SUGGESTED ITINERARY

 

DAY 1 ~ ARRIVE PONTA DELGADO, SAO MIGUEL, AZORES

Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport, and take you to your accommodation in Ponta Delgada, the biggest city in the Azores. You'll have the rest of the day free to relax or explore Ponta Delgado on your own. 

 

Hotel Marina Atlantico

 

DAY 2 ~ PONTA DELGALDO - FOOD TOUR

This morning you'll explore the city and try different traditional products from Açores, including "petiscos", typical Portuguese tapas.

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This afternoon you'll have free time to explore on your own.

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Hotel Marina Atlantico (B, food tasting)

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DAY 3 ~  WHALE & DOLPHIN WATCHING 

Discover the magnificent coast of the island of São Miguel, watch dolphins and whales in their natural habitat.  In Azores you’ll have the opportunity of observing about 24 different species of cetaceans, through all the year.  

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This afternoon you'll have free time to relax or explore on your own.

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Hotel Marina Atlantico (B)

 

DAY 4 ~ ROUTE TO FURNAS

From Ponta Delgado you'll head towards the North Coast, rising to Monte Escuro, in the central area of the island.  Before reaching Furnas, you'll stop at Gorreana tea plantation, the oldest plantation on the island. Before descending to Furnas Valley , you'll have the opportunity to stop at Pico do Ferro to admire the magnificent view over the Valley and the Lake below.

 

Watch the famous "Cozido das Furnas" being taken out of the ground, where it's been cooking for 6 hours.  After lunch you'll visit the parish calderas and thermal baths in Poça da Dona Beija. Return to Ponta Delgada via the South coast, stopping en route in Vila Franca do Campo, the original capital of São Miguel.

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Hotel Marina Atlantico (B, L)

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DAY 5 ~  CANYONING ADVENTURE

Your canyoning adventure starts with a drive from Sao Miguel to the islands north coast.  Along the way you'll pass vast green fields divided by walls of volcanic rock. The North coast offers breathtaking views from high cliffs and also the oldest tea plantation in Europe - Gorreana.   You'll head to Parque Natural da Ribeira dos Caldeiroes, one of the Nordeste regions most popular destinations.  With its splendid green vegetation, crystal clear pools and beautiful waterfalls and tranquility it's not hard to understand why, not to mention the old mills that take you back in time, to a bygone era. 

 

A short walk takes you to the starting point - a stream.  Hike through the water, jump into crystal clear water pools, slide between rocks shaped by the flow of the stream and challenge the waterfalls. These are the ingredients for moments of adrenaline and fun, in a genuine water park created by nature.  Along the way there are vertical challenges (waterfalls) where you'll abseil (highest waterfall with 8 meters), alternating with short walking sections and "play" areas (slide and a jump with about 5 meters tall).

 

All safety gear included.

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You'll have the afternoon free.

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Hotel Marina Atlantico (B)

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DAY 6 ~ HIKING LAGOA DE FOGO

Today, we hike to one of the most pristine locations on our island - Lagoa do Fogo. The trail begins on a dirt path that climbs through woods of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), incense (Pittosporum undulatum) and Ginger lily (Hedychium gardneranum).  The trail then continues along a levada (about 2 kms) until you reach a wider area, with large slopes on both sides going to the margins of Lagoa do Fogo. During the ascent, there are several places where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Vila Franca do Campo and its Islet. The stopping for lunch is made along the shores of the lake, with the possibility to swim in the most pristine lake of San Miguel. The return to the initial point is made by a path that traverses an area covered in endemic vegetation, flowing into an area of pastures, as we descend in altitude. Return to Ponta Delgada includes a visit to the bathing area of Caloura harbor.

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Hotel Marina Atlantico (B, L)

 

DAY 7 ~ OFF ROAD SETE CIDADES + FERRARIA 

Today you will be visiting two of the most beautiful lakes in São Miguel Island, one is green and the other is blue. You will stop along the way to admire the breathtaking views, and explore the region and discover other hidden and beautiful lakes on the island. Starting in Ponta Delgada you'll head towards Vista do Rei. On the way, you will have the chance to visit some smaller lakes, like the Empadadas lake and Canário lake, before you reaching Belvedere where you will have an amazing view of Sete Cidades lake.

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After driving a dirt road, that encircles the top of the caldera, you will descend to Sete Cidades village, where you will visit São Nicolau Church.

 

Returning to Ponta Delgada, you'll have time to see the Ferraria Thermal area with natural hot springs.  The Regional Natural Monument of Pico das Camarinhas and Ponta da Ferraria, are protected areas, and contain various structures of Vulcanic origin, beautiful landscapes and are of great scientific value. After spending some time in this Thermal Spa you will return to your hotel. 

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DAY  8 ~ FLY HOME

At the established time, you'll transfer to the airport and depart back home. 

 

END OF TRIP

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LAND COST FROM:  $2,875 per person

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