Itinerary
- Day 1
Ponta Delgada
You'll arrive in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island and check in to your accommodation. At 7pm, meet your tour leader for a welcome briefing to go over what's ahead. The rest of your evening is yours to explore the harbour city at a relaxed pace or simply rest after traveling.
Optional Activities
- Stroll along the harbour front promenade past the 16th Century fort to the marina
- Visit the Convent and Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperança with its unique quadrangular tower
- Dinner with the group (for those arriving on time)
Landmarks/POIs Municipal City Hall (Câmara Municipal) 16th Century Fort Convent and Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Esperança Ponta Delgada Harbour - Day 2
Ponta Delgada - Sete Cidades Crater Walk
Head west across São Miguel toward Sete Cidades volcanic crater. You'll walk along the crater ridge starting from Vista do Rei viewpoint and making your way to Várzea parking lot. The path gives you views of both crater lakes (Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul) plus the island's coastline. It's an easy, scenic walk through one of the Azores' most memorable landscapes, though you'll want comfortable shoes for the uneven terrain.
Included Activities
- Walk within and around Sete Cidades volcanic crater from Vista do Rei viewpoint to Várzea parking lot
- Bus transfer to and from walking location
Landmarks/POIs Sete Cidades Volcanic Crater Lagoa Verde Lagoa Azul Vista do Rei Viewpoint - Day 3
Ponta Delgada - Furnas and Terra Nostra
Start at Gorreana, Europe's oldest tea factory, then move on to Lagoa das Furnas to see the natural volcanic features. Lunch is traditional Cozido cooked using volcanic vents in the ground, which is something you really can't do anywhere else. After that, walk through Terra Nostra botanical gardens (over 200 years old) and jump in the outdoor thermal pool if you're interested. Before heading back to Ponta Delgada, stop at a viewpoint overlooking Lagoa de Fogo.
- Meals
- Lunch (Traditional Cozido cooked in the volcanic fumeroles)
Included Activities
- Stop at Gorreana tea factory (Europe's oldest and only remaining tea factory)
- Walk around the shores of Lagoa das Furnas
- View natural ovens and volcanic features
- Traditional Cozido lunch cooked in volcanic fumeroles
- Visit Terra Nostra botanical gardens
- Viewpoint stop at Lagoa de Fogo
- Bus transfer to and from locations
Optional Activities
- Bathe in the outdoor thermal pool at Terra Nostra gardens
Landmarks/POIs Gorreana Tea Factory Lagoa das Furnas Furnas Valley Terra Nostra Botanical Gardens Lagoa de Fogo - Day 4
Ponta Delgada
You have the full day to explore São Miguel however you'd like. Several walking options exist around the island if you want to be active, or you can arrange a whale-watching trip to look for marine life off the coast. Your tour leader can suggest specific routes based on what interests you most.
Optional Activities
- Serra Devassa circular walk (5 kilometres/3.1 miles)
- Salto do Cabrito walk to waterfall on north coast (8 kilometres/5 miles, more challenging)
- Whale watching trip (€55pp)
Landmarks/POIs Serra Devassa Trail Salto do Cabrito Waterfall - Day 5
São Miguel to São Jorge
Fly to São Jorge, a long, narrow island shaped by linear volcanic eruptions. You'll transfer to your hotel in Velas and then explore this small maritime community. There's an optional walk available to the old whale watching tower on a volcanic crater if you want views out over the town and the surrounding sea.
Included Activities
- Flight to São Jorge
- Transfer to hotel
Optional Activities
- Walk to Miradouro do Morro das Velas (old whale watching tower on volcanic crater) - 2 hours, 4.5 kilometres/2.7 miles
Landmarks/POIs Miradouro do Morro das Velas Velas - Day 6
São Jorge North Coast Walk
This walk takes you from the high ridge of São Jorge down through the dramatic Caldeira de Cima gorge to the rocky coastline below. You'll follow the coast past Caldeira de Santo Cristo Lake toward Faja dos Cubres, passing traditional hamlets and fertile orchards along the way. The route is moderate in difficulty but involves a significant descent, so pace yourself and bring water.
Included Activities
- Walk from Velas through Caldeira de Cima gorge to Faja dos Cubres
- Walk along rocky coastline
- View Caldeira de Santo Cristo Lake
- Bus transfer to and from walking location
Landmarks/POIs Caldeira de Cima Caldeira de Santo Cristo Lake Faja dos Cubres - Day 7
São Jorge
You have a free day on São Jorge to spend however you choose. Several optional walks are available, and your tour leader will advise on the best options depending on conditions. Ridge walks with views of surrounding islands or coastal walks along the fajas on the south side are both possibilities.
Optional Activities
- Pico da Esperança ridge walk (1,053 metres/3455 feet) - approximately 20 kilometres/12.4 miles, around 5 hours, 420 metres/1380 feet ascent and 1,230 metres/4036 feet descent
- Fajas coastal walks on the south coast of the island
Landmarks/POIs Pico da Esperança - Day 8
São Jorge to Pico
Take a boat across to Pico and transfer to your accommodation in Madalena. In the afternoon, explore São Roque do Pico and Captain's Lagoon while taking in views of Mount Pico. Next, visit Bandeiras to see the Cachorro rock formation near the UNESCO-listed Pico Vineyard landscape. End the day at a local vineyard where you'll learn about their winemaking and sample some of their wines.
