Etna short
DAY 1: TRANSFER FROM CATANIA’S AIRPORT TO “MONTE SOPRANO”, CAPIZZI
Transfer will be set according to flight times of the guests. Meeting point will be at the arrivals, and guests will find somebody holding a sign with “Sicily on horseback” written on it. Drive will last about 2 hours, and once at the Agriturismo our guests will be welcomed by Antonio and his family, with a nice aperitif served by the pool (or by the fireplace, according depending on the season). Please notice that swimming pool will be available according to times, season and weather conditions. This first accommodation is a big farm, producing meat, milk and cheese, which is situated on the high hills around Capizzi, in Nebrodi Park. Here there is also a big garden where seasonal products grow, that’s why guests will have the chance to taste and enjoy an authentic and rich home-made dinner.
DAY 2: FROM “MONTE SOPRANO” TO “ RELAIS VILLA MIRAGLIA”, CESARO’
Our main purpose is that people enjoy their holiday in Sicily, having also the chance to relax themselves; this is why we will never leave too early in the morning. After a good breakfast we will give our guests some info about our horses and the training method we use with them. It’s based on natural horsemanship and there are some suggestions we can give to the riders to help them in building a good relationship with their horses. Then we’ll start the ride. Crossing woods we’ll reach the village of Capizzi, where we’ll stop for a short break to admire the special view on Etna and take our packed lunch. Together with the town of Capizzi, we’ll leave civilization behind. We will dive in the wild nature of the forests of Nebrodi mountains.
Crossing the valley of the artificial lake of “Ancipa” we will start to go higher on the mountains. After lunch riders will have more chances for some good gallops, because the way will become larger and more comfortable as soon as we will reach the “Dorsale”, the ancient way that crosses all Nebrodi mountains. Then we will arrive to our second accommodation: a very old ranger’s building made into a Relais, considered as an amazing oasis of comfort in the middle of nowhere. Here keywords are: relax, luxury and good food. Here we’ll have something to drink and time for shower and relax; then dinner will be served: the young chef will cook a very special meal, combining gourmet cuisine with the old traditions of Sicilian cooking.
DAY 3: FROM “VILLA MIRAGLIA” TO “FUCINA DI VULCANO”, MALETTO
This is the “lakes’ day”, because on our way we’ll see 4 of the 5 lakes of Nebrodi Mountains: Maulazzo, Bievere, Cartolari, Trearie. Amazing views both on sea and Etna and wild nature will accompany us throughout the day. Morning will pass between short breaks for pictures and gallops, breathtaking views and magic forests. We will have packed lunch again. After lunch, the group will start to ride down the slopes of Nebrodi mountains, towards Etna. This way down will bring us through different forests until we reach a farm in the valley of Flascio River. Here we will leave the horses for the night. We’ll reach our accommodation with a short transfer. The hotel is called “Fucina di Vulcano” and has a breathtaking view on Mt. Etna. Dinner will be served at the restaurant of the hotel.
DAY 4: FROM “FUCINA DI VULCANO” TO “RIFUGIO RAGABO”, ETNA NORD
After breakfast we’ll take the minibus to reach the place where we left the horses the night before, ready to face the last day: the climb of Etna. Crossing the natural reserve of “Lago Gurrida”, and the long road that goes around the Volcano, we will reach the Etna Park. Here we will leave the road to ride on a large path that goes through forests and ancient lava flows. The group will have the chance to enjoy some long and faster gallops on those large and comfortable roots. We will stop for the lunch break near an old hut in the forest, always open for anybody who could need it. There is also a water point. We’ll have packed lunch today as well, because vehicles are not allowed in this area.
In the afternoon the path will take us to the big crater of the 2002’s eruption which is about 2000 m.s.l. Here on the top we could admire a wonderful breathtaking view on almost half Sicily, the sea and Calabria (the closest part of Italy). Then we’ll walk down the slopes of the crater to reach Piano Provenzana, where we’ll have the meeting with the horse truck that picks up the horses. As soon as they leave, we’ll go down to our mountain accommodation, at about 10 minutes by car.
Once here, we’ll have some time to spend together and then the guides will start their trip back home. Dinner at the hotel.
DAY 5: TRANSFER FROM “RIFUGIO RAGABO” TO CATANIA’S AIRPORT
Transfer will be planned according to the times of the first departure.
