Eco-friendly excursions on Mt. Etna

guided by a Geologist and Naturalistic Guide

 

Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in continental Europe, one of the world’s most active volcanoes and a magic and primordial place.    >>

It rises to a height of over 3300 m. (11.000 feet) above the sea level, its north-south diameter is of 50 km (30 miles), it has four big central craters at its top and more than 200 small craters scattered all around the volcanic area.    >>

 

In this part of Sicily the volcanism started about half million years ago and it evolved from a mostly submarine activity to the growth of many different sub-aerial volcanoes superimposed one on  another.    >>

The result of this long and complicated evolution is the majestic volcano that we see today, which continues to grow, to evolve and to modify restlessly the landscape.    >>

Visiting Mt. Etna we can often see side by side two different faces of nature: the moony landscape of recent lava flows and, in a surrealistic contrast, extended green areas where the vegetation, after several centuries of struggle, has re-conquered and colonized old lava fields.  >>

The peculiarities of this unique environment stretch from volcanology to  tectonics, from geology to botany, from geophysics to ornithology, interlacing with countless myths and thousands of years of recorded human history.    >>

 

I am a geologist and a naturalistic guide and the excursions I propose tend to emphasize all the facets of Mt. Etna in order to discover “the essence” and the energy of this charming volcano. >>

In my vision walking is an integral part of the experience of approaching nature and Mt. Etna is a paradise for trekking because of the presence of many trails, from pleasant easy walks to extended hikes.    >>

One of the most interesting areas, the one where I often lead my groups, is around the altitude where the wood passes to the “Astragaletum” (high altitude vegetation area) and then to the volcanic desert.    >>

 

During an average excursion you will be able to see craters and lava fields of different ages, volcanic bombs, fractures, lava caves, volcano-tectonic valleys (calderas), endemic plants and trees (species that grow exclusively in this area), and some of the animals, birds and insects that have adapted to survive in this rough habitat.    >>

This eco-friendly project is an alternative to the many other touristy excursions with a jeep, it is a true naturalistic excursion with zero impact on the environment, suited for people who feel that a well-balanced approach to nature can be a vehicle of personal growth and a way of harmony.

 

Guided excursions in :

Italian

English

Spanish

Portuguese

Contacts :

etnatao@gmail.com

Telephone:  +39 338 2197869

 

 

Visit my blog http://etnatao.wordpress.com

and Etnatao Channel on YouTube