Tour Overview
Hike some of the Azores most famous active volcanoes and try to discover our most famous crater lakes and waterfalls. Be involved in a pure nature experience in which you can explore our fantastic trails and afterwards relax in one of Sao Miguel’s natural thermal pools such as in Furnas. This is a complete package for those who want to hike and simply enjoy nature!
Itinerary:
- Day 1 | Arrival
- Day 2 | Hiking Tour Pico da Vara (FD)
- Day 3 | Hiking Lagoa do Fogo (FD)
- Day 4 | Van Tour Furnas (FD)
- Day 5 | Hiking Sete Cidades and Serra Devassa (HD)
- Day 6 | Hiking Tour Sanguinho (FD)
- Day 7 | Hiking Tour Ribeira Funda -Praia da Viola (FD)
- Day 8 | Free day
- Day 9 | Free day
- Day 10| Departure
Itinerary
Day 1-Arrival
Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Free day.
Day 2-Hiking Tour Pico da Vara (FD) Duration: 7 hours
In the interior of the island, this hiking starts and ends in Graminhais located at 900 meters of altitude in the Nordeste Municipality. Pico da Vara is at 105meters from sea level. The descending will through the same trail as the ascending. On the way back to the hotel, a short stop by the tea Plantation in Gorreana, the only Tea plantation in Europe.
Day 3-Hiking Lagoa do Fogo |Duration: 7 hours
Starting on a dirt trail, until reaching the slopes of the Fire lake, a different vegetation, the Islet and Village of Vila Franca will be seen. Stop for lunch an the lagoon bank. Return through a trail covered with endemic vegetation opening in a pasture area as the hike comes to the end. Before returning to Ponta Delgada, time to enjoy a swim at Praia da Caloura.
Day 4-Van Tour Furnas (FD) Duration: 8 hours
This day is to rest your legs and just have a few walking during this tour to Furnas. The valley of Furnas is one of the largest thermal hydropolis in the world, rich in iron, Sulphur waters that sprout a bit everywhere to be tasted and have the experience of touch (always follow the guide recommendations, do not touch boiling water or mud). There's a trail of gold left behind from the rusty streams, a gothic chapel by the lake, a constant whisper from the fumaroles and geysers, and the most magnificent botanical Garden as part of this tour. The famous cozido das Furnas, a meal cooked underground by the heat of the volcano, is included. This meal consists in a variety of vegetables and meats.
Day 5- Hiking Tour Sete Cidades and Serra Devassa (HD) |Duration: 3 hours
One of the most well known lakes is the Twin Lakes of Cidades and the beautiful view of the crater. With a view to the center part of the island, this walk will show you some rare endemic Flora until the view of the various lakes and wetlands on this western part of the island. The lakes seen in this hike are the Lagoa das Éguas, Lagoa Rasa and for last though a forest of Cryptomeria (Cryptomeria japonica) we reach the Lago das Empadadas. Return to the hotel.
Day 6- Hiking Tour Sanguinho (FD) | Duration: 7hours
This hike starts and ends in Faial da Terra, Povoacao Municipality. The name Sanguinho is believed to come from an endemic plant (Frangula azorica). The trail will go through one of the most beautiful waterfalls of the island called Salto do Prego. Stop for a lunchbox meal and bath. The return trail will be in direction of Faial da Terra. On the way back to Ponta Delgada, a short stop in Povoacao Village, once the first town in the island.
Day 7- Hike Tour Ribeira Funda- Praia da Viola (FD)|Duration: 7hours
Praia da Viola is a small and quiet beach with rough black sand, flanked by a cliff with several water sources. The walking tour begins with an open area until you're immerse in a dense vegetation, passing through old water mills, where in the old days the corn would turn into flour and later bread at the tables. Several streams along the way embellish the trail until the Tio Domingos view point where we can se Praia da Viola.
Day 8-Free day
Time to take off those hiking shoes and clothes, it's your free to visit the city.
Day 9-Free day
Enjoy this last day to rest and last minute shopping.
Day 10-Departure
Transfer from the hotel to the airport and departure.
