April, May, September, October
Dates
3/5
Level
8 days / 7 nights
Duration
São Miguel, Azores
Location
Hiking São Miguel | The Green Island
Welcome to São Miguel island ! A region of sumptuous landscapes, lodgings and gastronomy !
Discover São Miguel, a garden in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, with its lush nature, rainforest hiking trails and its breathtaking viewpoints high above blue crater lakes, geological reminders of a volcanic past.
INCLUDED |
TransportsAll activities: Whale watching, hiking, discovering4 – High quality lodgings and foodHiking guideMeals from Dinner day 1 to Breakfast day 8 |
Our first hike will take us to one of the most stunning views of the island: the Lagoon of the 7 cities (Lagoa das 7 cidades), a twin lake situated in the crater of a dormant volcano, where the Lagoa Azul (Blue Lake) and the Lagoa Verde (Green Lake) are connected by a narrow strait, crossed by a bridge. The Canary Lake and the Serra Devassa that we will hike the following day lays southern of the 7 Cidades, it´s a less famous trail but equally beautiful.
The second part of the trip will take us to the old Spa village of Furnas, from where we will discover other craters, like the Lake of Fire, many hot springs, waterfalls and peaks with highviews points like the Pico do Ferro.
There are 28 cetacean species that can be found in the Archipelago and we will try to see some whales, dolphins along with turtles, seabirds and other marine wildlife. São Miguel is also famous for its tea and pineapple plantations, that we will visit as well.
We will end the trip on the Northern coast, visit its treasures and have a good swim in natural pools, before we gather for our farewell dinner.
Sete Cidades: Crater walk with stunning views on the twin lakes Lagoa Verde (the green lake) and Lagoa Azul (the blue lake) and the two smaller crater lakes Lagoa Santiago and Lagoa Rasa.
Furnas: Swim in 98º Fahrenheit springs, natural ovens and bubbling mud pools in Furnas, São Mi-guel old Spa village.
Ponta Delgada: Capital of the island since mid XVIth century, Ponta Delgada hosts beautiful exam-ples of Portuguese architecture.
| NOT INCLUDED | Flight
Equipment |
Next Departures
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Additional information
| Minimum | 6 – 12 pax |
|---|
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 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!
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!
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