Highlights of the Azores

Trip Type: Explorer

Portugal | 7 D | 1 - 12 People

Starts From:

NZD 3,402.00 /Person

Explore the Azores with an array of unique experiences, starting on Sao Miguel where you’ll taste fresh pineapple from greenhouses and enjoy a traditional volcanic stew.

Highlights of the Azores

Explore the Azores with an array of unique experiences, starting on Sao Miguel where you’ll taste fresh pineapple from greenhouses and enjoy a traditional volcanic stew. Sail to Pico Island for a glimpse into its volcanic past and a tasting at a local distillery. Hike around Horta and pay a visit to Capelinhos volcano, then wander its charming streets, discovering architectural gems and local culture. Relax with a famous G&T at Cafe Sport, a favourite haunt for sailors. This is the Portugal you never knew.

Itinerary

Ola! Welcome to Sao Miguel Island, the largest in the Azores. Affectionately nicknamed the ‘Green Island’, you can expect to be greeted by mountainous terrains and lush flora. Your island adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your group leader and fellow travellers. If you arrive early, perhaps wander along the seaside promenade of Ponta Delgada town, pick up a plate of bacalhau (dried and salted cod) at the farmer’s market in Mercado da Graca, or even sample some fresh seafood at the local restaurants.

Begin your day with a visit to Arruda’s Pineapple Plantation, located at Faja de Baixo. The delicious fruit can take up to two years to grow inside the glass greenhouses – but there might be an opportunity for you to snack on some during your visit. After, head along the south coast of the island towards Furnas volcano and witness the effects of volcanic activity. With your group, enjoy a delicious stew cooked underground with the steam from the volcano and then you’ll have the option to take a relaxing dip in a hot spring. Follow your leader to the Pico do Ferro viewpoint so you can experience the island from a new height. Take a break at the local tea plantation, where you can sample some of the only tea grown in Europe. Finish your tour of the island today at Miradouro de Santa Iria – a northern viewpoint that allows you to soak up its natural beauty.

This morning, you’ll visit Lagoa das Sete Cidades – a green freshwater lake nestled in a volcanic caldera. After, you’re free to explore the island on your own terms. If you’d like to learn about Azorean natural history then the Museu Carlos Machado is the place for you. The building sits in a 16th-century convent, which is as much of an attraction as the museum itself. If you want to stay outdoors, consider taking in your surroundings from a rented bike or paddleboard. You can also change things up with a visit to Ponta Delgada, the capital of the Azores. Wander the cobbled streets and admire the various architectural styles, and maybe try some local seafood when you get hungry.

Enjoy a free morning before your early afternoon flight to Horta, Faial Island. This island is sometimes referred to as ‘Blue Island’ because of the iconic blue hydrangeas dotted all around that bloom during summer. When you arrive, your leader will explain all this and more on an orientation walk. The rest of the day is free to explore the port town of Horta. You can chill out on the seafront or perhaps call into Cafe Sport (aka Peter’s Bar) for a famous G&T. This watering hole was once a crucial post office and gossip stop for travelling sailors in a pre-internet era. For some, it still is.

Hop on a ferry to Pico Island – the second- largest island in the Azores. Known as 'Black Island’ for its black volcanic earth, Pico is the proud home of UNESCO-designated vineyards that have played a major role in the community’s development. On your tour of the island, visit Arcos do Cachorro (lava tunnels), where you’ll learn more about its volcanic past. Then, call into a family-owned distillery for a tasting and discover their special techniques. Finish your tour at Criacao Velha for a stunning view of Pico's unique vineyards. After, you might like to head out for some optional whale watching. Up until 1980, the island supported a substantial whaling industry due to the deep waters of the surrounding Atlantic. Fortunately, the end of the industry means whale watching has become a popular activity for visitors. In the evening, return to Faial Island.

Get your hiking boots on as you start the day on a walking trail in Horta. After, visit the island's resident volcano, Capelinhos. You’ll head to the volcano interpretation centre, as climbing up is not considered safe. Capelinhos last erupted in 1957 and changed the island permanently, adding an extra kilometre of land mass and blanketing the surrounding area with five metres of volcanic ash. You’ll learn more about this eruption and the most famous volcanoes in the world at the centre. For the rest of the day, you're free to explore as you wish.

Your trip will come to an end after breakfast. For those who wish to stay in the Azores, reach out to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Trip Inclusions

Meals
6 Breakfast(s), 2 Lunch(s),

Transport
Plane , Ferry , Private vehicle , On foot , Taxi

Accommodation
Hotel (6 nights)

Included Activities

Sao Miguel - Island Day Tour
Sao Miguel - Arruda’s Pineapple Plantation at Faja de Baixo
Sao Miguel - Cozido das Furnas Lunch
Sao Miguel - Tea Plantation Visit & Tasting
Sao Miguel - Miradouro do Pico do Ferro & Miradouro de Santa Iria
Sao Miguel - Lagoa das Sete Cidades including transport and guide services
Horta - Leader led orientation walk
Pico Island - Criacao Velha Vineyards UNESCO World Heritage Site
Pico Island - Arcos do Cachorro (Lava tunnels)
Pico Island - Liqueur Tasting
Pico Island - Day Trip
Faial Island - Hike in Capelinhos Volcano area
Faial Island - Capelinhos Volcano Interpretation Centre visit

Trip Highlights

Savour the unique flavours of the Azores, like fresh pineapple straight from a greenhouse, traditional stew cooked underground by volcanic steam and Europe’s only home-grown tea.
Sail through the stunning waters of the Azores, visiting Lagoa das Sete Cidades, which sits in a volcanic caldera. Discover the beauty of the islands from panoramic viewpoints and spend your free afternoons exploring local museums, biking or paddleboarding.
Travel on a ferry to Pico Island, where you’ll learn about the island’s volcanic history at Arcos do Cachorro and taste local spirits at a family-owned distillery.
Embrace the island’s natural wonders on a hike through Horta, followed by a visit to the Capelinhos volcano. Learn about its dramatic 1957 eruption at the volcano centre.
Wander through the charming streets of Ponta Delgada and Horta on guided tours, where you’ll discover a mix of architectural styles and local culture. Unwind with a famous G&T at Cafe Sport – a legendary sailor’s haunt.

Trip Notes

This trip includes an internal flight with a luggage limit of 20 kg. Pack lightly to avoid additional charges at the airport. You will be expected to carry your own bag for up to 30 minutes, so most travelers use a backpack or an overnight bag with a shoulder strap. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient but ensure your bag has carry straps to navigate cobbled streets, uneven surfaces, stairs, and steps. While no specific physical preparation is required, a good level of fitness is advantageous. The Azores are best discovered on foot, with a few walks included in the itinerary and ample opportunities for further exploration during your free time.

Dates & Availability

Departing

Finishing

Booking Enquiry

Destination Details

Portugal | 7 D | 1 - 12 People

Trip Location

Trip Starts:
Portugal

Trip Finishes:
Portugal

Countries Visited:
Portugal

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