Offering a magnificent, varied journey along five islands in 21 days, this is your must-do tour if you do not want to miss out on anything while on holidays in The Azores!
Mystic Azores
Explore five islands in 21 days! This journey takes you on a circular route from the green island of São Miguel to the smaller, unique islands of Terceira, Pico, São Jorge and Faial, before returning back to São Miguel. Take your time to really enjoy the Azores!
Duration:
21 days/20 nights
Country:
Activity:
Type:
Highlights
- Five islands: São Miguel | Pico | São Jorge | Faial | Terceira
- Furnas lagoon and fumaroles
- Faial da terra walk and Gorreran tea plantations
- Wild lake Lagoa do Fogo
- Sete Cidades, crater & blue and green lake
- Ponta Delgada
- Ascent of the Pico Volcano with certified guide
- Option to go whale watching or sea kayaking
- Labyrinths of the Pico vineyards, world heritage
- Fajã de Santo Cristo
- Horta and the crater of Faial
- Capelinhos Volcano
- Angra do Heroísmo, world heritage city
- Explore the crater of Monte Brasil
- The stunning landscape of Misterios Negros
- Optional visit to Algar do Carvão, volcanic cave
- Caldera de Guilherme Moniz, large crater with a perimeter of 15 km
DAY 1 Arrival to the green island
On your arrival day to São Miguel, a rental car will be at your disposal at Ponta Delgada airport so you can drive straight to the small village of Furnas. Here you will find your new home for the first three nights. Relax and stroll around.
Accommodation in Furnas.
DAY 2 The Furnas lagoon and fumaroles
From the hotel you can walk to Furnas Lake. The fumaroles and bubbling waters are signs of the volcanic activity in this region. The stew of Furnas, a local gastronomic specialty, cooks slowly in small holes in the earth. No kitchen needed here! After the lagoon tour, return to the village for a free visit of the Parque Nostra and a swim in the warm waters which make the Valley of Furnas famous.
Walking time approx. 3h | +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". This is a hike to the heart of the endemic vegetation of the Azores. Take the road to Gorreana to discover the only and therefor unique tea plantations in Europe, as well as a factory dating back to 1883. Visit the tea plantation and the 19th-century factory that still produces Azorean tea today. The visit is followed by a tasting. After this exciting day, hit the road back to Furnas for your last night already in this wonderful village.
Faial da Terra walking time approx. 2h30 |+200/-200 height meters.
Gorreana Tea walking time aprox. 1h00 | +200/-200 height meters.
Accommodation in Furnas.
DAY 4 Lagoa do Fogo walk
After breakfast, depart to the South coast of the island for a hike from the village of Agua d'Alto, along a "levada", an ingenious system for the collection and delivery of rainwater through an area of dense vegetation, to reach the "Lagoa do Fogo ", a great wild lake with crystal clear waters.
Walking time approx. 4h | + 470/-470 height meters.
Accommodation in Rabo de Peixe.
DAY 5 Sete Cidades crater and Ponta Delgada
Take the road along the North coast to the village of Sete Cidades for a walk in this vast crater that surrounds the village and the blue and green lake, the largest lake in the Azores. Around the summit of the crater, the views are breathtaking. In the afternoon, visit Ponta Delgada, its lava stone architecture and Baroque churches. We also suggest visiting a pineapple plantation, another specialty of São Miguel with a cultivation method in greenhouses, unique in the world.
Walking time approx. 3h | +300/-300 height meters.
Accommodation in Rabo de Peixe.
DAY 6 Flight to Pico Island
Today you can return the rented car at Ponta Delgada airport and take your inter-island flight to Pico Island, where a welcome reception and transfer to the small town of Madalena will be waiting for you. After checking in at the hotel, you can freely discover the small village, the wine museum or take a dip in a natural pool.
Accommodation in Madalena.
DAY 7 Pico Mountain (2351m)
This morning you will be transferred to Casa da Montanha to join your mountain guide for the ascent of the Pico volcano (2351m), the highest peak of the Azores and Portugal.
The difficulty of the ascent lays in a steep climb and a descent into a stony and sometimes steep terrain on a poorly marked trail. A difficulty that can be accentuated by changing weather conditions (fog, rain, wind, cold at 2000 m).
Walking time: 7h / 8h | + 1100m / - 1100m height meters. In case of unfavorable weather for the ascent of Pico, or if you like to walk a shorter distance, a hike is planned from "Frei Matias". A descent on the flanks of the Pico volcano, facing the ocean and the island of Faial. The landscape changes as you descend, from green pastures to conifer forests and orange cultures, banana and vines. Walking time: 3h30 | -600 m height meters.
Overnight in Madalena.
DAY 8 Chill out day and whale watching (optional)
After yesterdays 'hike, enjoy some time to chill. Optional activities today are whale watching and sea kayaking.
