This 7-day, 6-night Pico self-drive package gives you time to explore the Azores' Mountain Island beyond a quick day trip. Drive through UNESCO-listed vineyard landscapes, visit whaling towns and lava formations, follow the highland road beneath Mount Pico and discover natural swimming areas around the coast.
Six hotel nights, daily breakfast and an automatic rental car are arranged in advance. The suggested itinerary balances wine culture, volcanic geology, maritime heritage and flexible coastal drives. Mount Pico climbing, whale watching and cave visits are optional and require separate planning.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 — Arrive on Pico; collect your rental car
Day 2 — Madalena and the UNESCO vineyard landscape
Day 3 — Lajes do Pico and whaling heritage
Day 4 — São Roque, north-coast villages and lava pools
Day 5 — Pico highlands and volcanic landscapes
Day 6 — Flexible day, optional cave visit or whale watching
Day 7 — Return the car and depart Pico
Is this package right for you?
This package suits independent travelers interested in volcanic landscapes, wine culture, maritime history and quiet coastal villages. Six nights provide time to explore Pico beyond its most familiar viewpoints.
Drivers should be comfortable with narrow roads, steep grades, rural conditions and rapidly changing visibility around the mountain. Optional caves, boat trips and major hikes require separate reservations and appropriate physical preparation.
It is not the best match for travelers who assume a Mount Pico climb or whale sighting is guaranteed, or who want a guided daily program.
Day-by-day itinerary
These routes are suggestions rather than included tours. Adjust them for weather, visibility, road access, attraction opening times and your preferred pace.
Day 1 — Pico Island — Arrival
Arrive on Pico, collect your automatic rental car and drive to your hotel, where you will stay for six nights. The remainder of the day is free to settle in and explore nearby.
Day 2 — Madalena and Pico's vineyards
Explore Madalena and the UNESCO-listed Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture. Follow the coast through areas such as Criação Velha and Lajido, where black lava walls shelter vines from Atlantic wind and salt.
Wine tastings, museums and guided vineyard visits are not included and may require advance reservations.
Day 3 — Lajes do Pico and maritime heritage
Drive to Lajes do Pico for its waterfront and whaling heritage, then continue through southern villages and coastal viewpoints. Ask about separately arranged whale-watching trips if this is of interest.
Wildlife sightings and boat departures depend on natural and sea conditions and cannot be guaranteed.
Day 4 — São Roque and the north coast
Explore São Roque do Pico, the north coast and small communities shaped by fishing, whaling and volcanic stone. Stop at designated natural pools when conditions are safe.
Ocean access should always be based on posted warnings, sea conditions and seasonal safety services.
Day 5 — Pico highlands
Drive across Pico's high interior for views of volcanic cones, pastureland and Mount Pico when the weather is clear. Continue to whichever coast has the best conditions and revisit a favorite village or viewpoint.
This is a scenic driving day, not a Mount Pico climb. Mountain weather can change rapidly.
Day 6 — Flexible day or optional activity
Use your final full day for an optional whale-watching trip, a reserved visit to Gruta das Torres, a winery experience or additional independent exploration.
A Mount Pico climb should only be attempted by properly prepared travelers under current registration and access rules. It is strenuous, weather-dependent and not included in this package.
Day 7 — Pico Island — Departure
Check out, refuel and return the rental car at the confirmed airport or harbor location. Allow enough time for the vehicle inspection and onward check-in.
What's included
Please note
This is an independent hotel-and-car package. Guided sightseeing and admission fees are not included.
Climbing Mount Pico is a strenuous, separately arranged activity subject to registration, conditions and current access rules.
Hotel nights can be added or removed subject to availability and a revised quotation.
