Hikers on the trail to Mount Etna's summit craters

Etna Summit Craters Tour

The rim of the summit craters at 3,300 m — the highest you can go, with a certified guide beside you.

A guided trek to Mount Etna's summit craters at about 3,300 m: 4x4 from Piano Provenzana (1,800 m) to 2,900 m, then roughly 2 hours of hiking to the crater rim. About 5 hours in total, private: €500 for your group of up to 6, plus €50 per person for the 4x4, led by certified volcanological guides. Online booking for up to 6 people; larger groups are possible on request.

Certified guide

Volcano guides only

~3,300 m

The highest point open to visitors

About 5 h

6 km · Moderate–Advanced

4x4 · €50 pp

Piano Provenzana → 2,900 m

Summit crater view during a guided Mount Etna trekking tour

What you will experience

Your day starts at Piano Provenzana, on the volcano's quiet northern slope. A powerful 4x4 vehicle climbs more than 1,100 m of altitude, from 1,800 m to the volcanic plateau of Piano delle Concazze at 2,900 m, through terrain shaped by centuries of eruptions.

From there the trek begins: a rugged trail that gains about 400 m of altitude in roughly 2 hours of hiking. At the summit craters you stand beside vivid yellow and white sulfur deposits, columns of volcanic smoke rising from the crater rims, and vast fields of hardened lava. It is the highest point on Etna open to visitors — and the reason this is our most requested tour. The price includes volcanological guiding. A helmet is included only on the summit craters tour. Other equipment and clothing are not included; arrange any rentals independently on site. Guiding languages: Italian, English, French and Spanish. Personal insurance is not included in our excursion prices and is not mandatory to book or participate. Other operators may have different requirements.

Itinerary

1

Meet your certified guide at Piano Provenzana (1,800 m)

2

4x4 ride from 1,800 m to 2,900 m

3

Guided hike toward the summit craters

4

Reach the crater rim at about 3,300 m

5

Descend on foot back to 2,900 m — picnic break

6

Return by 4x4 to Piano Provenzana

Essential information

What's included

  • Certified volcanological guide dedicated to your private group
  • 4x4 round-trip transfer from 1,800 m to 2,900 m — €50 per person, added to the group price
  • Guided trek to the summit craters
  • Guiding languages: Italian, English, French and Spanish
  • Safety helmets

What to bring

  • Warm layered clothing and long pants
  • Hiking boots and a backpack
  • Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
  • Food and at least 1.5 L of water
  • Gloves; a bandana for coarse dust, not protection from volcanic gases

Personal equipment and clothing; arrange any rentals independently on site at your own expense.

Meeting point and time

  • Piano Provenzana (1,800 m), on Etna's north side: you meet your guide here and the 4x4 leaves from here. Reach the mountain meeting point specified on your tour page independently in your own rental car. We do not provide transfers or hotel pick-up.
  • Open Piano Provenzana on Google Maps
  • The departure time is the one shown in the booking calendar. Different times may be agreed after purchasing the excursion, subject to confirmation by the guide.

When it runs

  • All year round.
  • Yes, subject to conditions. Winter routes can be snow-covered and require suitable boots, warm clothing and winter equipment. Apart from the helmet, equipment is not included; arrange any rentals independently on site.

Important information

Participants must be in excellent physical condition. The tour is not permitted for pregnant women or people with heart conditions, high or low blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, back or knee issues, altitude-related problems or other serious medical conditions. Minimum age: 12 years.

If weather, volcanic activity, safety restrictions, cable car or 4x4 closures, or summit altitude limits prevent the booked route, you choose an alternative route where practicable, a new date or a full refund. Read our updated guide to Etna's activity or look at the volcano right now on our live webcam.

Wondering when to come? Here is the best time to visit Mount Etna, season by season.

Prices

Private guide — per group, up to 6€500
4x4 transfer up and down, per person€50

Booking, payment and cancellation

How to book
Choose an available date in the calendar on this page, enter the number of participants and proceed to payment. Your booking is confirmed once payment has been verified. Contact us if you have any questions.
When you pay
You pay the full amount online when you book, on SumUp's secure pages. On site you only pay the extras, where the excursion has them: €50 per person for the 4x4 on the summit craters tour, €82 per person for cable car and 4x4 tickets on the south-side tour.
If you cancel
100% refund when you cancel at least 7 days (168 hours) before the excursion starts. 50% refund with less than 7 days but at least 48 hours’ notice. No refund with less than 48 hours’ notice. Date changes are always free, subject to availability. If weather, volcanic activity, safety restrictions, cable car or 4x4 closures, or summit altitude limits prevent the booked route, you choose an alternative route where practicable, a new date or a full refund.
If we cancel
If weather, volcanic activity, safety restrictions, cable car or 4x4 closures, or summit altitude limits prevent the booked route, you choose an alternative route where practicable, a new date or a full refund.

