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Lagoa Verde lake near Sete Cidades in the Caldeira, Island of Sao Miguel, Azores, Portugal
SCENIC VIEW OF LAKE AGAINST SKY
GROUP OF PEOPLE IN RESTAURANT

ATLANTIC AZORES

Explore Portugal's volcanic archipelago by foot, bike, kayak and boat.

Destination
Starts at

Ponta Delgada

Destination
Ends at

Ponta Delgada

Destination
Duration

6 days

Destination
Group Size

Maximum 8

Destination
Physical Rating

moderate Information

Destination
Style

discovery Information

About your trip

Discover mythical landscapes, spectacular wildlife and delicious food and wine on this six-day adventure in the Azores – the remote Portuguese archipelago at the mid-Atlantic juncture between the Eurasian, African and North American tectonic plates. You’ll be based on São Miguel, the largest island, renowned for having fiery volcanic features and abundant marine life. After exploring the capital, Ponta Delgada, get ready for a series of exhilarating experiences, including kayaking around a crater lake, whale-watching and abseiling down waterfalls. Round off your trip by soaking in hot springs and making 'cozido', a hearty Azorean stew, slow-cooked underground using geothermal energy. All of our trips are flightless in destination, with 100% of all carbon emissions offset. It's just part of how we see the world while being good to it.

Trip Highlights

  • Cycle and kayak around the Sete Cidades crater lakes
  • Spot whales and dolphins on an optional marine safari
  • Abseil down waterfalls and swim in natural rock pools
  • Hike around Furnas Lake
  • Soak in mineral-rich hot springs
  • Cook a traditional cozido stew using geothermal energy

Your Itinerary

Touch down on São Miguel island and make your way to the hotel, where you’ll be greeted by our Local Insider, who will accompany the group throughout the trip. In the afternoon, you’ll set off on a walking tour of Ponta Delgada, the small but lively capital, with whitewashed baroque architecture, a bar-lined harbourfront and a thriving culinary scene. After checking out the sights, enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow travellers at a local restaurant.

Accommodation

Hotel Marina Atlântico

Activities Included
  • Ponta Delgada walking tour
  • Welcome dinner

Today, you’ll venture to the far west of São Miguel to explore the scenic Sete Cidades – two shimmering crater lakes (one blue, one green), surrounded by Japanese cedar, laurel and juniper forests. A Jeep tour is the perfect way to take in the unspoilt volcanic scenery, before tucking into a delicious lunch of Portuguese petiscos (small plates) and wine. Spend the afternoon cycling around the lakes and descending into the crater itself to kayak, before returning to Ponta Delgada.

Accommodation

Hotel Marina Atlântico

Activities Included
  • Sete Cidades Jeep tour
  • Sete Cidades cycling
  • Sete Cidades kayaking

Wildlife enthusiast? The waters around the Azores are teeming with life, home to some 28 species of whale and dolphin, including blue whales – the largest animals on the planet. Go looking for cetaceans of all sizes on an optional marine safari, or use the time to explore Ponta Delgada further, before an afternoon hike through to the Salto do Cabrito waterfall in Ribeira Grande. Here, you’ll learn all about the geology of the Azores and how the islands harness their natural resources to generate sustainable energy. Don’t forget swimming gear – the rock pools at the bottom of the waterfall are a prime spot for a refreshing dip.

Accommodation

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

Activities Included
  • Salto do Cabrito waterfall hike
Optional Activities
  • Whale watching

If the idea of rappelling across cascading waterfalls and sliding down rocky ravines gets your adrenaline pumping, you’ll be in your element at Ribeira dos Caldeirões – a protected area in the northeast of São Miguel, carpeted in thick, subtropical forest. It’s an exhilarating experience which allows you to fully immerse yourself in nature as you grapple with the elements. Next, you’ll head to Furnas – one of the most geothermally active areas in the Azores, and your base for the rest of the trip. Come nightfall, enjoy a cocktail-making class and a soothing soak in the area’s natural hot springs.

