The Green Island of the Azores Archipelago

Day 1: Arrival in Ponta Delgada
Day 2: Furnas loop, 9 mi. (15 km)
Day 3: Graminhais - Pico da Vara - Gorreana Tea Factory, 7 mi. (12 km)
Day 4: Lagoa do Fogo, 7 mi. (12 km)
Day 5: Pico da Vara, Whale Watching
Day 6: Lagoa do Canário, 7 mi. (12 km)
Day 7: Lagoa das Sete Cicades, 5 mi. (8 km)
Day 8: Departure

All distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, such as weather conditions or provisions issued by the local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way, you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork not reflected in your route book or GPS tracks. In this case, please follow the directions posted locally.

Day 1: Arrival in Ponta Delgada, transfer to Furnas
On the day of your arrival, our local representative will welcome you at the airport of Ponta Delgada and transfer you to your accommodation. Transfer time is approx. 50 minutes. Once you check in, you can rest, recover, and prepare for the next days. Depending on your arrival time, if you would like, you may be able to go to "Casa do Chá", the only place in Europe where Camellia, a plant from which tea is produced, is cultivated and processed. Taste the delicious local tea and enjoy the landscape around you. Overnight in the Furnas Valley.

Preferred accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

Day 2: Furnas loop, 9 mi. (15 km)
The first day of your adventure will start at Furnas, which is located inside a volcano in the center of São Miguel Island. While you walk around the Furnas Lake, where steaming and bubbling “caldeiras” can be observed, take your time to explore it and even take a swim in the warm and therapeutic waters. Terra Nostra Park, known for its 200-year-old trees, is located right at the beginning of your track and can also be a beautiful place to spend some time. Overnight in the Furnas Valley.

Elevation gain: 400 m
Preferred accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

Day 3: Graminhais - Pico da Vara - Gorreana Tea Factory, 7 mi. (12 km)
After a short 15-minute transfer, you will depart for the ascent of the Pico da Vara (the highest point of São Miguel Island at 1105m) and later go to the Pico do Carvalho (950 m). These paths were used in the past by the "elders" to access the forest where they produced charcoal and kept livestock. This route crosses a regulated protection zone, where, if you are lucky, you will be able to see the Azores Bullfinch, an endangered species that is unique to this island! After the walk, you will visit the oldest tea plantation in Europe and discover the secrets of this wonderful product that since 1983 kept the original traditions. A 40 minute transfer will take you back to the Furnas Valley for the night.

Elevation gain: 400 m
Preferred accommodation: Terra Nostra Garden Hotel

Day 4: Pico da Vara - Lagoa do Fogo, 7 mi. (12 km)
Today, after a short 10-minute transfer, you will start with a climb through a forest of eucalyptus, pittosporum, and acacias and follow a stream before reaching the shore of Lagoa do Fogo. This hike offers superb views of the southern coast of São Miguel, Vila Franca do Campo and its islet, and the Ribeira da Praia. Note that this course is carried out entirely in an area classified as a Natural Reserve. It is everyone's responsibility to contribute to its protection and to guarantee its biodiversity by conserving this natural habitat. A 25-minute transfer will then take you to your next accommodation. Overnight in Ponta Delgada.

Elevation gain: 500 m
Preferred accommodation: Casa Hintze Ribeiro

Day 5: Pico da Vara, Whale Watching
Take a break today and instead of exploring the land, explore the magnificent Atlantic Ocean. The meeting point is walking distance from your hotel and here you have the perfect opportunity to head out to the sea and to do some whale watching, and hopefully see other species of cetaceans too. The sea life in Azores is very rich due to its location in the middle of the Atlantic. There is a possibility to see 27 species of marine mammals. Overnight in Vila Franca.

Preferred accommodation: Casa Hintze Ribeiro

Day 6: Lagoa do Canário - Ponte Delgada, 7 mi. (12 km)
In the morning, you will have free time in Ponta Delgada to visit the market, the cathedral, and the alleys of its old merchant port. Later you will be transferred (25 min) to the starting point of this day's hike, from which you will climb up the Serra Devassa, an area with the largest number of lagoons on São Miguel Island. In addition to Lagoa do Canário, you can discover Lagoa das Éguas, Lagoa Rasa, and Lagoa do Carvão, among many others! This fantastic walk around volcanic lakes and along the ridges is sometimes accompanied by fog which gives it a special atmosphere. A 25-minute transfer back to Ponta Delgada will end the day.

Elevation gain: 400 m
Preferred accommodation: Casa Hintze Ribeiro

Day 7: Lagoa das Sete Cicades, 5 mi. (8 km)
It will take only 25 minutes to get to the start of today's adventure which is a hike around the Lagoa das Sete Cidades. Here you will discover one of the most beautiful “caldeiras” of the Azores. Two lakes, Blue Lagoon and Green Lagoon (Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde) are nestled in the huge crater of this volcano, offering an impressive and surprising landscape to be enjoyed and appreciated. It is the most popular natural place on the island and a great location to hike. The return to the hotel will take 35 minutes by car. Overnight in Ponta Delgada.

Elevation gain: 100 m
Accommodation: Casa Hintze Ribeiro

Day 8: Departure
Your splendid tour has come to an end. You will have a 15-minute transfer back to the airport.

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You will be accommodated in unique establishments in Rural Tourism or 3-star hotels. On the day to day itinerary, you will find the preferred hotels that are generally used on this tour. Due to limited hotel capacity, you might be booked in alternative accommodation. If this is necessary, similar accommodations will be offered close to the original location. The quality and character of the tour will not be affected.