Discover the diverse beauty of 4 Atlantic pearls: São Miguel, Pico, São Jorge and Faial. Four magnificent islands, fifteen days to never forget.
Atlantic Pearls
This tour takes you along the most beautiful places on four islands: the green island of São Miguel, the volcano island Pico with the highest peak of Portugal, unique São Jorge and finally the blue island, named Faial. From whale watching to lava tunnels, each island has a range of sights and activities on offer.
Duration:
15 days/14 nights
Country:
Activity:
Type:
Highlights
- Four diverse islands: São Miguel, Pico, São Jorge and Faial.
- Pico Mountain ascent with certified guide and entrance fees natural park.
- Furnas lagoon and fumaroles
- Roadbook, topographic map and GPS tracks for several beautiful walks along craters and lakes.
- Guided tour at the Gruta das Torres lava tunnel.
- Possibility to visit the only tea plantations in Europe.
- Pico Vineyard - World Heritage.
- Fajã of Santo Cristo.
- Option to go whale watching.
- Horta, famous stopover for sailors from all over the world and praised for its gin tonic.
- Car rental included where possible so you can drive yourself.
- Transfers on the islands when no car needed.
DAY 1 Arrival to the green island - São Miguel
Upon your arrival at the airport in Ponta Delgada, your rental car will be waiting for you. Drive to the small village of Furnas. After check-in, enjoy the surroundings or go for a delicious meal.
Accommodation in Furnas.
DAY 2 The Furnas lagoon and fumaroles
From the hotel you can walk to Furnas Lake. The volcanic activity in this region can be admired in the form of fumaroles and bubbling waters. In the hot earth there are small holes in which a local gastronomic speciality is slowly being cooked, the Furnas stew. After choosing your stew, return to the village for a free visit to the Parque Nostra and a swim in the warm waters, which the valley of Furnas is famous for.
Walking time: approx. 3 hours | +150/-150 height meters.
Accommodation in Furnas.
DAY 3 Faial da Terra walk and Gorreran tea
Towards the southeast of the island, in the parish of Faial da Terra (about 45min), a path formerly used by the villagers takes you to the waterfall of "Salto do Prego" and the small stone houses of "Sanguinho". A walk to the heart of the endemic vegetation of the Azores. Afterwards, go discover the Gorrean tea plantations, unique in Europe. Visit the plantations and the factory dating back to 1883, which still produces Azorean tea today. Enjoy a tasting before returning back to Furnas.
Walking time Faial da Terra approx. 2h30m | +200/-200 height meters
Walking time Gorreana Tea approx. 1 hour | +200/-200 height meters
Accommodation in Furnas.
DAY 4 Lagoa do Fogo walk
Depart to the South coast of the island for a hike from the village of Agua d'Alto. A "levada", an ingenious system for collection and delivery of rainwater through an area of dense vegetation, enedemic to The Azores, leads to the Lagoa do Fogo, a great wild lake with crystal blue waters.
Walking time approx. 4 hours | +470/-470 height meters.
Accommodation in Rabo de Peixe.
DAY 5 Sete Cidades crater and Ponta Delgada
Today, take the road along the northern coast to the village of Sete Cidades for a walk in the vast crater which surrounds the village as well as the blue and green lake, the largest one in the Azores. Around the summit of the crater the views are breathtaking. In the afternoon, visit Ponta Delagada with its lavastone architecture and its Baroque churches. You can also visit a pineapple plantation where cultivation happens in greenhouses, unique in the world.
Walking time approx. 3 hours | +300/-300 height meters.
Accommodation in Rabo de Peixe.
DAY 6 Flight to Pico Island
Return the rental car at Ponta Delgada airport and take a flight to Pico Island, where you will be welcomed and transferred to the small town of Madalena. After checking in at your hotel, you can discover the village, the wine museum or go for a swim in a natural pool.
Accommodation in Madalena.
DAY 7 Pico Mountain
Transfer to Casa da Montanha to join your mountain guide for the ascent of the Pico Volcano (2351m), the highest peak of Portugal. The ascent is a moderate level of hiking but the difficulty lays in a steep climb and descent in a stony, sometimes steep terrain on a pourly marked trail. Changing weather conditions may also make this walk harder to do (fog, rain, wind, cold at 2000 meters). Walking time approx. 7-8 hours | +1100/-1100 meters.
In case you prefer to make an easier walk today, we can arrange a nice alternative. Also in case of unfavorable weather conditions, a hike is planned from Frei Matias, a descent on the flanks of the Pico volcano, facing the Ocean and the island Faial. The landscape changes as you descend, from green pastures to conifer forests and orange trees, banana and vines. Walking time approx. 3,5 hours | a descent of 600 meters.
