What is this São Miguel hiking and canyoning tour like?
This 8-day, 7-night São Miguel adventure tour combines hiking, canyoning, whale watching, crater-lake scenery and geothermal experiences. Hike toward Pico da Vara, the island’s highest point, explore Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, follow a stream through Ribeira dos Caldeirões and spend a more relaxed day discovering Furnas.
The itinerary balances physically active excursions with scenic touring and free time. It includes a full-day mountain hike, a half-day canyoning experience, a whale- and dolphin-watching boat trip, a jeep-based crater-lake excursion with scheduled outdoor activities, a Furnas tour and a completely free day.
Outdoor and marine activities remain subject to weather, sea conditions and local operating requirements. Guided activities may operate as shared rather than private services.
Is this package right for you?
Is this São Miguel adventure tour right for you?
This itinerary is designed for active travelers who want to combine a demanding mountain hike with canyoning, whale watching, jeep touring and geothermal sightseeing. You should be comfortable walking for several hours over uneven and potentially wet volcanic terrain.
The Pico da Vara excursion is the most physically demanding day, lasting approximately seven hours. Canyoning involves moving through a stream environment while wearing technical equipment and following guide instructions. Participants should be comfortable around water and inform us when booking about relevant mobility, medical or physical concerns.
No previous canyoning experience is specified as required, and the necessary technical equipment is provided. However, all participants must follow the guides’ safety instructions. Guided activities may operate as shared services. Travelers requiring private activities throughout should request a tailor-made quotation.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 — Arrive on São Miguel; transfer to Ponta Delgada
Day 2 — Full-day Pico da Vara hike
Day 3 — Half-day whale and dolphin watching
Day 4 — Full-day Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo adventure
Day 5 — Half-day canyoning at Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Day 6 — Full-day Furnas geothermal and cultural tour
Day 7 — Free day on São Miguel
Day 8 — Airport transfer and departure
Day-by-day itinerary
Activity durations are approximate. Access, pickup arrangements and the order of activities may change because of weather, sea conditions or local operating requirements. The descriptions below show the planned itinerary.
Day 1 — São Miguel Island — Arrival
Arrive on São Miguel and transfer from the airport to your hotel, where you will stay for seven nights. The remainder of the day is free to rest or begin exploring Ponta Delgada independently.
Day 2 — Full-day Pico da Vara hike
Set out on a guided hike toward Pico da Vara, the highest point on São Miguel. The route crosses the island’s northeastern highlands through rugged volcanic terrain and areas of native vegetation.
As elevation increases, broad views open across the surrounding landscapes. The complete excursion lasts approximately seven hours. Lunch or a picnic and scheduled transportation are included.
Day 3 — Half-day whale and dolphin watching
Make your own way to the designated marina or meeting point; hotel transfers are not included today. Before departure, the marine team provides information about the species that may be encountered, onboard safety and responsible wildlife-viewing practices.
The approximately three-hour boat trip offers an opportunity to observe whales, dolphins, turtles and seabirds in their natural Atlantic environment. Wildlife sightings and specific species cannot be guaranteed. The remainder of the day is free.
Day 4 — Full-day Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo adventure
Make your own way to the designated meeting point; hotel pickup is not included unless confirmed otherwise. Travel by jeep through western São Miguel, stopping at volcanic viewpoints that may include Pico do Carvão, Pico da Cruz, Lomba do Vasco and Vista do Rei.
Explore the Sete Cidades area and continue through São Miguel’s crater-lake landscapes, including the Lagoa do Fogo region as operating conditions permit. The planned day also includes scheduled cycling and kayaking activities.
Lunch at a local restaurant is included. The complete excursion lasts approximately seven hours and concludes in Ponta Delgada.
Day 5 — Half-day canyoning at Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Hotel pickup is included for the transfer to Ribeira dos Caldeirões, one of northeastern São Miguel’s best-known waterfall landscapes. After a safety briefing, follow the stream with qualified guides and experience the island’s volcanic watercourses from a different perspective.
The guides provide the required technical equipment, including a wetsuit, boots, harness, helmet and ropes. The canyoning activity lasts approximately three hours, but transportation time means another activity should not be planned for this day.
Day 6 — Full-day Furnas geothermal and cultural tour
Enjoy a slower-paced day centered on the geothermal landscapes of Furnas. Explore the valley’s fumaroles, mineral springs, lake scenery and botanical surroundings while following all safety instructions provided by the guide.
