Azores: Hiking & island hopping

8 days

Duration

Easy to Moderate

Difficulty

Portugal

Location

April-October

Availability

Explore the wild and lush landscapes of São Jorge Island

Pico Island, with its perfectly symmetrical volcanic cone rising from the Atlantic

Spectacular views from the Caldeira at the top of Faial Island

Comfortable accommodation 3*** and 4**** hotels

Includes ferries and flights between the islands

Hiking in the Azores: Pico, São Jorge & Faial Islands

The mid-Atlantic Azores islands are simply made for adventure. On this trip you will explore three distinct and fascinating islands by foot and by boat. Faial Island, the island of hydrangeas, was the scene of a great volcanic eruption in 1957. The horizon is dominated by the majestic silhouette of Pico’s volcanic cone, towering over the ocean and surrounding islands. Wilder and more secretive, the scenically dramatic island of São Jorge is a sheer-sided ridge which offers magnificent hiking trails among vineyards and sub-tropical dragon trees, as well as banana, guava and coffee plantations. Watch out for whales and dolphins as you ferry between the islands and discover why this archipelago is often called the “Hawaii of the Atlantic”.

With very comfortable accommodation, you will be able to soak up the island lifestyle, always with a swimming possibility nearby.

The trip includes transport between the islands by plane and ferry.

8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS

From €1299 per person sharing*

*Discounts available for groups of 3 or more. Please enquire for prices.
*high season supplement will apply during busy booking periods.
*this trip is unfortunately not available to solo walkers.

ACCOMMODATION

Double accommodation in 3* and 4* hotels with breakfast. Accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis and all rooms are en-suite. The hotels are carefully selected for their location, atmosphere and/or unique services.

AVAILABILITY

This trip is available from April to October and you can start on any day of the week, subject to availability.

DIFFICULTY

Easy to moderate walks: between 2hrs to 4½hrs walk and an average ascent /descent of 150 to 500 metres per walk.

INCLUDED

7 nights’ accommodation in comfortable en-suite rooms
7 Breakfasts
Day 1: transfer from Ponta Delgada airport to your hotel
Day 2: airport transfer and flight to Pico island
Day 3: transfer for your walk on Pico island
Day 4: transfer to ferry port and ferry to Sao Jorge island
Day 5: transfer for your walk on São Jorge
Day 6: ferry to Faial island and transfer for your walk
Day 7: transfer for your walk and flight back to Ponta Delgada
Day 8: Ponta Delgada airport transfer
Luggage transportation from one hotel to the next
Road Book with detailed route notes and integrated maps
Emergency telephone support

NOT INCLUDED

Flights to and from the Azores
Travel insurance
Lunches or dinners
Whale watching trips or bike rental
Anything else not mentioned in the ‘included’ section

OPTIONAL EXTRAS

Additional nights before, during or after the walk
Single Room Supplement(s)

Day 1: São Miguel Island, Ponta Delgada

Trip starts in Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island. Transfer to your hotel located in the town centre. Depending on the arrival time, you can spend the afternoon exploring Ponta Delgada. The administrative capital of the archipelago, it is home to many historical monuments, typical small streets and a beautiful marina.

Overnight: Ponta Delgada, 3* hotel

Day 2: Flight from São Miguel to Pico and walk on South Coast

Distance: 11 km | Ascent: 150 m | Descent: 200 m | 3 hrs approx.

Transfer to the airport and flight to Pico Island, named after its giant volcano. From Madalena, you begin a lovely coastal hike between small ports – where you can swim – and vineyards, surrounded by walls of black lava. This unique method of cultivating the vine, has seen this area designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Overnight: Madalena, 4* hotel

Day 3: Walk the western flank of Pico island

Distance: 11 km | Ascent: 210 m | Descent: 195 m | 3 hrs approx.

Transfer to the western flank of Pico, for a beautiful hike between pastures and farmlands, down to Madalena. The departure point is quite astonishing as it is a lava tube – once home to a hermit called Brother Matias – that is today draped in the endemic vegetation of this island. Free afternoon to enjoy Pico, with possibilities for cycling or whale watching.

Overnight: Madalena, 4* hotel

Day 4: Ferry to São Jorge and walk the Faja do Santo Cristo “pilgrims’ path”

Distance: 9.5 km | Ascent: 400 m | Descent: 700 m | 4 hrs approx.

Begin the day by taking the ferry from Madalena to Velas on São Jorge Island. Wild and rugged, with steep volcanic cliffs and deep ravines, São Jorge is home to some of the best walking routes in the Azores. You will be transferred up to the peaks of the island, from where you will descend along the pilgrims’ path between hydrangeas and junipers to Faja de Santo Cristo, an isolated hamlet overlooking the open ocean lagoon. From this village, accessible only by foot, you will walk along the coast to Faja dos Cubres. Transfer back to Velas at the end of your walk.

Overnight: Casa do Antonio guesthouse, Velas

Day 5: São Jorge, Faja de São Joao to Faja dos Vimes

Distance: 11 km | Ascent: 450 m | Descent: 450 m | 3 hrs approx.

Today you will be transferred to the south coast of São Jorge island. Discover Faja de São Joao, a small village on the cliff with characteristic cottages and narrow streets …. A cobbled coastal path connects this fajã (coastal plain formed by lava flows or landslides) to the one of Vimes, further west. Between vine crops, yam and local vegetation as such as pittosporum, this trail offers beautiful views of the south coast and the distant islands of Faial and Pico. Transfer back to Velas at the end of your walk.

Overnight: Casa do Antonio guesthouse, Velas

Day 6: Ferry to Faial Island, Caldeira walk

Distance: 12 km – 16km | Ascent: 300 m | Descent: 900 m | 4½ hrs approx.

You will take the ferry to the port of Horta on Faial island, once a famous stop for transatlantic sailors. Transfer to the central crater. After skirting the edge of the caldeira at 1000m altitude, you follow a levada (narrow irrigation canal) along a ridge, before descending through the lava fields and hydrangeas to Praia do Norte. Transfer back to Horta after your walk.

Overnight: Horta, 3* hotel

Day 7: Capelinhos Lighthouse walk & return flight to São Miguel

Distance: 5 km | Ascent: 150 m | Descent: 150 m | 1½ hrs approx.

Transfer to the south coast for a short walk to the Capelinhos lighthouse, scene of a tremendous volcanic sea eruption in 1957 which created an eerily beautiful, ashen landscape. Why not go for a swim at the volcanic beach before your transfer back to Horta, where you will have some leisure time to discover its colonial architecture, as well as the history of American whaling ships and telegraph companies that give the town its cosmopolitan atmosphere. Afternoon flight back to Ponta Delgada and overnight.

Overnight: Ponta Delgada, 3* hotel

Day 8: Departure

The trip comes to an end after your transfer back to Ponta Delgada airport

Arrival and departure info

	The main international airport in the Azores is Ponta Delgada airport.
	Transport is provided from and to Ponta Delgada airport at the start and end of your trip.
/	Flights and ferry tickets are provided for transfer between the islands of São Miguel, Pico, São Jorge and Faial.