Azores Vacation Package

Azores Hiking Tour: 9-Day Three-Island Hiking Adventure

9 Days / 8 Nights. Six guided hikes across São Miguel, Pico and Faial, with flights and Pico ferries included.

This printable guide is intended as a convenient reference. Final vouchers, confirmations and travel documents remain the official record of services included in a reservation.

Tour Overview

What is this 8-night Azores hiking tour like?

This 9-day, 8-night Azores hiking tour combines guided walks on São Miguel, Pico and Faial with volcanic scenery, waterfalls, crater lakes and the UNESCO-listed Landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture. The itinerary includes four nights on São Miguel followed by four nights on Faial, with two ferry trips to Pico for guided hiking excursions.

On São Miguel, follow the Sanguinho trail to Salto do Prego waterfall, hike through Serra Devassa in the Sete Cidades volcanic complex and explore the protected landscape surrounding Lagoa do Fogo. After flying to Faial, cross by ferry to Pico for the Santana-to-Lajido vineyard trail and Caminho dos Burros before completing a guided hike around Faial’s caldera.

A minimum of two participants is normally required. Solo travelers may request a quotation, but the price and availability of individual activities must be confirmed for their travel dates.

At a glance

Day 1 — Arrive on São Miguel; transfer to Ponta Delgada
Day 2 — Full-day Sanguinho and Salto do Prego hike
Day 3 — Half-day Serra Devassa and Sete Cidades hike
Day 4 — Full-day Lagoa do Fogo hike
Day 5 — Fly from São Miguel to Faial; afternoon at leisure in Horta
Day 6 — Ferry to Pico and half-day Santana-to-Lajido vineyard hike
Day 7 — Ferry to Pico and half-day Caminho dos Burros hike
Day 8 — Half-day Faial Caldera perimeter hike
Day 9 — Airport transfer and departure

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Walking distances and times are approximate. Trail access, ferry schedules 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 to your hotel in Ponta Delgada, where you will stay for four nights. The remainder of the day is free to rest or begin exploring the city independently.

Day 2 — São Miguel — Full-day Sanguinho and Salto do Prego hike

After hotel pickup, travel approximately 65 kilometers (40 miles) 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, while the complete excursion lasts about seven hours.

Enjoy a packed lunch and, when conditions permit, an opportunity to swim near the waterfall. Return along a parallel trail beside the stream before stopping in Vila da Povoação, the island’s first settlement, founded in 1427. Transfer back to your hotel at the end of the excursion.

Day 3 — São Miguel — Half-day Serra Devassa and Sete Cidades hike

After hotel pickup, hike through Serra Devassa and the Nascentes do Canário area in the Sete Cidades volcanic complex. The approximately 9.1-kilometer (5.65-mile) route passes lakes, historic aqueducts and waterfalls within one of São Miguel’s most recognizable volcanic landscapes.

The hike is rated moderate and takes approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. A meal is included. Return transportation operates as arranged locally.

Day 4 — São Miguel — Full-day Lagoa do Fogo hike

Transfer from the hotel for a guided hike through varied vegetation and volcanic scenery surrounding Lagoa do Fogo. The approximately 11-kilometer (6.84-mile) route leads through a protected natural landscape associated with São Miguel’s highest crater lake.

The hike is rated moderate, and the complete excursion lasts approximately seven hours. A meal and return transportation to the hotel are included.

Day 5 — São Miguel to Faial

Check out from your Ponta Delgada hotel and transfer to the airport for the inter-island flight to Faial. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in Horta, where you will stay for four nights. The remainder of the day is free to explore Horta independently.

Day 6 — Pico Island — Half-day Santana-to-Lajido vineyard hike

Transfer from your hotel to Horta harbor and take the approximately 30-minute ferry to Madalena on Pico Island. Meet the local hiking team near the ferry terminal before beginning the Santana-to-Lajido trail.

The approximately 8.5-kilometer (5.28-mile) route explores Pico’s historic wine culture, including black-lava wine cellars, old ox-cart tracks and traditional vineyard plots known as currais. These stone-walled plots form part of the cultural landscape associated with Pico’s UNESCO World Heritage designation.

The easy-rated hike takes approximately 2.5 hours. Afterward, return to Madalena for the ferry to Faial and transfer back to your hotel. The afternoon is free. If you would like additional time on Pico, ask whether a later return ferry can be arranged.

Day 7 — Pico Island — Half-day Caminho dos Burros hike

Transfer to Horta harbor and take the ferry to Madalena on Pico. Meet the local hiking team near the terminal and continue to the starting point of the Caminho dos Burros trail.

The approximately 11.2-kilometer (6.96-mile) moderate route begins on Pico’s central plateau and descends through endemic vegetation toward Prainha Forest Park and Baía das Canas. Stop for a break at the forest park; lunch is not included. When conditions permit, there may be an opportunity to swim in the natural bay.

The hike takes approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes. Afterward, return to Madalena for the ferry to Faial and transfer back to your hotel.

Day 8 — Faial Island — Half-day caldera perimeter hike

Transfer from the hotel for a guided circular hike around Faial’s caldera within the Faial Natural Park. 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 approximately 6.8-kilometer (4.23-mile) moderate hike takes about 4.5 hours and offers elevated views across the crater and surrounding island landscapes. Return to the hotel after the hike and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 9 — Faial Island — Departure

Check out from your hotel and transfer to Faial Airport for your departing flight.

What's included

Included in this Azores hiking tour

4 nights of hotel accommodation on São Miguel Island
4 nights of hotel accommodation on Faial Island
Daily breakfast
Lunch, picnic or another meal when specifically described in the itinerary
One-way inter-island flight from São Miguel to Faial
Round-trip passenger ferry tickets between Faial and Pico on Days 6 and 7
Airport, harbor, hotel and scheduled activity transfers as described in the itinerary
English-speaking guides for scheduled hikes
Full-day Sanguinho and Salto do Prego hiking excursion
Half-day Serra Devassa and Nascentes do Canário hike
Full-day Lagoa do Fogo hike
Half-day Santana-to-Lajido hike through Pico’s UNESCO-listed vineyard landscape
Half-day Caminho dos Burros hike on Pico
Half-day Faial Caldera perimeter hike
Complimentary crate of local São Miguel products
24-hour assistance during the trip

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

Important tour information

Weather and sea conditions in the Azores may restrict hiking or ferry services. When necessary, the itinerary order may change for operational or safety reasons.
All scheduled hikes are guided and may operate as shared rather than private activities.
A minimum of two participants is normally required. Solo travelers may request a quotation, but prices and activity availability are subject to confirmation.

Hotels

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

Hotel Horta

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.

Hotel Ponta Delgada

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

Pousada Forte da Horta

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.

Vila Gale Collection S. Miguel

Ponta Delgada

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.

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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.