The tour includes traditional cozido das Furnas, a regional meal prepared underground using natural volcanic heat. The planned sightseeing may also include Furnas Lake, its lakeside chapel and one of the area’s botanical gardens.
The complete van or jeep excursion lasts approximately seven hours. Lunch and scheduled transportation are included.
Day 7 — Free day on São Miguel
Enjoy a free day to rest, explore Ponta Delgada or arrange an optional sightseeing tour or outdoor activity elsewhere on São Miguel.
Day 8 — São Miguel Island — Departure
Check out from your hotel and transfer to the airport for your departing flight.
What's included
Important tour information
Weather and sea conditions may affect hiking, canyoning, whale watching and other outdoor activities. When necessary, the itinerary order may change for operational or safety reasons.
Scheduled activities are guided and may operate as shared rather than private services.
Hotel pickup is not included for the whale-watching trip or the Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo excursion. Meeting instructions will be provided with the final itinerary.
Included in this São Miguel adventure tour
7 nights of hotel accommodation on São Miguel
Daily breakfast
Arrival and departure airport transfers
English-speaking guides for scheduled activities
Full-day guided Pico da Vara hike
Half-day whale- and dolphin-watching boat trip
Full-day Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo excursion with jeep touring and scheduled outdoor activities
Half-day canyoning experience at Ribeira dos Caldeirões
Canyoning equipment, including a wetsuit, boots, harness, helmet and ropes
Full-day Furnas sightseeing tour by van or jeep
Hotel pickup and return transportation when specifically described in the itinerary
Lunch or a picnic during scheduled full-day activities
Complimentary welcome crate of local products
Assistance during the trip
Not included in the tour price
International airfare to and from Ponta Delgada
Transportation to the whale-watching meeting point
Transportation to the Day 4 meeting point unless confirmed otherwise
Dinners and meals not specifically listed as included
Optional activities and personal expenses
Hiking Tour duration
Full-day tours: 7–8 hours
Half-day tours: 3–4 hours
Exact duration for individual tour stops varies.
Meals
Included lunches may be provided as a picnic or served at a local restaurant.
Vegetarian meals and other dietary requirements must be requested when booking.
What to bring
Bring comfortable layered clothing, a sweater or lightweight insulating layer, a waterproof jacket, walking boots or supportive trail shoes, a small backpack and a refillable water bottle. Also pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection and a hat. The iron-rich thermal water at Terra Nostra Park may stain light-colored swimwear.
Dates & rates
Understanding the rates
Package Type
For some packages you may be given a choice of different hotel categories.
Superior/Premier Hotel Package - Includes first class 4-star lodging, standard rooms.
Comfort/Standard Hotel Package - Includes 4-star tourist class lodging, standard rooms. May include first class 3-star lodging in the smaller islands.
Hotel Notes
Each package has a hotel summary description. For detailed information, please visit the hotel's official webpage online.
For specific hotel or ocean-view room preference, please notify us when filing your booking form. Additional charges may apply.
Pousada Forte da Horta (Faial) will be closed until March 31. Hotel Azoris Faial Garden will be booked as alternative.
Room Rate Type
Solo = Person traveling alone
Single = Person staying in a single room and sharing tour services with others in travel party
Note: Hotels shown are for reference only. We reserve the right to change hotels based on availability, group size or other factors. Should an alternate hotel be required, it will be of the same or a better rating.
Comfort Hotels
Ponta Delgada - Hotel Ponta Delgada
Hotel Ponta Delgada (RNET 6591) is centrally located and only a 10-minute drive from the airport. Hotel Ponta Delgada features a family ambiance and comfortable furnishings. It features an indoor pool.
Air-conditioned rooms all open out on to a private balcony and are fitted with double-glass windows. All rooms include a TV set with cable channels and private bathrooms with walk-in shower or bathtub. Free WiFi access is available in all areas of the hotel.
The Ponta Delgada’s Baco Restaurant offers authentic cuisine from the Azores. The hotel’s bar has an esplanade, where guests can enjoy a refreshing drink or cocktail.
Guests can stroll in the narrow streets of the city center. Alternatively, they can dip in the hot tub or relax in the on-site hammam and sauna.
Superior Hotels
Ponta Delgada - Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel
Located in Ponta Delgada, São Miguel island, the Vila Gale Collection S.Miguel provides superior accommodations, excellent restaurant, bar, sauna, swimming pool, kid's club and private parking.
The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WIFI, each with a private bathroom, and is at a short walking distance to the center of town.
