Hike from Lagoa do Capitão to Cais do Pico with a 9.2 km morning walk that explores species native to the Azores.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Views over the north coast and to São Jorge and Graciosa
* Walk through an unspoiled laurel forest
* Learn about species of flora and fauna with the help of a guide
Starting at the serene Lagoa do Capitão in the centre of Pico Island and ending in Cais do Pico, on our way we encounter many species of flora and fauna native to the Azores. It’s an experience in nature as well as a hiking trail that takes you through some of the most breathtaking scenery imaginable.
Firstly we traverse across common pastureland where we find various species, including incredible tall Azores juniper trees. After 1.5 km skirt past the Cabeço do Piquinho mountain for views over the north coast to Cais do Pico, and with luck over to the islands of São Jorge and Graciosa. Continue across pastureland, replete with species of flora such as the Azores bilberry, juniper, buckthorn and African box as well as orchids and other smaller species. A virtually unspoiled laurel forest, walk through a fragile ecosystem where various birds, including the Santa Maria Goldcrest, can easily be spotted.
We find a picnic area, where you can take a break next to an old drinking water reservoir used to supply Cais do Pico. Continue towards our destination, and on the way you’ll find the entrance to the Gruta das Canárias cave just before the trail ends next to the Convent of São Pedro de Alcântara.
Stroll through the lush green vineyards of Pico Island with a guided two hour hike from Porto do Calhau to Areia Larga.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* An easy two hour hike
* Panoramic views over the island’s vineyards
* Coastal paths
Starting at Porto do Calhau the route follows the coastline for approximately 1km. After passing a small hill on the right we reach a crossroads which takes us through the vines that paint the landscape a verdant green. See a quaint windmill from where we get a panoramic view over the vineyards, as well as the small islands of Madalena.
Leaving this area behind we reach the coast again following the trail until the ending point in Areia Larga. Along the way there are also cart tracks that were used to carry barrels of wine which you can discover. A relaxing way to spend the morning, this is an easy hiking trail that also takes you through the Azores’ heritage.
La isla de Terceira está plagada de lugares que te dejarán sin aliento. Disfruta de un tour fotográfico por la isla y descubre por ti mismo los sitios reales que se esconden detrás de las fotografías.
DESTACAMOS:
* Nada en una piscina natural
* Contempla lagos, vida salvaje y paisajes volcánicos
Descubre la belleza de la isla de Terceira con este recorrido que te lleva por sus monumentos naturales. Es una actividad ideal para los amantes de la fotografía y para aquellos que disfrutan con el paisaje. Pasea por un entorno impresionante y no pares de sacar fotografías increíbles para recordar este viaje inolvidable.
Visitaremos el pueblo encantador de Biscoitos, donde incluso te podrás bañar en su piscina natural, el frondoso oasis de Lagoa das Patas y los espectaculares gases volcánicos de Furnas do Enxofre. Seguiremos hasta Algar do Carvão, una chimenea volcánica que puedes visitar opcionalmente. Deja que tu guía te indique cómo sacar las mejores fotografías y los mejores encuadres. Al final de la excursión, te entregaremos una copia de un CD con las instantáneas que haya sacado el guía además de otras fotografías de la isla.
Explore the true potential of Terceira Island with a unique photographic tour by night.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Learn new skills from a professional photographer
* Discover the island’s points of interest by night
* Bring your own camera or rent one
Find your inner creative and test the potential of your camera (or a rented one) by joining us on a night tour of Terceira Island. With only the moonlight to guide us, we journey to the island’s natural hotspots in search of the perfect photo.
For lovers of photography or those who want to perfect their skills, this is not just a tour, but also a workshop with a professional photographer. Learn the best techniques in striking surroundings and take away the most personal souvenir possible. The island’s peculiar and spectacular volcanic landscape, dense deep green laurissilva forests, and dizzying cliffs on the west coast create a unique backdrop for your photos.
And by night, the island comes alive. With the brooding reflection of the moon in the sea, the night sky shimmering above the landscapes, you can discover the raw beauty of the Azores. We explore until sunset, for picture perfect snaps every time.
A circular hiking trail around the Miradouro da Caldeira is the ideal way to get to heart of Faial.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Medium level 8km hike
* Circular trail around the Caldeira
* Explore the symbol of the island
Spend two and a half hours exploring the symbol of Faial – the Caldeira. Located in the middle of the island, this huge volcanic crater is overflowing with colourful plants that are native to the Azores. An easy path to follow, you simply follow the trail from beginning to end with time to observe the pockets of beauty in this Natural Reserve.
With heather, blueberry and many other types of vegetation the flowers of the island create a vibrant carpet of colour that glistens under the sun. Spend the morning hiking around the crater with views over the north coast, and discover the incredible biodiversity that characterizes the Azores.
Test your stamina on a guided hiking trail through the heart of Faial’s natural beauty.
