Walking in the Azores

14 days
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4.6/5 Excellent
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Small Group Tour
Discover the best of four Azores unspoilt islands; Sao Miguel, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial. This gentle walking holiday explores the beautiful and varied landscapes; crater lakes, extinct volcanoes, vineyards, thermal springs and craggy coastlines. Sete Cidades - Crater walk with stunning views of the twin blue and green lakes Whale watching - Opportunity t...
19%
$3,592
From$2,920
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Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star

Highlights

    • Discover the best of four Azores unspoilt islands on this gentle walking holiday
    • Walk on the island's craters with stunning views of the twin blue and green lakes
    • Visit the Furna Valley and soak in natural hot spring pools before enjoying the tradtionnal stew, slow cooked in volcanic ground

What's this trip about?

    Discover the best of four Azores unspoilt islands; Sao Miguel, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial. This gentle walking holiday explores the beautiful and varied landscapes; crater lakes, extinct volcanoes, vineyards, thermal springs and craggy coastlines. Sete Cidades - Crater walk with stunning views of the twin blue and green lakes Whale watching - Opportunity to take a boat trip alongside whales and dolphins Faja dos Cubres - Follow a hydrangea lined path down to this unique lagoon

Details

Itinerary focusOff the Beaten Path
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 20 people
Age range16 to 85 years
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityPonta Delgada
End CityHorta

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Portugal

Attractions

  • Azores
  • Faial
  • Flores
  • Pico
  • Ponta Delgada
  • Santa Cruz
  • Sao Miguel

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Join trip in Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel

Arrive in Ponta Delgada, Located on the harbour of Sao Miguel, the Azores largest island, Ponta Delgada is a charming historic city with narrow cobbled streets and some interesting buildings worth a visit, such as the Municipal city hall with its reflecting pool in th...

Day 2 Walk around Sete Cidades, see the colourful crater lakes

Basing ourselves at Ponta Delgada, the island's capital, we spend our first 3 days exploring Sao Miguel - the largest of the islands we visit. We use a mixture of local and private buses to transfer us to and from our walks. For our first day walking we drive to t...

Day 3 Enjoy lakeside walk, lunch among volcanic scenery and visit thermal pools

We make a stop at Gorreana, Europe's oldest and only remaining tea factory and continue to Lagoa das Furnas where we take a walk around the shores of the lake, stopping to see the natural ovens (cavities in the rock). In the huge hollow of Furnas Valley, diverse volca...

Day 4 Free day; optional walks or boat trip to look for whales

Today is left free to explore more of the island on and off shore. You may wish to do one of the many walks around the island, options include the 5 kilometre/3.1 miles circular Serra Devassa trail or the more challenging 8 kilometre/5 miles Salto do Cabrito trail to the waterfall on the north coast. Another option is to take a whale searching trip.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 5 Fly to Sao Jorge Island

Today we take a short flight to the island of Sao Jorge. This curiously elongated island is some 56 kilometre/34.8 miles long, but only 8 kilometre/5 miles wide, having been created by a series of linear volcanic eruptions. The island remained almost isolated for many...

Day 6 Walk through Caldeira de Cima gorge down to Faja dos Cubres

We spend two full days walking on Sao Jorge, a place of precipitous cliffs, narrow valleys and tiny coves. On our first day, we'll head from Velas to the north side of the island. A stunning walk starting from the 700 metre/2300 feet high ridge of Sao Jorge leads us t...

Day 7 Free day with a choice of optional walks including the descent from the central spine to Faja Ouividor

Our second day is left free for optional walks, and your tour leader will advise on the various possibilities. Views of the surrounding islands are excellent from Pico da Esperanca ridge walk (1,053 metre/3455 feet) in the centre of the island, while a walk along the ...

Day 8 Ferry to Pico Island and wine tasting in the afternoon

This, morning, we take a boat to Pico and transfer to our accommodation at Madalena. The island covers some (42 kilometre/26 miles) by (16 kilometre/10 miles) and is dominated by its volcano, Pico Alto, reaching up to 2350 metre/7710 feet. For those interested in ...

Day 9 Optional whale watching and walk through UNESCO World Heritage landscape

This morning, there is an opportunity to visit the other main town Lajes do Pico, and have the opportunity to take a whale-watching trip from Lajes to spot sperm whales as well as several species of dolphins. We then transfer to Porto do Calhau in the village of C...

Day 10 Misterios do Sul coastal walk

Today we walk along the south coast of the island. The walking trail of Misterios do Sul do Pico starts in the Forest Reserve and passes by the lava landmarks of Misterio de Sao Joao and the Misterio da Silveira from the historical volcanic eruptions of 1718 and 1720,...

Day 11 Take the ferry to Faial Island; explore Horta

This morning, we cross by ferry to the charming island of Faial, where the harbour is often full of yachts, half way through their transatlantic crossing. The remainder of the day is free to stroll the streets and harbour of Horta. There is a circular walk from the ho...

