Azores Vacation Package

São Miguel Hiking & Canyoning Tour: 8-Day Adventure

8 Days / 7 Nights. Hike Pico da Vara, explore crater lakes, go canyoning, watch whales and discover Furnas on São Miguel.

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 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.

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

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

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.

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 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

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.