Azores Explorer

Pick up at 9.00am. Sete Cidades lake is one of the most famous and legendary lakes of the islands. Along with your guide you will venture to visit some of the lakes enclosed in the volcanic complex. Once at the bottom of the crater you will take a relaxing walk around the shoreline (1,5hr, mostly flat terrain), experience kayaking on the lagoon as well. This is definitely the best way to experience Sete Cidades, absorbing the amazing energy and beauty of the place. A typical Azorean picnic lunch will be served on the lake shore.

After lunch you will explore the western São Miguel. Drive along the south coast and stop in Ferraria. If the tide allows, you will stop to swim in the oceanic pools heated by the surrounding volcanic vents – a wonderful opportunity to relax after your day of activities.

DINNER & EVENING ACTIVITIES

Dinner at a local restaurant around 7.pm

ACCOMMODATION

Overnight at Hotel Ponta Delgada or similar

Pick up and transfer to an activities centre in Portas do Mar. This morning you will have the opportunity to watch some of more than 25 cetacean species (whales, dolphins and porpoises) that can be found in the Azores. Although nature offers no guarantees, whales and dolphins are regularly seen, along with turtles, seabirds and other marine life. This is a nice opportunity to learn about the sea and marine life conservancy.

You will enjoy some lunch in a nearby restaurant at 12.30pm.

After lunch, transfer to Fogo Lake. This lake is one of the most beautiful lakes of São Miguel island and one of the best naturally preserved throughout the years. From one of its viewpoints it is possible to descend to the margin of the lake, following a dirt path. Once you are at the bottom you can walk along the peculiar white pumice stone sand. Take the same trail on the way back up.

DINNER & EVENING ACTIVITIES

Dinner at the Hotel around 7.30pm 

ACCOMMODATION

Overnight at Hotel Ponta Delgada or similar

Pick up at 7.30am and transfer to the airport for your 50min internal flight. It’s now time to go to Faial!

Arrival in Faial and transfer to Capelinhos Volcano, the location of the most recent eruption in the Azores Islands in 1956-57. You will gain insight into the impact that the volcano has had on the island during your brief stop at the interpretation centre. From the centre you’ll travel up to the historic lighthouse to overlook sections of the island that have been rebuilt since the eruption. The contrast of black volcanic rocks, sand, and blue ocean will make you feel like you’ve been transported to another planet. From the lighthouse, you will embark on a ‘walk on the moon’ over the affected area and continue on a short hike examining the uniquely preserved vegetation.

After your hike, enjoy a picnic lunch in a natural forest reserve.

On the way back to your hotel, drive by Horta city and its famous marina, one of the busiest in the world. It is a linking point for international regattas, and superstition tells sailors to paint a mural on the breakwater in order to attain divine protection during the rest of their trip.

DINNER & EVENING ACTIVITIES

Dinner at a local restaurant around 7.pm

ACCOMMODATION

4* hotel in Horta or similar

Pick up at 9.00am and transfer to the port. Ferry to Pico Island (around 30m duration). Today you will explore the mountains of Pico Island. On Pico Island lies Portugal’s highest point, Mount Pico, at 2,351m / 7713ft. Enjoy a tour through the vineyards (“Vinhas da Criação Velha” - World’s Humanity Patrimony UNESCO classification) where you will learn about this unique style of vineyard and the varietal found on the island.

After Criação Velha you will drive to Lajes do Pico and have lunch at a local restaurant. Lajes do Pico was the Portuguese “capital” of whale hunting back in the 19th century. Having hunted the whale, the catch would be brought to the factory in São Roque, your next destination, to learn how the oil was extracted and used for several different purposes.

Today’s tour ends at the “Adega A Buraca” where you will have the chance to visit a typical winery with local wine production: "Verdelho do Pico".

Transfer to the hotel in Madalena do Pico.

DINNER & EVENING ACTIVITIES

Dinner at a local restaurant or barbecue at the hotel

ACCOMMODATION

4* hotel in Pico

Pick-up and transfer to the port in São Roque and departure to São Jorge island by ferry boat.

