Tour Overview
On this program, you'll sleep in only two islands: Sao Miguel and Faial with two ferry trips to Pico ( 30 minutes duration each way). Explore the ancient world of volcanoes on foot. Track the origins of São Miguel, Pico and Faial Islands and experience some of the thermal springs and nature at its finest.
NOTE: Minimum number of persons required to book this program is 2. Prices may need to be adjusted for solo travelers according to the activities availabilties.
Summary
- Day 1 | Arrival
- Day 2 | Hiking Sanguinho (FD)
- Day 3 | Hiking Serra Devassa e Nascentes do Canario (FD)
- Day 4 | Hiking Lagoa do Fogo (FD)
- Day 5 | Flight Sao Miguel/ Faial
- Day 6 | Hiking Unesco Heritage Santana to Lajido (HD)
- Day 7 | Hiking Caminho dos Burros (FD)
- Day 8 | Hiking Volcano Crater Perimeter (HD)
- Day 9 | Departure
Itinerary
Day 1 - Sao Miguel Island
Arrival and transfer to the hotel for 4 nights. Free rest of the day.
Day 2 - Hiking Sanguinho| Duration 7 hours.
Pick up at the hotel. Hiking Sanguinho- Full day. This activity is considered a full day due to the distance of this trail from maintown Ponta Delgada, around 40 miles. The hiking trail starts and ends in the parish of Faial da Terra - Municipality of Povoação and lasts approximately 3.5 hours. The name Sanguinho is believed to be due to an endemic plant called Sanguinho(Frangula azorica). This beautiful hike will lead to a waterfall of Salto do Prego, one of the most beautiful corners of the island. Stop for lunch (lunchbox) and/or to bathe in the crystal clear waters of the waterfall. The return will be through a parallel trail to the stream, stop by Vila da Povoacao, the first settlement in the island in 1427 by Diogo da Silva. Return to the hotel.
Day 3 - Hiking Tour Serra Devassa & Nascentes do canario (FD) Extension: 10.4 Km/6.46 miles |Level: Easy |Duration: 7hours.
Pick up at the hotel.This is a beautiful hike to the volcanic complex of Sete Cidades will take you thru a path of serenity and beauty of the lakes, aqueducts and waterfalls. Meal included. Return to the hotel.
Day 4 - Hiking Lagoa do Fogo (FD) Extension: 11 Km/6.84 miles |Level: Medium |Duration: 7 hours
Pick up at the hotel. A lake born from fire with astonishing sights of an untouchable nature. The endemic vegetation and the apparentely unused trails that will take you thru old plant's ruins, convents, natutal swimiming pools and the charming beaches. Meal included. Return to the hotel.
Day 5– Flight Sao Miguel to Faial Island
Check out from the Hotel in Sao Miguel and transfer to the Airport. Flight to Faial, arrival and transfer to the Hotel for 4 nights. Free rest of the day.
Day 6 - Hiking Unesco Heritage Santana to Lajido (HD) Extension: 8.5 Km/5.28miles | Duration: 2.5 Hours | Level: Easy.
Pick up at the hotel and transfer to Horta Harbor. 30 minutes ferry trip to Pico. Once you arrive to Madalena do Pico Harbor, the hiking company base is in front on the terminal. This half day hike is an open museum perfect for everyone, specially wine lovers. Beautiful Cellars built with black lava rocks, a well preserved ox carts wheels marked on the black lava reminding the formation of that site. Close the ocean, the wine is cultivated in "currais"on a rocky soil to maintain the heat for sweet grapes. Return to the office near the Ferry terminal at Madalena do Pico Harbor and ferry trip back to Faial (30 minutes). Arriving to Horta Harbor, a guide will be waiting to transfer you back to the Hotel. Free rest of the afternoon in Faial. Note: In case you wish to spend a few free hours on your own in Pico after the tour, please let us know so we can book a later ferry from Pico to Faial, transfer back to the Hotel in Faial will still be provided.
Day 7 - Hiking in Caminho dos Burros (FD) Extension: 11.2 Km | Duration: 3.3 Hours | Level: Medium.
Pick up at the hotel and transfer to Horta Harbor. 30 minutes ferry trip to Pico. Once you arrive to Madalena do Pico Harbor, the hiking company base is in front of the ferry terminal at Madalena do Pico Harbor to start your Hike tour. This trail starts in Pico’s “Planalto Central” area (Pico’s Central Plateau) and goes slightly downhill as we go from the south to the north of the island. The endemic vegetation is present throughout most of the walk featuring impressively sized specimens. Reaching Prainha’s Forest Park, break for lunch (meal not included). Continuing the hike, we go down a bit more until we reach “Baía das Canas” in the coast where the trail ends. Possibility of swimming in a natural bay deoendine on weather/Ocean conditions.The tour will end at Madalena do Pico Harbor and ferry trip back to Faial (30 minutes). Arriving to Horta Harbor, a guide will be waiting to transfer you back to the Hotel.
Day 8 - Hiking Faial Crater (HD)Extension: 6.8 Km/3.7miles | Duration: 4.5 Hours | Level: Medium.
Pick up at the hotel for this round trail that is part of the Natural Reserve of Faial, with 2Km/ 1.24miles diameter, had its origin with several eruptions with periods of dormancy during 400 thousand years. The trail is 840-1040 meters high (2755ft to3412ft). By the beginning of the trail, there's a small tunnel to cross and the crater will be welcoming on the other side. Return to the hotel and free afternoon.
Day 9- Departure
Check out and transfer from the hotel to the airport.