Walking in the Azores
Overview
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?
Itinerary
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...
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...
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...
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
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...
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...
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 ...
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 ...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Want a tailor-made trip instead?
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
- You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
- Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Dates & Availability
Check current availability, prices, specials & more.
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.
Explore! Reviews & Ratings
Trusted Customer
Oct 2024
Walking in the Azores
UK office needs to support local guide better by making sure messages are passed on before the trip. Despite my phone call at least two weeks before and reassurance ...
Bernard
Sep 2024
Walking in the Azores
The Azores are very much unspoilt. Each island has unique geology which we saw close up. The volcanoes range from 800,000 years to 70 years old. Tania the guide is w...
Alun
Sep 2024
Walking in the Azores
Many wonderful experiences on our holiday in the Azores - thoroughly recommended. Special mention must be made of our superb tour leader Tania. She was faultless -...
Other Explore! Reviews
Trusted Customer
Mar 2025
Bangkok to Saigon by Bike
We had a fantastic trip with explore! Starting with a brief intro to Thailand with professional friendly experienced guides Koi, Tri and the fab support Team (Bus dr...
Mel
Mar 2025
Walking in Madeira
Great tour - everything was well organised but offered enough flexibility for people wanting to do their own thing in the evenings after the guided tours. Most of th...
Darren
Mar 2025
Efficient and easy to navigate online booking
Booked online. Very easy to do with full information abou...
Tour Operator
About Travelstride
Find your perfect trip
Save time
Save money
Travel confidently
Logistics
Accommodation
Transportation & Flights
Transportation & flights
- Breakfast : 13
- Lunch : 1
Become a member
- Save up to $700 per person
- Access members-only specials
- Personalize trip recommendations