Questions about the summit tour

Can you go to the top of Mount Etna?

You can reach the summit crater area at around 3,300 m, the highest point permitted by Civil Protection on the day — always with a certified guide. The very top of the volcano is about 3,400 m and access limits can change at short notice with volcanic activity.

How hard is the Etna summit hike?

Moderate to advanced. The 4x4 takes you from 1,800 m to 2,900 m, then you hike about 400 m of altitude gain on rough volcanic terrain — roughly 2 hours up. Good physical condition is required; it is not suitable for people with heart or respiratory issues, recent injuries, or pregnancy.

How much does the summit tour cost?

€500 for the private guide, for a group of up to 6 people, plus €50 per person for the 4x4 transfer up and down between 1,800 m and 2,900 m. The price includes volcanological guiding. A helmet is included only on the summit craters tour. Other equipment and clothing are not included; arrange any rentals independently on site.

What altitude does the tour reach?

Around 3,300 m at the rim of the summit craters, when conditions and regulations allow. The altitude limit is set day by day by the authorities, and your guide adapts the route accordingly. If weather, volcanic activity, safety restrictions, cable car or 4x4 closures, or summit altitude limits prevent the booked route, you choose an alternative route where practicable, a new date or a full refund.

What should I bring?

Trekking boots, warm layers, windproof jacket, hat and gloves, sun protection, 1.5 L of water and snacks. The price includes volcanological guiding. A helmet is included only on the summit craters tour. Other equipment and clothing are not included; arrange any rentals independently on site.

Who can join?

Participants in good physical condition, aged 12 and above. The tour is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart conditions, blood-pressure problems, diabetes, asthma, back or knee issues, or altitude-related problems.

Does the summit tour run in winter?

Yes, subject to conditions. Winter routes can be snow-covered and require suitable boots, warm clothing and winter equipment. Apart from the helmet, equipment is not included; arrange any rentals independently on site. If weather, volcanic activity, safety restrictions, cable car or 4x4 closures, or summit altitude limits prevent the booked route, you choose an alternative route where practicable, a new date or a full refund.

What guests say

Reviews from Vincenzo Modica’s profile. Summary checked on 13 September 2026.

5.0/5 · 186 reviews · Vincenzo Modica on Trustindex
★★★★★
“We had a great dialogue beforehand, where he clearly outlined the different options each tour could offer. We chose the Summit Crater Tour – an absolutely amazing and unique adventure. There were five of us, the youngest being 11 years old – and Vincenzo did a wonderful job explaining things and offering encouraging words during the ascent to the summit. The entire trip was unforgettable.”
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Bo M.Google
★★★★★
“We were completely unprepared for how breathtaking the summit would be! Photos don't touch it! Safety was always the priority, but it still felt like an adventure. He comes from a family that's been in this work a long time, and you can feel the depth of experience in how he runs the day.”
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Leigh R.Google
★★★★★
“Vincenzo was great! He was thoughtful about varying hiker skill levels and monitoring of health needs of our family of 9. He was knowledgeable about Mt. Etna and brought us to the best summit viewing. Thank you Vincenzo!”
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KathleenAirbnb
★★★★★
“Etna is mesmerising and wonderful and Vincenzo is the best possible guide for experiencing this utterly beautiful mountain. He is so friendly, knowledgable and passionate about this region and very clear in explaining the natural process. Everyone in our group of 7 thought his personality, knowledge and guidance were a 10/10. Cannot recommend him more highly!”
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Keiji F.Google
★★★★★
“Could not recommend Vincenzo more highly. Everything from communication ahead of time, flexibility and advice around our options given weather and volcanic activity, to the trip itself. Vincenzo was knowledgeable and passionate about Mount Etna, was great with the kids, and gave us a memorable day out. It is the clear highlight of our trip.”
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Rich S.Google
★★★★★
“Amazing guide! Very kind and caring, gave us jackets and boots because we went to the top of the Etna and it was a cold day. He led us on paths where other groups didn't go and gave us some freedom that only comes in small groups that he is leading. I loved that personal touch and would recommend Vincenzo anytime with great confidence.”
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Sanja T.Google
Read the reviews on Vincenzo Modica’s Trustindex profile →