Come join our 8-day guided sailing and trekking adventure through the Aeolian Islands, departing from and returning to Capo d'Orlando Marina. Over the course of the week, we sail to and hike Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Filicudi, Panarea, Basiluzzo, and Stromboli—each island explored on its own terms, connected by daily navigation. Accommodation is on board throughout, and most meals are prepared together as a crew. An experienced U.I.A.G.M.-certified mountain guide leads all treks on land, while a skipper handles everything at sea.
Arrive at Capo d’Orlando marina, where boarding opens from 4 pm. The afternoon is for settling in, organizing provisions, and getting a feel for the boat and the people you’ll be sharing it with all week. If conditions allow, we sail towards Vulcano in the late afternoon and anchor for the night—a quiet first evening on the water, with the week still ahead.
Accommodation: Sailing boat
We anchor in a bay shaped by volcanic activity, where warm currents rise from the seabed—an unusual spot to wake up to. In the afternoon, we hike up to the Gran Cratere, moving through terrain marked by sulphur vents and fumaroles. It’s a raw, active landscape and a strong introduction to what the Aeolians are really about. Pace and timing are adjusted to conditions and the group.
Hiking: 5 km (3.1 mi)
Elevation: +400 m (1,312 ft)
Accommodation: Sailing boat
We sail along the dramatic sea stacks of Lipari before continuing to Salina—a greener, quieter island defined more by forest and altitude than volcanic drama. After anchoring, we hike to Monte Fossa delle Felci, the highest point in the Aeolian Islands at 962 m (3,156 ft). The trail climbs through humid forest and shaded slopes, with a silence and atmosphere that feels unexpectedly alpine for the Mediterranean. If timing and interest align, there’s a chance to visit a small local winery on the way.
Hiking: 7 km (4.3 mi)
Elevation: +1,000 m (3,281 ft)
Accommodation: Sailing boat
A morning sail brings us to Filicudi, one of the most remote and least-visited islands in the archipelago. We explore a Bronze Age village overlooking the sea—stone walls and dry-stacked structures that speak clearly about life built around exposure and isolation. The afternoon is left open: swimming, resting, wandering. In the evening, we head into the village for an aperitif and dinner, keeping it simple and local.
Hiking: 7 km (4.3 mi)
Elevation: +700 m (2,297 ft)
Accommodation: Sailing boat
Panarea is a small island that holds two very different versions of itself: wild, exposed coastal terrain on one side and a social scene shaped by visibility on the other. A coastal trek lets us move through both, reading the landscape and understanding how they coexist on such a small piece of land. The walk isn’t about covering distance—it’s about paying attention.
Hiking: 5.5 km (3.4 mi)
Elevation: +550 m (1,804 ft)
Accommodation: Sailing boat
An early sail takes us to Basiluzzo, a small uninhabited islet where the day is spent swimming, resting, and slowing down before what comes next. In the afternoon, we sail to Stromboli. The Stromboli ascent is a night hike with sunrise at the summit. It’s a guided climb to an authorized viewpoint to watch Stromboli erupt. It’s an active environment, and decisions are made in real time based on conditions and safety. The experience unfolds accordingly.
Hiking: 10 km (6.2 mi)
Elevation: +950 m (3,117 ft)
Accommodation: Sailing boat
We sail back past the former pumice quarries of Lipari, where white rock drops into some of the clearest water in the archipelago. The morning is unstructured—swimming, resting, quiet navigation. In the afternoon, we sail back to Capo d’Orlando Marina, closing out the week.
Accommodation: Sailing boat
After our final night at Capo d’Orlando Marina, our journey comes to an end. Disembark by 9 am.
The daily program can be adjusted at any time for safety reasons or to better suit weather conditions and the needs of the group. While at sea, the skipper is fully in charge of navigation (a great opportunity to pick up some sailing skills along the way). On land, the mountain guide leads all treks and oversees any climbing activities, keeping safety the priority regardless of your experience level. Flexibility is part of how this trip works—and what makes it feel like a real expedition rather than a fixed tour.
Included:
Upon boarding, a €300 cash fee must be paid for all onboard food provisions, bedding, towels, and essential boat services like the outboard engine and final cleaning. If you have any questions about this, contact us and we will get back ASAP !
Add-ons:
Not included:
To join this Aeolian Islands hiking and sailing tour, great fitness is required. Hiking days involve sustained ascents on volcanic and Mediterranean scrub terrain—some steep and exposed—and the Stromboli evening climb is a demanding effort with a return in the dark. Strong swimming skills are also strongly recommended, as swimming is a regular part of the week. No sailing experience is necessary.
Across the week, you’ll hike up to 10 km (6 mi) per day, with a maximum daily elevation gain of +1,000 m (3,281 ft).
The total for the trip is 3,650 m (11,975 ft) of elevation gain and 35 km (22 mi) of distance. While the distance may seem short, the terrain and elevation make this adventure quite challenging.
Want to see what else is there in the area? Discover more Italy hiking tours here!
If this is your first time on a sailing boat and you don’t know what to expect, here is what you can expect from life on board:
Note that rigid suitcases are not permitted on board. Use a bag that can be folded and stored once empty—space is limited and shared.
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.
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Group sizes and pricing
Aeolian Islands hiking & sailing tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements
If your group has participants under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
Due to very limited availability onboard, a single occupancy cabin is not available on this Aeolian Islands hiking and sailing adventure.
The starting point of your Aeolian Islands hiking and sailing tour is Capo d’Orlando Marina or Palermo. The exact location depends on the date and we’ll notify you as soon as possible.
To get there, most people fly into Palermo Airport (PMO) or Catania Airport (CTA). From either airport, you can reach Capo d’Orlando by car (roughly 1.5–2 hours from Palermo, 2 hours from Catania) or by public transport via the coastal train line. Or you can fly into Palermo Airport if the meeting point is Palermo.
You will meet your guides at 4 pm at Capo d’Orlando Marina or Palermo on Day 1. The tour ends on Day 8 with disembarkation by 9 am.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with insurance. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, you’ll be offered to simply insure your trip with Redpoint at checkout.
Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner—tailors protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations! Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.