Included Activities
- Boat transfer to Pico
- Bus transfer to Madalena accommodation
- Visit São Roque do Pico and Captain's Lagoon
- Visit Bandeiras and Cachorro rock formation
- Vineyard visit with winemaking process explanation and tasting
Landmarks/POIs Pico Alto (Volcano) São Roque do Pico Captain's Lagoon Bandeiras Cachorro Rock Formation Pico Vineyard Culture Landscape - Day 9
Pico
The morning offers a whale-watching opportunity to spot sperm whales and dolphins if conditions are good. In the afternoon, walk through the UNESCO World Heritage vineyard landscape from Porto do Calhau in Candelaria back to Madalena. You'll pass tidal pools and walk among the distinctive volcanic stone walls that protect the grapevines, with Mount Pico and Faial Island visible across the water. If you're up for something more challenging, an alternative option is to ascend Pico volcano, though that's quite strenuous.
Included Activities
- Walk from Porto do Calhau to Madalena through UNESCO World Heritage vineyard landscape
Optional Activities
- Whale-watching trip from Madalena (€65pp July-August; €54pp mid-season; €49pp low-season, subject to weather)
- Pico ascent/climb - very strenuous 6-7 hour climb (1,020 metres/3,350 feet ascent and descent, must arrange with tour leader at beginning of trip)
Landmarks/POIs Porto do Calhau Candelaria Pico Vineyard UNESCO Landscape Mount Pico Faial Island - Day 10
Pico South Coast Walk
Walk along Pico's south coast through the Forest Reserve, passing lava landmarks from volcanic eruptions in 1718 and 1720. You'll see the red Ponta Rasa windmill built in 1949, then pass through Silveira and São João villages. Before wrapping up, stop at the Cheese Museum to pick up local delicacies, including the emblematic São João cheese that the island is known for.
Included Activities
- Walk along Misterios do Sul do Pico trail starting in Forest Reserve
- Pass by Misterio de São João and Misterio da Silveira lava landmarks
- Pass red Ponta Rasa windmill (built 1949)
- Pass through villages of Silveira and São João
- Visit Cheese Museum
- Bus transfer to and from walking location
Optional Activities
- Purchase local delicacies at Cheese Museum shop, including emblematic São João cheese
Landmarks/POIs Misterios do Sul do Pico Trail Misterio de São João Misterio da Silveira Ponta Rasa Windmill Cheese Museum - Day 11
Pico to Faial
Ferry across to Faial, an island famous for its busy yacht-filled harbour. Settle into your hotel at Azoris Faial Garden Hotel and spend the afternoon wandering the charming streets and along the harbour in Horta. An optional circular walk is available starting from the hotel on Monte da Guia headland if you want views out over the town and the busy port below.
Included Activities
- Ferry transfer to Faial
Optional Activities
- Circular walk from hotel on Monte da Guia headland - 4.5 kilometres/2.7 miles, around 2 hours, 160 metres/525 feet ascent and descent
Landmarks/POIs Horta Harbour Monte da Guia - Day 12
Faial - Caldeira and Capelinhos
You'll tour Faial by private bus, visiting the Caldeira crater which is often shrouded in cloud with lush green-carpeted slopes and walks along the edge. Head to the western end of the island to see the extinct Capelinhos volcano, and you can visit the Volcano Interpretation Centre if you want more details about the eruptions. After returning to Horta, you'll have free time to explore the town and pick a restaurant for dinner.
Included Activities
- Private bus tour of Faial (Ilha Azul)
- Visit and walk around Caldeira crater
- Visit Capelinhos extinct volcano
- Bus transfer to and from locations
Optional Activities
- Visit Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre (€10pp)
- Walk around Capelinhos volcano
Landmarks/POIs Caldeira Crater Capelinhos Volcano Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre - Day 13
Faial - Praia do Norte Walk
This walk starts and ends at Praia do Norte Parish on the north side of Faial. You'll descend to Faja da Praia do Norte, formed by lava from a Cabeco do Fogo volcano eruption. Then walk through fountains and cultivated fields and laurel forest to reach Praia do Norte beach, which happens to be a prime surfing spot. From there, continue along the coast through an endemic plant protection area to a picnic lunch spot, pass the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Penha de Franca, then ascend the cliff path back to the bus.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch)
Included Activities
- Walk from Praia do Norte Parish to Faja da Praia do Norte and back
- Walk through cultivated fields and laurel forest woodland
- Pass Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Penha de Franca (built 1787)
- Picnic lunch spot
- Bus transfer to and from walking location
Landmarks/POIs Faja da Praia do Norte Cabeco do Fogo Volcano Praia do Norte Beach Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Penha de Franca - Day 14
Depart Horta
Your tour ends after breakfast at the hotel in Horta, so you're free to depart whenever you need to. Luggage storage is available at the hotel if your flight leaves later in the day, which gives you flexibility to explore more or simply relax before heading to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
