Portugal: Azores Island Exploration

Explore the varied wonders of Furnas over the course of this tour. Arrive at the scenic lookout of Santa Iria, which offers stunning vistas of the entire northern coast of the island. Next, head to a tea factory to view lush plantations and traditional processing techniques. Enjoy tastings of green and black teas, followed by some of the most delicious ice creams available on the island. After pausing at Pico do Ferro for panoramic views of the entire Furnas valley, head to Terra Nostra, one of Europe’s most famous botanical gardens. Discover myriad species of trees, bushes and flowers collected and nurtured from across the world. Later, enjoy a dip in the balmy waters of a natural thermal pool before you settle down to a lunch of ‘cozido’ that gets its unique flavor from being cooked in the volcanic heat under the lake. Continue the sensory indulgence with a visit to the hot springs, where the waters vary vastly in texture and temperature. A brief stop at the charming hamlet of Vila Franca provides the perfect finish to a beautiful day in the Azores. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Time: 0930 – 1730 hrs; Tour includes Admission, Guide and Lunch; Fitness level: easy; Guests are requested to bring bathing suit, windbreaker and sneakers as well as water and sunscreen)

Explore some of the most breathtaking landscapes of the Azores over the course of your 13.2 km Sete Cidades hike. Start at the Vista do Rei viewpoint, from where you can take in stunning panoramas of the entire volcanic countryside. As you descend from the Caldeira’s highest point, your guide points out the Caldeira Seca and Sete Cidades lakes on your right as well as the western coast of S. Miguel island on your left. Continue on the scenic route, passing unpaved tracks, well-frequented trails and even paved roads till you begin your descent to the parish of Sete Cidades. Soak in the fairytale beauty of this protected landscape which ranges from mist-covered mountain peaks to ethereal lakes, nestled amid forested slopes. One blue and the other green, the lakes are separated by a seven arched bridge to symbolize the seven cities of the lost continent of Atlantics. After a well-deserved break, head back to the trailhead for the return trip to your hotel. (Duration: Half Day; Private Activity & Transfer; Morning Activity; Time: 0900 hrs; Tour includes private guide services; Fitness level: difficult, this activity involves a 13.2 kms hike; Guests are requested to wear sneakers and bring water & sunscreen)

Discover some of the best kept secrets of Sao Miguel with a tour of Nordeste, or the eastern part of the island. Set off from your hotel for the verdant environs of Ribeira dos Caldeirões Park, where native vegetation and exquisite waterfalls offer a glimpse into how the island must have appeared to the earliest settlers. Stroll past old watermills, picnic areas and quaint cafes. Continue with your tour as you pass the village of Nordeste for breathtaking valley vistas, particularly from the Ponta de Sossego viewpoint. A scenic drive along the southward coast brings you to the quaint village of Povoação, one of the first inhabited parts of the island, a fact marked by architectural elements like the Matriz Velha by the sea and the 15th century Hermitage of Santa Bárbara. After a delicious lunch break, wander through its atmospheric streets, stopping perhaps for a cup of local coffee and the sinfully delicious Fofas da Povoação or traditional éclairs of the region. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Time: 1000 – 1800 hrs; Tour includes Guide; Fitness level: easy; Guests are requested to bring comfortable walking shoes)

Discover the volcanic landscape of Sao Miguel on this enjoyable hike along the Furnas Trail. Set off with your local guide along this circular route, which begins at the entrance to the village. Follow the well-marked trail across the village, past the shrine of Igreja de Santana and the hot springs of Poca da Dona Beija. Walk up to the viewpoint at Pico do Milho to take in scenic vistas of the Furnas valley. Descend to the shores of Lagoa das Furnas and take the cobblestone road that goes around the picturesque crater lake. Walk by the gothic 19th century Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitorias and the verdant Mata Jardim Jose do Canto botanical garden. Pass the stately mansion of Casa dos Barcos and head to the Furnas Monitoring and Research Center. Spot the ruins of ancient ovens used to produce coal, and the biggest Norfolk Island pine tree in Europe. Hike along the flat dirt road by the lakeside and stop to look at the wooden sculptures by the trail. At Caldeiras, learn about how the geothermal activity of the Furnas volcano is harnessed to cook traditional Portuguese delicacies. Enjoy the views and continue walking to Pico de Ferro, yet another vantage viewpoint. Wrap up your tour at the village center, the end of the trail. (Duration: Half Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Meals Not Included; Fitness Level: Easy; Total distance to be hiked is about 6 miles; Trekking shoes are recommended; Please bring water and sunscreen; Suggested starting time is 0900 – 1000 hrs in order to avoid the noon heat)

Explore the volcanic landscape around the crater lake of Lagoa do Fogo on this enjoyable guided hike. Ascend a dirt road that winds past pastoral landscapes and an ancient factory that once produced flax fibers. Hike past a Japanese cedar forest to arrive at a levada or aqueduct. Continue walking along the aqueduct as you keep an eye out for endemic species of flora. Pass by the dam to enter the sprawling valley of Ribeira da Praia. This vast, open space with big slopes on either side is home to numerous water channels. Hike on to the lakeshore and watch the resident colony of seagulls from a safe distance. On the return journey, enjoy scenic views of the island’s southern coast and the uninhabited Islet of Vila Franca. (Duration: Half Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Meals Not Included; Fitness Level: Moderate; Please note that people with physical limitations can participate as long as they have someone to provide assistance; Trekking shoes are recommended; Please bring water and sunscreen; Suggested starting time is 0900 – 1000 hrs in order to avoid the noon heat; Total distance to be hiked is around 7 miles)

Discover the natural wonders of Faial Island over the course of this scenic tour. Set off from your hotel on a picturesque drive to arrive at the Espalamaca Belvedere, from where you can take in bird’s eye views of the port and the town of Horta. Next make your way up the rim of the volcanic crater that marks the center of the island. Gaze at the serene blue waters of the caldera, framed by lush mountain slopes all around. Proceed to the west to pass quaint Azorean villages, including Ribeira Funda, Praia do Norte and Norte Pequeno. You’ll soon be in view of the majestic Capelinhos, a volcano that erupted as late as 1957. Arrive at the nearby research center where interactive displays in the museum give you a feel of walking through Capelinhos as well as other major volcanic eruptions across the world. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity & Transfer; Time: 1000 – 1800 hrs; Tour includes Private Guide; Guests are requested to be dressed in comfortable walking shoes; Fitness level: easy)

Explore the myriad charms of Pico Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Azores. After a scenic cruise, arrive at Pico Island and then set off for its prized vineyards. Learn from your guide how the volcanic black soil of the region lends a distinctive flavor to these wines which have even graced the tables of Russian czars! Next, head for San Matheus for a glimpse into the whaling history of the island. After a delicious lunch break, make your way to the highest point on the island, Mount Pico, whose 900 meter elevation affords spectacular 360 degree vistas of the entire island. Later descend to the charming village of San Rouqe, which has the distinction of being continuously inhabited since 1470. Check out the iconic Cachorro, a cliff site in the shape of dog’s head, before you head back to the pier for your return trip. (Duration: Full Day; Private Activity & Transfers; Time: 0800 – 1730 hrs; Tour includes Guide & Ferry Admission; Fitness level: easy; Guests are requested to bring comfortable walking shoes)