DESCRIPTION

Practical Information

• The arrival airport is Catania (CTA). Depending on the departure airport, it will be possible to meet the guide before boarding the flight. Then transfer to Porto Rosa, where you will meet the crew and board the sailboat.

• Italian and EU citizens can travel to Catania with their ID cards. A valid passport is advised but not required for members of the Schengen area.

• If you are coming from a country outside the Schengen area, visit catania-airport.com to learn more about visas.

• Treks will be will be up to 5h 30 long, it will be possible to skip a trek and stay on the boat with the skipper, for those who wish to rest and relax.

• The entire trekking experience does not present any technical difficulties, although it is advised to be trained in walking long distances and be willing to adapt.

• Depending on the sea and weather conditions, the Skipper and the Alpine Guide will decide whether to switch the order of the treks.

• Daily programs will be adjusted to the fitness level of the group, by adapting the length of the treks to the needs of the participants.

Recommended clothing and equipment

Complete trekking apparel, GoreTex shell, rainproof and windproof cape, fleece sweatshirt, sturdy footwear, backpack and backpack cover, headlamp. Sleeping bag, personal towels and effects are needed for the accommodation on the boat. Bring a duffel bag, no luggage nor trolleys.

Room and Board

The sailboat will be the accommodation in which we will sleep, eat generous breakfasts, snacks, lunches and dinners after each day we will spend out exploring. There might be evenings in which we will want to eat out, the decision will be taken as a group. Please inform us in advance of any food allergies or specific dietary needs.

DAY 1

Arrival at the airport Catania Fontanarossa, transfer to Porto Rosa by minibus (around 1h40), boarding of the sailboat. Depending on the participants’ time of arrival, departure to Vulcano Island (3 hours of sailing).

DAY 2

Starting from Vulcano’s port, we start the trek that will lead us to a big crater called La Fossa. Fumarole fields, mud and hot water are characteristic of this perfect cone: the typical volcano that we all know. The crater rim is 390 meters above sea level, and from it we can enjoy an extraordinary view on the entire island and the surrounding archipelago. Once again on the boat, we continue our navigation along the coast to see Capo Gelso lighthouse and reach Lipari.

DAY 3

Lipari is the chief town and the most populous of Aeolian islands. Here we find a great variety of scenery in our trek on the pumice path. During our walk we encounter the dazzling white of pumice as well as the glossy black of obsidian. The itinerary retraces the old paths of pumice quarry men and reaches the villages of Canneto, Lama and Acquacalda. Return to the boat and dinner, then short transfer to Salina island.

DAY 4

Salina is the greenest of all Aeolian Islands, and it is characterized by the vineyards for the production of Malvasia, “the nectar from heaven”. In our trek from Salina we reach the highest point of the whole archipelago, 962 meters above sea level and on the rim of the extinct volcano called Monte Fossa delle Felci. 2 more hours of sailing will bring us to our next destination: Filicudi Island.

DAY 5

Filicudi, quiet and secluded, offers a loop trail that reaches the top of the island as well as an abandoned village called “Case Zuccogrande”, and then returns to Filicudi’s port. This day will be easier in view of a longer navigation to Stromboli.

DAY 6

6 hours of navigation lead us to Stromboli, also called “Iddu” by locals, a volcano that has been active for more than 2000 years, and still is. We climb to the top during the late afternoon, so as to reach the most scenic spots at sunset. The night and its lights, as well as the lapilli from the eruptions will gift us with the most spectacular show. Nighttime descent to Stromboli.

DAY 7

On this day we can get a few more hours of sleep, after which we start our return trip. We might stop on the close-by Panarea Island, and reach Porto Rosa in the late afternoon.

DAY 8

After our last night on board, we have some time to prepare the luggage, then transfer to Catania airport to catch our return flights.

NOTES:

1. In 2019, due to powerful eruptions of Stromboli, the local authorities forbid to ascend the volcano. If this event had to happen again, it will still be possible to change the program and visit the beautiful islands of Panarea and Alicudi.

2. It is possible to extend the trip to include an excursion on Mount Etna at the end of the week.