Accommodation in Madalena.
DAY 8 Chill out day and whale watching
Enjoy some time to relax or go whale wathcing (optional) or sea kayaking (optional).
Accommodation in Madalena.
DAy 9 The labyrinths of Pico vineyards' world heritage
After a transfer of 15 minutes to the small village of Candelaria, you can start hiking in the Pico vineyards which are classified as world heritage since 2004. Kilometers of basalt stone walls protect the vineyards from the Ocean, a titanic work that has created a very unique landscape.! You can also swim in natural pools. Visit the Gruta das Torres in the afternoon, the largest lava tunnel in Portugal.
Walking time approx. 3 hours | +300/-300 height meters.
Accommodation in Madalena.
DAY 10 Ferry to São Jorge Island
Transfer to the port of Madalena or São Roque on the North Coast and ferry crossing to the island of São Jorge (1 to 1,5 hour). Enjoy the rest of the day to discover the charming little town of Velas and swim or snorkel at the natural pools.
Accommodation in Velas.
DAY 11 Fajã of Santo Cristo
A morning transfer brings you to the summit of Serra do Topo (about 45 minutes). There, a superb descent awaits on an old mule track until your reach the Fajã de Santo Cristo, a special place with a unique geological formation. After a relaxing dip in the lagoon, walk to another Fajã, the Cubres, where your driver will be waiting to drive you back to Velas.
Walking time approx. 4 hours | +200/-700 height meters.
Accommodation in Velas.
DAY 12 Ferry to Faial Island and Capelinhos Volcano
The ferry takes you in about 2 hours to Horta on Faial Island. A 5 minute transfer by taxi brings you to your new accommodation. Drop off your luggage and proceed to the village of Capelo, followed by a coastal walk to the Capelinhos Volcano. The latest eruption of the Azores was here in 1957. Transfer back to Horta.
Walking time approx. 3 hours | +200/-200 height meters.
Accommodation in Horta.
DAY 13 Caldeira do Faial
Transfer to the caldeira, a very deep crater which formed the island of Faial. Walk on the edge of the crater and downhill on the northern slope, following an old water canal and enjoying the lush vegetation. Transfer back to Horta.
Walking time approx. 4 hours | +300/-500 height meters.
Accommodation in Horta.
DAY 14 Horta, Atlantic Port
Horta is a famous stopover for sailors from all countries. Stroll around or go for a swim at the beach of Porto Pim, visit the aquarium and the Peter sailors'bar, well known for its gin tonic.
Depending on the arrangements of your international return flight, accommodation will be in Horta or in Ponta Delgada, in which case we will arrange a flight to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island.
DAY 15 Adeus Azores
All good things come to an end and so today it is time to say goodby to the Azores. We wish you a safe trip home.
Important information
Best time to travel
Best time to travel is spring and September as the weather is normally excellent. During summer months it may get hot and crowded, especially in August.
Travel insurance
- It is aways recommend to take out a travel insurance, covering for cancellation and curtailment, medical situations, baggage, emergency evacuation. Always check the specific conditions and coverage of your insurance policy, especially when participating in more adventurous activities.
- YŪGEN tours does not provide travel insurance.
- Medical Precautions
- Check with your local immunization authority, travel clinic, public health facility or personal physician.
- Visit the WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION website for up to date information www.who.int
Travel documentation
If you do not have the Belgian nationality, you should inquire at the embassy in your country. The following is valid for people with Belgian nationality:
- A valid Belgian identity card or an international passport.
- A visa is not required.
- Children need their own identity card. Within the Schengen Zone it is recommended to bring a copy of the passport of the parent which does not accompany the other parent and the minor during the trip, as well as a document of consent of the non-traveling parent. This can prevent delays.
- Belgian citizens should consult the website of the Federal government for all travel related advise: diplomatie.belgium.be/nl/Diensten/Op_reis_in_het_buitenland/reisadviezen/portugal
Flights
- Flights are not included in the price of the tour. You are free to choose your flight dates, route, price and airline company if you wish to fly to Portugal.
- If you opt for flights with a stopover or transfer in the United States of America, please note that you must complete a VISA WAIVER. You can do this up to a minimum of 72 hours before arrival, and this on the website of ESTA (link is external). The permission is valid for 2 years and costs approximately 14 USD per person.
- Before booking your flights, please contact YŪGEN tours first to check if our local partners are not fully booked on the desired dates.
- You can fly to Ponta Delgada or Faial Island. Several flights are available from Porto or Lisbon.
Feel free to contact YŪGEN tours for more information and assistance. We will be more than happy to assist.
