Azores first encounter - São Miguel
In the immense blue of the Atlantic, there’s a land full of natural beauty ready to be explored: the Azores!
São Miguel is one of its 9 islands, composed of charming lagoons, islets, secluded bays of dark sand, cliffs, and mountainous landscapes.
At the western tip of the island awaits the famous Sete Cidades Lagoon, one blue and one green, whose beauty is incomparable. But do not forget Lagoa do Fogo as well!
The city Ponta Delgada with pedestrian streets, restaurants and several esplanades around the pleasant sea is a must-see. And the famous pineapples are cultivated in greenhouses very close to the city.
In the southeast, a visit to the Furnas hot springs is mandatory. This valley has fumaroles (boilers), hot water, mud, medicinal waters and more than 20 hot springs, making it one of the largest hot springs in the world. This is the area where the "cozido nas caldeiras" (stew in the boilers) is made with the heat of the earth.
You can't miss going on an exciting marine wildlife expedition in the company of marine biologists and naturalist guides, to see whales, dolphins!
Services
Included:
- 5-Night accommodation as described on each day;
- Meals: Breakfast (except on day 1); Lunch on day 2 and 4;
- Full-day guided tour to Furnas on day 2;
- Whale watching boat tour on day 3;
- Guided tour for you to choose from on day 4;
- Half-day guided Lagoa das Sete Cidades tour on day 5;
- Private airport transfers;
- Personal Accident Insurance for the guided activities;
- Personal travel journal developed by our team with all the route and coordinates required for the trip (contacts, names, suggestions, etc);
- Welcome reception by a member of our team;
- Permanent local assistance.
Excluded:
- Meals not specified as included on the list on the "Included Services";
- Any transportation not refered as included on the program;
- Flights;
- Rental Car;
- Personal Expenses.
Optional:
- Canyoning Half-Day with transport: 60 EUR/pax
- Canyoning Half-Day without transport: 55 EUR/pax
- Canyoning Full-Day with transport & lunchbox: 80 EUR/pax
- Canyoning Full-Day without transport & lunchbox: 75 EUR/pax
- Biking Tour Half-Day in Ponta Delgada: 55 EUR/pax
- Biking Tour Half-Day Sete Cidades Lagoon: 40 EUR/pax
- Kayaking Half-Day Furnas without transport: 30 EUR/pax
- Kayaking Half-Day Furnas with transport: 40 EUR/pax
- Kayaking Half-Day Sete Cidades Lagoon without transport: 40 EUR/pax
- 4X4 Half-Day Sete Cidades Lagoon Tour: 35 EUR/pax
- 4X4 Half-Day Fogo Lagoon Tour: 35 EUR/pax
- 4X4 Full-Day Sete Cidades & Fogo Lagoons Tour: 70 EUR/pax
- 4X4 Full-Day Furnas Tour: 70 EUR/pax
- 4X4 Full-Day Nordeste Tour: 75 EUR/pax
Itinerary at a Glance
Arrival To São Miguel - Private Transfer - Ponta Delgada
São Miguel
Furnas Valley - Furnas Stew - Gorreana Tea Factory
São Miguel
Whale watching
São Miguel
A day in nature: hiking, biking or canyoning
São Miguel
Lagoa das sete cidades
São Miguel
Ponta Delgada - Private Transfer To Ponta Delgada Airport - Departure
Detailed Itinerary
Arrival To São Miguel - Private Transfer - Ponta Delgada
Day 1: São Miguel
Private transfer from Ponta Delgada airport to your hotel
Car Transfer: Your private driver will be waiting for you at the airport and will take you to your hotel. This short drive will only take a few minutes.
Free time for first impressions
Excursion: Enjoy a stroll in the marina by yourself, the breeze from the ocean will for give you energy for the days ahead!
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Furnas Valley - Furnas Stew - Gorreana Tea Factory
Day 2: São Miguel
Furnas Valley
Shared Excursion: Go for a full-day tour starting in Ponta Delgada and continuing towards the North Coast. The first stop of the day will be at Vila Franca do Campo which was the first capital of the island of São Miguel, there will be time for a short stop to taste the famous “Queijadas da Vila“.
The tour continues towards the interior of Furnas valley visiting Terra Nostra Park. In this wonderful place you will be able to enjoy various species of vegetation from all over the world and have the chance to relax in the thermal waters.
Then you will head to the fumarole area, from Lagoa das Furnas, to witness the removal of Cozido das Furnas (Portuguese for Furnas Stew), before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, the tour continues with a walk through the centre of the parish where you can find fumaroles and taste carbonated mineral waters (Água Azeda).
The return to Ponta Delgada will be made by the north coast, passing through Pico do Ferro viewpoint and Gorreana tea factory.
Lunch is included during the tour.
Whale watching
Day 3: São Miguel
Whale watching
Shared Excursion: Embark on an expedition to spot magnificent whales and dolphins.
With over 25 cetacean species in the region, sometimes two to three different are observed on each tour (not guaranteed). Expect to see sperm whales year-round, blue and fin whales in spring, while Bryde's and sei whales can occur also in the summer, and there are several resident dolphin species.
There will be a briefing about the marine biodiversity and cetaceans occurring in the region and a marine researcher/biologist will be on board to collect data and provide a unique experience with up-to-date information on marine life.
Note: This activity can be complemented with a swimming with dolphins experience (under request).
Free afternoon.
A day in nature: hiking, biking or canyoning
Day 4: São Miguel
A day in nature: hiking, biking or canyoning
Shared Excursion: Today there will be three options to immerse yourself in nature.
1. Go for a spectacular guided hike to explore some of the wild and impressive landscapes of the island. We will present the various options and adapt the level of effort according to your request. Pico da Vara, Sanguinho, Lagoa do Fogo or Ribeira Funda are all possible routes. During the activity our guide will explain about the biodiversity and local geology. We promise astonishing views, and for some of the hikes (if weather allows) a stop for a swim in natural pools.
2. For something more active, you can opt for a bike tour either in the town of Ponta Delgada or beyond for a super off-road experience.
3. Finally, if you are a fan of adventure, give this daring canyoning activity a go. Travel down streams to explore beautiful waterfalls, natural slides and have fun with water jumps in natural lagoons! (12 years +).
Picnic lunch included during the tour.
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Lagoa das sete cidades
Day 5: São Miguel
Lagoa das sete cidades
Shared Excursion: Today, explore an emblematic place: Lagoa das Sete Cidades (Seven Cities Lagoon, in English) and its impressive collapsed volcanic crater.
We will leave Ponta Delgada towards Pico do Carvão. There will be a quick stop to visit a local pineapple plantation, where you will observe the various stages of growth of this fruit and taste its liqueur. You'll have views of both the north and south coast of São Miguel. Upon reaching the parish of Sete Cidades it's time to stop on the edge of Lagoa das Sete Cidades to enjoy the views of the blue lagoon. Travel to Vista do Rei viewpoint next with the opportunity to visit Lagoa de Santiago. The return to Ponta Delgada will be done by the south-west side of the island.
Note: This tour can be complemented with a visit to Ferraria hot sea springs (under request).
Free afternoon to say goodbye to São Miguel and do any last minute shopping.
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Ponta Delgada - Private Transfer To Ponta Delgada Airport - Departure
Day 6:
Private transfer from your hotel in Ponta Delgada to the airport
Car Transfer: Short transfer from your hotel to the airport ready for your onwards flight.
