of a lava cave; unique for sure. Suggestion for those considering this excursion - check the weather on Etna, not in the cities at the base. It can get windy and cold on a mountain. Our only complaint had nothing to do with the tour itself, or of our guides. Both were superb. Our problem was with communication with management - in particular- confirming the meeting location. We sent messages through the Viator app - no response. Day of tour we showed up at the location shown on the Viator app but the office at that location was locked and had a different business name. Fortunately there was another couple waiting there. We both reached out to our booking companies - they were informed the meeting place was across the piazza. Viator only told us that the tour had not been cancelled. Both Viator and the company management failed us. If not for the other couple we would have missed an exceptional tour.
Review provided by Viator
Z7375dfmanuelr
Sep 13, 2025
Excursion Etna Volcanic Park - It was my lady, my eldest daughter and me.Having made a reservation the night before for my daughter, we had to go separate, they in the 4x4 with Kevin in Spanish, and I in the Fiat Doblo with Andrea in English, but I had a great time with him, as between English and Italian we understood each other besides being very good guide and fun.We all met in the explanation areas and in the tasting of products of the place.We had a great time and we really enjoyed knowing this active volcanic park!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leonor702
Sep 11, 2025
Adventures in and around Etna - The sunset at Etna was amazing. We saw and learned many things, the love of the Catanians for their volcano they call Mama. Everything was top notch. A must-see ride. Thanks Fabio, you made a difference!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
538francan
Sep 11, 2025
EXPERIENCE TO DO!!! - We did the sunset hike...
What can I say!!! SPECTACULAR!!!
Fabio our guide was very good, the love and passion he has in telling you about his land is noticed and transmits it to you.
Super recommended experience to do!!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Leticia_m
Sep 7, 2025
Greatest tour guide - Our tour guide Paul has only been doing this job about one month and we would have never guessed. He was great very informative and proud of his knowledge so willing to share. Everyone needs to request him. Thank you
Review provided by Viator
Tabsalorena
Sep 3, 2025
You can't miss it - It has been a magnificent excursion, we had a really good time. It was fun but at the same time we learned a lot about volcanoes. Gaetano could not be kinder, he accompanied us to the different sites, explained and even took some amazing photos. We were caught up in their admiration for the volcanoes to the point that the girls liked it the most and now we are hooked on the news about Etna ;)
Thank you for putting us through a morning we won't forget.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Elizabeth_r
Sep 23, 2025
Great day - Alrhough it said morning trip it was almost a full day 8.30 till 2.30 guide Fabio was excellent and knowledgeable he made sure we had an informative trip
Review provided by Viator
98jimm98
Oct 4, 2025
The Great, the not so great, and a nearly missed opportunity - Our tour of Mount Etna, booked through Viator with the company (ski and scuba in Catania) was both superb and frustrating. I will outline both parts
Superb: Our guide Dario was just outstanding. Excellent command of English, very knowledgeable and very concerned and caring for the abilities and limitations of each of the six members of our group, ranging in age from 30s to 70s. The program that involved various perspectives on the lava flows. Interactions between the local population and the active volcano (sometimes meaning abandoning at risk structures) was insightful. The stop at the visitor center allowed ample time for photography of the spectacular setting, a brief hike up the mountain, and a coffee or shopping (brief) for those inclined to more passive time. Maybe the highlight was exploration of a lava cave, unique for sure.
Very poorly done: We almost missed out on the tour because of poor guidance, inadequate assistance from Viator and no communication with the local tour company on the tour start rendezvous point. The designated meeting place in the Viator instructions was about 100 meters away from where the group actually was forming. Demonstrating that it wasn’t our problem, we encountered another couple on the same tour with the same (erroneous) info we had. But they reached their German tour booking agent who got it straightened out. Without this chance encounter and their travel company we would have missed the experience. Nobody either at Viator or local tour company answered phone or WhatsApp messaging.
Here is an idea: don’t just give a street address. Give longitude and latitude coordinates for a meeting place. At least as a supplement. Viator generally does a good job, but this is the second time in 3 years that a location snafu was at work. Why is it so hard?
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gemmamasett
Sep 10, 2025
Improveable. - The price was not adjusted to the quality received. The guide, quite dry, started speaking in English without first asking if we understood (lucky was the case) and in the car we were 6 and the guide but really the two back seats, where we sat, was not fit to do more than 1 hour back in a row. We arrived with quite sore legs. Frankly upgradable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lidiamj841rx
Oct 11, 2025
Hire a tour in Spanish and pay for it and I got in a jeep with English-speaking people!!! - I booked a jeep tour in the morning of Etna and clarified that it had to be in Spanish, and I paid for it, 57 euros, when the time came, as the Spanish-speaking jeep was complete with 3 couples, and I was alone, I was put in a jeep with 5 people speaking English, and of 20 minutes explanation in English, I gave my 2 minutes in Spanish, that is, I spent the whole trip looking out the window, watching as the rest of the passengers chatted, laughed and exchanged opinions, all in English.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
