Volcanoes & Fajas Walking Experience on Sao Miguel and Sao Jorge

Arrive in Sao Miguel and transfer to the hotel in the valley of Furnas.

After breakfast, join your first walking trail in Ribeira Funda. This route follows the beach at Praiada Viola to Maia., a small fishing village home to a tobacco museum—the Azores famously used to produce large quantities of dried tobacco leaves—and a theatre housed in a pretty pink building. Enjoy fantastic views of the village, set against beautiful scenery, passing old watermills surrounded by taro and beautiful waterfalls. Transfer back to the hotel. (B)

Today’s walk begins in Lombado Cavaleiro and ending at Ribeira Quente, a quiet coastal community with a pretty beach. Enjoy some time to explore the beach at Ribeira Quente, eat in a local restaurant or visiting the fishing port. Return transfer to the Hotel. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to Faial da Terra in the south east region of Sao Miguel and join a trail which leads to Salto do Prego. This walk follows a path through an old village to a reach beautiful waterfall and ends ending at Faial da Terra town. Return transfer to the Hotel. (B)

After breakfast begin a walk to the Lake of Furnas, one of the most iconic spots on Sao Miguel, and indeed the whole archipelago. At Furnas, the landscape is dominated by two volcanic calderas, one of which is home to an emerald lake in its crater. Wherever you turn in this region, the surrounding environment serves reminders of the Azores’ volcanic geology, with volcanic peaks and fertile soils resulting in lush green valleys, and hot springs bubbling alongside steaming geyser fields. During this walk, stop to visit the Environmental Centre of Furnas. This afternoon transfer by taxi to the Hotel in Ponta Delgada. During the trip visit the most beautiful viewpoints of the north coast along with a tea plantation. (B)

After breakfast walk to Lagoa do Fogo—the Lake of Fire. This stunning, deep blue lake is one of the most famous and iconic sights of Sao Miguel, and arguably all of the Azores. The crater lake is situated within the Água de Pau Massif stratovolcano in the center of the island, and surrounded by hydrangea bushes which bloom in bold blues and pinks in the spring March-June season. Today’s routes take in the best of the local scenery, ranging from mountains and hilltop viewpoints to meandering valleys and the coast—even including time to take a dip in the sea or to relax on the beach. (B)

After breakfast enjoy a walk to Sete Cidades, another of Sao Miguel’s famous natural wonders, to visit the large crater with it's emerald lake. The crater itself stretches over three miles, so the views around the region are immense. Marvel at the beautiful view of the island, lakes and the sea before walking down to the village of Sete Cidades. (B)

Transfer to airport for your short flight to the island of Sao Jorge. On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Velas, a port town on the south coast, and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Today set off to explore Sao Jorge by embarking on a walk from Pico Das Caldeirinhas to Fajado Ouvidor, the most populated (though still relatively sparse) of the Fajas, areas of flat coastal land formed by debris slides and collapsed cliffs, on the northern coast of Sao Jorge. This route will take you walking through the central part of the island and tackling relatively moderate trails to reach the highest mountain of Sao Jorge, Pico a Esperanca, which stands at 1053 metres. (B)

Today start the trail at Faja dos Vimes, another of Sao Jorge’s large Fajas, long and slender at the foot of steeply rising mountains, and walk to Faja de Sao Joao, home to a small community on the south coast. This trail affords marvellous views of the nearby tiny island, Pico, and it’s central mountain. Return transfer to the hotel. (B)

After breakfast, walk the trail from Serrado Topoto Faja dos Cubres on the north coast. See the protected nature reserve at Faja do Santo Cristo with its underground cave and lake, the only place in the Azores where clams can be found. Faja dos is one of the most isolated places in the Azores with summer houses and few inhabitants. View Graciosa island from the trail before transferring to the harbour for a boat trip to the island of Faial. Transfer to the Hotel Faial. (B)

Free day at leisure to relax or explore at your own pace. Perhaps opt for a city tour of Horta, a jeep tour of the island or a whale watching trip—the Azores boast world-class whale and dolphin spotting opportunities from the surrounding warm waters. (B)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to the UK. (B)