Day 1

Let´s meet in Ponta Delgada!

Our trip starts today in Ponta Delgada. Arrive any time before 5pm. We will meet at 5:30 pm. We’ll start getting to know each other and review our plans for the trip, before sharing our first dinner. The evening is free for you to get to bed early or wander around Ponta Delgada.

Day 2

LAGOA DAS 7 CIDADES– 5.6 miles

Today will lead us to one of the 7 natural wonders of Portugal. We will admire the most famous view point of São Miguel: the Vista do Rei (King´s view) and start hiking on the ridge of the Caldeira das Sete Cidades. This crater was formed by a series of collapses and it is one of the largest in the Azores. It encloses four lakes to give one of the most iconic landscapes in the archipela-go. Along the ridge it is possible to see the interior of the crater with its differ-ent lakes and volcanic formations, as well as all the north coast of the island. Hiking: 5,6 miles. Drive Time: 25 min. Overnight: Ponta Delgada.

Day 3

SERRA DEVASSA - LAGOA DO CANÁRIO - 6.2 miles

Serra Devassa and Lagoa do Canário – Our hike will take us to Serra Devassa, south of Sete Cidades, with amazing landscapes and viewpoints at the lakes of Éguas (Mare), Rasa (Shallow) and Carvão (Coal) as well as at the Lagoa verde at Boca do Inferno (Mouth of Hell). Nestled among the hills and lagoons, these lakes have an even more mysterious charm than their neighbors. We will also admire the Wall of the 9 windows, the stone aqueduct that once carried water from this part of the island to Ponta Delgada’s fountains. Hiking: 6,2miles Drive Time: 25minutes Overnight: Ponta Delgada.

Day 4

LAGOA DO FOGO - 6.8 miles

We will leave Ponta Delgada in the morning to head east and will spend the fol-lowing 3 nights in Furnas, the authentic Spa village. Half way, we will hike to Lagoa do Fogo, or Lake of Fire, as the lake is the centre of the former volcano which latest eruption was in 1563. It´s also the highest lake on the island. After a first ascend, we will soon reach a forest of Japanese Red Cedar and observe endemic flora such as Azorean Blueberry (Vaccinium cylindraceum), Azorean Heather (Erica azorica), and Laurustinus (Viburnum treleasei) among others. We will also follow waterways (“levadas”) today, that are made to transport water through the island for irrigation purposes. We will reach a green valley before arriving to the Lake. Hiking 6,8 miles, Drive Time: 20min and 35min, Overnight: Furnas.

Day 5

ENJOY FURNAS & WHALE WATCHING

Furnas is located in the easternmost of three active trachytic volcanoes. In the central part of the village, there are thirty springs and geysers, each of differ-ing temperatures and chemical compositions. We will have our “Cozido” (traditional Portuguese stew) cooked in the geysers early morning and savor it for lunch. In the meanwhile, we will visit the Terra Nostra Park and enjoy unique sensations of immersion in the waters of the thermal pool. We will head to the coast in the afternoon and have the chance to observe the whales and other cetaceans. Sperm Whales are resident as well as other cetacean species and there is an abundant marine biodiversity. Our Marine Biologist will keep us informed and make sure we don´t miss anything. Drive Time: 30 min, Overnight: Furnas.

Day 6

FURNAS & PICO DO FERRO - 8 miles

After a stop at the Caldeiras, where locals come to cook the “cozido”, we will hike to the Pico do Ferro, at 517m of altitude, a perfect spot to have a breath-taking view of the Furnas lake. We will descent towards the Lake crossing the forest, passing by art works and the ruins of a former manor. Pico do Milho. From the top of this elevation it is possible to profit the view over the valley of Furnas. , We will pass by ruins of ancient ovens of coal production and the big-gest classified norfolk island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) in Europe. We will enjoy a last viewpoint at Pico do Milho (Corn peak) Pico do Milho overviewing the valley of Furnas. We will get back on time to pick up our luggage and drive to Ponta Delgada where we will spend the last 2 nights. Hiking 8 miles. Over-night: Furnas.

Day 7

HIKING ON THE NORTH COAST - 4 miles

Hiking on the North coast – After visiting a tea production farm in the morning, we will hike along the North shoreline of the island. We might be able to enjoy a bath at Poços of São Vicente, a bathing area near the fishing port or in other beaches we will pass by today. We will witness the ruins of the ancient local whale factory. Viewpoints are again amazing. We will admire traditional houses from the 17th and 18th centuries. At Ponta of São Pedro, we will see the XVIth century Chapel of São Pedro and soon the church of Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem, built in 1728. We will drive back to Ponta Delgada in the afternoon and share a last dinner together. Hike: 4miles, Drive Time: 30min Overnight: Ponta Delgada.

Day 8

Time to go

After a last breakfast, it is time to go back!