This 12-day, 11-night Azores hiking tour combines guided walks with the volcanic scenery and local experiences of Faial, Pico and São Miguel. Hike around Faial’s caldera, cross to Pico for the Caminho dos Burros trail, explore the crater-lake landscapes of Sete Cidades and Lagoa do Fogo, and follow the Sanguinho trail to Salto do Prego waterfall.
The itinerary also includes a full-day exploration of Faial, a geothermal and cultural tour of Furnas, whale and dolphin watching, inter-island transportation, airport and activity transfers, and four nights on Faial followed by seven nights on São Miguel. Guided activities operate as shared rather than private services, while free time in Horta and Ponta Delgada provides opportunities to explore independently.
Is this package right for you?
Is this Azores hiking tour right for you?
This Azores hiking tour is designed for travelers who enjoy regular walking and want to combine guided hikes on Faial, Pico and São Miguel with sightseeing, wildlife watching and independent free time. Trails cross uneven volcanic ground and may be wet or muddy after rain. You should be comfortable walking for several hours and managing moderate climbs and descents.
The walks are non-technical, with no planned scrambling or exposed climbing. The itinerary provides recovery time through several half-day activities, two travel or arrival days and a completely free day on São Miguel.
This is not a private program. It suits couples, friends and solo travelers who are comfortable joining shared guided activities. Travelers who require private guides and transportation throughout the trip should request a tailor-made quotation instead.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 — Arrive on Faial; afternoon at leisure in Horta
Day 2 — Full-day Horta city and Faial Island tour
Day 3 — Ferry to Pico and half-day Caminho dos Burros hike
Day 4 — Half-day hike around Faial’s caldera
Day 5 — Fly from Faial to São Miguel; remainder of the day free
Day 6 — Full-day Furnas geothermal and cultural tour
Day 7 — Half-day Serra Devassa and Sete Cidades hike
Day 8 — Half-day whale and dolphin watching
Day 9 — Full-day Sanguinho and Salto do Prego hike
Day 10 — Full-day Lagoa do Fogo hike
Day 11 — Free day on São Miguel
Day 12 — Airport transfer and departure
Day-by-day itinerary
Walking times, trail access 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 — Faial Island — Arrival
Arrive on Faial and transfer to your hotel in Horta, where you will stay for four nights. The remainder of the day is free to rest or begin exploring Horta independently.
Day 2 — Faial Island — Full-day city and island tour
Begin with hotel pickup for a full-day introduction to Horta and Faial Island. Explore Horta’s history, monuments and marina, including the famous Peter Café Sport, before continuing by van into the island’s volcanic interior.
After an included lunch, visit the Caldeira, a vast volcanic crater with views toward the sea and Pico Island. Continue to Capelinhos, an otherworldly volcanic landscape formed by the 1957–58 eruption. When open, the tour includes a short visit to the Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Center. Return to your hotel at the end of the tour.
Day 3 — Pico Island — Half-day Caminho dos Burros hike
Transfer to Horta harbor and take the approximately 30-minute ferry to Madalena on Pico Island. Meet the local hiking team near the ferry terminal and set out on the Caminho dos Burros trail through Pico’s quiet volcanic landscape.
After the guided hike, return to Madalena harbor for the ferry back to Faial. A guide will meet you in Horta and transfer you to the hotel. No meal is included with today’s activity.
Day 4 — Faial Island — Half-day caldera hike
Transfer from the hotel for a guided hike around Faial’s caldera, part of the island’s protected natural landscape. The volcanic crater is approximately 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) wide, and its rim lies at roughly 840–1,040 meters (2,755–3,412 feet) above sea level.
The route offers elevated views across the caldera and surrounding island landscapes. After the hike, return to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free.
Day 5 — Faial to São Miguel
Transfer to Faial Airport for the inter-island flight to São Miguel. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Ponta Delgada, where you will stay for seven nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Day 6 — São Miguel — Full-day Furnas tour
Travel through Lagoa and Vila Franca do Campo toward the Furnas Valley, one of São Miguel’s most distinctive geothermal areas. At Furnas Lake, see where the traditional cozido stew is cooked underground using natural volcanic heat, then enjoy the dish at a local restaurant.
Continue to Terra Nostra Park, where you can walk through the botanical gardens and bathe in the naturally warm, iron-rich thermal pool. Bring swimwear that may be stained by the mineral-rich water.
The return route follows São Miguel’s north coast and includes a visit to the Gorreana Tea Plantation before returning to Ponta Delgada.
Day 7 — São Miguel — Half-day Sete Cidades hike
After hotel pickup, enjoy a guided hike through Serra Devassa in the Sete Cidades volcanic complex. The route passes small lakes, historic aqueducts and waterfalls within one of São Miguel’s best-known crater-lake landscapes.
Return transportation to the hotel is included. A meal is not included unless confirmed in your quotation.
Day 8 — São Miguel — Whale and dolphin watching
Make your own way to the marina on Ponta Delgada’s main avenue. Hotel pickup and return transportation are not included today.
Before departure, marine biologists provide information about the species that may be encountered, onboard safety and responsible wildlife-viewing practices. The half-day 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 afternoon is free after returning to the marina.
Day 9 — São Miguel — Full-day Sanguinho and Salto do Prego hike
Travel from Ponta Delgada to Faial da Terra in the municipality of Povoação. The guided walk follows a green valley trail through the former village of Sanguinho to the Salto do Prego waterfall. The hike itself takes approximately 3.5 hours.
