Itinerary
- Day 1
Ponta Delgada
You'll arrive in São Miguel and meet your tour guide right at the airport. From there, it's your call how to spend the afternoon in Ponta Delgada. Some people like to wander around the town and get a feel for the place, while others prefer to head back to the hotel and rest up after traveling. Either way, you'll have time to settle in and figure out what works best for you.
Optional Activities
- Explore the town of Ponta Delgada on your own
- Visit the harbor promenade
Landmarks Ponta Delgada - Day 2
Furnas
After breakfast, you'll travel south along the coast toward Furnas. There you'll walk around the lake and see the hot springs in action. The main event is watching Cozido das Furnas being cooked underground using geothermal heat, then you'll sit down and taste it at lunch. Later you'll visit the Terra Nostra botanical garden where you can swim in the natural hot spring pool. Before heading back to Ponta Delgada, you'll stop at a tea plantation to see how they grow and process their tea.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Traditional Cozido das Furnas cooked in geothermal springs)
Included Activities
- Relaxing walk around Furnas lake
- View hot water springs at approximately 98 degrees
- Insights into cooking with geothermal energy and tasting Cozido das Furnas
- Visit Terra Nostra botanical garden
- Swim in natural hot spring pool
- Tour of Chá Gorreana tea plantation - oldest and last tea plantation in Europe
Landmarks Furnas Lake Terra Nostra Park Chá Gorreana Tea Plantation 
- Day 3
São Miguel to São Jorge to Faial
You'll fly to São Jorge, one of the greenest islands in the Azores with those dramatic cliffs and deep valleys. A cheese factory visit shows you how their famous São Jorge cheese is made. Then you'll walk through the town of Calheta, check out viewpoints on the north coast, and hike through Sete Fontes forest park to see the different terrain. After dinner in Velas, you'll take an evening ferry to Faial.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in a local restaurant in Calheta), Dinner (Dinner in Velas)
Included Activities
- Domestic flight to São Jorge
- Cheese factory tour at Uniqueijo
- Walk along Calheta promenade
- Various viewpoints on the north coast
- Pleasant walk through Sete Fontes forest park
- Ferry crossing from São Jorge to Faial
Landmarks Calheta Sete Fontes Forest Park Velas - Day 4
Faial
Faial, known as the blue island for its hydrangea hedges, is your focus today. You'll drive along mountain ridges with views over Horta, then head up to the Caldeira volcanic crater at the island's highest point. The Capelinhos Volcano Museum gives you context on how the 1957 eruption transformed the landscape. You'll get time to swim in natural pools formed by basalt rock, and finish the day with a drink at Peter Café Sport, a historic sailors' bar right in Horta.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Hearty lunch)
Included Activities
- Journey along Espalamaca mountain ridge with views of Horta
- Travel along mountain road with views of Flamengos Valley
- Visit Caldeira volcanic crater - 313-hectare nature reserve with native flora
- Visit Capelinhos Volcano Museum
- Relax at natural swimming pools on southwest coast
- Visit Peter Café Sport - historic bar over 100 years old
Optional Activities
- Enjoy a gin and tonic at Peter's Bar
Landmarks Caldeira Crater Capelinhos Volcano Horta Peter Café Sport 
- Day 5
Faial - Pico
The ferry takes you to Pico, where you'll check out a wine museum that covers how they grow grapes on volcanic terrain. After that, you'll see the old whale factory at São Roque and get a sense of the island's maritime history. Then you'll drive across Pico at about 900 meters elevation, which gives you some great views of the surrounding landscape. Lunch happens at a local restaurant, and by afternoon you'll tour the whaling museum in Lajes do Pico before heading to your accommodation for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in a local restaurant)
Included Activities
- Ferry crossing to Pico
- Wine museum visit
- Whale factory visit at São Roque
- Island crossing with scenic views
- Whaling museum visit in Lajes do Pico
Landmarks Pico Mountain São Roque, Pico Lajes do Pico Pico Wine Region 
- Day 6
Pico to São Miguel
Today focuses on Pico's geological story created by underwater volcanic eruption. You'll visit traditional vineyards classified as UNESCO World Heritage sites and hike through lava formations to see how different types of lava shaped the landscape. After exploring, you'll head back to São Miguel by flight.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit traditional UNESCO World Heritage vineyards
- Easy hike along lava field to discover different lava forms
- Domestic flight from Pico to São Miguel
Optional Activities
- Optional whale watching tour (must be booked by travel day 2)
Landmarks Pico Vineyards UNESCO World Heritage Site Pico Lava Fields - Day 7
Sete Cidades
You'll travel along the Caminho do Carvão taking in views of the island's central area. There's a walk to Grota do Inferno viewpoint and a stop at Vista do Rei where you can see the Sete Cidades crater lake split into two distinct halves, one appearing green and one blue. Later you'll drive into the valley for some walks and have a picnic lunch in the countryside if weather allows. In the afternoon, you'll visit Quinta do Agricultor, a traditional Azorean farm focused on peace and well-being.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Picnic in the countryside)
Included Activities
- Short walk to Grota do Inferno viewpoint
- Stop at Vista do Rei viewpoint - view of Sete Cidades crater lake
- Walk in the valley
- Visit traditional Azorean farm - Quinta do Agricultor
Optional Activities
- Leisurely picnic in the countryside during lunch
Landmarks Grota do Inferno Vista do Rei Viewpoint Sete Cidades Crater Lake Quinta do Agricultor 
- Day 8
São Miguel - Natural Paradise and Quinta do Bom Despacho
Mountain roads take you up to Pico da Barrosa viewpoint at 900 meters where you'll get panoramic views of the island and Lagoa do Fogo. You'll explore native vegetation in Caldeira Velha Nature Park, then stop at a pineapple plantation to learn they take two years to grow and ripen. Quinta do Bom Despacho showcases modern ecological gardens with permaculture practices. The day finishes with wine and cheese tasting from the Azores and mainland Portugal. You'll have the afternoon free to do whatever you want.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Journey to Pico da Barrosa viewpoint at 900 meters with panoramic views of island and Lagoa do Fogo
- Visit Caldeira Velha Nature Park
- Visit pineapple plantation and learn about cultivation
- Tour of Quinta do Bom Despacho modern vegetable and herb gardens
- Learn about permaculture and ecological building
- Wine and cheese tasting from Azores and mainland Portugal
Optional Activities
- Afternoon at leisure
Landmarks Pico da Barrosa Lagoa do Fogo Caldeira Velha Nature Park Quinta do Bom Despacho - Day 9
Ponta Delgada
This morning you'll have breakfast and then drive to the airport for your flight home. The route takes you through some nice island scenery, so you'll get one last look at what makes the Azores special before you head out. It's a quieter day to wrap up your trip with those memories fresh in your mind.
- Meals
- Breakfast