All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a flat-screen TV. Each room includes a safety deposit box, while certain rooms will provide you with a balcony. At Vila Gale Collection S.Miguel every room includes bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available every morning.
At Vila Gale Collection S.Miguel guests are welcome to use a sauna and a Turkish bath.
The attentive and professional reception staff speak English, Spanish, French and Portuguese, and are always on hand to help.
Booking & policies
Booking Your Trip
While prices are shown in USA dollars, we can also charge in Euros at the prevailing currency conversion daily rate.
Early booking is advised. Availability of accommodations and inter-island flight is limited especially in summer months.
If hotels named in itinerary are not available at time of booking, alternate similar same rating properties will be confirmed, and subject to new quote.
Order of islands visited may need to be altered due to flight schedule changes.
Unless otherwise indicated, sightseeing tours are by private car with English speaking driver. Other languages are available upon request.
Quotations with different hotels have a non refundable deposit of $50. Deposit will be credited towards final booking price.
Booking Your Trip With Air
International airfare for this package is additional to price shown on Rates table. Departure cities are limited to those serviced by SATA International (Azores Airlines).
If you want a quote for airfare to be included make sure to check yes when prompted during the booking/reservation request process.
Booking Conditions
A non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $350 per person is required to book and hold both land and air for you.
Final payment is due 50 days before departure.
Option to pay full price up front is available.
Cancellation Policy - Land Portion
Full-payment minus the $350 deposit per person is refunded if canceled up to 50 days prior departure.
75% of full-payment paid per person if refunded if cancelled 49-39 days prior departure.
50% of full-payment paid per person is refunded if canceled 38-31 days prior departure.
No refunds if canceled less than 30 days prior departure.
Cancellation Policy - Airfare
Airfare cancellation terms and conditions are those of the Airlines company and will be provided to you before ticket is booked.
Refund Fees
On any payments made via a bank credit card, a 3.9% bank credit card assessed fee will be subtracted from any refunded payment, including deposits refunded due to services requested not available for date of booking.
I Want To Book. What Do I Do Next?
Click on the Request pricing button to send your reservation request.
No payment will be collected at this time.
Our travel Associate will contact you via email to answer any questions and book your Package.
If you don't plan to book at this time please click here to contact us with any questions or concerns about your trip or your holiday.
Booking Changes
A fee of $35 per person, per transaction, will be charged
for any revision or alteration made to a reservation after the booking
is confirmed.
If the change increases the value of the booking, the $35
per person fee will be waived.
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend you purchase travel/cancellation
insurance.
Common questions about this package
Common questions about this São Miguel adventure tour
How fit do I need to be?
You should be accustomed to regular walking and comfortable spending several hours on uneven terrain. The full-day Pico da Vara hike is the most demanding activity. Canyoning also requires balance, mobility and confidence moving through a wet stream environment.
Do I need previous canyoning experience?
No previous experience is specified as required. Qualified guides provide a safety briefing and the necessary technical equipment. Participants must follow all guide instructions and disclose relevant physical, mobility or medical concerns when booking.
What canyoning equipment is provided?
The activity provider supplies a wetsuit, boots, harness, helmet and ropes. Bring swimwear, a towel and dry clothing for afterward.
Are hotel pickups included for every activity?
No. Hotel transportation is not included for the whale-watching trip or the Day 4 Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo excursion. Meeting-point instructions will be provided with the confirmed itinerary. Transportation is included when specifically stated for the other scheduled activities.
Are whale and dolphin sightings guaranteed?
No. Whale and dolphin watching takes place in a natural marine environment, so sightings and specific species cannot be guaranteed.
What happens if weather affects an activity?
Weather and sea conditions can affect hiking, canyoning, boating, cycling and kayaking. The itinerary order may be changed for operational or safety reasons. When a scheduled activity cannot operate, the local team will advise you of the available arrangements.
Are meals included?
Daily breakfast is included. Lunch or a picnic is also included during the scheduled full-day excursions. Dinners and any other meals not specifically described as included are additional.
Is this a private tour?
Scheduled guided activities may operate as shared services, and you may join other travelers. Request a tailor-made quotation if you require private guides and transportation throughout the trip.
When is the best time to take this tour?
The package may operate throughout the year, subject to hotel and activity availability. Weather on São Miguel is changeable in every season, so waterproof layers and flexible expectations are important. Summer generally brings greater demand, making early booking advisable.
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To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
Required for the website to work properly and cannot be switched off.
Preferences
Allows the website to remember choices and settings that improve your experience.
Statistics
Helps us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve its performance and content.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
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