Day 12 Excursion of the island, walk around the Caldeira and visit the Capelinhos volcano centre

Today we explore the Ilha Azul, taking a tour of the island by private bus. We head to the stunning Caldeira often shrouded in cloud, where we view the lush green-carpeted crater and walking along its edge. The views over the island are particularly impressive in summ...

Day 13 Circular walk down to Faja da Praia do Norte

Heading to the north of the island, today's trail begins and ends at Praia do Norte Parish, descending to Faja da Praia do Norte, a faja (headland) formed by lava from the eruption of the Cabeco do Fogo volcano. Heading towards the sea we follow the road passing by...

Day 14 Trip ends in Horta, Faial Island

The trip ends after breakfast at our hotel in Horta. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Horta at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you would like an ai...

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Dates & Availability

Price From $2,920
Price per day$209
Last Updated: 5/8/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Single Room (Optional)
Availability
16 May 2024
29 May 2024
$3,520
$940
Sold Out
02 Jun 2024
15 Jun 2024
$3,730
$1,070
1 spots left
16 Jun 2024
29 Jun 2024
$3,790
$1,210
2 spots left
07 Jul 2024
20 Jul 2024
$3,300
$980
2 spots left
21 Jul 2024
03 Aug 2024
$2,920
$980
4 spots left
04 Aug 2024
17 Aug 2024
$3,280
$1,270
11 spots left
18 Aug 2024
31 Aug 2024
$3,110
$980
4 spots left
08 Sep 2024
21 Sep 2024
$3,510
$1,170
1 spots left
22 Sep 2024
05 Oct 2024
$3,250
$950
2 spots left
10 Oct 2024
23 Oct 2024
$3,110
$850
8 spots left

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Explore!.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Explore! Reviews & Ratings

4.6/5  Excellent
Excellent
6,808
Great
2,261
Average
379
Disappointing
120
Terrible
58
K

Karen

Nov 2023

Written on

Azores Island Hopping

I loved the walks on Flores, Terceira, and São Jorge. Tanya, our tour guide, was great fun and very knowledgeable and passionate about the Açores. She was easily abl...

T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2023

Written on

Walking in the Azores

Very good tour leader showed us the variety of the islands, so diff...

T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2023

Written on

Walking in the Azores

Nice Islands, each with their own uniqueness.

T

Trusted Customer

Oct 2023

Written on

Azores Island Hopping

Being able to visit 5 islands, each with their own character.

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Other Explore! Reviews

I

Ian wood

May 2024

Written on

As always helpful and not evasive Direct answers and and not sales talky

Very friendly and down to earth. Honest opinions and viewpoints. Quick to inform of any updates. Was prepared to to give probable/possible outcomes to my hypothet...

J

Jennifer

May 2024

Written on

Efficient (as always)

She quickly looked at possible flights from several different airports. ...

L

Lynne

May 2024

Written on

Great experience

Very helpful and efficient

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Tour Operator

Explore!

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About Explore

We've been taking small groups on adventure vacations for over 41 years. Our authentic adventure travel experiences explore the sights and culture of a country, with hand-picked accommodation that balances comfort and location. Our average group tour size is just 11; perfect for meeting new people and getting to the heart of our destinations. Explore is one of the world's most trusted adventure travel companies with over 350 trips to more than 100 countries. We are passionate about travel and have developed a wide range of unique activities and adventures which give our customers an unforgettable experience with a team of award-winning Explore leaders. With Explore, you'll get to see your destination from a whole new perspective that takes you away from the typical well-trodden tourist track. You'll have the chance to meet, dine and stay with local people, rest in authentic accommodation with other like-minded explorers and travel to must-see destinations with a unique Explore twist. From family holidays to trips for solo travelers; cycling tours to wildlife safaris; trekking on mountains or exploring miles of scenic coastline, there is something for every kind of traveler with Explore. We will provide our expert knowledge, exciting itineraries and outstanding service as part of our sustainable travel experiences which take you under the skin of the country you're visiting for the adventure of a lifetime.


Why we love this operator
They explore a place beyond the typical tourist traps and offer exciting activities that bring the “wow factor” intrepid travelers want.
What they’re known for
Famous for our expert local guides that help ease the unknowns of adventure travel while bringing a unique richness and spontaneity to each and every

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Logistics

Transportation & Flights

Bus, Ferry, Flight, Public Bus, Taxi,

Transportation & flights

Bus, Ferry, Flight, Public Bus, Taxi
Guides
Explore Tour Leader, Boat Crew
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Portugal: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. The Azores: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office. If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
Health & Safety
Nothing compulsory but Tetanus is usually recommended as a precaution. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at <a href="https://www.explore.co.uk/essential-information/know-before-you-go/travel-health">Explore Travel Health</a> and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.
Meals Included
  • Breakfast : 13
  • Lunch : 1
Age Requirements
16 to 85 years
Additional Information
Trip ID
explore-AZ

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