Overnight in Madalena.
DAY 9 The labyrinths of Pico vineyards - world heritage
A 15 minute transfer will take you to the small village of Candelaria for a coastal hike. Discover the the Pico vineyards, classified as world heritage since 2004. Kilometers of basalt stonewalls protect the vineyards against the sea. This forms a titanic work and a unique landscape! It is also possible to swim in natural pools. In the afternoon, visit the "Gruta das Torres", the largest lava tunnel in the Azores.
Walking time approx. 3h | +300 m/-300 height meters.
Accommodation in Madalena.
DAY 10 Ferry to the São Jorge Island
After breakfast a transfer to Madalena port or São Roque on the northern coast awaits you for the ferry crossing to the island of São Jorge (1h to 1,5h). Enjoy the rest of the day to discover the charming little town of Velas and to swim or to 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 min), followed by a superb descent on an old mule track to 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 for you to return to Velas.
Walking time approx. 4h |+200/-700 height meters
Accommodation in Velas
DAY 12 Norte Pequeno walk or Pico da Esperança
We will take you to Norte Pequeno for a hike along the cliffs of this small village and the many Fajãs.
Alternative: If the weather is favorable, hike on the ridges to "Pico da Esperança ", the highest peak of the island of São Jorge.
Walking time Norte Pequeno approx. 3h | -300m/ + 300 height meters.
Walking time Pico da Esperança approx.5h | +450 m/ -1043 height meters.
Accommodation in Velas.
DAY 13 Ferry to Faial Island
The ferry will take you to Horta (2h), where a 5 minute taxi drive will bring you to your new home for the next three nights. After check in, go discover Horta, famous stopover of the Atlantic for sailors from all countries. Possible activities are a swim at the beach of Porto Pim, a visit to the aquarium and the "Peter" sailors' bar, well-known for its gin tonic.
Accommodation in Horta.
DAY 14 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 you can enjoy the lush vegetation. Transfer back to Horta.
Walking time approx. 4h |+300m/-500 height meters.
Accommodation in Horta.
DAY 15 Capelinhos Volcano
A 30 minutes'drive will take you to the Northwest coast to go and discover the most recent eruption of the Azores. In 1957 the Capelinhos Volcano emerged from the ocean, projecting its ashes and forming a new peninsula. Hike from the village of Capelo, from volcano to volcano, to the buried village of Capelinhos.
Walking time approx. 3h |+200/-200 height meters.
Accommodation in Horta.
DAY 16 Flight to Terceira Island - Angra do Heroismo
Take a small, inter-island flight to the island of Terceira and pick up your rental car upon arrival. You will stay overnight in the historical center of Angra do Heroismo. After check in, there is time to explore this World Heritage city.
Accommodation in Angra do Heroísmo.
DAY 17 Monte Brasil walk
Depart from your accommodation to explore the crater of "Monte Brasil", a volcano with its feet in the water, icon of the city and the bay of Angra.
Walking time approx. 3h |+200/-200 height meters.
Accommodation in Angra do Heroísmo.
DAY 18 Mistérios Negros walk
In the morning, enjoy a hike to the "Misterios Negros", huge volcanic domes made of black lava stones, a unique site in the Azores. The afternoon, you can choose to go on an optional tour of "Algar do Carvão", a well-known volcanic cave in the Azores, one of the few volcanoes in the world visible from the inside.
Walking time approx. 3h |+150/-150 height meters.
Accommodation in Angra do Heroísmo.
DAY 19 Exploring the Lilac Island
A free day to discover the island at your own pace and mix tours with swimming. Serra do Cume, located at more than 500m altitude, offers you a splendid view on a patchwork of different shades of green, a succession of pastures and cornfields. The "Furnas do Enxofre", sulfatases, around twenty fumaroles surrounded by green moss are worth a visit. The "Caldera de Guilherme Moniz ", a crater with a perimeter of 15 km, the widest of the archipelago, or the Belvedere da Serra de Santa Bárbara with its view beautiful southwestern slopes of the island, lined with green and dotted with small white villages, all framed by the blue of the ocean. Whatever you do, you are bound to enjoy magnificent sights!
Accommodation in Angra do Heroísmo.
DAY 20 Flight back to Ponta Delgada
Time to return the rental car at the airport and take your flight back to Ponta Delgada (around 30 min) where a transfer will drop you off at your hotel in the city center. Enjoy the rest of the day to stroll through the historic center of the Azorean capital or relax by the waterfront facing the marina.
Accommodation in Angra do Heroísmo.
DAY 21 Adeus Azores
Even a 3 week trip unfortunately comes to an end. Today we bring you to the airport to catch your international flight.
Our itineraries in The Azores are flexible. Please feel free to contact us with any request you may have so we can assist in creating your customized itinerary.
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.
