Etna: Winter excursion to 3.000mt

Posted By : Kev_C
The trek up the mountain was a fantastic experience. The Ashara team were proactive in reaching out and answered all my questions so that I was appropriately prepared for the adventure. They also let you borrow gear so that you don't have to pack everything to Sicily. My guide Simone was very knowledgeable and shared tons of interesting facts and history about Etna. Highly recommended!
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-03-24 10:53:09

Posted By : Davidaccs
We planned our stay in Sicily 24 hours (February 2024) before our departure and I only contacted Mary as we boarded at the airport with the hope of planning a small expedition with my teenage daughters the next morning.

Ah my big surprise everything was made possible in a few minutes and we were able to meet Fabio our perfectly French-speaking guide the next day at 09:00.

The rest is just wonder. Fabio is an incredibly knowledgeable, approachable and warm qualified volcanologist who gave us the best memories of our short stay. He will be able to arouse the interest of even the laziest teenagers by adapting his explanations, unearthing the most spectacular nooks and crannies, presenting you with breathtaking views and making you feel the heat of the volcano at the moment when the cold becomes painful (a real joy for to warm up)

For practical aspects: equipment such as helmet, poles, hiking shoes and warm jacket can be loaned. It was 19 degrees by the sea but a little less than 0 degrees at 3,000m with a very strong wind. There was little snow (but everything was covered the next day). Our teenage girls are not particularly sporty but experienced no difficulty during the entire hike. Last advice, definitely take a guide to venture off the beaten track in complete safety and to be sure not to miss anything.

Thank you Fabio for this wonderful day
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-03-15 04:50:28

Posted By : 354konstantinag
Super cool experience, was from the most beautiful views I ever seen in my life. It’s a really worthy experience, needs some leg strength and some good physical condition as there is a lot of walking and the altitude doesn’t really help the breathing problems. There are alternatives to do the same with a van
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-02-02 07:51:39

Posted By : leor878
Massimo and Fabio are amazing; you can see the passion these guys have for what they do and their deep connection with the volcano. They love the Etna, and they could pass this feeling to us. It was a beautiful day that will carry on our minds forever. Thank you, guys. You put our trip to Sicily on another level.
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-01-06 07:00:44

Posted By : albertobB7827UO
The Ashara guys are fantastic. Mary immediately understood the experience was for me. Massimo was a perfect guide. Precise, helpful and highly prepared, he made me fall in love with Etna. We climbed from the north side and the view repaid all our efforts. The Volcano is sublime, experiencing it with those who make you love it is a unique experience. Thank you!
Rating :
Posted On : 2024-01-03 04:40:34

Posted By : noami2023
An amazing hiking and outdoors experience with a professional guide and helpful logistical support. The company was very receptive in communicating on WhatsApp ahead of our visit to Mount ETNA and provides a range of equipment for those that need it on the trek - boots, warm jackets, hiking poles, etc. Their staff is also helpful in arranging transfers from Catania and providing info about the daily bus that goes to Sapienza to and from Catania. You will not be disappointed and get the ultimate experience on Mount Etna! Worth every Euro.
Rating :
Posted On : 2023-01-01 07:21:17

Posted By : Liseylou82
Fantastic day. Mary was extremely helpful in ensuring we got to the meeting point, helping to arrange our transfer and ensure we had all the right gear. Vincenzo was an outstanding guide! Extremely knowledgeable and took great care of everyone on the tour, encouraging us all along the way. Spoke 3 languages that we know of based on people in our group. His knowledge of the mountain was second to none. Our group had my 66 year old father and husband and I (both late 30/ early 40) we all did the climb and descent quite easily as did the majority of the group. It isn’t an easy climb though and would recommend reasonable fitness, good health and no injuries. Total time from pick up of gear to drop off of gear was 6hours, plus additional transfer time. Recommend reading instructions on what to bring and following diligently. Gear is available and you can buy extras at the bottom of the mountain, but always easier to have your own basics. That being said the gear we borrowed (hiking boots and wind jackets) were good. Highly recommend this great experience!
Rating :
Posted On : 2022-12-29 12:10:10

Posted By : Karen_N
First, there were many layers of companies between Viator and our guide. We booked with Viator who booked us with a local company called Ashara who then passed us off to another company called Etna Nord. The communication prior to the hike didn't really prepare us: what to pack and what specifically the hike would be like. Also, the company (Ashara) told us the day before our scheduled hike that we could not go on that day and only gave us the option of two days later. We had to change all our plans for the week. There were 11 others in the group and we had to move slowly so the guide could tell everyone the information - in English, Italian and French. THE GUIDE was EXCELLENT: lighthearted, knowledgeable, and managed well a group with diverse abilities. It was an interesting hike but people should know that it is demanding and best for an upper-intermediate hiker.
Rating :
Posted On : 2022-12-22 12:07:06

Posted By : ecbphx
We had an incredible experience on this tour. From the very start, communication from Mary was stellar. She even assisted us with finding transportation to the meeting point - no question for her was too small.

Once we arrived, we had many gear options to allow us a safe, comfortable trek. Gloves, jackets, boots, hiking poles, and more were available for our use. We felt adequately prepared for the hike.

Max led our group of 5 at a reasonable pace - stopping at just the right spots for us to catch our breath, and thinking about safety the entire time. I learned so much - he shared just the right amount of information (not too little, not too much!)

Of course, the hike itself was amazing. Sinking into the volcanic material as we ascended was challenging, but do-able. The boots allowed us traction on icy spots, and the jackets kept us protected from the crazy wind!!

The scenery of course was fantastic, and we were lucky during our lunch break to see a bunch of activity on the volcano. The landscape was phenomenal.

We felt so lucky to be a part of a great group of participants, as well. Everyone had similar fitness levels, so that made things really nice.

I totally, completely, absolutely recommend this experience. It is challenging in the winter, but great memories were made and we boarded the bus back to Catania feeling so very satisfied and happy. This is an experience that matched the description exactly. Entirely recommended!
Rating :
Posted On : 2022-02-02 10:27:37

Posted By : slawomirs839
Very well organised. Giuseppe was a perfect guide! Takimg care of the whole group making this an excellent experience! Thank you!
Rating :
Posted On : 2022-01-01 16:35:39