This customizable 7-day Sao Miguel vacation combines private guided sightseeing with free time in Ponta Delgada. Explore three of the island's defining volcanic landscapes: the twin lakes of Sete Cidades, the protected crater lake of Lagoa do Fogo and the geothermal Furnas Valley.
Hotels, breakfast and airport transfers are arranged in advance, while three guided touring days introduce you to volcanic viewpoints, historic communities, tea and pineapple cultivation, hot springs and botanical scenery. Two free days leave room for independent exploration or optional whale watching, hiking or other island activities.
Is this package right for you?
This tour suits couples, families and small private parties who want Sao Miguel's principal volcanic landscapes introduced by local driver-guides while retaining two unscheduled days. It is primarily a vehicle-based sightseeing vacation rather than a hiking program.
Travelers should be comfortable getting in and out of a vehicle and taking short walks at viewpoints, gardens, geothermal areas and historic sites. The itinerary can be customized, subject to hotel, vehicle and guide availability.
Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1 — Arrive on Sao Miguel; transfer to Ponta Delgada
Day 2 — Ponta Delgada and Lagoa do Fogo sightseeing
Day 3 — Full-day Sete Cidades tour with picnic
Day 4 — Free day or optional activity
Day 5 — Full-day Furnas geothermal tour
Day 6 — Free day on Sao Miguel
Day 7 — Airport transfer and departure
Day-by-day itinerary
Weather, seasonal access rules and local operating conditions may change the order or routing of sightseeing.
Day 1 — Sao Miguel — Arrival
Arrive at Ponta Delgada Airport and meet your driver for the private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to settle in and begin exploring Ponta Delgada.
Day 2 — Ponta Delgada and Lagoa do Fogo
Begin with an introduction to Ponta Delgada's historic center, including its churches, monuments, fortifications and waterfront. After a midday break, continue by private vehicle toward Lagoa do Fogo, a protected crater lake in the mountainous center of Sao Miguel. Stops depend on visibility, weather and access conditions. Lunch and entrance fees are not included.
Day 3 — Full-day Sete Cidades tour
Travel west with your private driver-guide to the Sete Cidades volcanic complex. View the twin lakes from Vista do Rei, descend into the caldera and visit the lakeside village. The excursion may also include Lagoa do Canario and a pineapple plantation near Ponta Delgada. A picnic is included.
Day 4 — Free day or optional activity
Enjoy an unstructured day in Ponta Delgada or add an optional experience, such as whale watching, hiking or another island excursion. Optional activities are subject to availability and additional cost.
Day 5 — Full-day Furnas tour
Travel along Sao Miguel's south coast toward the Furnas Valley. Visit the lake and geothermal areas where traditional cozido is cooked using underground heat. Continue to Furnas village and Terra Nostra Park, where thermal bathing may be available at additional cost. Return by the north coast with a stop at a tea plantation. Lunch and entrance fees are not included.
Day 6 — Free day on Sao Miguel
Use your final full day to relax, revisit Ponta Delgada or arrange another optional activity elsewhere on the island.
Day 7 — Sao Miguel — Departure
Check out and meet your driver for the private transfer to Ponta Delgada Airport.
What's included
Please note
The order and routing of tours may change because of weather, access restrictions or local operating conditions.
Guided sightseeing is private unless otherwise stated in your quotation.
Included
6 nights' accommodation on Sao Miguel
Daily breakfast
Private arrival and departure airport transfers
Private Ponta Delgada and Lagoa do Fogo sightseeing
Private full-day Sete Cidades tour with picnic
Private full-day Furnas tour
English-speaking driver-guides
Complimentary crate of local products
Hotel service charges
24-hour assistance during the trip
Not included
International and domestic airfare; ask us to include flights in your quotation
Meals other than breakfast and the included picnic
Entrance fees unless specifically listed as included
Municipal tourist taxes payable at hotel check-in
Optional activities, personal expenses, gratuities and travel insurance
Meals
Daily breakfast and one picnic are included. Other meals are at your own expense unless confirmed in your quotation.
What to bring
Bring comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing and a waterproof jacket. Pack swimwear, a towel and dark-colored swimwear if you plan to use the iron-rich thermal pool at Terra Nostra.
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.
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
Is this a private guided Sao Miguel tour?
Yes. The scheduled sightseeing and airport transfers are private unless your quotation states otherwise.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes. Additional tours, activities or hotel nights can be requested, subject to availability and a revised quotation.
Are entrance fees and lunches included?
Daily breakfast and one picnic are included. Other meals and entrance fees are excluded unless specifically confirmed.
Can I bathe in the Furnas thermal pools?
Thermal bathing may be possible during the Furnas tour, subject to time, operating conditions and payment of the applicable entrance fee. Iron-rich water may stain light-colored swimwear.
What can I do on the free days?
You may explore independently or request optional whale watching, hiking, canyoning or additional sightseeing. Availability and supplemental prices must be confirmed.
Can weather affect the tours?
Yes. Cloud, wind, rain and seasonal access controls may change routes, stops or the order of sightseeing.
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