You will start today’s tour with a visit to a cheese factory to learn everything about São Jorge’s delicious cheeses. Afterwards, travel to a local coffee plantation that grows its beans in an exotic climate in Fajã dos Vimes. There you’ll experience a tasting of the local coffee and local sweet. A Fajã is a land formation with volcanic origins or landslides, and São Jorge Island has very steep cliffs, so at the bottom, these formations are known for being very conducive to growth due to their soil and microclimate.

DINNER & EVENING ACTIVITIES

Dinner at Fornos de Lava Restaurant at 7.pm

ACCOMMODATION

4* hotel in São Jorge

Pick up at 9.am. We will drive you to Fajã dos Cubres and from there we will experience a wonderful coastal hike towards Caldeira do Santo Cristo. Here, your guide will give you some insights of the story of this magical place where clams grow in a salt water lagoon and surfers come to enjoy what are considered to be one of the longest waves in Europe. A special meal will be prepared for you at a typical house terrace with lovely views and the sound of the waves breaking on the rocks. After your meal, hike back to Fajã dos Cubres and transfer to the hotel to check in before dinner.

If the weather is suitable there will be a chance to swim in the natural pool in Fajã do Santo Cristo before returning to Fajã dos Cubres.

DINNER & EVENING ACTIVITIES

Dinner at the hotel

ACCOMMODATION

4* hotel in São Jorge

Pick up at the hotel after check out. Visit the Rosais Lighthouse to enjoy some incredible panoramas of the surrounding islands. On your way back, you will stop at Sete Fontes Natural Park to enjoy some light hiking. Break for a picnic lunch in the park before resuming your sightseeing in Fernando Afonso on the northern side of the island.

This afternoon, transfer to São Jorge Airport for your 45min internal flight to São Miguel. From the airport you will go to Furnas, but first you will stop at the Gorreana tea plantation to try the several teas that you can find there.

Arrival at Furnas.

DINNER & EVENING ACTIVITIES

Dinner at Caldeiras Restaurant at 7.pm

ACCOMMODATION

4* Hotel in Furnas

On today’s tour you will experience the volcanic origins of the Island in Furnas, a magical place. In the morning you will depart on an easy-going walk through the village. Here you will buy all the necessary ingredients to cook dinner from the local market. You will stop at the Caldeiras da Lagoa das Furnas (Furnas Lake Calderas), a place where you will cook the famous “cozido das Furnas”. Here there will be a special cooking class using the ingredients purchased at the market. Prepare the special “cozido meal” which will cook underground for roughly 6 hours using only the steam of the earth. While dinner is in the oven, enjoy a picnic lunch and a walk around the Lake. The “cozido” will be served at Terra Nostra Restaurant at dinner. 

DINNER & EVENING ACTIVITIES

Your dinner will be served at the hotel in the beautiful art-deco restaurant of Terra Nostra Garden Hotel, with views of the iconic botanical park.

ACCOMMODATION

4* Hotel in Furnas

Located in the eastern-most part of the island, Nordeste is known as the most beautiful region in the island and it has always been considered the most flower-rich region in Europe. Your first stop will be at the breathtaking viewpoint of Salto do Cavalo’s peak. This viewpoint is marked by astonishing panoramas over Povoação, the first place to be settled on the island. Continue your trip to the Priolo (Azores Bullfinch) Environmental Center to visit the interactive exhibition that provides the visitors with interesting facts and information about the area of Serra da Tronqueira, its fauna and flora, and more specifically about the Priolo bird (Pyrrhula murina) which is endemic to São Miguel Island in the Azores. Next to the centre you can also visit the Endemic Species Garden. Finally, head down to the town of Nordeste where you will have lunch in a local restaurant. On the way back you will stop at wonderful viewpoints over the coast and Povoação.

DINNER & EVENING ACTIVITIES

Dinner at the Hotel

ACCOMMODATION

4* Hotel in Furnas

Breakfast at the hotel.

Pick up and transfer to Ponta Delgada Airport for your departing flight.