Sao Miguel Discovery Week

Introduction
Portugal
São Miguel, the largest island of the Azores in the heart of the Atlantic, is home to three majestic craters. On the coast, lapped by the gentle Gulf Stream, lie the sandy beaches and fishing villages. 

Explore this beautiful island and hike to the caldera of Sete Cidades, surrounded by pastures and blue hydrangeas.  You will also get a chance to visit Furnas village and its solfatares. In the wild crater "lake of fire" a huge colony of seabirds exudes a magical atmosphere.

Let yourself be conquered by the exuberance of light, the intensity of greens and blues, banana crops and quaint villages and immerse yourself in the overseas Portuguese lifestyle. 

Highlights:
• Visit of the 3 crater lakes
• Whale Watching
• Discovering Furnas

Accomodation

Accommodation
Your package includes accommodation in 3* and 4* hotels along the way.

Accommodations are subject to availability at time of booking. In case they are not available, we will offer accommodation of a similar standard or in a superior category. Any change of accommodation may lead to a price change.
Changes in taxes including VAT may occur at any time forcing us to change our prices accordingly.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1-2: Hotel in Capelas
Night 3-4: Hotel in Ponta Delgada
Night 5-7: Hotel in Furnas

Hotel in Capelas
This modern 4* hotel offers beautiful bedrooms, equipped with air conditioning, Satellite TV, Phone, free Wi-Fi and private facilities. Guests are welcome to use the outdoor pool, the luxury spa and wellness center.

Hotel in Ponta Delgada
This charming seaside hotel has modern rooms featuring air conditioning, a TV, free Wi-Fi and private bathroom. The hotel also offers a bar with nice views over the city and an indoor pool.

Hotel in Furnas
This historic hotel has been welcoming guests since 1935. You will sleep in a beautiful art deco room that includes free Wi-Fi, a safe, TV, Phone, air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom.
The hotel facilities include an indoor and outdoor pool, a spa and wellness center as well as a small garden.

Room Occupancy
Solo travelers will need to pay a single supplement fee.


Meals
All breakfasts are included. Lunches and Dinners need to be paid extra.

Riding

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary - subject to changes

Please, note that the program might have to be adapted according to availability of accommodation and according to flight and ferry timetables, which can lead to supplements and changes to the itinerary.

Day 1: Arrival
Taxi transfer from Ponta Delgada airport to Capelas, on the north coast of the Island. You will stay here for 2 nights in a 4**** hotel with pool.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Capelas

Day 2: Sete Cidades  
You start the day with a transfer to the west part of the island and the large crater of Sete Cidades. It contains two crater lakes (one green lake and one blue), separated by a 7 arches bridge that symbolically represents the 7 cities of the lost continent of Atlantis.
At the end of the hike, transfer back to your hotel along the north coastal road where you can see shelled peaceful villages with white houses and small harbors. 
Hiking about 12 km (4h) +/- 400 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Capelas

Day 3: Ponta Delgada & Whale Watching 
This morning, departure for Ponta Delgada. Take advantage of this free morning to discover the beautiful capital of the Azores, with its beautiful churches, gardens, and cobbled streets.
In the afternoon, you go on a whale watching adventure, to learn more about the marine life of the Azores. Settle in for 2 nights in your hotel in the city centre.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Ponta Delgada

Day 4: Lago de Fogo
Transfer to the beginning of the hike. You go on a beautiful hike to the most exceptional and untamed lakes of this island: the famous Lagoa do Fogo. To get to this beautiful lake, you will walk along a Levada and cross a geothermal active area as the itinerary goes up to the crests, from which you will have many incredible vantage points over the surrounding areas. Walk back down on wide mountain path that will take you back down to the coast.
Return transfer to you hotel is included. 
Hiking about 11.5 km (4h30) +/- 500 m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Ponta Delgada

Day 5: Rota de Agua
Today starts with a transfer to the departure of the walk. You will follow the rota de agua (“water road”) and reach a point of interest – Janela do Inferno – a vertical wall, rich in water springs. Here, it is possible to see a cavity, made by the water erosion. Take a chance to appreciate the beauty of this place and to regain energy. You will then cross a series of majestic aqueducts that used to supply the ancient Alcohol Factory of Lagoa.
Transfer to Furnas at the end of the hike. Installation in a wonderful 4**** hotel, with free access to the hot water spring, sauna and Jaccuzzi. Free afternoon to enjoy the hotel facilities.
Hiking about 7.5 km (2h30) + 250m / – 400m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Furnas

Day 6: Tea plantations
Your taxi transfer will drop you off at the tea plantation in Gorreana, one of the 2 unique Azorean plantations in Europe. Here, tea is cultivated, collected and manufactured according to ancestral methods.
Then, transfer to Maia for the beginning of the hike. The path winds through the meticulously pruned green shrubs. We recommend following the path that runs through the plantations. Some elevated parts of the trail boast great views of the northern coast. The path overlooking the ocean passes through basins once used by the women of the village to wash clothes, before arriving at a set of water mills, witnesses to the island's glorious past in wheat farming. 
Return via the wild beach of Praia da Viola which passes at the foot of the waterfalls. Transfer back to Furnas.
Hiking about 5.5 km (2h30) +300m / - 230m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Furnas

Day 7: Furnas 
For your last day, you are hiking in the crater of Furnas. Through lush vegetation, you will see the active volcano of the archipelago (fumaroles and sulfur springs) and its close links with the gastronomic traditions of this valley: the famous "cozido".
Hiking about 12 km (3h) +250m / - 280m
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Furnas

Day 8: Departure
Breakfast and taxi transfer 02h30 before your flight,to Ponta Delgada Airport.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Sao Miguel Discovery Week

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting:
Airport: Ponta Delgada
Transfer: Ponta Delgada airport

Climate:
                                           Ponta Delgada area