Accommodation

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

Activities Included
  • Canyoning
  • Cocktail making

Now you’re familiar with the volcanic makeup of the Azores, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test by preparing cozido das Furnas. This hearty meat-and-vegetable stew, cooked in an underground pot using nothing but geothermal heat, is an integral part of São Miguel’s food heritage, which takes around six hours to perfect. While it bubbles away, head out on a hike around the Furnas crater lake to work up an appetite. Later, relax and enjoy your geothermally-cooked feast for dinner – a quintessentially Azorean way to round off your trip.

Accommodation

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

Activities Included
  • Cozido stew making
  • Furnas Lake hike
  • Farewell dinner

After one final breakfast, it’s time to check out of the hotel and bid farewell to your new friends as you return to the airport to catch your flight home. Alternatively, extend your stay and explore further what the Azores has to offer.

What's Included

  • Two nights premium hotel accommodation
  • Three nights botanical gardens hotel accommodation
  • Private and local transport
  • Five breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners
  • Local Insider
  • Ponta Delgada walking tour
  • Sete Cidades Jeep tour
  • Sete Cidades cycling
  • Sete Cidades kayaking
  • Salto do Cabrito waterfall hike
  • Canyoning
  • Cocktail making
  • Cozido stew making
  • Furnas Lake hike

What's Not Included

  • Visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Flights to and from the destination

Customer Reviews

Accommodation

Hotel Marina Atlântico

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This sleek waterfront hotel is just a short walk along the promenade from the Old Town of Ponta Delgada. Along with spacious, airy rooms with marble-tiled bathrooms, you’ll have access to a heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish bath – perfect for unwinding and recharging after an action-packed day exploring. 

Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

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Soothe aching limbs as you soak in steaming, mineral-rich hot springs surrounded by botanical gardens at this tranquil boutique hideaway in the Furnas area. Inside, expect elegant art-deco touches throughout, luxurious beds, a fabulously fresh buffet breakfast, plus innovative cocktails and Azorean fine wines at The Gardener bar. 

COVID Safety

Your safety and wellbeing are our top priority, so we’ve put the following measures in place on all our TRIPS:

  • Our average group size is 10 people (max 18), which gives you all the security of being in a group whilst avoiding a crowd.
  • Where possible, we use small/boutique accommodation – this means fewer guests and reduced exposure to other travellers.
  • We require all accommodation providers to share protocols around the extra health and hygiene measures they are taking.
  • Included activities are exclusive to our group wherever possible, to minimise contact with others.
  • Covid-19 negative test results or vaccine certificates may be required. Please check the entry requirements for the destination you are travelling to. Our travel experts can assist you in finding this information.
  • We recommend you confirm all guidance on official government sites and check that you are able to travel with your travel insurance issuer. Your travel insurance may be invalidated if you travel against government advice. Our travel experts can assist you in finding this information.

Important Info

  • You must be aged 25 years or over to join this trip.
  • Please be sure to check whether or not you need a visa to enter the country you're travelling to. Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions for further information.
  • If you have any pre-existing medical conditions or accessibility requirements, please notify our Customer Support team as soon as possible.
  • We won't charge you extra if you travel alone – you'll be allocated a twin room with another traveller of the same gender.
  • To upgrade to a private room, share a room with a friend, or book pre- and post-trip accommodation and/or airport transfers, please contact our Customer Support team.
  • Please be aware that travel insurance is compulsory for all travellers.
  • Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. While unlikely, these changes can happen due to circumstances beyond our control. We will always do our best to ensure minimal impact on your experience.
  • Please be aware images on this page are for illustrative purposes and may not reflect your itinerary exactly.

Additional Info

Cancellation Policy

The world of travel is changing – and that's why we’re offering flexible booking conditions, to take the stress out of booking in times of uncertainty.

You can get a full refund should you need to postpone or cancel your trip up to 56 days prior to departure. 

Read our Booking Guarantee to find out more about how our Support Team can help you. 

For the full details and cancellation charges, see our Booking Terms & Conditions.

Terms & Conditions

Please refer to our Booking Terms & Conditions.

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Hassle-Free Booking

When booking with us, you’ll benefit from a low deposit payment option, flexible cancellation options and personal customer support. T&Cs apply.

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