Azores - A Dream Hiking Holiday ADVENTURE COASTAL NATURE 2018 www.portugalnaturetrails.com info@portugalnaturetrails.com
Azores - A Dream Hiking Holiday ADVENTURE COASTAL NATURE DESCRIPTION Discover the Green Island, the jewel of the Atlantic. Discover the largest island of the Azores archipelago, São Miguel Island. A small natural jewel to explore for the richness and diversity of the nature that covers it. To discover the socalled "Green Island" we will every day meet its glorious nature. Hiking through lush Azorean vegetation, bubbling solfataras and crater lakes. The discovery of the only tea plantations in Europe and the unforgettable experience of an outing at sea to observe whales and dolphins in their natural habitat. All this topped off with swims in beautiful black sand beaches and relaxing moments in the warm natural waters of the Furnas Valley. TRIP INFORMATION TOUR HIGHLIGHTS ACCOMMODATION Comfort TOUR GRADE Leisurely DURATION 8 Days 7 Days START END Furnas Ponta Delgada DISTANCE 8-13 km / day ROUTE Hiking trails PROFILE Hilly but soft climbs Discovery of the largest island of the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores Whale and dolphin watching with a specialist Serra Devassa, the area with the largest number of lagoons of São Miguel Island Mesmerizing lagoons across the island Pico da Vara, São Miguel Island s highest point
THE ITINERARY DAY 1 ARRIVAL On arrival day our guide will welcome you at the airport of São Miguel and transfer you to your accommodation (45 min). Here have a rest or go for a walk around the city. Depending on arrival time, you may go to a Casa do Chá, the only place in Europe where Camellia, a plant from which tea is produced, is cultivated and processed. ACCOMMODATION Furnas Boutique Hotel DAY 2 FURNAS to PICO DO FERRO Your first day of adventure starts at Furnas, which is located inside a volcano in the center of São Miguel Island. Walk around the Furnas Lake, where steaming and bubbling calderas can be observed. End the day with a swim in these warm waters. (You may also visit Terra Nostra Park, known for its two centuries old trees.) ACCOMMODATION Furnas Boutique Hotel HIKE 13km, + 400m DAY 3 PICO DA VARA Hike After a short 15min transfer you depart for the ascent of Pico da Vara (the highest point of São Miguel Island at 1105m) and later go to the Pico do Carvalho (950m). These paths were used in the past by the "elders" to access the forest where they produced charcoal and kept livestock. This route crosses a regulated protection zone, where, if you are lucky, you will be able to see the Azores Bullfinch, an endangered species unique to this island. A 40min transfer will take you to the hotel in Vila Franca. ACCOMMODATION Convento de São Francisco HIKE 12km, + 635m
DAY 4 WHALE WATCHING On this day you go out into the sea in the morning to watch whales and other species of cetaceans. This is an opportunity to see some of the 27 species of marine mammals found in the Azores and a great way to discover the impressive colony of dolphins and whales that live in these mid- Atlantic waters. ACCOMMODATION Convento de São Francisco DAY 5 LAGOA DE FOGO Hike Today, after a short 10min transfer, start with a climb through a forest of eucalyptus, pittosporum and acacias and follow a stream before reaching the shore of Lagoa do Fogo. This hike offers us superb views of the southern coast of São Miguel, Vila Franca do Campo and its islet, and the Ribeira da Praia. Note that this course is carried out entirely in an area classified as Natural Reserve. It is everyone's responsibility to contribute to its protection and to guarantee its biodiversity by conserving this natural habitat. A transfer 25min long will take you to your next accommodation. HIKE 12km, + 600m DAY 6 LAGOA DAS SETE CIDADES Hike It will take only 25min to get to the start of todays adventure. A hike in direction of Lagoa das Sete Cidades is the program for today. There we will discover one of the most beautiful calderas of the Azores. Two lakes (Lagoa Azul and Lagoa Verde) are nestled in the huge crater of this volcano, offering an impressing and surprising landscape to be enjoyed and appreciated. Return to the Hotel will take 35min by car. HIKE 11km, + 450m
DAY 7 LAGOA DO CANÁRIO Hike In the morning you have free time in Ponta Delgada to visit the market, the catedral and the alleys of its old merchant port. Later you will be transferred (25min) to the starting point of this days hike, from which you will climb up the Serra Devassa, an area with the largest number of lagoons of São Miguel Island. In addition to Lagoa do Canário, you can discover Lagoa das Éguas, Lagoa Rasa and Lagoa do Carvão, among others. This fantastic walk around volcanic lakes along a ridge is sometimes accompanied by fog which gives it a special atmosphere. 25min transfer back to Ponta Delgada. HIKE 8km, +350m DAY 8 DEPARTURE Prepare your luggage, photographs and best memories. Don t forget anything behind! You will be transferred to the airport. All programs are specially designed for adventure lovers. Amazing experiences are guaranteed. We aren t responsible for possible side effects, that may include moments of extreme happiness, sense of freedom and desire to continue with us. Contact us for more information. Portugal Nature Trails is a registered trademark of Caminhos da Natureza Registered Company as RNAVT (National Registry of Travel Agencies and Tourism) and RNAAT (National Registry of Animation Agent and Tourism) Rua 7 de Junho,58, Leceia, 2730-174 BARCARENA PORTUGAL