Private group with their guide overlooking Etna's craters

Private Etna Cable Car and 4x4 Tour

Cable car and 4x4 to 2,900 m with your private guide: 3 hours in total, with about 1 hour 30 minutes walking at altitude.

Meet at Rifugio Sapienza. Take the cable car from about 1,800 m to 2,500 m, then the 4x4 from 2,500 m to 2,900 m. Walk at altitude for about 1 hour 30 minutes. Return by 4x4 from 2,900 m to 2,500 m and by cable car from 2,500 m to about 1,800 m. Total duration: 3 hours. €300 total for the private guide plus €82 per person for cable car and 4x4, paid separately. Online booking for up to 6 people; larger groups are possible on request.

Private guide

Exclusively yours

Cable car + 4x4

Round trip

2,900 m

Barbagallo Craters

3 hours total

Guided walk at altitude lasting about 1 hour 30 minutes

Private group with their guide overlooking Etna's craters

What you will experience

Unlike group excursions, this tour is reserved just for you. You move at your own pace, stop for photos whenever you want, and get explanations tailored to your interests — geology, the 2001–2002 eruptions, or simply the best viewpoints for pictures.

Highlights include the walk around the Barbagallo Craters at 2,900 m, panoramic viewpoints over the Valle del Bove, and views stretching across the Sicilian coastline — on clear days as far as Calabria. 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 dedicated guide at the cable car station (Rifugio Sapienza).

2

Cable car from Rifugio Sapienza, from about 1,800 m to 2,500 m.

3

4x4 from 2,500 m to 2,900 m.

4

Explore the Barbagallo Craters and the Valle del Bove viewpoint

Guided walk at altitude lasting about 1 hour 30 minutes.

5

Return by 4x4 from 2,900 m to 2,500 m.

6

Take the cable car from 2,500 m to about 1,800 m at Rifugio Sapienza.

Essential information

What's included

  • Exclusive private volcanological guide
  • Guiding languages: Italian, English, French and Spanish

Not included

  • Etna cable car and 4x4 return tickets — €82 per person, paid separately

What to bring

  • Warm layered clothing — temperature drops with altitude
  • Hiking shoes or sneakers
  • Sun hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

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

Meeting point and time

  • At the Etna cable car station, by Rifugio Sapienza on the south side: your guide is waiting for you there. 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 Rifugio Sapienza 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

  • A visit may be possible on a suitable open route. Cable car, 4x4 services and walking routes depend on snow, wind, volcanic activity and restrictions; winter operation is not guaranteed.
  • 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.

Important information

Guided walk at altitude lasting about 1 hour 30 minutes. Minimum age 6. It is not suitable for pregnant women or people with serious heart or respiratory conditions. The itinerary can change with volcanic activity or weather. 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.

Prefer to walk on the lava instead? The private 2002 craters hike is the north-side alternative. Want the highest point? The summit craters tour reaches 3,300 m.

Prices

Private guide — per group, up to 6€300
Cable car + 4x4 tickets, per person (paid separately)€82

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 private tour

Is there a private Etna tour?

Yes — this one. You have your own volcanological guide, with no other participants joining: just your family, friends or travel companions, at your pace.

What makes this tour private?

The guide is exclusively yours. You choose the pace, the photo stops and the depth of the explanations. The €300 fee covers the dedicated private guide; the cable car and 4x4 tickets (€82 per person) are paid separately.

How high do we go on the tour?

Meet at Rifugio Sapienza. Take the cable car from about 1,800 m to 2,500 m, then the 4x4 from 2,500 m to 2,900 m. Walk at altitude for about 1 hour 30 minutes. Return by 4x4 from 2,900 m to 2,500 m and by cable car from 2,500 m to about 1,800 m. Total duration: 3 hours.

Do we reach the summit craters?

No. This private tour stops at the Barbagallo Craters at 2,900 m. For the summit area at 3,300 m, see the Etna Summit Craters Tour.

Is the tour suitable for families with children?

Yes. Families particularly appreciate the flexibility of a private guide. Minimum age is 6 years.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes. With a private guide you can adapt timing, pace and stops to your preferences, within the day's safety regulations. 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.

Does it run all year? And if the cable car is closed?

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
★★★★★
“Vincenzo is a wonderful guide. We booked him for a family (girls 9 and 12) day trip. He picked us up at the harbour and took us to the top of the volcano via bus, gondola and truck. We got to see and touch snow, feel the heat near the craters and hike in the moonlike landscape. On our way back down we even visited a volcanic cave (with helmets and flashlights). An awesome finale to an unforgettable day.”
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BeachkillerGoogle
★★★★★
“We booked a private excursion with Vincenzo with a pickup from the cruise port. There were 6 of us with a wide range of ages (3, 7, 36, 39, 63 and 65). Then we did a tour of craters on the side of Mt. Etna. After this we went down the other side of the mountain to the small town of Milo where we had fresh arancinis which were amazing. It was a great excursion and Vincenzo was amazing.”
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Gloria P.Google
★★★★★
“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
★★★★★
“Do yourself and your family a favor and try to book a tour with Vincenzo. One of the coolest people we've ever met. A world class adventurer, with a keen eye for safety. Accommodating in every regard, funny, and chock full of information. He truly has a passion for this. It was a joy to visit his hometown.”
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Deryl L.Google
Read the reviews on Vincenzo Modica’s Trustindex profile →