Explore the ancient world of volcanoes on foot. Track the origins of Pico, Faial and Sao Jorge Islands and experience nature at its finest. This is a package that lets you explore some of the best trails in the Azores, such as the Caldeira do Santo Cristo or the Pico Island vineyards, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. This is a package for hikers!

Summary

• Day 1 | Arrival and hiking in Capelinhos and Horta city tour (FD)
• Day 2 | Whale and dolphin watching (HD)
• Day 3 | Climbing Pico Mountain (FD)
• Day 4 | Hiking in Caminhos de Santa Luzia (FD)
• Day 5 | Hiking in Caldeira do Santo Cristo (FD)
• Day 6 | Hiking in Faja de Sao Joao (FD)
• Day 7 | Hiking in Pico do Pedro (FD)
• Day 8 | Departure

Itinerary

Day 1 – Faial Island

Arrival and hiking in Capelinhos and Horta city tour. Lunch included. Boat trip to Pico Island (20 minutes) and transfer to the hotel. Hiking in Capelinhos and Horta City Tour - Full day Extension: 7 Km | Duration: 3 Hours | Degree of difficulty: Medium Drive by jeep or van towards Caldeira, a big volcanic crater with beautiful views over the sea and Pico Island too. Short drive to Capelinhos Volcano and its surrounding area. The endemic vegetation is amazingly well preserved and it’s a constant during the trip. Once we reach the area affected by the eruption, we will visit the volcano’s interpretation centre and go up to the lighthouse, from where we will have a very wide view over all the new part of the island which was added by the last eruption of 1957. The views over the black volcanic rocks and sand are extremely beautiful, contrasting with the deep blue of the ocean. After the visit we will have our lunch. In the afternoon we continue our tour in Horta city and visit the famous Marina and Peter’s Café.

Day 2 - Pico Island

Pick up at the hotel. Whale and dolphin watching (3 hour trip). Free lunch and afternoon. Whale and Dolphin watching - Half day During this activity you will have the opportunity to watch some of more than 25 cetacean species that can be found in the Azores. Although nature offers no guarantees, whales and dolphins are regularly seen during our half day tours, along with turtles, seabirds and other marine life. Before the boat trip our biologists give you a briefing to explain which cetacean species can be observed, safety measures aboard, how we respect the animals and rules of observation at sea as well as some historical facts. During the tour each passenger is required to wear a life vest (except on our catamaran). Futurismo also provides rain coats and trousers if necessary.

Day 3 – Pico Island

Pick up at the hotel. Climbing the highest mountain of Portugal - Pico Mountain - 2351m of altitude. Picnic lunch included. Return to the hotel. Climbing Pico Mountain – Full day Extension: 10 Km | Duration: 6.5 Hours | Degree of difficulty: Challenging/Technical The climb starts at Casa da Montanha (Mountain House), at 1200m high and goes up all the way until we reach the very top of the mountain, where we stop for lunch. From there, if it’s not too cloudy, we can have amazing views over 4 of the other islands around. This trail is extremely technical because most of the way is very steep and rocky. Not recommended for people with knee or ankle problems.

Day 4 – Pico Island

Pick up at the hotel. Hiking in Caminhos de Santa Luzia. Picnic lunch included. Boat trip to São Jorge Island and transfer to the hotel. Hiking in Caminhos de Santa Luzia - Full day Extension: 10.5 Km | Duration: 3.5 Hours | Degree of difficulty: Medium This hike takes place in Santa Luzia and goes through some of the Pico Island vineyards which are classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Along the hike, you will notice some marks of the old horse wagons that were used to transport the wine that was produced there, as well as some interesting geological phenomena. The visit to a local alembic and to the Wine Museum complete the day.

Day 5 - Sao Jorge Island

Pick up at the hotel. Hiking in Caldeira do Santo Cristo. Picnic lunch included. Return to the hotel. Hiking in Caldeira do Santo Cristo – Full Day Extension: 9 Km | Duration: 5 Hours | Degree of difficulty: Medium/Technical The hike starts at Serra do Topo (about 700 m high) and goes down slowly until we get to the astonishing Caldeira do Santo Cristo. This downhill is quite technical because it is steep, therefore it requires more attention and focus to avoid slipping or falling. Great views over the coast and Terceira and Graciosa islands. Time to bath in the big natural lagoon. After picnic lunch, we continue for 4 km more, until Faja dos Cubres. Not recommended for people with knee or ankle problems.

Day 6 - Sao Jorge Island

Pick up at the hotel. Hiking in Faja de Sao Joao – Faja dos Vimes. Picnic lunch included. Return to the hotel. Hiking in Faja de Sao Joao – Full Day Extension: 10 Km | Duration: 4.5 Hours | Degree of difficulty: Medium/Technical The walk starts at Faja de Sao Joao and goes up all the way till Lourais village featuring great views over Pico and Faial Islands. After passing Lourais, we start a different kind of path, as we start descending to Faja dos Bodes and then to Faja dos Vimes - one of the few places in the Azores with coffee production. The last part of the downhill is also a bit technical as we find a waterfall, rocky places and some water courses on the way. Reaching Faja dos Vimes, there is a break to taste the local coffee and see the local handcraft before we go back to Velas. Not recommended for people with knee or ankle problems.

Day 7 – Sao Jorge Island

Pick up at the hotel. Hiking in Pico do Pedro - Faja do Ouvidor. Picnic lunch included. Return to the hotel. Hiking in Pico do Pedro - Faja do Ouvidor – Full Day Extension: 17 Km | Duration: 5 Hours | Degree of difficulty: Medium This walk starts at Pico do Pedro, goes up to the highest point of the island (Pico da Esperanca, 1053m) and then we go slowly down to the beautiful Faja do Ouvidor. There, we have the opportunity to have a quick swim in a natural swimming area as a way to end our hike. This trail is quite long but not difficult because it is never very steep. It has beautiful sightseeing over Sao Jorge Plateau and Pico Island.

Day 8

Transfer to the airport and departure.

Highlights

• Visiting Capelinhos Volcano
• Watching some of the 25 cetacean species that can be found in the Azores
• Climbing Portugal’s highest Mountain
• Hiking in the beautiful Fajas of Sao Jorge Island