In summary
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Sports
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Duration8 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationPortugal / Azores
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions94.43 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
Portuguese
In a few words
A natural gem to discover for the richness and diversity of its landscape: welcome to São Miguel Island, a must for a first visit to the Azores! To explore what is known as the "Green Island," we venture out each day to encounter its authentic natural beauty. This mountainous island, composed of two volcanic massifs separated by a low central mountain range, reaches its highest point at 1,105 meters, Pico da Vara, located in the eastern massif. Forests, turquoise lakes nestled in the heart of volcanic craters, lush vegetation... every day our eyes are delighted by such diversity and natural beauty. And to harmoniously blend exploration and relaxation, we take advantage of every opportunity to swim in the warm waters of natural pools.
The highlights
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The most comprehensive exploration of what is known as the green island of the Azores
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Hikes around volcanic lakes and private transfers to maximize your time
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Tailor-made transport: book the flights you want as an option!
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 439 m
- Average daily descent: 522 m
Management
French
Portuguese
Program
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Ponta Delgada - Furnas
- Transportation Minibus - 00h45 - 44km
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Arrival in Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel in the Azores. We will be met at the airport and then transferred to Furnas, where we will check into our accommodation for 4 nights. If you have booked your own flights, transfers are at your own expense and you can meet us directly at the hotel.Day 1 -
Tour of Lagoa das Furnas
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Negative elevation 350 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Furnas, known as the thermal hotspot of the Azores, is located inside a geothermal caldera, which is a large depression formed by previous volcanic eruptions, in the center of the island of São Miguel.
Today, we'll explore the Furnas crater lake to observe its steaming, bubbling calderas. At the end of the day, you can optionally visit Terra Nostra Park (known for its centuries-old trees) and enjoy a soak in the natural thermal pools. Overnight in Furnas.
Day 2 -
Lagoa do Fogo
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 32km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We climb into a forest of eucalyptus, pittosporum and acacia trees, then follow a stream before reaching the shore of Lagoa de Fogo.
Our route offers us superb views of the south coast of São Miguel, Vila Franca do Campo, its islet and the Ribeira da Praia.
Please note that this route takes place entirely within a designated Nature Reserve. It is everyone's responsibility to contribute to its protection and to guarantee its biodiversity by preserving this natural habitat.
Day 3 -
Four routes to Faial da Terra
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 22km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 980 m
- Negative elevation 980 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After a short drive, we set off on a hike along some of the island's more secluded trails. This is a loop hike starting from the village of Faial da Terra, nestled between the sea and the Northeast mountain range. After crossing agricultural fields, we reach the old whale-watching tower, a place used by locals to observe and locate different species of cetaceans. We then continue our ascent to Pico dos Bodes, from where we'll have a beautiful view of Faial da Terra and Vila Franca do Campo.
We then descend back down to Faial da Terra and return to Furnas to spend the night.*
*For the departure on 09/05/26, we are changing hotels and heading towards Ponta Delgada.
Day 4 -
Furnas - Salto do Cabrito - Ponta Delgada
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 3h
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
This morning we leave Furnas for the second part of your trip*. Along the way, we stop in Porto Formoso on the north side to visit a "Casa de Chá," the only place in Europe where the camellia used to produce tea is cultivated and processed. We will then take a circular hike in the Ribeira Grande Calderas region. Once the hike is finished, we head to Ponta Delgada where we will stay for the next three nights.
*For the departure on 09/05/26, we are departing from the hotel in Ponta Delgada.
Day 5 -
Lagoa das Sete Cidades
- Transportation Minibus - 02h - 54km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Negative elevation 700 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We head towards Lagoa das Sete Cidades, to discover one of the most beautiful calderas in the Azores. Two lakes (Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde) are nestled in the immense crater of this volcano, offering an impressive and surprising landscape.Day 6 -
Lagoa do Canario
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 40km
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We'll depart for the Serra Devassa area, home to the largest number of lagoons on São Miguel Island. In addition to Lagoa do Canário, we'll discover Lagoa das Éguas, Lagoa Rasa, and Lagoa do Carvão, among others. This hike takes us around a series of volcanic lakes that cascade along a ridge. The occasional mist adds to the unique atmosphere.
For customers who wish, it will be possible to replace this day of hiking with a whale watching excursion* (supplement: €70)
*NB: As this 3-hour outing is subject to weather conditions, your guide may reverse some days of this trip so that it can take place in the best conditions.
Day 7 -
Ponta Delgada
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
End of stay after breakfast in Ponta Delgada. Transfer on your own* to the airport according to your flight schedule.
*Transfer included if you booked your flights with us.
Day 8
Note
Depending on weather and operational conditions, the guide may modify this itinerary for your safety and that of the group.
- In order to offer you a greater number of guaranteed departures, this trip is combined with our other trip to the Azores, "Nature discovery in the Azores: Sao Miguel and Terceira".
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- Airport/hotel/airport transfers if you booked your flights with us.
- Accommodation in a double room for 7 nights
- Breakfasts from day 2 to day 8
- Lunches from day 2 to day 7
- Dinners on days 2 through 4 and on day 7
- Private vehicle transfers
- Entry and/or access rights to the site according to the program
- Supervision by a French-speaking guide
The price does not include
- International flights Paris / Ponta Delgada A/R
- air taxes
- Lunches on days 1 and 8
- Dinners on days 1, 5, 6 and 8
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Tips
- Whale watching boat trip on day 7: €80 per person
Options
- Additional activities - Whale watching boat trip : CHF64.04 / person
- Additional Activities - Entrance to Terra Nostra Park : CHF0.00 / person
- Single room supplement for the entire duration of your stay : CHF475.70 / person
- Additional night in Ponta Delgada in a single room : CHF109.78 / person
- Additional night in Ponta Delgada in a double room : CHF73.18 / person
- Additional night in Furnas in a single room : CHF173.81 / person
- Additional night in Furnas in a double room : CHF91.48 / person
- One-way transfer from Ponta Delgada airport to Furnas Hotel for 1 to 7 people : CHF100.63 / unit
- One-way transfer from hotel in Ponta Delgada to Ponta Delgada Airport for 1 to 7 people : CHF54.89 / unit
- Whale watching excursion : CHF86.91 / person
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Walking stick(s)
- Moistened "Calinette" type towels for personal hygiene.
- Plastic bags for waterproofing your belongings, cameras and clothes.
- Keeping a notebook and journal is a popular activity among trekkers.
- A toiletry bag and hand and bath towels.
- Sunscreen cream (face and lips).
- A water bottle with a minimum capacity of 1 litre, lightweight and insulated.
- Pocket knife, preferably multi-purpose.
- A plastic box for picnics, cutlery and a cup.
Clothing to bring
Clothing, from head to toe:
- Trekking shoes. They are a trekker's best friend. They must combine three qualities: sturdiness, good foot and ankle support (high-tops), and waterproofing.
- Light shoes or sandals to slip on during stops in towns and villages.
- Lightweight socks.
- Loose-fitting trousers.
- A warm pullover or fleece. The latter has the advantage of being durable, warm, lightweight, quick-drying, and soft to the touch. The most suitable, well-known to mountaineers, are Polartec, Carline, and Ulfrotté fibers.
- Shorts or bermudas.
- Warm anorak.
- Rain cape.
- Hat.
- Swimsuit (swimming in warm waters).
- Good sunglasses.
- Gloves and hat for climbing Pico (cool temperature and abrasive rock for the hands).
- 1 bath towel.
They traveled with us
