Italy Three Volcano Trek
24 – 29 September 2009
Enjoy some of Italy’s most spectacular scenery while scaling its three famous volcanoes. When we land in Italy we have time to visit one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the Colosseum in Rome before reaching Sorrento. Our challenge starts with Vesuvius in southern Italy best known for the explosion that buried nearby Pompeii. It’s a moderate 5 hour trek with some uphill. An overnight boat ride to Catania and hydrofoil to Stromboli is followed by a tough, steep trek of around 6 hours to the summit of the volcano, which dominates this small island. The challenge culminates on the slopes of smouldering Mount Etna in Sicily, one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It’s the longest and most difficult day of the challenge. Afterwards we celebrate our achievement before flying home.
ITINERARY
Day 1
London - Rome - Naples - Sorrento
Early morning flight from London to Rome. We head straight to the Colosseum (also known as Coliseum) in Rome, an eliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome and the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. We transfer to the main station in Rome and take the fast train Naples (approx 1 and 1/2 hours). From here we transfer to our hotel in the Sorrento area. This evening we have dinner followed by a briefing and welcome. Overnight in Sorrento.
Day 2
5 hours trekking approx.
Sorrento - Pompei- Vesuvius - Naples - Sail to Catania
Early start to transfer to Pompeii to witness how it was literally frozen in time. We enjoy a guided visit of the site before continuing to Mount Vesuvius (45 minutes approx.) at 500m above sea level. The 5 hour trek is of medium difficulty. It is a circular walk on an unmarked trail which crosses the isolated Valle del Inferno, along Mount Somma and facing Vesuvius. Our highest point today is at the edge of the crater at 1167m. We trek down to the coach for the transfer to Naples (1 hour approx.) to catch the 19.30 ferry to Catania. We have dinner on board and sleep overnight on the ferry.
Day 3
5 - 6 hours trekking
Catania - Stromboli 
After breakfast on board we arrive at 07.30am in Catania and transfer by coach to Milazzo where we will board the hydrofoil for Stromboli. We arrive mid afternoon in Stromboli and get ready to start to climb the crater of Stromboli. We climb for around three hours to the summit of the volcano (the "pizzo"). We spend an hour at the top admiring the views before descending down the other side to our hotel along a sandy trail (2½ hours approx) back to a well earned dinner.
Day 4
Stromboli - Milazzo - Rifugio Ragabo
We have free time this morning to prepare ourselves for the final day of trekking tomorrow. There will be time to explore the island further before lunch. We then transfer to the port to catch the hydrofoil to Milazzo on the mainland of Sicily (3½ hours approx.). We arrive at around 18.00 and transfer for our third volcano, Mount Etna. The transfer will be approx 2 hours to our overnight accommodation in Rifugio Ragabo.
Day 5
7 hours trekking approx.
Mount Etna - Taormina area
This is a tough but spectacular trekking day. From the Rifugio Ragabo we transfer by 4 wheel drive higher up the mountain over a volcanic trail in order to climb closer to the crater. This area was affected by the recent volcanic eruptions and our Tour Manager Miriam Zumpolle has reported the following: "The fact that the eruptions occurred on the lower slopes makes hiking in this area extremely interesting. It's overwhelming to witness the enormous extent of the lava flow, see the actual fractures and feel the still slightly smoking warm lava".
We set off from an altitude of 2.700m and ascend to one of the highest and active craters. The trekking is slow and it takes around 2½ hours to ascend 500m to reach the crater rim. Once there we will not be able to linger very long due to the cold and the toxic fumes. Our descent takes us to the Etna Observatory. On a clear day the panorama from this height is superb with views across the sea to mainland Italy. From the Observatory the route descends slowly through a barren landscape. We encounter uneven terrain and pass extinct craters before finally reaching birch and pine forest, which leads to the end of the trek. Transfer to our country hotel in the area of Taormina (1¾ hours approx) for a well-deserved celebratory dinner.
AS ETNA IS THE MOST UNPREDICTABLE OF THE VOLCANOES AND THE HIGHEST, WEATHER AND VOLCANIC ACTIVITY MAY AFFECT THE ROUTE WE TAKE.
Day 6
Taormina area - Catania - London
Transfer to Catania airport (1 hour approx.) for return flight to London.
This is a complex itinerary and may be subject to change due to the unpredictable nature of volcanoes
Trip Costs
Registration Fee: £200
To be paid directly to Classic Tours by the participant on registration; is non-refundable & non-transferable, and in addition to the Minimum Fundraising Target
Minimum Fundraising Target: £2000
The Cedar Foundation must receive this at latest 10 weeks before departure.
Please click here to download a registration pack
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