EXPLORE:
* The Caldeira – a reminder of Faial’s volcanic history
* Paths that run along the Levadas
* Capelinhos lighthouse
Combining the best of the several trails that crisscross Faial, we embark on an ambitious hike that takes you deeper into the island’s landscapes. Discover how diverse the flora in the Azores can be with species that thrive in altitude and medium altitude, as well as species that characterise the ravines and sheltered spots.
Starting at the viewpoint in Caldeira, we trek across part of the vast perimeter running alongside this incredible volcanic structure until we reach a road made of lapilli that runs parallel to the trail. We now continue along the Caminho do Brejo to the Levadas – an irrigation system that intertwine their way across the mountains – which we follow for 3km. Carry on west through a beaten track to the start of the trail towards Capelo/Capelinhos. This 8km path leads us to the iconic Capelinhos lighthouse, located at the Interpretation Centre of Capelinhos Volcano, where the tour ends at a striking point.
Discover ancient lava flows, fascinating volcanic formations and scenery that will leave you awe-struck with this 7km hike through the Forest Park of Trupes do Capelo.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* See weird and wonderful volcanic landscapes
* Viewpoints over Capelinhos Volcani and the east of the island
* Medium difficulty
Enjoy the great ecological and geological diversity that symbolises the Natural Park of Faial with a two and a half hour hike from Trupes do Capelo to Capelinhos. Visit Cabeço Verde for views over to Cabeço do Fogo towards the East; testament to Faial’s first historic eruption in 1672. Continue west towards Caldeirão along a lapilli road towards an old 55 metre deep volcanic chimney at Furna Ruim.
Further on we arrive at Algar do Carvão, one of Capelo peninsula’s most ancient volcanic formations, reaching one of the most beautiful examples of holly on the island. Continue to Cabeço do Canto for views over the Capelinhos Volcano, and marvel at the types of native Laurissilva trees that characterise the area. Visit a small lava tube and old whaling lookout, and walk through the volcanic ashes of Costado da Nau until we reach our destination at the Interpretation Centre of Capelinhos Volcano.
Explore the island of Sao Jorge with an excursion from Serra do Topo to Fajã dos Cubres.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Discover a huge variety of flora on route
* Walk along the Caldeira de Cima and Caldeira de Santo Cristo
* Services of an expert guide
Our hiking trail begins at the wind farm in Serra do Topo where we take a wide path bordered by colourful hydrangeas that takes us around a reservoir. After a while the trail begins to descent into Caldeira de Cima, replete with an incredible variety of flora such as heather, juniper and blueberry.
We take a small path leading to a waterfall before reaching the Caldeira de Santo Cristo, at about the half-way point, where you can also find a restaurant. From here we continue on to our ending point at Fajã dos Cubres, where the trail comes to an end. This is a hiking trail that introduces you to the diverse landscape of the Azores; it’s your chance to immerse yourself in nature at its purest.
Climb the highest peak on the island of São Jorge for views you’ll never forget.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Climb to the highest point on the island
* See crater lakes and other volcanic formations
* End at Fajã do Ouvidor
After picking you up at the hotel we set off the start of the trail at the foot of Pico do Pedro. Walk along a forest path that gradually climbs its way up the Pico do Pedro on the northern side, before turning off to head up to Pico da Esperança – 1053m above sea level and the highest point on the island.
Reach the summit and take in the breathtaking views over the landscape and the lake. Walk around the crater admiring its incredible volcanic formation; a reminder of the Azores’ volcanic past. Return to the main track and continue the trail until Pico do Carvão, also with a crater at its centre. Start descending towards Fajã do Ouvidor, land formed from scree fall and other falling material taking the shape of lava flow, where the hiking trail ends.
Si hay lugares que merecen un reconocimiento especial por su naturaleza, Flores es sin duda uno de ellos. Cascadas, lagunas, acantilados, kilómetros de hortensias… Contempla todo esto y mucho más desde miradores privilegiados en un viaje inolvidable.
DESTACAMOS:
* Recorre la isla y disfruta de paisajes vírgenes
* Asómate al Atlántico desde los numerosos miradores situados a lo largo de la costa
* Oportunidad única para tomar fotos dignas de postal
Deja atrás la ciudad de Santa Cruz das Flores para dirigirte hacia el centro de la isla, donde te espera un recorrido por los miradores más hermosos. Haz una parada en Pico da Casinha, en Arcos da Ribeira da Cruz, en Lagoa da Lomba y Pedrinh, y descubre un exuberante entorno natural que guarda relación con su sugerente nombre: Ilha das Flores.
Visita otros miradores de excepcional belleza como Funda, Rasa, Seca, Agua Branca, Comprida y Negra antes de continuar el tour por la parte occidental de la isla. Disfruta de vistas panorámicas desde el mirador de Craveiro Lopes y asiste a un espectáculo natural en la cascada de Ribeira Grande. Más tarde, llegarás al pueblo de Fajã Grande, un rincón mágico en medio del paraíso. Después de dar un paseo por la cascada de Poço do Bacalhau, podrás observar el punto más occidental de Europa: Monchique.
