DAY BY DAY PROGRAM
The Dutch travelers are scheduled to arrive on Day 1 at Catania 3:05 PM (Lufthansa flight)
They are scheduled to depart on the final day from Catania at 4:10 PM
Vulcano, Lipari
Day 1 - Catania - ferry to Vulcano
Day 2 Vulcano; climb Gran Cater
Day 3 Vulcano; boat to Lipari
We meet the group and guide in Catania where the buses wait to take us the two hours to Milazzo. We take the ferry to the beautiful Aeolian island of Vulcano in a volcano that has erupted several times, the last major eruption was in the year 1888. In 183 BC. has a major eruption occurred which Vulcanello arose. This is the small volcano that you can see from the port. Vulcano is the perfect example of a cone-shaped crater and the island is named after Vulcan, god of fire and son of Jupiter. We stay in a comfortable Mediterranean park hotel.
The next day is the first hike in the program. We walk for about two hours to the crater rim, Gran Cater (400 meters), where the views of the Aeolian archipelago are great. On clear days you can even see Mount Etna in Sicily. After the descent of an hour you can wash yourself clean in the remarkably warm, azure blue seawater. You can also end this walk in the afternoon and take a short walk from the beautiful sandy beach at Porto di Ponente. This walk takes you along the west side of the peninsula Vulcanello where you can enjoy beautiful views of Lipari and Salina.
Length: 5 km. Walk Duration: about 3 hours, 400 meter rise and fall.
Length: 4 km. Walk Duration: approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
We ride the ferry to the neighboring island of Lipari, the main island of the Aeolian archipelago. Upon arrival in port, you see the typical old fishing boats and luxury yachts adjacent to the city with the imposing castle looming above.
You can walk along Lipari from the port Marina Corta. You walk to the southern tip of Lipari and have beautiful views of the crater of Vulcano with view of other Aeolian islands within sight. After a walk of a three hours we return to Marina Corta.
On one of the terraces in the port then you can enjoy many varieties of delicious drinks. Pay a visit to the interesting Aeolian Regional Archaeological Museum. This museum provides a clear picture of the history and archeology of the area. You can also choose an optional tour on the island. You see, inter alia, the pumice mines and obsidiaan. Of course you choose walking or beach here. At the end of the day we take the boat back to our hotel on Vulcano.
Length: 9.3 km. Walk Duration: approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, 200 meter rise and fall.
Stromboli
Day 4 Vulcano - ferry to Stromboli, volcano climbing
A boat trip of about two hours brings us to Stromboli. If time permits we stop at the island of Panarea for a walk of about two hours to Calajunco to the remains of a settlement, which dates back to 14th centuries BC. At the approach of Stromboli volcano you see the wall high above the sea level. The volcano reaches a height of 900 meters and you will almost always have a smoke plume hanging above the volcano. You also see around the base of the volcano a number of small villages with white houses with beautiful bougainvilla in contrast to the dark stone of the powerful volcano behind, characterizes this island.
We go first to our hotel late in the afternoon we start our climb of Stromboli with an experienced guide. Although we follow a zig-zag path up we have beautiful views of the coastline. We can rise up by rough lava fields and a final climb follows a ridge of volcanic ash. We strive reach the top by sunset to see the glowing lava and sparks from the eye of the crater spewing. This shows the incredible power of the earth.
The course of this walk is entirely dependent on the volcanic activity. The duration of the walk ranges from five to seven hours, depending on how accessible the crater rim is during that day. The course takes place partly in the dark, so a flashlight will be useful.
Length: 6 km. Walking Time: 5 to 7 pm, 500 meter rise and fall.
Zafferana, Etnea
Day 5 Stromboli - boat to Milazzo - climbing Rocca Novara - Zafferana Etnea
The last cruise of this journey takes us back to Milazzo in Sicily. As we get in our minivans and drive through fertile areas where lemons, oranges, cherries and pistachios grow. This area once consisted of glowing lava fields. En route we stop at Novara di Sicilia for climbing the Rocca Novara with a peak at 1340 meters. After a strenuous climb you are rewarded with magnificent views of Mount Etna.
We continue our bus and travel some 1.5 hours after a short stop at the geological divide "Gole Alcantara. The bizarre gap is created when hot molten lava came into contact with the cold waters of the Alcantara river. We stay in Zafferana Ernea on the slopes of Mount Etna. In our hotel in Zafferana Etnea dinner is also included. Also we take the next 2 days with lunch from the hotel, which is also included in the price.
Length: 5 km. Walk Duration about 3 hours, 366 meter rise and fall.
Day 6 Zafferana, Etnea; climb Etna crater and descend into Valle del Bove
Day 7 Zafferana, Etnea; walk along the craters of Etna-2002
A climb of Mount Etna, for many is the highlight of the journey. Etna is the highest volcano in Europe; 130 eruptions have been logged. Emissions of gases and vapors is a normal activity of the Etna. We drive about 20 minutes by bus to our Refugio Sapienza 1900 meters. Here we take the gondola lift to 2500 meters.
From here we drive in about 15 minutes with a rugged off-road area to 2900 meters for a walk of about five to six hours with an experienced guide. Subject to weather and volcanic activity, we follow a steep path to the highest point at 3300 meters, the oldest crater 'Central' and the large crater 'Bocca Nuova' that is formed after the eruption of 1968.
After crossing to the southeast crater of 1971, your reward is a magnificent view over the north coast of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. In the winter months, the top covered with snow and can be very cold at the top. In the spring you can find krokussen and violets, hiding between the volcanic debris. From here we descend via Torre del Filosofia to the Valle del Bove. The valley at 900 meters is caused by a massive eruption and was once an oasis of green pastures, then known as "Valley of the cattle”. In 1991-1992 the vally was completely covered with a new layer of lava. You can walk from here all the way to the parking lot if you take the gondola lift.
The bus picks us at Rifugio Sapienza and brings you back to Zafferana, Etnea. The next day we take a walk of five to six hours, partly through the pine forest, the crevices of the eruptions of 2002 and the craters that have been created. We pass through vast lava fields and see several caves. You keep the whole walk at an altitude of about 1900 meters.
The bus will take us approximately one hour to the start of the hike in Piano Provenzana 1900 meters. We follow the lava flows down and you see what remains of the resort Piano Provenzana. We are at the end of the walk at 1400 meters and picked up and brought to our hotel in Zafferana Etnea.
Length: 12 km. Walk Duration: 5 to 6 hours, 400 meter rise and fall around 1000 meters.
Length: 16 km. Walk Duration: 6 hours, 200 meter rise and fall.
Day 8 Zafferana Etnea - Catania – Land ends
Today we drive from Zafferana Etnea in an hour back to Catania for our return flights
WHEN SCHEDULING YOUR FLIGHTS…
This program is offered in conjunction with the Djoser, Netherlands office but must be booked through Djoser, in the United States. On this trip you will join Dutch & Belgium participants. So that all travelers in the group have the same point of reference, the days in the day-to-day descriptions below correspond with the program description for the Dutch travelers, taking into account their travel time from Amsterdam.
When you book your flight, please keep in mind to the estimated times of arrival and departure of the Dutch participants. You should plan to arrive prior to the Dutch travelers.
DJOSER MEANS “FREEDOM & CHOICE”
Our day-to-day program is not strictly regimented but is determined by collaboration between the guide and participants. The guide will organize and accompany many activities but will also make suggestions so that you can explore and dine, safely, on your own.