Included
6 nights' accommodation on Pico
Daily breakfast
Automatic rental car for the scheduled seven-day rental period
Unlimited kilometers
Basic collision damage waiver and theft protection, subject to the rental agreement, exclusions and applicable excess
Applicable hotel taxes, excluding municipal tourist taxes payable locally
24-hour assistance during the trip
Not included
Flights or ferry transportation to and from Pico; ask us to include transportation in your quotation
Fuel, parking charges, traffic fines and other driving expenses
Super collision damage waiver, reduced-excess coverage and other optional insurance
Additional drivers, child seats, GPS units, upgrades and other rental extras unless quoted
Meals, admission fees, guided tours, Mount Pico climbs and optional activities
Municipal tourist taxes payable directly at hotel check-in
Rental-car information
Automatic transmission is included, but the exact vehicle make and model are subject to availability. The lead driver must satisfy the supplier's license, age, identification and payment-card requirements.
Driving preparation
Bring the original driver's license, accepted identification and a payment card in the lead driver's name. Expect narrow village roads, exposed coastal stretches, steep grades and changing mountain weather.
Dates & rates
Understanding the rates
Package Type
Some packages offer a choice of hotel categories. The category selected affects the hotels and per-person price.
Superior/Premier Hotel Package — First-class 4-star lodging in standard rooms.
Comfort/Standard Hotel Package — Tourist-class 4-star lodging in standard rooms. On smaller islands, the package may use selected first-class 3-star properties.
Hotel Notes
Each package includes a summary of the proposed hotels. For complete property details, consult the hotel's official website.
Named hotels are subject to availability. If a listed hotel is unavailable, a comparable property of the same or a better rating may be offered.
If you prefer a specific hotel, ocean-view room or other room feature, tell us when submitting your booking request. Requests cannot be guaranteed, and additional charges may apply.
Room and Car Occupancy
Self-drive prices are per person and vary according to the number of travelers sharing the room and rental car.
Solo — One person traveling alone, occupying a private room and using the rental car alone.
Single — One person occupying a private room while sharing the rental car and package arrangements with others in the travel party.
Double — Two people sharing one room and the rental car.
Triple — Three people sharing one room and the rental car.
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
Madalena - Hotel Caravelas
Located on Madalena’s waterfront, Caravelas is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on 3 sides and overlooks Faial Island. It features an outdoor pool, a 24-hour front desk, and car rental.
The air conditioned rooms at Hotel Caravelas open out onto private balconies with views of the ocean or Pico Mountain. All rooms include a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a minibar, and a private bathroom.
Guests can enjoy a daily buffet breakfast at the restaurant of the hotel, or discover the many cafés that surround the property, serving traditional Azorean specialties. The in-house bar offers soft drinks and the renowned Pico Wine.
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.
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 per vacation 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
$350 per person if canceled up to 50 days prior departure.
25% of total reservation if cancelled 49-39 days prior departure plus any other additional fee.
50% of total reservation if canceled 38-31 days prior departure plus any other additional fee.
No refunds if canceled less than 30 days prior departure.
Cancellation Policy - Airfare
Airfare cancellation terms and conditions will be provided to you before ticket is booked.
Refund Fees
A 3.9% 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 Book Now 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
Is the rental car included for the entire stay?
The package includes an automatic car for the scheduled seven-day rental period, with collection and return locations stated in your confirmation.
Is an automatic car included?
Yes. Automatic transmission is included. The exact make, model and class remain subject to supplier availability.
What rental-car insurance is included?
Basic collision damage waiver and theft protection are included, subject to the supplier's agreement, exclusions and excess. Optional reduced-excess coverage is not included unless quoted.
Are flights or ferries included?
No. Transportation to and from Pico is not included in the land-package price, but flights or ferry arrangements can be requested.
Is climbing Mount Pico included?
No. The climb is a strenuous, separately arranged activity subject to current registration, capacity, weather and access rules. Travelers should evaluate their fitness and reserve appropriate services in advance.
Is whale watching included?
No. Whale watching may be added separately. Departures depend on sea conditions, and wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Do I need to reserve Gruta das Torres?
Capacity and visiting arrangements are limited, so check current requirements and reserve before travel.
Are fuel, parking and admissions included?
No. Fuel, parking, attraction admissions and other personal expenses are paid locally.
Can I add or remove nights?
Yes. The stay can be customized subject to hotel and rental-car availability and a revised quotation.
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