This was such a great hike! You don't need to be super fit - just a moderate fitness level. Although there were some steep sections and we were on our feet for 6+ hours, we went at a steady pace with plenty of breaks. I would say that you need to be quite comfortable on uneven terrain - at times you'll be walking over rocks, down sandy tracks and steep slopes. Again - there is no rush and plenty of time to take things steady! The views were spectacular and it would be very difficult to do this without a tour guide. This tour went higher than most tours, so if you're considering an alternative make sure you check where and how high they go. You'll see the active volcano (it was late May), two craters from recent volcanos, as well as the ancient volcano. You'll also walk across a lava field and through a lava tunnel. Before booking work out HOW TO GET THERE - there's a bus that goes up and back, however it arrives after the tour. So a car or 70 EURO taxi from Catania is the way to go!

We had a fantastic 5 hour trek to the summit craters, on an active “red” day, with Max. He was an outstanding guide - so knowledgeable about Mt. Etna’s fascinating history, as well as modern scientific background that truly enhanced the experience. The hike is challenging, but extremely well managed, with safety of utmost importance. The trek was the highlight of our week stay in the area, and we would highly recommend it. And Max was an exceptional guide!

Our experience of touring Etna with this company was absolutely incredible, and we could not recommend them enough! Mary was kind enough to keep in regular contact with us regarding the 'what, where, and when', and even went above and beyond to organize us a plan B of getting to the meeting point in the event that we couldn't get our hire car (long story). Once we got there, it was a smooth process of gearing up, being debriefed on what to expect, and then taking off to explore Etna. All the guides were incredibly professional, and it was lovely to exchange stories with them along the way. Our guide in particular, Massimo 'Max', was so knowledgeable about the volcano and not only regularly checked on guests to make sure that they were coping with the pace and elevation, but would also impart interesting information about the volcano's history (which is extensive), activity, and morphology. This excursion was worth every penny and more, and could not recommend them enough!