Enjoy a packed lunch and, when conditions permit, an opportunity to swim near the waterfall. Return along a parallel trail beside the stream, stopping in Vila da Povoação before transferring back to your hotel.
Day 10 — São Miguel — Full-day Lagoa do Fogo hike
Transfer from the hotel for a guided hike through varied vegetation and volcanic scenery to Lagoa do Fogo. This protected nature reserve contains the highest crater lake on São Miguel and offers one of the island’s most recognizable volcanic landscapes.
A picnic lunch and return transportation to the hotel are included.
Day 11 — São Miguel — Free day
Enjoy a free day in Ponta Delgada or arrange an additional sightseeing tour, outdoor activity or independent excursion elsewhere on São Miguel.
Day 12 — São Miguel — Departure
Transfer from your hotel to the airport for your departing flight.
What's included
Important tour information
Weather and sea conditions in the Azores may restrict hiking, boating or sightseeing activities. When necessary, the itinerary order may change for operational or safety reasons.
All scheduled hikes are guided, shared group activities rather than private tours.
Included in this Azores hiking tour
4 nights of hotel accommodation on Faial Island
7 nights of hotel accommodation on São Miguel Island
Daily breakfast
Lunch or a picnic on selected full-day tours
One-way inter-island flight from Faial to São Miguel
Round-trip passenger ferry tickets between Faial and Pico
Airport, harbor, hotel and scheduled activity transfers as described in the itinerary
English-speaking guides for scheduled tours and hikes
Full-day Horta and Faial Island sightseeing tour
Half-day Caminho dos Burros hike on Pico Island
Half-day Faial Caldera hike
Full-day Furnas sightseeing tour on São Miguel
Half-day Serra Devassa and Sete Cidades hike
Half-day whale- and dolphin-watching boat trip
Full-day Sanguinho and Salto do Prego hike
Full-day Lagoa do Fogo hike
24-hour assistance during the trip
Complimentary crate of local São Miguel products
Not included in the tour price
International airfare to and from the Azores; ask us to include airfare in your quotation
Meals not specifically listed as included
Entrance fees not specifically listed as included
Municipal tourist taxes payable directly at hotel check-in
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, and standard rooms.
Comfort/Standard Hotel Package - Includes 4-star tourist class lodging. May include first class 3-star lodging in the smaller islands, standard rooms.
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.
Alternative hotel accommodation will be provided for triple rooms, as not all properties offer this specific room type.
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
Horta - Hotel Horta
Located in the old Azorean town of Horta, the newly-renovated Hotel Horta offers views of Pico Island. It features rooms with balconies, a large garden and an outdoor pool.
Horta’s rooms are decorated in neutral colors, and have wooden furniture. Each of the air-conditioned rooms has a cable TV and a private bathroom with a hairdryer.
The hotel’s panoramic restaurant offers international and regional dishes. The bar and the lounge offer views of the outdoor pool, the pool bar and the garden.
Guests can rent a bicycle to explore the surrounding area. Horta is famous for the whale watching and the volcanoes of Capelinhos and Caldeira.
Horta Airport is 4.3 mi away, and the hotel provides free private parking on site.
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
Horta - Pousada Forte da Horta
Just an 8 minute walk from the beach, The Pousada Forte da Horta is set in a 16th century fortress with a view of Horta Bay and Pico island. This Pousada features air conditioned rooms, a swimming pool, and a regional restaurant. Most of the rooms offer a view of the marina.
Classified as a National Monument since 1947, the Pousada Forte da Horta offers modern rooms with cable TV and a minibar. Each private bathroom is stocked with a hairdryer and bathrobe.
A breakfast buffet is served daily on the poolside veranda terrace. Guests may taste fried pork, tuna and passion fruit pie in Pousada Forte da Horta’s restaurant.
The swimming pool area is furnished with sun beds, tables and parasols. Indoors, there is a lounge with various seating areas and a bar with a piano.
The 24-hour reception offers car rentals and free on-site parking. The Horta Airport is just 5.4 miles from the Pousada Forte da Horta.
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 Azores hiking tour
How fit do I need to be?
You should be accustomed to regular walking and comfortable spending several hours on uneven ground. The hikes are considered moderate and non-technical, but volcanic trails, climbs and changeable weather can make them more demanding than an ordinary city walk.
Is this a private hiking tour or will I join a group?
This is not a private program. Guided hikes and other scheduled activities operate as shared services, and you may join other travelers. Transfers and operating arrangements vary by day.
When is the best time to hike this itinerary?
This Azores hiking package can begin throughout the year, subject to hotel, flight and activity availability. Weather in the Azores can be changeable in every season, so waterproof layers and flexible expectations are important.
Summer generally brings greater demand for hotels, inter-island flights and outdoor activities, making early booking advisable.
What happens if weather affects a hike or boat trip?
Weather and sea conditions can affect hiking trails, ferries and whale-watching trips. The order of activities 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 the inter-island flight and Pico ferry included?
Yes. The package includes the one-way flight from Faial to São Miguel and round-trip passenger ferry tickets between Faial and Pico.
International airfare to and from the Azores is not included, but it can be requested with your quotation.
Can I travel solo?
Yes. Solo pricing is available, but the final price may be affected by minimum-participant requirements for certain activities. Request a quotation for your preferred dates so availability and the applicable solo rate can be confirmed.
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 is the difference between Comfort and Superior hotels?
Comfort packages generally use tourist-class four-star hotels and may include first-class three-star properties on smaller islands. Superior packages use first-class four-star lodging.
Named hotels remain subject to availability. If a listed hotel is unavailable, a comparable property of the same or a better rating may be substituted.
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