En esta misma parte de la isla tendrás la oportunidad de admirar el molino de agua de Ribeira Grande y acercarte al mirador de Portal. A través de Caldeira, alcanzarás la pequeña localidad de Mosteiros, donde no te puedes perder los miradores de Rocha dos Bordões antes de hacer una parada en el pueblo de Lajedo.
Dirígete finalmente al sur de la isla, otro espectáculo para la vista. Detente en los miradores de Morro dos Frades y Fãja do Lopo Vaz de camino a la ciudad de Lajes, hogar de la iglesia de Nossa Senhora do Rosário. Admira su particular arquitectura y, seguidamente, viaja a través de Fazenda das Lajes, Lomba y Caveira antes de volver a la ciudad de Santa Cruz.
Journey from west to east across the volcanic plateau that characterises São Jorge Island.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Journey from Rosais to Topo Lighthouse
* See many points of interest along the way
* Choose a half day tour or full day tour
The elongated shape of São Jorge Island and the rhythmic sequence of cones that form the central part of the island, appear from a distance like the wavy back of a sleeping prehistoric animal. The plateau of the inner part of the island, where the volcanic cones that made the island were born, gives way to high, steep cliffs that either come to an end in the deep blue sea or in small flat areas at sea level, the famous fajãs of São Jorge.
Our adventure takes us around the whole island from the western point in Rosais to the eastern tip at Topo Lighthouse. Along the way we pass through different points of interest depending on the option chosen, and stop for lunch in a local restaurant with the full day option. We travel the lush green pastures divided by hydrangeas in bloom, crossing streams that lead us beautiful waterfalls.
Let your senses be overwhelmed by the vibrant nature that infuses the very being of Faial. Join us on a 4x4 expedition into the very heart of this abundant island.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* Visit the Botanical Garden of Faial and Caldeira crater
* Admire the volcanic landscape at Capelinhos Vulcano
* Travel by 4x4 to get to hard-to-reach places
Hop aboard our all-terrain vehicles to journey along coastal paths and inland landscapes in search of the most beautiful parts of the island. Experience and breathe in the Botanical Garden of Faial and the Caldeira, a huge crater that dominates the island, featuring flowers, plants and trees that shimmer under the shining sun.
Continue on to Capelinhos Vulcano and its Interpretation Centre, where you’ll feel as if you´ve landed on the moon. Brushstrokes of grey volcanic ash remain as a hangover from the volcanic eruption in 1957 and 1958, and at the abrupt cliffs of Capenlinho and Costado da Nau you can even see inside the volcanoes. A sequence of contrasting rocks, layers and contours play a game of surprising colours and textures. On the way back to your hotel, we visit the Varadouro.
Full Day program including a walk to Fogo Lake, the second largest in the archipelago and located in a natural reserve area. Enjoy the perspective out of the beaten track of one of the most emblematic landscape attractions of the island. The trail begins in a dirt road that climbs through a forest of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), incense (Pittosporum undulatum) and ginger lily (Hedychium gardneranum). A bit ahead there is an area filled with New Zealand flax (Phormiun tenax) which was spun and woven in a former factory whose ruins still exist. The trail continues along a “levada” (water channel, about 2 Kms) until reaching an open area with large slopes on both sides, until it reaches the margins of Lagoa do Fogo. During the climb there are several places where you can enjoy a magnificent view of Vila Franca do Campo and its islet.
Full day programme with mountain biking in Sete Cidades, rock climbing and a sea thermal bath at Ferraria (classified as natural monument). This activity gives one the opportunity to discover the western part of the island of São Miguel (volcanic system of Sete Cidades and thermal springs of Ferraria) in an complete and active way. After transfer from Picos de Aventura, the day begins with a bike ride in the volcanic system Sete Cidades, in a landscape dominated by the lagoon considered one of the 7th natural wonders of Portugal. The tour (15 Kms) runs mostly in flat, slightly hilly terrain. After lunch, we head to Ferraria, a unique geological formation in the coast. Here one will find a climbing wall, properly equipped, with different routes and different degrees of difficulty (IV up to 6b +). After the activity is possible to swim in the natural pool of thermal hot water, in the ocean.
Meeting at the supplier’s office and departure for a Full day program with canoeing in Furnas Lake and horse riding in Lagoa. The activity begins with Canoeing in Lagoa das Furnas. During the tour you can make a short stop to enjoy the volcanic phenomena across the lake which manifest in the form of fumaroles and boiling waters. In this area, and due to the volcanic activity, the local cook in the ground the traditional Portuguese Cozido (stew). After lunch (in the parish of Furnas), we head to “Quinta da Terça”, in Livramento. The tour is conducted through secondary roads, flanked by old dry stone walls, in the direction of "Mata Santa." Here we find, among other plants, jars, eucalypts, acacias and laurel. In "Mata da Santa" we pass near the place where rests the patron saint of animals.