2 March 2017
ETNA ERUPTS: EXPLOSIVE VOLCANO
TOURS AROUND THE WORLD
A fiery show of lava sent into the sky as Europe’s most
active volcano ‘wakes up’ for the first time this year
Six trips that will get you close to some of the world’s
most impressive volcanoes, from Réunion to Hawaii
If the images of Mount Etna erupting for the first time this year earlier this week have made you
crave getting up close and personal to some of the world’s most famous craters, adventure holiday
specialist World Expeditions and its European divisions, UTracks and Sherpa Expeditions, offer a
number of trips across the globe…
SICILY
Relax on the black beaches, bathe in therapeutic hot mud and marvel at the impressive volcanoes of
Etna and Stromboli, which are in an almost constant state of activity. The Aeolian Archipelago, made
up of seven diverse islands, is dotted with steaming fumaroles and thermal waters, testifying to a
long volcanic activity over 260,000 years. After a guided ascent of Stromboli, where a fiery lava trail
streams down one side of its cone, the focus shifts to Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, to
observe the craters and take in panoramic views all the way to the Ionian coast.
http://tiny.cc/cfkway
• Volcanoes of Sicily with UTracks (8 days) departs April-October, except August, from £890
per person
RÉUNION
Réunion is part of the volcanic Mascarene islands archipelago – but unlike its closest neighbour
Mauritius, which is famed for its beautiful beaches, it boasts wildly dramatic volcanic mountainous
interior. This trip explores on foot the mysterious Cirque of Mafate, a collapsed caldera of the
volcano Piton des Neiges (one of the world’s most active volcanoes that produces frequent but shortlived eruptions). Crossing this largely uninhabited area, the trek continues across the caldera to the
village of Marla after which we cross the Taibit Col for a panoramic view of the two calderas.
http://tiny.cc/6g9jjy
• Réunion Island Trek Adventure with World Expeditions (9 days) departs May-September,
from £2,090 per person
HAWAII
Rising out of the deep blue waters in the midst of the Pacific Ocean, the Hawaiian Islands are one of
the most surprisingly diverse destinations. A world away from the US mainland and isolated from any
other landmass, these islands were created by continuous lava flows and shifting tectonic plates on
one of the earth’s major hot spots. Famous and hidden natural treasures of Hawaii, from white,
green and black sand beaches, stunning waterfalls and ancient rock art sites to giant craters, frozen
lava lakes and lava sputtering volcanoes.
http://tiny.cc/hgzqay
• Hawaii - Hiking the Aloha Islands with World Expeditions (14 days) departs year round on
selected dates, from £3,090 per person
TENERIFE
Hiking is Spain can be easily done year round as long as you choose the exotic island of Tenerife. Due
to its volcanic origins the island’s scenery is dramatic and different from anywhere in Europe. From
high rocky mountains to cloud forests and banana plantations the terrain is hugely varied – so hiking
is the ideal way to see the real Tenerife, whether that is walking across the massive crater or
exploring the lower warm coastal routes. Mount Teide, in the centre of the island, is Spain’s highest
mountain and the third tallest volcano in the world.
http://tiny.cc/ek9jjy
• Tenerife on foot with Sherpa Expeditions (8 days) departs year round, from £720 per person
INDONESIA
The rugged archipelago of Indonesia is a land of impressive volcanoes. Kicking off in the beautiful
forests of Eastern Java, this trekking adventure will see you climbing the active ‘twins’ Mount
Welirang and Mount Arjuna, before heading to the famous Mount Bromo, rich in sulphur, for an
impressive sunrise hike. For many the highlight of this region is an ascent of spectacular Mount
Rinjani, Indonesia’s second highest volcano, semi-active and held in awe by the islanders who
regularly ascend the steep trail to the crater rim.
http://tiny.cc/ie9jjy
• Volcanoes and Dragons of Indonesia with World Expeditions (16 days) departs May-October,
from £2,690 per person
ECUADOR
From jungle ‘cloud forests’ to the alpine ‘paramo’ tundra ecosystems, this trip is a volcano
extravaganza, combining: Cotapaxi, the highest volcano in the world with an almost symmetrical
cone; Chimborazo, the country’s highest mountain whose top is completely covered by glaciers; the
rocky and steep Illiniza for spectacular views; and the inactive Fuya Fuya, which partially collapsed
around 165,000 years ago creating a large caldera, and Imbabura, the sacred ‘protector’ of the
region, whose fertile slopes are covered in volcanic ash.
http://tiny.cc/cj9jjy
• Summits of Ecuador with World Expeditions (16 days) departs in November and January,
from £2,450 per person
For more information and bookings please contact:
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World Expeditions: 0800 0744 135, www.worldexpeditions.co.uk
UTracks: 0845 241 7599, www.utracks.com
Sherpa Expeditions: 0800 008 7741, www.sherpaexpeditions.com
All quoted prices do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.
- Ends -
Notes for editors:
• One of the very first operators in what is now becoming a very popular area in travel, since
its inception in 1975 World Expeditions has earned itself an outstanding reputation as a
world leader in small group adventure holidays and cultural journeys.
• World Expeditions remains independently owned and a truly global company, with seven
offices around the world, including the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
• The two factors that distinguish World Expeditions from its competitors, the number of
inclusions and the exceptional value of its trips, can be found today in more than 500 standalone itineraries across all continents, escorted by expert leaders and meticulously designed
for those travellers who want to ‘take the paths less travelled’.
• Always innovative, it was, among others, the first operator to offer cycling holidays in India
(1977) and China (1978) and trekking trips in Mongolia (1980), Tibet (1981) and Japan (1999).
As of 2011 World Expeditions is the only commercial company to offer the Full Nepal
Traverse of the newly mapped Great Himalaya Trail.
• Exclusive to World Expeditions, a number of permanent eco-campsites, designed to increase
travellers’ comfort levels, are in operation in the Himalaya (Everest, Annapurna); new designled campsites can also be found on the iconic Larapinta Trail in Australia.
• The European division of World Expeditions, activity holiday specialists UTracks and Sherpa
Expeditions, cover over 20 countries, with more than 400 stand-alone itineraries, from short
four-day breaks to longer two-week trips.
• The World Expeditions Travel Group consists of 10 travel brands in total, also including
Adventure South, Australian Walking Holidays, Great Canadian Trails, Huma Charity
Challenge, Tasmanian Expeditions, World Youth Adventures and Yomads.
For high-res images and PR/media enquiries:
World Expeditions | UTracks | Sherpa Expeditions
020 8875 5060
Tom Panagos [email protected]
Gordon Steer [email protected]