Bathed in the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, these nine volcanic islands rise up from the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. On a series of easy day walks we explore five of the unspoilt islands, discovering crater lakes, thermal springs, deep gorges and craggy coastlines. We can also take boat trips in search of whales and spend time in picturesque fishing villages.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
Day 1:
Join tour at Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel
Arrive Ponta Delgada and check-in at hotel.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Day 2:
On Sao Miguel Island (Ponta Delgada) visit Sete Cidades
Basing ourselves at Ponta Delgada, the island’s capital, we spend our first 3 days exploring Sao Miguel – the largest of the islands we visit. We use a mixture of local and private buses to transfer us to and from our walks. On the first day we drive to Sete Cidades. From here we walk within and around some of the crater to Vista do Rei to view the splendid blue and green lakes (approx 3 hours walk) before returning to Ponta Delgada by bus later that afternoon.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 3:
Visit Lagoa de Fogo and Furnas
Our second day begins by driving to the north side of the to Lagoa das Furnas where we take a short walk of Approx. 45 minutes on the shores of the lake, stopping to see the natural ovens (cavities in the rock). Here in the huge hollow of Furnas Valley, diverse volcanic activity has created thermal springs and boiling mud pools. We also have time to visit the botanical gardens of Terra Nostra, planted over 200 years ago, with an outdoor thermal pool where we can bathe (optional). We then continue on where we can make a short, steep walk to the lake edge. Back on the bus we continue to a viewpoint to Lagoa de Fogo (the islands highest crater lake) where we will stop to take photos before continuing back to Ponta Delgada.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4:
Free Day on Sao Miguel
Today is left free to explore more of the island on and off shore. You may wish to do one of the many walks around the island however another option is to take a Whale searching trip or to swim with the dolphins.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5:
Fly to Terceira Island (Praia da Vitoria)
An inter-island flight brings us to the island of Terceira. During our stay here, our base will be the small harbour settlement of Praia da Vitoria. After transferring to our hotel, we cross the island by local transport to the largest settlement on Terceira, the old town of Angra do Heroismo. An afternoon here gives us time to explore the town, with its distinctive architecture, its cathedrals and churches. Angra was the first settlement in the Azores to receive city status, in 1534, and remains one of the finest examples of Renaissance town planning. It was the Azores’ seat of government until the early 19th century and its palaces and churches are the legacy of its supremacy. A walk up to the fort gives good views over the harbour and the narrow streets of the old town are well worth exploring at your own pace. You may also want to visit the Algar do Carvao caves, the only volcanic pit you can visit in the world, before returning to Praia.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6:
On Terceira Island (Praia da Vitoria)
Using local transport, we head for the northern regions of the island, which we will explore on foot. From Quatro Ribeiras an easy walk (approx 3 hours walk) follows the contours of the coast with marvellous views out to sea. We arrive at Biscoitos, where there is the chance to swim in the lava rock pools. Alternatively, the wine museum is worth a visit where you can sample the local wine. In the late afternoon we return to Praia da Vitoria by local bus.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7:
Fly to Sao Jorge Island (Velas)
(Depending on flight time, this morning maybe free to explore the town of Praia da Vitoria), before we take a short flight to Sao Jorge. This curiously elongated island is some 56 km long, but only 8 km wide, having been created by a series of linear volcanic eruptions. The island remained almost isolated for many centuries, due to the lack of shelter offered to ships. After transferring to our hotel, we are free to wander the streets of the small maritime community of Velas, where we are based. Alternatively we can take an optional walk to the old Whale watching tower which is positioned on a volcanic crater from where we can enjoy views down on to Velas town (2hrs). In the evening we could dine out at the village of Santo Amaro in a small restaurant that takes pride in serving its home grown organic produce and whose terrace offers spectacular views of Pico accross the chanel that separates the two islands.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 8 to 9:
On Sao Jorge Island (Velas)
We can spend two full days walking on Sao Jorge, a place of precipitous cliffs, narrow valleys and tiny coves. On our first day, using local taxis we’ll head from Velas to the north side of the island. A stunning walk starting from the 700m high ridge of Sao Jorge leads us through the beautiful gorge of the Caldeira de Cima and down to the coast. From here we follow the rocky coastline and walk to Faja do Cubres (approx 4 hours walk where we can stop and swim for a couple of hours). Fajas are the small plains at the foot of the steep coastal cliffs which are dotted with traditional hamlets and fertile orchards. Our second day is left free for optional walks, and your tour leader will advise on the various possibilities. Views of the surrounding islands are excellent from Pico da Esperanca (1,053m) in the centre of the island, while a walk along the fajas on the south coast of the island offers a contrast in scenery from the north.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 10:
Boat to Pico Island (Madalena)
This morning we take a boat to Pico and transfer to our accommodation at Madalena. The rest of the day is free to explore this small fishing port, or perhaps take a walk through the coastal vineyards or visit the Grota do Torres Lava Tunnel.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11:
On Pico Island (Madalena)
Pico is dominated by its volcano, Pico Alto, reaching up to 2,350m. The island covers some 42 km by 16 km. For those interested in the history of the island, there are many small fishing ports, several with reminders of the old whaling industry once so vital to the island. Today’s walk is along the south coast of Pico. We walk to the village of Lajes, which has a small whaling museum (approx 2 hours walk). There is the opportunity to take a whale-watching trip (optional) from Lajes to spot sperm whales as well as several species of dolphins.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 12:
Boat to Faial Island (Horta)
The morning is free to do another walk or for an ascent of Pico, a very strenuous 6-7 hour climb. Those interested in walking can take taxis part way up Pico Alto, from where there are fine views across the straits to Faial, while behind the peak of the volcano rises into the clouds. There are dozens of small volcanic cones on the slopes of Pico Alto and some caves created by past lava flows to explore for example, Furnas Frei Mateus (optional, approx 3 hours walk). There are magnificent and unforgettable vistas of neighbouring islands. In the afternoon, we cross by boat to the charming island of Faial, where the harbour is often full of yachts, half way through their transatlantic crossing.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 13:
On Faial Island (Horta)
Today is free to explore the ‘Ilha Azul’. You can go whale watching again (optional). You could take the opportunity to do some more walking (optional), alternatively take a taxi tour of the island (optional). We can head for the stunning Caldeira often shrouded in cloud, where we view the lush green-carpeted crater. The views over the island are particularly impressive in summer, when the wild blue hydrangeas that form many of the hedges are in flower. We then continue to the western end of the island to visit the Capelinhos volcano, now extinct, then we can swim in the lava rock pools, at Varadoura. Later we return to Horta, an attractive little town with some good restaurants.
Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 14:
Tour ends Faial
Included meals: Breakfast
