On Saturday morning (from 9:00 to 16:00) there is the possibility to participate in a tour on volcano ETNA. Unfortunately, the Organization cannot pay for each participant. So you have to pay for it by yourself.
ENTA TOUR PAYMENT: 85 €.
Fee payment can be done within 20th August by wire transfer using the payment details reported below.
FEE PAYMENT DETAILS:
IBAN: IT26 L030 6909 6061 0000 0169 057 -
BIC Swift code: BCITITMM
Beneficiary name: Sharing Software Knowledge
Beneficiary Bank: Intesa San Paolo S.p.A., Corso Sicilia 53, Catania
REASON FOR PAYMENT: "Surname Name - NEPTUNE -ETNA tour" (specifying your surname and name).
EXCURSION PROGRAM
08:30 - Departure from the Hotel where guests are staying in the direction of the eastern side of the Volcano. During the journey, we will travel along internal roads that pass through Etna villages such as Trecastagni, Viagrande, Pedara, etc. where it will be possible to admire the unique style of the lava stone constructions and how the locals have organized the inhabited centers on the slopes of extinguished eruptive cones. We will then enter the Etna Natural Park, along a road that winds along with lava flows that have now solidified. Long the way, we will be able to look at the main characteristic formations of Etna and the landscape context present today will be illustrated by our guides.
09:30 - Arrival at the beginning of the nature trail that starts from the base of "Monte Vetore", a volcanic cone were hundreds of years ago started an eruption. From here, we will walk the path during which the guides will explain in detail the characteristics concerning the geomorphology, flora, and fauna that lives on the volcano. Along the path, it will be possible to see lava flows of different ages, craters in which it will be possible to understand the chemical composition of Etna's lava. We will also see the pioneer plants that started the colonization of the lava soil and the different species of vegetables that have perfectly adapted to a volcanic substrate. Particular attention will also be paid to the fauna present in the area, trying to spot the species that populate this place. At the end of the path, we will observe a typical mountain shelter, used in the past by shepherds and still perfectly preserved today.
11:30 - Arrival at lava flow cave. Before entering it, participants will be equipped with protective helmets and flashlights. Inside, our guides will explain in detail the formation processes of these particular underground environments. In addition to all the geological formations typical of a cave of volcanic origin, the traces of the fauna that occasionally finds shelter inside the caves and the processes of plant colonization of plant endemics will be visible.
13:00 - Tasting in a headquartered winery, during which the most characteristic Sicilian wines will be tasted. The wine tasting will be accompanied by typical local food like homemade bread, olive oil in different flavours, different types of cheese, cold cuts, and vegetables.
14:30 - End of lunch and departure for the Hotel.
Trail data:
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3 Km A R
Difference in altitude: 20 m
ARCA will provide you with water, helmets, flashlights, and accident insurance.
ARCA reserves changes in the program that may depend on adverse climatic conditions or variations due to causes dependent on factors external to our organization. However, these changes will allow, where possible, to live an experience similar to that previously described.
